Festivals

The THIN LINE FILM FEST

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Texas’ International Documentary Film Festival

UPCOMING DEADLINE
October 31, 2012 – Late Deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The Thin Line Film Festival aims to educate and entertain Texas audiences through the presentation of the best and most relevant documentary films from around the world. It strives to create a high-quality festival experience for all filmmakers, attendees, and volunteers.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Particularly adventurous festival guests can register for the DocuDenton 7K: a race to create a short documentary on a subject unique to Denton, Texas. For this exciting competition, teams of one or more draw a random topic from a hat and then have five days in which to shoot and edit a short documentary. Every film that finishes on time is screened during a special event at the festival and competes for a cash prize. Registration for DocuDenton 7K includes an all-day workshop with Dallas-based documentary filmmaker Mark Birnbaum (Swingman).

Documentarians: Whether you are looking for a dynamic slate of films, a bit of healthy competition, or the big-hearted spirit of Texas, the Thin Line Film Festival has it all. Submit today!

Thin Line welcomes filmmakers who push the boundaries of their craft. The festival explores the full depth of the documentary genre, celebrating hybrid forms such as docufictions, mockumentaries, docudramas, animated documentaries, and others, alongside more traditionally structured films. Thin Line recognizes that a documentary is driven not only by the facts it employs but also by the innate creativity of its maker, and the festival applauds that creativity above all else. Thin Line even slips a “fake” documentary in among the “real” ones each year – and doesn’t tell you which is which.

Nearly every film screened at Thin Line is followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker, and this year, $20,000 USD in cash and prizes will be awarded to the best long-form and short-form documentaries. The festival also puts an emphasis on establishing community and camaraderie amongst attendees; between Thin Line screenings, visitors enjoy parties, rock out with local bands, participate in a wide variety of industry panels and lectures, and explore the local Texan culture. As a fully walkable festival, Thin Line gives its guests absolute freedom to enjoy this celebratory experience exactly as they wish.

2013 QUEENS WORLD FILM FESTIVAL

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New York, New York – USA
March 5 to 9, 2013
 
Upcoming Deadline: November 1

QWFF celebrates the independent filmmaking spirit by encouraging the novice and the student filmmaker, featuring filmmakers who take chances to bring us challenging stories and by providing screening opportunities for that overlooked, yet gem of a film.

The 3rd Annual Queens World Film Festival (QWFF) creates a robust and exciting program aimed at launching careers and thrilling audiences. Always putting the filmmaker first, QWFF provides top-notch screening experiences at unique venues, and groups films thematically to maximize marketing and press opportunities. The festival hosts additional screenings for its festival films throughout the calendar year, providing talented artists with plenty of opportunities to make their voices heard.

Last year’s opening night gala, hosted at the renowned Museum of the Moving Image, unveiled five world premieres, three New York premieres, and welcomed a sold-out crowd. Taking place in one of the most dynamic boroughs of New York City, itself one of the most diverse communities in the world, QWFF is more than a great place to tell and enjoy cinematic stories; it’s an ideal environment in which to hatch your next great idea. Submit your work to the Queens World Film Festival today and discover the incredible community, support, and exposure opportunities for yourself!

 

Festivus Film Festival

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6 Annual January 23, 2013 to January 27, 2013

Over the years Festivus Film Festival has received coverage from virtually every major media outlet in Denver.

We’re very excited to announce that the sixth annual FESTIVUS Film Festival is coming up January 23-27, 2013!

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
REAL indie flicks for REAL indie fans!

FESTIVUS Film Festival was created to support and encourage independent film and filmmakers. We strive to provide the best possible platform for filmmakers to present your work to the public. Add to that: healthy screening attendance, plenty of networking opportunities, and parties you will tell your children about. This is the film festival event that you do not want to miss.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Festivus Film Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality indie films to our awesome Denver audience.

Our organization began in 2007 as a response to what we saw as a independent film vacuum in Denver. Our humble, yet promising Festivus Film Festival 2008 was our first attempt to fill that vacuum. After rave reviews we decided we were on to something. Fast forward to the present, and we’re now in the planning stages of Festivus Film Festival 2013, our 6 year anniversary! After being named one of the 20 Coolest Film Festivals in the US by Moviemaker Magazine, our 2012 fest was our biggest yet. Coverage from virtually every major media outlet in Denver, dedicated and passionate volunteers, edgy high-quality programming, and an exciting and fresh brand has made us one of the hottest young festivals in North America. Festivus Film Festival is the can’t miss event where you can see great new indie flicks, meet talented up-and-coming filmmakers, and party like it’s the last day on earth.

Year 5 was our best season yet, and we’re building on all our success to make Year 5 even better. Films are once again screening at two very historic favorites: the Bug Theatre and the Oriental Theater. Our passholder’s lounge will be located at the Next Gallery directly across from the Bug Theatre. Nightlife events will be held at a variety of top-notch venues around the Denver area. We’ve even added a 5th day to pack in more action for our filmmakers and film fans. Stay posted to the website for updates and a detailed schedule!
ORGANIZERS
Johnathan McFarlane (Festival Director) ; Johnathan McFarlane (Festival Director) ; Kate O’Neill ; Kate O’Neill ; Kate O’Neill ; Kate O’Neill ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim DeMasters ; Tim Sorensen

FIRSTGLANCE FILM FESTIVAL

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Hollywood, California – USA
April 13 to 15, 2013

UPCOMING DEADLINE
November 1, 2012 – Late Deadline

Named one of the “Best Film Festival Investments” by Movie Maker Magazine and “One of the Festivals for the Rest of Us” by Time Magazine, FirstGlance has become a leader in mid-sized film festivals.

Applauded by filmmakers and attendees as one of the best programmed festivals, FirstGlance accepts all genres and shows an amazing mix of short and feature length films, the best indie films on the festival circuit, before they hit theaters.  Audiences vote for “Best of the Fest” and are invited to come mix and mingle with filmmakers, cast and crew at great after parties.

FirstGlance Film Fests brings indie filmmakers and audiences together all year long too!  With our short online contests, and our “Show Us Your Shorts” mixers and screenings, FirstGlance Independent Film Festivals works to get filmmakers the attention they deserve.

FirstGlance Film Fest Philly and FirstGlance Film Fest Hollywood offer filmmakers great prize packages, Theatrical and digital distribution opportunities, filmmaker awards and a personal touch not matched by any other festival.

FirstGlance continues to refine and improve upon its already stellar reputation each season. This year, FirstGlance’s “Best of the Fest” winner will nab a red carpet premiere and a one-week theatrical run in a 450-seat, state-of-the-art theater on the Las Vegas Strip, valued at $35,000 USD. All Official Selections will be honored with an awards package and a complimentary all-access festival pass valued at $150.

In the past six years, more than 90% of features programmed at FirstGlance have earned theatrical distribution or online distribution through cable, VOD, and online retailers. By offering such exposure and networking opportunities, FirstGlance proves it is more than a festival that draws locals to a few good films – it’s an experience dedicated to providing talented filmmakers with the exposure and contacts they need to build an exciting and fruitful career.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
FirstGlance provides a casual, competitive forum in which professional, first-time, and student filmmakers can exhibit and promote their creative endeavors. The festival has a long history of mixing amazing indie films with the best that Hollywood has to offer.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
To assist with the marketing and promotional efforts of its Official Selections, FirstGlance offers the Filmmaker Incentive Program – allowing independent filmmakers who may have budget constraints to take full advantage of the advertising power of the festival. All Official Selections can take part, free of charge, in the FirstGlance trailer network – a network that has gleaned more than three million views on streaming partners including YouTube, Facebook, MetaCafe, and Twitter. It’s no wonder that Joseph A. Garcia (Producer, The Butcher) gushes, “FirstGlance is an amazing festival.”

Notable alumni of FirstGlance Film Fests include Jeff Wadlow (Kick Ass 2), Michael Rymer (Battlestar Galactica), Laurie Seidman (Medium), as well as Bryce Dallas Howard, Mary Stuart Masterson, Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Danica McKellar, to name just a few.

Whether you’re looking for a career boost or just a great Los Angeles screening experience, submit your film to the FirstGlance Film Festival Hollywood today!

 

 


The Irvine International Film Festival

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Irvine, California – USA
January 10 to 14, 2013

UPCOMING DEADLINE
October 30, 2012 – Late Deadline

The 2nd Annual Irvine International Film Festival (IIFF), is drawing talented filmmakers from all over the world to Southern California’s bustling film scene. Thanks to its proximity to the heart of the American film industry, IIFF offers attending filmmakers and guests abundant networking opportunities and the chance to engage with like-minded filmmakers and film fans throughout the five-day event.

Up to $25,000 USD in prizes will be presented through awards and raffles, including items from festival sponsors Final Draft, Boris EFX, Quick Film Budget, Creative Handbook, and others. IIFF honors diversity and ingenuity in a variety of competitive categories, and presents awards for Best Student Film, Best Experimental Short, Best Feature Documentary, and Best Feature Film. Last year’s festival winners included The Forgotten Bomb, a documentary exploring nuclear weapons still primed to detonate; The Mulberry Tree, a drama tracing three characters through the most tragic experiences of their lives; and Paths of Hate, an animated short investigating the ideology of combat.

Hosted at Irvine’s Edwards West Park 8 Theatre, IIFF attracts film lovers of all ages and interests. The 2012 line-up included the work of Izabella Olivia, a second-grader at Irvine’s Canyon View Elementary School, alongside a restoration of Ernst Lubitsch’s 1922 film The Loves of Pharaoh. IIFF is a festival that understands great stories truly do come in all forms and from all parts of the world, and is eager to discover emerging talent and share unique new voices with local audiences.

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The Irvine International Film Festival celebrates the power of individual expression and diverse points of view. It promotes and encourages screenwriters, directors, editors, cinematographers, producers, actors, and all artists engaged in the language of film, and enhances public awareness of and participation in global issues.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Festival judges include Academy-Award nominees and representatives from distribution and production companies, among other industry players. IIFF is a competitive event that is proud to discover up-and-coming filmmakers and award the best new and established artists on the filmmaking scene.

In its inaugural outing last year, IIFF presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Rebecca Isabelle Laemmle, a movie actress of the 1920s and 1930s who, at the age of 102, is one of the few surviving stars of the silent film era. IIFF aims to support its filmmakers during and after the festival, so that they too can experience long-lived careers in the entertainment industry. For the chance to be a part of a unique festival program and enjoy the supportive atmosphere at the Irvine International Film Festival, submit your work today!

 

 

 

United Film Festival – Screenwriting Contest

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2013 Season
Los Angeles – April / May
New York – May
London – June
San Francisco – Aug./Sept.
Chicago – Sept.
Tulsa – Oct.

This contest offers an amazing opportunity for screenwriters with work in many different genres. Visit the Submissions section of our website for more information on how to submit.

Along with submitting your script, you may also choose to purchase Script Coverage of your submission, which offers more in-depth analysis of your submission, including an evaluation of Originalty, Story Structure, Characterization, Dialogue, and Mechanics. Submission fees will increase as we get closer to our final deadline so submit today!

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The United Film Festival Screenwriting Contest, now in its third year, is an opportunity for the United Film Festival to continue to grow our expansive United network and provide a forum for those who often get overlooked in the world of film production – “the screenwriter.” The United Film Festival screens cutting-edge independent films and highly acclaimed classic movies with the audience in mind in six unique cities -Los Angeles, New York, London, San Francisco, Chicago, and Tulsa.

After ten years running successful filmmakers in these cities, our commitment to bringing together talented filmmakers and screenwriters from diverse backgrounds, thus creating a “United” showcase of creative energy and talent, has extended to our Screenwriting Contest. We are commited to providing opportunities for our large and constantly growing network of filmmakers through outlets including our distribution division, United Films. As of 2012, United Films acts as a sales representative for over 50 independent titles, many of whom are United Film Festival alumni or former submitters.

Our Screenwriting Contest calls for short and feature scripts in the following categories: Drama, Comedy, and Horror/Thriller. We will announce three finalists in each category (Feature-length Drama, Feature-length Comedy, Feature length Horror/Thriller, Short Drama, Short Comedy, Short Horror/Thriller) in April 2013 and winners will be announced and honored at the United Film Festival – Los Angeles in May 2013.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
A Tulsa native filmmaker, Jason Connell and his production company Connell Creations founded the United Film Festival – Tulsa ten years ago, expanding to Los Angeles & New York in 2007 and San Francisco, Chicago, & London in 2009. As a result of these six unique festivals, we have built a large network of filmmakers and in 2011, we continued to expand that network by creating a forum solely for screenwriters with the United Film Festivals Screenwriting Contest. Winners are honored at the United Film Festival – Los Angeles.

United Films, the distribution division of Connell Creations and the United Film Festival, continues to support the United network by offering opportunities to filmmakers beyond our festival. We have celebrated many successes through this avenue, and many of those films were originally United Film Festival submissions.

Another way we connect to our network of filmmakers and screenwriters is by offering an option for submitters to receive Coverage, designed to provide valuable insight by sharing comments from our Reading committee. Coverage is optional and can be added to any submission.

In addition to creating the United Film Festival, Jason Connell directed and produced the heartwarming documentary “Strictly Background” in 2008, and has produced critically acclaimed films such as “The Rock-afire Explosion,” “Cleanflix,” “Gabi on the Roof in July,” and “Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians.”

Our United Film Festival – Los Angeles, where Screenwriting Contest finalists will be honored, takes place at the Los Feliz 3 Cinemas.

Los Feliz 3 Cinemas
1822 Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

United Film Festival
http://www.theunitedfest.com

 

 

The NORWICH FILM FESTIVAL

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Norwich, England – United Kingdom
April 28 to May 4, 2013

 

Upcoming Deadline: October 31

The 3rd Annual Norwich Film Festival (NFF) celebrates the art of short-form filmmaking, annually attracting storytellers from all over the world and presenting a diverse assortment of films, Q&As, workshops, and more. The city of Norwich provides the ideal environment for a deep-dive exploration of film, character, and story. The city truly comes alive with cinema, as films are shown on the lawns of the Norwich Castle, the screens of the Norwich Playhouse, and everywhere in between.

 

They are now accepting submissions for the 3rd Norwich Film Festival, for more information, visit the Submissions page. They are very much looking forward to seeing more of your fantastic work, and giving the public a chance to experience a side of cinema they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to see.

 

The winner of each competitive category will receive £250, and the work deemed Best Film overall will be awarded an additional £750. But the real reward is the network that NFF participants build, often leading to career-launching success. Student filmmaker Rhiannon Evans secured representation shortly after her film, Heartstrings, won the Best Student Film award at the festival, and Eric D. Howell’s Best in Festival-winning film, Ana’s Playground, went on to screen at the Winter Olympics and a United Nations summit. Submit your live action or animated short film today for the chance to be a part of the Norwich Film Festival’s dynamic program in 2013!

 

 



 

TELEFEST – VIRAL, INDEPENDENT TELEVISION FESTIVAL

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Los Angeles, California – USA
March 15 to 17, 2013 Upcoming Deadline: October 15

Telefest is announcing its Call for Entries for pilot presentations, films and documentaries for networks/cable, web series and teleplays.

The weekend venue in Los Angeles, March 2013 will feature the Awards Show, with category winners awarded a Viewer’s Choice Award and an Industry Choice Award, as is applicable. The venue also features Q&A panels with our judges (streamed live) and an opening night reception for industry and our top finalists in each category.

Telefest – Viral, Independent Television Festival seeks to revolutionize the television landscape by bridging the gap between artists and audiences. Through a platform that offers direct feedback before a new television series is fully developed, Telefest aims to give viewers and industry players exactly what they’re looking for. The festival will present awards for both Viewers’ Choice and Industry Choice, in addition to fostering deal-making and networking amongst participants.

Telefest offers an interactive experience through the Telefest Social Network, where viewers can create online profiles, rate and review finalists’ submissions, and engage with the Telefest venue via Livestream. The festival will culminate with a Los Angeles showcase packed with industry players eager to discover fresh talent. Telefest accepts pilot presentations, teleplays, or feature film concepts that may have television appeal. Prepare to connect with audiences and prospective buyers at this exciting new event; submit your work to Telefest – Viral, Independent Television Festival today!

Interactive Documentary Conference IDFA

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Nov 18, 2012:

25th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

 

Mark your calendars! On Sunday, November 18, the FORUM and IDFA DocLab (which is celebrating its fifth anniversary) will organize the Interactive Documentary Conference: DisruptiveTimelines, a one-day symposium on digital and interactive storytelling.

The conference will cover the very latest trends and developments in creating interactive stories, acquiring funds, and generating audience engagement. It will include keynote speeches from some of the world’s leading digital pioneers and multimedia artists. Keep an eye on our website for more information!

The FORUM and DocLab
In recent years, critically acclaimed projects such as Gaza/Sderot, Prison Valley, From Zero – People Rebuilding Life after the Emergency, and 24h Berlin have been pitched at the FORUM. Many of these later premiered at DocLab, IDFA’s program for digital documentary storytelling.

Since 2008, IDFA DocLab has been exploring the relationship between documentary filmmaking and new media. The IDFA DocLab Competition for Digital Documentary Storytelling is open to all digital and interactive media that can be used to tell a documentary story. During IDFA, DocLab showcases an annual selection of the best interactive documentaries and other new forms of digital documentary art and storytelling. Projects are presented as installations, live cinema events, and on the IDFA DocLab website, which currently features over 100 projects.

Laugh Out Loud Short Film Festival

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2 Annual January 11, 2013 to March 31, 2013

Want your short film screened in commercial movie theatres throughout North America?  You’ve come to the right place.

An estimated 17,000 short films are produced annually, yet only a tiny fraction ever sees an audience that isn’t positioned in front of a computer screen.  Sure, traditional short film festivals offer exhibition to an art-house crowd looking for alternatives.  But what about the masses?  Isn’t that what being a filmmaker is all about?  What better environment for screening your film than in front of mainstream audiences at commercial movie theatres throughout North America?

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
LOLSFF enables short comedy films to be viewed by mainstream audiences at commercial movie theatres throughout North America.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
This festival leverages our Director’s relationships built over a 2O year career in the exhibition industry. With current customers representing hundreds of movie theatres and thousands of movie screens, we give comedy shorts the opportunity to be seen on the big screen. Likewise, audiences get a chance to see outstanding comedy films in the comfort and familiarity of their local cinema within a structure they are accustomed to.
ORGANIZERS
Joe Edick (Festival Registrar) ; Joe Edick (Festival Registrar) ; Joe Edick (Festival Registrar)

 

GENERAL RULES
1. Only completed entries (including entry form, payment, and DVD) will be processed and considered for screening.

2. Film must NOT have screened outside of the filmmaker’s local US television market prior to the Festival in order to be eligible for a Festival screening. Films shown outside of the filmmaker’s home market, but shown in a single market, will be eligible. By submitting, you agree to allow LOLSFF to exhibit your film during its 2013 festivals, regardless of subsequent distribution deals secured after the submission process.

3. Productions produced after December 2009 are eligible.

4. Productions must provide their screener on DVD Region 0 or 1 unless previously arranged.

5. Entries must be postmarked by October 19th, 2012. Late entries will be accepted until October 19th, 2012 provided that the entry is accompanied by the late entry fee (see entry fee section).

6. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images and content in the entry.

7. Entrant will allow usage of clips from the entry and all related publicity material submitted for promotional use on television, radio, in print, web and at live Festival events.

8. All entries must be either in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles or with supplementary printed translations will be automatically disqualified.

9. We will NOT look at works in progress.

10. All Decisions by judges, programmers and organizers will be final and NO REFUND of entry fee will be permitted.

11. Digital exhibition format will be used; therefore, if selected, producers must submit an NTSC HD format for exhibition.

12. Filmmakers will pay all transportation costs of shipping their materials to the festival.