competition

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

/ ChantalHarvey / Leave a comment

 

Miami, Florida – USA
March 1 to 10, 2013

Celebrating its 30th season this year is the MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (MIFF), a premier venue for the exhibition of U.S. and international films. MIFF annually showcases the work of the world’s best emerging and established filmmakers to diverse South Florida audiences and guests from across the globe. More than 70,000 people attended the festival in 2012 and more than 300 filmmakers, producers, directors, writers, actors, and industry representatives shared and celebrated their work, connected with one another, and enjoyed Miami’s vibrant scene during the ten-day event.

A variety of cash prizes are awarded to the top films through generous sponsorships. Dramatic works from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, as well as Latino-themed works produced in the United States, will compete for $40,000 USD in prizes courtesy of the Knight Foundation and a $5,000 Screenwriting Award from the Jordan A. Ressler Foundation. First-time feature filmmakers from Spain, Portugal, or Latin America will compete for a $5,000 cash prize sponsored by Lexus. And, feature-length documentaries made by international filmmakers that examine social issues, diverse cultures, icons, or inspiring people will compete for $10,000 from the Knight Foundation.

MIFF offers filmmakers an exceptional platform for exposure during the festival and beyond. Worldwide media impressions and press coverage topped over three billion hits in the three months surrounding MIFF 2012. Regarded as an important destination for distributors on the hunt for acquisitions, a number of MIFF alums have brokered deals during or after the festival. MIFF additionally offers complimentary accreditation and access to all events and activities for up to four representatives from selected feature and documentary films and up to two representatives for short films. Discount codes for airfare and accommodations in Miami are also provided to accepted filmmakers attending the festival.

UPCOMING DEADLINE
July 23, 2012 – Regular Deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The Miami International Film Festival is known for exhibiting the work of veteran filmmakers alongside films from emerging talents primed for the world-wide attention that the festival commands.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Festival has celebrated a diverse group of important international filmmakers in its long history, including Pedro Almodóvar, Andrea Arnold, Hector Babenco, Luc Besson, Susanne Bier, Daniel Burman, Alfonso Cuarón, Terrence Davies, Jonathan Demme, Alex de la Iglesia, Roberto Faenza, Philippe Falardeau, Abel Ferrara, Andy Garcia, Liz Garbus, Xialou Guo, Patricio Guzmán, Steve James, Lawrence Kasdan, Pablo Larraín, Lucrecia Martel, James Marsh, François Ozon, Carlos Sorín, Fernando Trueba, Liv Ullman, Margarethe von Trotta, Wim Wenders, and Andrés Wood. With a special focus on Ibero-American cinema, MIFF is annually recognized for discovering and launching new works from Ibero-American artists.

If you’re looking for top-notch exposure, cash awards, and an exciting festival experience, the Miami International Film Festival is for you. Submit today!

the EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL

/ ChantalHarvey / Leave a comment

Various Cities – Europe
October 14 to November 17, 2012

The 8th Annual EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL (EFF), is a crowd-pleasing multi-city showcase of more than 60 feature films and 200 shorts. With events held in dozens of locations across Europe for more than a month, EFF ignites the continent with the joys of storytelling, creativity, and professional networking. With the operating philosophy that cinema is a language everyone can speak, EFF creates a common emotional bond that demolishes barriers and promotes cultural connections.

The festival places particular emphasis on the discovery and celebration of new filmmakers, with special attention paid to first- and second-time directors who have overcome budgetary restrictions in bold and innovative ways. Selected filmmakers are not only rewarded with the opportunity to screen their work at venues including Berlin’s Westphailia University and Athens’s Afaia New Star Art Cinema, they also benefit from networking events with critics, scholars, film masters, and the movie-going public. What’s more, Toronto-based distributor CinemaVault will consider all EFF official selections for distribution.

EFF’s categories of competition span all storytelling genres and include narrative feature, documentary feature, short documentary, gay and lesbian film, experimental film, animated short, music video, feature screenplay, and short screenplay, as well as screenplay pitch – for film concepts expressed in a maximum of three pages. The festival truly offers something for everyone, regardless of home country, style, or area of interest. Winners of last year’s festival included filmmakers and films from Denmark, France, Germany, Belgium, Australia, Peru, and the United States, to name just a few.

UPCOMING DEADLINE
July 27, 2012 – Regular Deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
The mission of EFF is to bring quality international independent film to the widest possible audience in Europe and beyond. The festival aims to provide a cultural alternative to the commercial film experience, to support independent filmmakers, and to utilize the power of film to further the goal of inter-cultural understanding among nations, ultimately assisting in the building of a shared artistic experience.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Academy Award-nominated PERSEPOLIS, the French animated film that charted the story of a precocious Iranian girl, won EFF’s Best Film prize in 2007. Many more EFF films have gone on to theatrical release after the festival, including I AM FROM TITOV VELES, SEVEN SISTERS, URBAN COWBOYS, and THE DAY AFTER PEACE.

Time Out Magazine hails the Festival’s unique approach: “Representing a revolution in the concept of the film festival bringing the festival to the viewers rather than the other way around, the European Film Festival, with its focus on low-budget wonders, is fast becoming a standard-bearer of quality indie can-do filmmaking all over the continent.” Join the revolution…submit your film, script, or pitch to the European Film Festival today!

CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL

/ ChantalHarvey / Leave a comment

CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL

Wilmington, North Carolina – USA
November 8 to 11, 2012

 
Upcoming Deadline: July 25, 2012

A true filmmaker favorite, the 18th Annual CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL (CFF) is a four-day celebration of art and artists, in any and all of their many forms, and has been lauded by MovieMaker Magazine as “a breeding ground for artistic appreciation and good times alike.” Presenting an eclectic collection of independent and international films as well as a broad range of special programs, CFF ushers new and exciting voices onto the filmmaking scene.

Rather than bestow trophies on a select handful of filmmakers, CFF spreads a little green around to all participants. The festival provides travel stipends, housing, and airfare for all visiting artists on a first-come first-served basis. With the belief that financial support for artists is critical to building a sustainable model for independent filmmaking, more than 50% of festival ticket sales go directly into the hands of exhibiting artists. The Festival’s laid-back vibe also allows attending filmmakers to unwind, network, explore new ideas, and launch collaborations with other guests. To enjoy a warm North Carolina welcome at a totally immersive celebration of the arts, submit to the Cucalorus Film Festival today!

 

 

What is a Cucalorus?

cuc•a•lor•us n., [orig. Gk. kukaloris, the dance of the shadows.]1. a film set apparatus placed in front of a light source to create a dappled lighting effect on a subject or background. also cookie, UK. gobo. 2. a film festival in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Cucalorus was founded in 1994 by a filmmaking collective called TwinkleDoon. At the inaugural event, crowds wrapped around the block to see 16 local films screening at a restaurant by the Cape Fear River. These days Cucalorus Film Festival takes place every November in historic Wilmington, NC screening over 100 independent and international films in venues like the majestic and recently restored Thalian Hall as well as City Stage Theater and Jengo’s Playhouse. In 2009 MovieMaker Magazine recognized it as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals” and by the Brooks Institute as one of the “Top Ten Film Festivals”

ZERO FILM FESTIVAL – CANADA

/ ChantalHarvey / Leave a comment

The ZERO FILM FESTIVAL – CANADA

Montreal & Toronto – CANADA
September 6 to 14, 2012

Upcoming Deadline: July 20, 2012

The 3rd Annual ZERO FILM FESTIVAL – CANADA (ZFF) exclusively celebrates the courage, ingenuity, and talent of self-financed filmmakers from around the world. Each film screened at ZFF is made with little to no budget but with limitless imagination. Since 2007, ZFF has featured more than 1,000 films from filmmakers working on five continents, and has held screenings in unique venues in London, Peru, France, Los Angeles, and New York. This year marks ZFF’s first festival in Montreal and third in Toronto, two of Canada’s most exciting cities.

ZFF’s award winners each nab a $500 USD cash prize, and select filmmakers earn programming space in other ZFF events around the globe or distribution through the festival’s partner label, LoWave. Up-and-coming filmmakers have the chance to exhibit their work in a celebratory environment alongside such talents as David Lynch and Chloë Sevigny. Success at Zero Film Festival today could generate great opportunities tomorrow; just ask writer-director Lena Dunham, a ZFF alum and the creator of HBO’s hit series, “Girls.” ZFF is more than a film festival – it’s a multimedia event exclusive to self-financed filmmakers that brings talented artists together and sparks relationships that could last for years. Submit your film today!

Project48 challenge

/ ChantalHarvey / Leave a comment

50 Teams registered for the 48 EcoFilm Challenge 2012, of those 50 registered teams 36 completed their films in 48 Hours. Congratulations to all the teams that took part in this years event, it’s not easy to make a film in 48 hours and its even harder to make a good one and from what I can see there are some great ones. “Project48 would like to Congratulate all the teams for this absolutely great effort! Hats off to all of you! Here are the 50 teams that reistered.

Arm Productions
Aryavision
Aurora Solarcar
Bear in Box Media
Bheeema Studios
Blatant Labs
Checkmate
CrazyChickens
Do Not Disturb
Dudes in Suits
Eagle Eye
Earth angels
EnviroBags
Etiquette Eco
Fabiano’s Films
Faff
Flown the coop
Green Machine
Greens
Inside Out
iRoad Trippers
LFT
MaxFilm
Media Pending
Mocumentary Spectacular
No Coincidence Tennant Creek
Oh My Creative
Orsino Media
Panda Clap
Paper Moose Production
Peeking Duck Pictures
Planeteers
Platypus Lap Dance
PureWorld
Rabriate
Shady Character Productions
Steam Team
Studio Shoot Me
Sudden Stop
Team Banzai
Team Cage
Team Green
Team RED
Team!
The Bicycle Club
The Late Bloomers
The Magnificent
The Math Magicians
The Unwanted Friends
Thorium Films

48 EcoFilm Challenge is a national short film competition designed to showcase how film can play a role in encouraging action relating to environmental, ecological and sustainability issues. But the real challenge lies in making a telling short film, in only 48 hours.

Proudly supported by NRMA Motoring & Services. The theme for this year’s competition is: Green Your Ride. “We are asking filmmakers to consider a scenario where in 48 hours the world’s oil rigs will stop pumping and the tankers filled with fuel for our cars will stop arriving on our shores. How do we keep Australia moving?”

Over $12,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, $5000 cash goes to the winning film and it will be shown at the Cannes Short Film Corner. The competition takes place July 6-8, 2012 more about 48 EcoFilm Challenge.

All creativity must take place during the “Official 48 Hour Time Period”

All 48 hour competitions will occur between Friday, 6th July 2012, 7pm EST (known as Kickoff) and the following Sunday, 8th July 2012, 7pm EST (known as Dropoff). This is the Official 48 Hour Time Period. The participating team must complete its film and successfully upload it by Sunday at 7:30pm EST.

Competition Times Awards Night
Kickoff:Friday – 6th July @ 7pm

Dropoff:Sunday – 8th July @ 7pm

 Awards Night & screening of winning films:Friday – 27th Jully @ 7:00pm
Prizes and Awards – Over $12,000 in cash to be won!

First prize for winning film: The NRMA Motoring & Services best film is $5000 and their film will go to Cannes short film corner.

Runner Up for best film: The Camden Council award for runner up wins $1000
Best film made in Camden by a person living outside Camden local government area wins $1000
Best film made in Camden by a Camden local government area resident wins $500

Best Student Film – $500 for the team and $500 for the school.

Parramatta Prize for Inspiring Change: The winner of the Parramatta City Council’s most inspirational film wins $3000. This prize will be awarded to the film considered most likely to influence viewers to make changes in their own lives to help avert problems associated with peak oil.

The basis for this prize is the principle that responsibility for resolving environmental and other sustainability issues does not lie solely with government, but that all individuals can and should play a meaningful part in effecting change. Any film that educates individuals and communities about realistic actions they can take – whether they are small or significant – is eligible for this prize.

Best Machinima Film: The NRMA Motoring & Services best Machinima film wins $1000

Ann Arbor Film Festival

/ ChantalHarvey / Leave a comment

Ann Arbor Film Festival

51 Annual March 19, 2013 to March 24, 2013

 

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is committed to support bold, visionary independent filmmakers, advance the art form of film and new media, and engage communities with remarkable cinematic experiences.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America. Internationally renowned as a premiere forum for film as an independent art form, the AAFF screens works across a broad range of genres including: experimental, animation, documentary, narrative and hybrid works. The AAFF is steeped in a rich tradition of ground-breaking cinema as thousands of filmmakers screened early work at the AAFF, including luminaries such as: Kenneth Anger, Agnes Varda, Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, Gus Van Sant, Barbara Hammer, James Benning, Bruce Conner, Chick Strand, Les Blank, Lawrence Kasdan, and George Lucas.

The Ann Arbor Film Festival serves as one of the few Academy Award®-qualifying festivals in the United States for the Short Films category. The AAFF presents over $20,000 in cash awards to filmmakers in competition, as determined by the awards jury. The AAFF is highly competitive, receiving over 2,600 submissions annually from more than 60 countries. All submissions are reviewed by a minimum of 3 trained screeners, with many films watched and discussed collectively by 4 – 7 members of the festival screening team.

The festival main venue, the Michigan Theater, is a gorgeous 1920s movie palace with a historic organ that is performed prior to many of the programs. The theater has two screening spaces: the impressive 1,700-seat main auditorium and the state-of-the-art 200-seat screening room. The AAFF is committed to high quality exhibition of all films at the festival and presents work on 16mm, 35mm, super 8mm and digital formats.

Many accepted filmmakers attend the festival as guests each year and receive complimentary festival pass, housing with host families, shuttle transportation to/from airport, filmmaker party, catered green room and swag bag. The AAFF also provides additional opportunities for select filmmakers accepted into the festival. As a pioneer of the traveling film festival tour, each year a “best of” shorts program travels to more than 35 theaters, universities, museums and art house cinemas throughout North America. Filmmakers participating in the tour are paid for each screening of their work.

ORGANIZERS
Becca Keating (Development Manager) ; David Dinnell (Program Director) ; Maria Feldman (Operations Manager)

GENERAL RULES
The Ann Arbor Film Festival is open to independent film and digital media in all categories that demonstrate a high regard for the moving image as an art form. Each year we select 100-125 shorts and features for exhibition in the awards competition portion of the festival. Films previously submitted (and not selected) may be re-entered if there has been a significant change to the edit. You must complete an entry form for each film submitted. Entry fees are per film entered, and must accompany the entry form for confirmation. Make checks and money orders payable to the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Entry fees are non-refundable.

Entries are accepted in the following formats: DVD, Blu-ray, Internet Links (URL) Secure Online Screening and 16mm. Please note: Region free NTSC DVDs are preferred for screening purposes, though we do accept PAL and region 1. We do not accept VHS or video data files for screening purposes.

DVD/BLU-RAY SCREENING:
DVDs & cases must be labeled (preferably using permanent marker/ink) with film title, filmmaker name, phone, email and WAB tracking ID number. Please place DVDs in a DVD sleeve, no hard plastic cases of any kind.

INTERNET LINKS (URL):
If you have a link (ie., Vimeo) you may submit via Withoutabox or with an entry form found on our website (aafilmfest.org/festival/submit) and send an email to submissions@aafilmfest.org with the link, title of film, director and Withoutabox tracking number (if applicable).

SECURE ONLINE SCREENING:
This option is only available for short films in the documentary, animation, narrative and music video categories. We do not accept the SOS option for experimental works.

16MM SCREENING:
If you would like the festival to preview a 16mm print of your film, please contact the festival directly to make arrangements.

DEADLINES:
Please review the following postmark deadlines carefully.

Early Deadline – August 20, 2012 (postmarked by)

Official Deadline – October 8, 2012 (postmarked by)

Late Deadline – November 8, 2012 (postmarked by)

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

/ ChantalHarvey / Leave a comment

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

28 Annual January 24, 2013 to February 03, 2013

 

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
Now in its 28th year, The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching local culture and raising consciousness of film as an art form. It presents quality American Independent, Spanish and Latin American, European, World and Documentary cinema within the beautiful setting of downtown Santa Barbara, a perfect backdrop and premier tourist destination in its own right. SBIFF will continue to build its acquisitions program with Traction Media, which highlights films for some of the world’s most viable distribution companies. SBIFF is also committed to educating our youth through the “10-10-10” youth filmmakers project and the unique “Field Trip to the Movies” program. With a projected audience of over 70,000, The Festival will screen more than 200 films over an eleven day period. SBIFF attracts an affluent, local, national and international consumer base, while maintaining strong ties with the entertainment industry in Los Angeles.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is an eleven day event held in the seaside resort city of Santa Barbara, California (90 minutes north of Los Angeles). SBIFF is proud to present a diverse slate of more than 200 films to over 70,000 film enthusiasts. Our audience is a unique combination of film industry professionals, local, regional and International attendees, and a large student population.

In addition to showcasing a diverse spectrum of films, tributes and galas. SBIFF also offers seminars with industry professionals including Directors, Screenwriters, Producers and Women’s Panels, as well as provocative Q&A sessions with a diverse selection of filmmakers.

SBIFF has established itself as one of the premier international film festivals and we look forward to building on that success in 2013 and creating opportunities for participants to network with some of the world’s leading independent distributors and filmmakers. In addition to expanding our slate each year to highlight emerging genres, styles and regions, SBIFF is growing our free educational and community outreach programs with the “10-10-10” youth filmmakers project, “Field Trip to the Movies” and “Applebox” which cumulatively served over 12,000 students and families during our last festival. Please visit our Website for more information on these and other SBIFF programs. http://www.sbfilmfestival.org

ORGANIZERS
Michael Albright (Programming Manager) ; Michal Wiesbrock (Director of Development) ; Mickey Dudevich (Programming Coordinator) ; Rodney Gould (Director of Operations) ; Rodney Gould (Director of Operations) ; Roger Durling (Executive Director) ; Sean Pratt (Operations Manager) ; Steve Blain (Managing Director)

GENERAL RULES
Each tape for projection must be labeled with name, filmmaker, Contact info, Running time and aspect ratio (4*3 or 16*9)

FILM ENTRY RULES

The accepted exhibition formats for our festival are :
35 mm – Optical, Dolby A, Dolby Digital only
Digibeta – 29.97 fps, Stereo
Sony HDCam – Sony HD cam only 23.98 fps and 59.94 fps, Audio is STEREO only

NOTE: These formats may vary depending on the category. Please check the submissions guidelines or contact programming@sbfilmfestival.org

All films must be in NTSC format. PAL is not accepted. It is the filmmakers responsibility to convert PAL to NTSC.

**FEE WAIVERS NOT AVAILABLE **

-Entry fee is non-refundable.

-For preview purposes, DVD (NTSC only) is preferred.
-DVDs MUST BE CLEARLY labeled on the spine with film title.

-Please do not send press kits with your screener unless requested.
-DVDs will not be returned.

-Films/videos that have received national U.S. network television (including cable) or theatrical release prior to Festival are not eligible.

-No music videos or commercials.

-More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by its own online entry and entry fee.

-If your film is selected, original format prints will be due at the Festival offices no later than January 13th, 2012.

-The filmmaker will assume shipping costs of materials and print to SBIFF.

-Please DO NOT send in a press kit until AFTER you have received notification from SBFF.

-Upon acceptance, Filmmakers must agree to send no less than two high resolution digital screen shots to be used at the SBIFF’s discretion. Film posters will not be accepted.

-If your film is selected, you will be asked to provide: digital stills from the film; press materials; video trailer and digitized trailer for website (if available); posters and flyers.

-Titles produced in languages other than English must have legible English subtitles.

-Not all invited films officially selected will be eligible for competition.

-The selection committees’ and juries’ decisions are final.

-If selected, filmmaker gives SBIFF permission to audio-describe film for the sight-impaired.

-Title of work, WAB ID #, and name of entrant must be on all mailing containers and mailing labels, video boxes, photographs, videocassettes, film containers, cans, reels, and film leaders. Video boxes, film reels and cans must be numbered (1 of 2, 2 of 2, etc.).

-If paying by check, the check MUST include the film title and WAB ID #

-Import declaration statements: all non-U.S. entries must be sent via air mail registered with the declaration:

A) for 35mm films: “Free entry claimed under #724.10 (960.55) U.S. Tariff Act. To be returned following the Festival.”

B) for videotapes: “Free entry claimed under #724.12 (960.60) U.S. Tariff Act. To be returned following the Festival.” Entrants must assume all responsibility for clearing films and videotapes through U.S. and/or foreign customs officials.

-SBIFF reserves the right to make any necessary changes in regulations or Festival scheduling.