students

the EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL

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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

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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

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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!

LOUISVILLE'S INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FILM

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LOUISVILLE’S INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FILM
Louisville, Kentucky – USA
October 4 to 7, 2012

LOUISVILLE’S INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF FILM (LIFF), now in its fourth season. LIFF is a four-day celebration of independent film and the cultural and creative diversity that flourishes in Louisville, Kentucky. The annual program has expanded rapidly to include the Kentucky Youth Film Festival, which allows students the opportunity to pitch and promote their work, and the Kentucky Legends of Fame showcase, honoring an entertainment luminary and delighting audiences with one-of-a-kind live performances.

As its visibility, network, and reputation continue to grow, LIFF benefits from strong partnerships with Final Draft and with film distributors Barnholtz Entertainment and 3DD Entertainment. Several of LIFF’s programmed features have been picked up for distribution thanks to these and other relationships, proving that this is a festival dedicated to fostering connections and exposure, and yielding substantial results for the independent filmmaker. Cash prizes are awarded to winning filmmakers; the values of those prizes are determined by the number of festival entrants and have grown steadily, year after year.

Thanks in no small part to its formidable network of industry supporters, LIFF draws from a selection panel of experts that includes former network television executives, Emmy Award-winning actors, casting directors, and entertainment attorneys. Last year, every attending filmmaker had the opportunity to pitch to Barnholtz Entertainment’s Director of Acquisitions and was given professional feedback on their material – a truly valuable experience for LIFF’s exhibiting filmmakers.

UPCOMING DEADLINE
July 15, 2012 – Regular Deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
Louisville’s International Festival of Film is a sustainable, annual film festival located in Louisville, Kentucky, developed to showcase independent film, celebrate the cultural diversity of its surrounding area, and to support The Louisville Film Arts Institute.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
LIFF’s wide array of screenings, seminars, discussions, and celebratory events are held in many of the most picturesque locations in Louisville, including the Galt House hotel (where filmmakers are offered a reduced room rate), Glassworks, and the Muhammad Ali Center. “Breaking Bad” star Bryan Cranston calls Louisville a “delightful [and] ideal setting for a film festival.” LIFF’s opening and closing night ceremonies are rich with the spirit of storytelling. In 2011, actress and comedian Lily Tomlin performed her one-woman show to a sold-out crowd to benefit the Festival’s creative arts charity.

More seminars, guest speakers, and celebrations will be unveiled as the festival approaches, but it’s already clear that this year’s program will be top-notch. Submit your film to Louisville’s International Festival of Film today for your chance to take part!


SODAK ANIMATION FESTIVAL

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SODAK
ANIMATION FESTIVAL
Brookings, South Dakota – USA
October 17 to 20, 2012

The 4th Annual SODAK ANIMATION FESTIVAL (SDAF) stands as one of the few animation-only film festivals in the United States and draws enthusiastic audiences, innovative selections, and special guest speakers who themselves are experts in the field. Held in the heart of Brookings, South Dakota, SDAF places special emphasis on exposing fresh talent to the varied styles of animated storytelling, celebrating student work, and promoting animation education.

Winners of the SDAF will go home with “The Golden Cowbell,” a distinctive artisan-crafted award that’s sure to stand out on any trophy case. This year’s winners will also receive software packages from such vendors as Red Giant Software. The Festival offers a top-notch program; attendees can network at Drinking & Drawing, discover Wacom products at workshops, and enjoy thrilling displays of animated ingenuity on screen. Daktronics, the world’s leader in large-scale LED displays and co-sponsor of SDAF, also provides tours of its state-of-the-art facility during the festival.

Travel grants and assistance are available to guests on a limited basis. Last year, 90% of the Festival’s submission fees were re-directed to animators whose works were selected for screening.

UPCOMING DEADLINE
July 15, 2012 – Regular Deadline

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Past SDAF speakers and guests have included Annie Award-nominee David Chai (ENRIQUE WRECKS THE WORLD), Academy Award-nominee Bill Plympton (YOUR FACE), and Reid Thompson, senior designer at Troika Design. This year’s festival will feature celebrated animator J.J. Sedelmaier (“Beavis & Butthead”) and stop-motion animator Kirsten Lepore – winner of the first Student Annie Award, LACMA’s Young Director Award, and the Special Jury Award at SXSW.

Animators: for the opportunity to rub elbows with these industry luminaries, submit to the SoDak Animation Festival today!

 

EUGENE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

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The 7th Annual EUGENE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (EIFF), is presenting a diverse line-up of films from around the world and an informative program of interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking events in Eugene, Oregon. EIFF receives entries from more than 30 countries annually, and accepts features, shorts, and short shorts in a variety of categories including narrative, documentary, science fiction, animation, young audience, art/experimental, comedy, television pilots, and more.

The Festival is renowned for its Screenwriter and Filmmaker Retreat, which offers attending artists the chance to meet, learn from, and collaborate with other attending writers, filmmakers, and special guests. This year’s industry participants are writer/producer Tom Sawyer (“Murder She Wrote”), Beverly Hills literary agent Ken Sherman, film and video distributor Mike Katchman, and acclaimed feature film concept artist Terryl Whitlatch. This year’s retreat will include a Concept Arts Workshop, where Whitlatch will discuss her work creating STAR WARS creatures and help those attending hone the art of visual storytelling and character development by guiding attendees through a concept world, “The Tales of Amalthea,” with its own ecology, culture, and inhabitants.

Over a half-dozen films have been acquired for distribution at EIFF over the years, and many more EIFF filmmakers have had their careers boosted by the many agents and other industry attendees that have discovered their work at the festival. Roger Corman raves that EIFF is “already one of America’s top film fests…and getting better every year.”

UPCOMING DEADLINE
July 13, 2012 – Regular Deadline

MISSION AND OBJECTIVE
In addition to screening great films and showcasing talented artists, the Eugene International Film Festival puts a special focus on networking, and strives to offer attending artists and guests a platform for connection and collaboration.

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Participating filmmakers vie for a number of awards in each category, including Most Original Film, Most Socially Engaging Film, the Wild Card Award – given for just about anything special, and the Cut to the Chase Award – given to the filmmaker that most efficiently captures the hearts and minds of the audience. All EIFF submitting filmmakers receive a free download copy of the “Showbiz Software Labor Guide for North America” and a complimentary Copic Marker Storyboard and Concept Art starter pen set, shipped from Imagination International, Inc.

If you’re looking for a fun and educational filmmaker getaway to the Pacific Northwest and a state-of-the-art venue to screen your film for industry guests, the Eugene International Film Festival is for you. Submit today!

Santa Barbara International Film Festival

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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.

NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL

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NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL


Portsmouth, New Hampshire – USA October 11 to 14, 2012

The 12th Annual NEW HAMPSHIRE FILLM FESTIVAL (NHFF) began in 2001 as a small, grassroots organization to support regional and student filmmakers. It now holds a place as a world-class festival that showcases the brightest talent on the international film festival scene.

Presenting the best of independent film at four state-of-the-art screening venues in the gorgeous seacoast city of Portsmouth, the Festival emphasizes creative collaboration, education, and networking. Filmmakers can mix and mingle with other film artists, fans, and industry guests at an array of panels and after-parties.

NHFF attracts more than 9,000 attendees and exhibits more than 80 domestic and international films. National press coverage from outlets such as MovieMaker Magazine – which called Portsmouth “the film center of New England” – and sponsors like Francis Ford Coppola Winery, give the festival significant validation and recognition circuit-wide.

 

UPCOMING DEADLINE
July 5, 2012 – Regular Deadline

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Highlights of the 2011 program include TERRI, Sundance hit HAPPY HAPPY, acclaimed documentary BEING ELMO: A PUPPETEER’S JOURNEY, Oscar-Nominated documentary IF A TREE FALLS: A STORY OF THE EARTH LIBERATION FRONT, and many award-winning short films.

Recent award highlights include NHFF’s 2011 Best Feature PUNCTURE and the 2010 Audience Choice Award-winner TEENAGE PAPARRAZI from actor-turned-director Adrian Grenier. Recent panels have featured special guests from Magnolia Pictures, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Emerging Pictures, and Public Television, among others. To be a part of this top-notch festival’s stellar line up, submit to the New Hampshire Film Festival today!