Festival of the Week

Norman Jewison is Speechless in Denver

The 30th annual Starz Denver Film Festival kicked off on November 8th, and MM’s Joe Leydon is on hand to report back on some of the happening. Here, Joe renders Oscar-winning moviemaker Norman Jewison (Moonstruck, ...And Justice for All) utterly speechless after telling him he’s being interviewed for MovieMaker. Photo: Zan Buckner

November 12th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Joe Leydon

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Kick Back at the Dominican International Film Festival

Thousands of moviemakers, industry executives, stars and film fans—legendary character actor Joe Pantoliano (pictured) among them—are mingling on the beach for a long weekend at the third annual Dominican International Film Festival (DIFF), held at Sun Village Resort & Spa in Cofresi Beach. DIFF kicked off Thursday with a day full of screenings and an outdoor opening night bash. Screenings and panel discussions featuring notable industry professionals--including MM‘s very own Timothy Rhys--will continue through Saturday, November 10. Sunday the 11th marks the festival’s wrap-up day with final screenings at three venues. Fortunately for DIFF attendees, the Dominican Republic’s wet season is holding off at Cofresi Beach, leaving the festival’s climate enjoyably tropical. Visit www.dominicaninternationalfilmfestival.com for the latest happenings, or check back here for more tropical happenings!

November 9th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Daniel Fritz

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Woodstock Film Festival

In 1969 hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Woodstock, New York for a concert that would go down in American history. Featuring artists such as Sweetwater, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane, the legendary Woodstock Music Festival brought about a revolution in artistic freedom that was hard to beat. Hard to beat, that is, until the Woodstock Film Festival began eight years ago. This year the popular annual cinema retreat lived up to its hometown’s most famous event by honoring historic musician and town denizen Bob Dylan with closing night selection I’m Not There, the alternative biopic by Todd Haynes. Tickets for the highly anticipated screening sold out during the first day’s sales.

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October 22nd, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Mallory Potosky

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Florida Media Market

"Our aim is to eliminate the 'starving artist' mentality and emphasize the business aspect of moviemaking," explains Florida Media Market founder Maritza Guimet. Based in Southern Florida, the Florida Media Market is a non-profit organization meant to connect the independent film community with international financiers, distributors and other members of the business half of the moviemaking process. As a moviemaker herself, Guimet had often undergone the arduous process of appealing to outsiders for funding and attending international markets to do so. Finding a great many people interested in the Sunshine State's moviemaking community--particularly the growing Latino contingent--she brought together the Florida Media Market and it's annual Global Film and Media Market.

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October 15th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Mallory Potosky

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TARFEST

Los Angeles is a place where budding artists gather, work, live and play. So it's no coincidence that a festival founded to encourage the exposure of moviemakers, musicians and artists at all stages of their development should take place in the historic Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles. TARFEST, named for the La Brea Tar Pits of the area, is sponsored by the Miracle Mile Players, a group that feels their city, and the Miracle Mile in particular, needs and wants more community, pedestrian, cultural and really fun-events.

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October 1st, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Nina Boutsikaris

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New York Film Festival Takes Manhattan

Unlike other festivals of its size and stature, when attending The New York Film Festival, you are guaranteed a chance to see movies that have never before been screened within the United States. "Over the past 45 years I believe people have come to see the NYFF as a great platform for releasing a film, so most producers are happy to work with us if our interests coincide," explains Richard Peña, Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center, the organization that hosts the annual event. "We have great, intelligent audiences, the core of the film press and the major distributors of foreign language and independent cinema here in New York."

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September 24th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Mallory Potosky

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Bahamas International Film Festival

What could be better than watching movies in the warm Caribbean night air among tropical birds and white sandy beaches? Thanks to business sponsors like Atlantis and The Ministry of Tourism, the fourth annual Bahamas International Film Festival, to be held in early December, has expanded from a four-day affair to a seven-day celebration of independent artists worldwide.

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September 17th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Nina Boutsikaris

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Countercorp Anti-Corporate Film Festival

The San Francisco-based CounterCorp Anti-Corporate Film Festival has one serious goal: Taking down the man and "putting an end to business as usual."

Founded to document, reduce and ultimately prevent the corrosive political, economic and social effects that large corporations have in the U.S. and around the world, the festival is an annual three-day event featuring films, workshops and seminars all targeting the corporate establishment.

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September 10th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By Nina Boutsikaris

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The Long Island International Film Expo

While New York City is unquestionably the moviemaking hub of the East Coast, over the years the neighboring community of Long Island has become a destination for indie moviemakers in its own right. Several high-profile festivals take place on the skinny stretch of land throughout the year, and the Long Island International Film Expo (LIIFE) is an event that exemplifies the area’s growing film culture. With panels on everything from screenwriting to the legal issues surrounding music usage, and prizes that include free editing time and gear rentals, LIIFE is geared toward growing the local moviemaking community, and bringing the international film world to the most populated island in the U.S.

One of LIIFE’s greatest features is its ability to draw the attendance and support of the moviemaking community, with actors (and L.I. natives) Steve Buscemi and Steve Guttenberg as advisors to the festival, and gala parties attended by the likes of Edie Falco, Billy Baldwin and Danny Aiello. Festival director Debra Markowitz notes the diversity of the movies and moviemakers as a part of what makes the Expo unique: “For some filmmakers, they are on their tenth film. And then there’s the lawyer, singer, accountant, teacher or local power utility employee who just has to make a filmâ€"and sometimes, you can’t tell the difference.”

For more information, visit www.longislandfilm.com.

Sound Off: What are your favorite Long Island-based films? Your favorite Long Island moviemakers? Talk back in the comments section!

July 6th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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Indie Memphis Film Festival

The South is not like anywhere else. According to longtime MM contributor Jason Mann, this fact has been recognized many times over in literature and music, but rarely in film. So the Indie Memphis Soul of Southern Film Festival was created to right that injustice, focusing on films that showcase that local flavor.

The fest accepts films in four categories: Narrative Feature, Narrative Short (less than 30 minutes), Documentary and Experimental/Animation. Films made in Shelby County, home of the Indie Memphis Film Festival, are eligible for a second set of awards, aptly called the Hometowner Awards.

But what does the South have to offer the moviemaking community at large? “The South has a great tradition of storytelling,” says Tracy Lauritzen Wright, executive director of Delta Axis, the organization behind Indie Memphis. “The rich history and culture of the region lend themselves to great imagery, music and stories. Indie Memphis seeks to introduce the national moviemaking community to a new generation of filmmakers who draw inspiration from the people and landscape of the South. We are particularly committed to the local community of filmmakers, and provide many Memphis filmmakers with their first screening opportunities,”

Think you’ve got what it takes to make it at this year’s event? The 2007 Indie Memphis Film Festival will run from October 19–25. The final deadline for submissions is July 16. For more information visit www.indiememphis.com.

June 24th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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Great American Pitchfest

The Great American Pitchfest is like speed dating for the Hollywood business crowd. It’s where writers with ideas meet people with resources and an impressive number of love affairs have blossomed. “For many writers, gaining access to industry insiders is very difficult, even if they live right in Los Angeles,” explains Bob Schultz, a Pitchfest organizer. “As the only pitching event created by screenwriters for screenwriters, we take tremendous pride in opening those doors for aspiring writers.”
The annual event was founded by moviemaker Signe Olynyk after becoming frustrated by other unorganized festivals of this type—especially after they yielded few results. Her solution, the Great American Pitchfest, ensures each attendee five minutes with each company and the opportunity for additional time if the company desires. The low ratio of industry reps to attendees keeps the event fairly intimate and the odds of success higher. Additionally, registered guests are guaranteed seating to free on-site classes sponsored by The Writers Store, Learning Annex and Writers Guild of America.
Besides sitting in on classes and sweet-talking the industry insiders, Schultz says there are three vital elements to setting yourself apart and succeeding at the Great American Pitchfest. First, is strategy: Have things planned ahead of time. Second, energy: “Channeling your nervousness, excitement or fear into an enthusiastic (but focused) pitch makes all the difference.” Finally, knowledge: Knowing every detail about your script and about the company you are pitching to. With all that, you just might find a lifelong companion.

See what the Great American Pitchfest can do for you when it hits the Sheraton Hotel in Universal Studios, California, June 23-24. Head over to www.pitchfest.com for more details.

Sound Off: The Great American Pitchfest pairs prospective talent with the people who can propel that talent forward. What is the best story of an unknown becoming a hit through a chance meeting?

June 18th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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Ottawa International Animation Festival

When it comes to the film festival circuit, animated films often get a raw deal. Of the fests that do accept animated shorts and features, they’re often considered a sort of “special programming” and relegated to one of those blink-and-you’ll-miss-them time slots… Except when it comes to the Ottawa International Animation Festival.

For more than 30 years, Ottawa, Ontario has been the place to showcase the best in animated content--for aspiring moviemakers and veterans alike. As the medium has grown so has the OIAF’s definition of acceptable submissions, which today includes not just shorts and features, but interactive gaming projects as well as cell phone and made-for-the-Web content, too.

As the largest event of its kind in North America, OIAF has succeeded not only in proving that animated projects deserve just as serious attention as their live-action counterparts (even if Oscar does recognize them separately), but in bringing the talented artists who come here to showcase their toons together with their fans and the industry executives who can take them to the next level.

Think you’ve got what it takes to make it in the high-stakes world of animation? The Ottawa International Animation Festival is accepting entries to its 2007 event, happening September 19 - 23, until Friday, June 15th. Log on to https://ottawa.awn.com for more information.

June 11th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

Festival of the Week: GI Film Festival

War movies have always held a special place in the annals of American film history, often going beyond simple entertainment to support or critique our nation’s turbulent military past. The current conflict in Iraq, which is quickly becoming a popular topic for modern moviemakers, has sparked heated debates over the U.S.’s involvement in Middle Eastern politics. But what is often overlooked is the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who are serving overseas.

It was with this oversight in mind that Brandon Millet founded the G.I. Film Festival, which will hold its first annual event over Memorial Day weekend in Washington, D.C. “We wanted to do something to focus public attention on the courage and selflessness [of American soldiers],” Millet explains. “After all, our soldiers don’t get to choose the conflict. They just put on their helmets and go to work when called, and we have the privilege of living our lives secure in the knowledge that they are protecting us.”

As the first festival of its kind in the U.S., the G.I. Film Festival will likely attract a diverse range of attendees, from veterans and military families to politicians and moviemakers. Actor Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump) and director Ron Maxwell (Gods and Generals, Gettysburg), among others, will be attending this year’s event. The festival will feature a total of 21 films over three days (including several classic films) all celebrating, as the festival’s motto states, “the success and sacrifices of American soldiers.”

For more information, visit www.gifilmfestival.com.

Sound Off: Do you think the festival circuit needs more niche festivals like the G.I. Film Fest? What would be your pick for a never-before-seen festival theme? Let us know in the comments section!

May 21st, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 6

Festival of the Week: Filmstock International Film Festival

When it comes to international film festivals, Toronto, Berlin, Venice and Cannes get the lion’s share of attention. Like in the U.S., smaller festivals on the international scene can get lost in the hype generated by the larger ones. In England, Justin Doherty and Neil Fox are changing the attitude that only a few international fests are worth talking about, as their Filmstock International Film Festival enters its eighth year.

Filmstock began out of Doherty and Fox’s desire to bring different kinds of films to their hometown of Luton, which is 30 miles north of London. Though the festival has grown since the original event in 2000, its founders aren’t standing pat. “I guess the never-ending aspiration is to keep growing audiences and keep increasing the visiting filmmakers, which is one of our personal buzzes,” Doherty says.

In 2005, Filmstock traveled to Debrecen, Hungary after a Hungarian journalist attended Filmstock, loved the feel of the festival and suggested sending a touring version to Hungary. “We loved the idea of packaging up a ‘greatest hits’ package,” Doherty says.

Doherty says that the Debrecen experience still feels like “some kind of bohemian dream.” And while the experience of taking Filmstock to Hungary was one neither he nor Fox could ever have predicted, he takes a pragmatic (and cheeky) stance on any future touring Filmstock festivals. “Truth is it may have been a one-off,” Doherty says, “though we have long harbored the desire to hold a Filmstockholm.”

Filmstock is currently accepting submissions for its 2007 fest, which will take place in November. For more information visit www.filmstock.co.uk.

Sound Off: There aren’t many film festivals that take their show on the road the way Filmstock did when it traveled to Debrecen. Should more festivals take this kind of roadshow approach to its programming? Talk back in our comments section!

--Dante A. Ciampaglia

May 14th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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Festival of the Week: Action/Cut Short Film Competition

YouTube is currently the world’s hottest technological phenom—allowing any one who wants it the ability to make his/her own short movie and stream it online to a worldwide audience. That’s sort of the same concept Guy Magar had in mind when he began the Action/Cut Short Film Competition four years ago. But instead of YouTube’s superficial and fleeting recognition, passionate moviemakers who submit their movies to Action/Cut’s online competition can earn valuable prizes to help them further their careers.
Over 1000 films are submitted to the online festival each year and all are put into the competition—no schmoozing needed. This pretty much means that by submitting a short film, it’s pretty much guaranteed that it will be seen by any number of the top industry professionals who make up the jury. “Also, as part of the 125 prizes we award, about 30 of those are actual meetings with top industry players, which is very unique and intended to open industry doors,” adds Magar. In all, there are five categories from which major winners are declared. The winners then have their films streamed online—accessible worldwide for a six month period.
So instead of posting your undiscovered short on a popular video broadcasting website—hoping that it just might stand out among the millions of vacuous and frivolous home movies—check out Action/Cut for guaranteed exposure and feedback. The deadline for the 2007 Competition is May 15, 2007.

To find out more about upcoming and past Action/Cut programs, visit http://www.actioncut.com/sfc/competition.htm.

Sound Off: Action/Cut bases its philosophy (and prize packaging) on the idea that moviemakers—both homegrown and schooled—need that foot in the door to make it in the industry. What do you think is key to an independent moviemaker’s success? Sound off in our comments section!

—Mallory Potosky

May 6th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Film Festival of the Week: Hot Docs

While documentaries have enjoyed some commercial success over the last few years, Jerry Seinfeld’s dismissive Oscar monologue showed that the genre continues to be underappreciated in certain sectors of the film world. Luckily, for documentary-makers and fans alike, festivals like Toronto’s Hot Docs more than make up for this lack of love, creating a space where documentary film is the sole focus, to be appreciated in all its myriad forms.

Hot Docs, which is the largest documentary film festival in North America, is now in its 14th year and has grown from an event geared primarily toward Canadian moviemakers to a large-scale celebration of nonfiction moviemaking on an international scale. “We’ve created a filmmaker-friendly event that strikes a nice balance between being a large cultural festival with a huge public following and a significant market and conference,” says executive director Chris McDonald.

In addition to screenings, parties and awards ceremonies, Hot Docs devotes a significant portion of the festival program to helping participating moviemakers find distribution. The Documentary Forum was created to help independent doc producers find international financing, while the Doc Shop provides distributors with an on-demand videothèque facility that allows them to preview more than 1,500 documentary works for possible acquisition.

Though the mainstream movie world may not pay as much attention to documentaries as they should, festivals like Hot Docs ensure that the genre can still find its niche in the moviemaking community.

The 2007 Hot Docs festival will run from April 19-29. For more information, visit www.hotdocs.ca.

Sound Off: How do you think we can expose mainstream audiences to more documentary moviemaking? If you are a documentarian, what have been your most successful methods for getting your work seen? Let us know in the comments section!

--Jennifer Straus

April 17th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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Film Festival of the Week: Independent Film Festival of Boston

Boston remains one of the most culturally vibrant cities in the United States--not simply for its historical significance but also now for its burgeoning independent film community. At the Independent Film Festival of Boston that community is celebrated.

This year the IFFBoston will run from April 25 - 30 and utilize such venues as the city’s historic Somerville, Brattle and Coolidge Corner theaters. Some of this year’s most anticipated screenings include actor-turned-director Sarah Polley’s feature debut, Away From Her, indie legend Hal Hartley’s Fay Grim and the latest from Wet Hot American Summer director David Wain’s star-studded The Ten. “We look for original, risk-taking films and shy away from formulaic Hollywood fare dressed-up as indies,” says executive director Jason Redmond of the festival’s one-of-a-kind programming.

The truly unique aspect of this year’s fest is the partnership it has formed with Apple. The collaboration offers any paying customer an AppleTV, pre-loaded with a variety of films from its first four fests. “It’s the best of IFFBoston in a box,” says Redmond. Now in its fifth year, this year’s event will offer more movies, more parties and, as always, the Candlepin Bowling challenge--all of which makes this an event almost as big as that infamous tea gathering in the harbor.

Head over to www.iffboston.org for more information on how you can score yourself a seat (or an AppleTV).

Sound Off: As a festival promotion, IFFBoston is offering the new AppleTV loaded with independent programming. Is this the next step for festival distribution deals? Talk back in our comments section!

--Mallory Potosky

April 10th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week, This Day in Indie History | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 3

Festival of the Week: Woods Hole Film Festival

Sixteen years ago, the Woods Hole Film Festival was small, a one-day event in which five short films were screened. But those screenings were packed. And three of the five moviemakers showing their work were Bill Plympton, Kate Davis and Robert Stone--big-name talent for a start-up festival, or any festival for that matter.

Since that first event, the Woods Hole Film Festival has grown in stature and popularity. It is now the oldest independent film festival on Cape Cod, and part of what has allowed it to age so gracefully is its desire to form connections with likeminded people and organizations, resulting in programs like The Reel BlueFest and Filmmaker in the Schools. “We have been able to expand our reach by creating these relationships,” says Judy Laster, executive director of the festival. “The Reel Blues Fest takes place each summer during the film festival, and the film festival always programs music-related films to screen during the Blues Fest,” says Laster. “We have also developed Filmmaker in Schools through which the film festival gives back to the local schools through offering filmmaking classes to middle school students.”

From that modest one-day shorts festival 16 years ago, the Woods Hole Film Festival has developed into something much, much bigger. It’s a destination for moviemakers, but the festival has also become an important part of the community. That’s one distinction not every festival in an increasingly-crowded festival circuit can claim.

Entries are currently being accepted for the 2007 Woods Hole Film Festivals, which will take place July 28th – August 4th. Log on to www.woodsholefilmfestival.org for more information, or to submit your film.

Sound Off:  Besides forming relationships with groups and other film festivals to create the best possible film festival it can, the Woods Hole Film Festival is committed to its community. Does the strength of a festival’s ties to its community impact your decision to go to it? Let us know in our comments section!

--Dante A. Ciampaglia

April 2nd, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Film Festival of the Week: Cucalorus

What’s in a name? At the Cucalorus Film Festival, apparently not much. “We just think it sounds cool,” says festival director Dan Brawley of his fest’s unusual moniker. But it’s this laidback vibe that makes Cucalorus a true festival gem for indie moviemakers.

When MM called this North Carolina festival the “best kept secret on the indie fest circuit” a few years back, we focused specifically on the caliber of films and huge growth it had achieved in just a few shorts years. But the real highlight, according to Brawley, “is what happens off the screen. When you gather filmmakers together and toss in a limitless supply of spirits, strange things happen.”

Now moving into its 13th year, the secret it out, mostly due to the always innovative and controversial movie selection on display each year. Want to get in on it while you can? Hang out with past participants David Gordon Green, Gus Van Sant and John Cameron Mitchell? Or check out some “penetrating films, cold Tuaca and a little raw meat?” Visit www.cucalorus.org for more details.

Sound Off: The Cucalorus Film Festival attracts some of the world’s most innovative indie talents to the bewitching arts town of Wilmington, North Carolina. What factors do you look for when entering or attending a film festival? Let us know in the Comments section!

--Mallory Potosky

March 26th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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Festival of the Week: Delray Beach Film Festival

Location: Delray Beach, FL
Festival Dates: March 13 - 18, 2007

With so many festivals popping up these days, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. The Delray Beach Film Festival, however, has made an effort to be a bit different from the standard fest, taking advantage of its location on the sunny Florida shore, while still catering to the needs of the moviemakers and the local community. “We provide a relaxed atmosphere for filmmakers to network, schmooze and screen films,” says founder and director Michael Posner. “We have events daily for our filmmakers, free surfing lessons, free belly dancing lessons, a golf tournament, beach tennis lessons and workshops daily--and of course cocktail parties every afternoon and spotlight parties every evening.”

But DBFF isn’t just a bit of fun in the sun; all of the festival’s profits will be split between the Humane Society (Posner is a former veterinarian) and the communication departments of the Palm Beach County schools. Giving back to the community while making the most of an idyllic location? It’s clear that Delray is a festival that is making a difference in the moviemaking world and beyond.

For more information, visit www.dbff.us.

Sound Off: Do you think it’s important for festivals to be “different,” or do you prefer a more traditional festival program without all the side attractions? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments section!

--Jennifer Straus

March 19th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 2

Rome International Film Festival

The Rome International Film Festival of Rome, Georgia is more than a high-stakes game of “Beat You to the Distribution Deal!” Instead, RIFF looks to put moviemakers in touch with audiences who respond to the great art of film.

According to RIFF marketing director Allen Bell, as movie theater chains aim to make a profit, they often ignore the fact that audiences want to be enlightened. “Being a film festival, RIFF attracts films that encourage a dialogue about major issues in the world today, as well as neglected issues around the globe,” says Bell. To those films flock a bevy of substance-hungry moviegoers.

It would seem ironic that the small southern city of Rome attracts an international crowd each year--until you factor in its proximity to Atlanta’s ports, its four local colleges and that factor that Bell calls “walkability.” All RIFF’s venues, including the famous DeSoto Theatre and the Rome Forum, “are located in historic downtown Rome, within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and special events.” (The town’s reputation for unbounded hospitality should also be noted here.) “Basically, RIFF’s primary goal is to connect filmmakers with audiences through the medium of film,” says Bell. Exposing the world to the other “Rome” is just a highlight.

Sound Off: According to Allen Bell, “RIFF contributes to the world by giving a voice to filmmakers who are looking for an audience that wants to know more about the struggles around the globe.” As a film-goer, is this something you are interested in seeing? What is the best account of real-life events depicted on screen?

For more information, visit http://www.riff.tv.

--Mallory Potosky

March 12th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

HD Expo

Kristin Petrovich, founder and CEO of HD EXPO, believes we are in a “renaissance of technology.” It’s one reason she began the national networking event back in 2001. This March 8, at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, HD EXPO will be hosting the first of its three yearly events, featuring exhibits, seminars and panels accessible to anyone and everyone free of charge (just remember to register ahead of time).

The last expo, held in November 2006, was a sell-out event. In large part, this success is due to the access it provides attendees to “industry icons and trend setters.” As networking is “a key component to success in this industry,” HD EXPO caters to that idea, with past exhibitors including Adobe, Avid and Panasonic along with professionals from American Cinematographer, Filmmakers Alliance and ProMax Systems.

“The team at HD EXPO comes from the entertainment and content creation industry, so we are very aware of the issues,” notes Petrovich. “We have our finger on the pulse of the industry.” That means you should expect to learn everything you wanted to know and more about the future of technology. Whatever your latest high-definition technological concern, it’s HD EXPO’s as well. Together you can find the answers.

Looking to rub elbows and pick the brains of some of the industry masters? Check out www.hdexpo.net for more information on upcoming events.

Sound Off: With the constant evolution of technology, it often becomes difficult to stay on top of the most innovative and important advances. According to Kristin Petrovich, HD EXPO is looking to address concerns involving multiple delivery requirements and the new outlets for content that spring up each day. What do you see as the biggest technological concern of the near future? Talk back in the comments section!

—Mallory Potosky

March 7th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 1

BlueCat Screenplay Competition

Feedback is a screenwriter’s most valuable tool and the BlueCat Screenplay Competition provides that in spades to each of its contestants. Started in 1998 by screenwriter Gordy Hoffman (who wrote the film Love Liza, which starred his Oscar-winning brother, Philip), the competition prides itself on finding quality material and providing its contestants with an extra personal touch.

What began as a phone call to the few hundred who entered the first competition has evolved to individual e-mails to the now thousands of entrants, discussing each particular screenplay’s strengths and weaknesses. It remains the most progressive competition of its time, using the Internet to connect with its audience. “If you send us an e-mail, Heather or I will email you back,” says Hoffman, referring to his BlueCat partner, Heather Schor. “We are one of the only contests to post a photo of the people who run it on our site!”

Since joining the team in 2004, Schor even developed a partnership with the High Falls Film Festival in Rochester, New York. Each year one winner is awarded a staged reading at this “boutique” fest—a fest that has yet to be “taken over by a Sundance model,” she says (much like BlueCat itself). After 50 readers weigh in on the submitted screenplays, looking “to care about your characters, experience clarity in your writing style and sense a fresh voice,” Hoffman decides upon the ultimate champ. Those without a staged reading are eligible to receive a $10,000 prize, exposure on the respected competition’s site and, of course, that all-important feedback. The numbers have grown exponentially in the years since BlueCat began, but the intentions remain the same: Improve the numbers of strong screenplays ready for production.

Sound Off: BlueCat writes an entire script analysis for every screenplay entered into its competition each year. What is the best advice you think a screenwriter can receive?

February 28th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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IndieTalk’s Script to Screen Challenge

Online film forum IndieTalk thrives from making the online film community as interactive as possible, providing networking opportunities as well as a space for hardcore film buffs to share their obsessions with one another. Now, IndieTalk has taken it one step further with the Script to Screen challenge, a two-stage moviemaking competition that puts a unique twist on the traditional “film festival.”

In the first stage of the competition (which is free for Premier members of IndieTalk), participants submitted a script up to 10 pages long. On December 16, the winners in three categories (Comedy, Drama and Dramedy) were announced, marking the second stage of the Challenge.

Now, moviemakers are given the opportunity to turn any of the three screenplays into a completed, low-budget short film over the course of six weeks, with the winning films announced at the end of February. “What we are looking for is a well-made film that follows the script,” says IndieTalk founder Dan O’Berry, though he notes that the Challenge’s “90 percent rule” allows for some creativity and flexibility on the part of the moviemaker. According to this caveat, the director may alter no more than 10 percent of the script, whether that means altering the dialogue, deleting a scene or adding an entirely new character.

Judges of the second phase will determine whether entries have remained 90 percent faithful to the original screenplay, and one of the three prizes will go to the moviemaker who makes most original use of this rule. O’Berry remarks that “this inaugural challenge has proven very successful,” and that IndieTalk plans to run the Challenge at least once a year from this point forward.

For more information on the Script to Screen Challenge and to check out the winners of this year’s round, visit www.indietalk.com.

Sound Off: Do you think more directors should adhere to IndieTalk’s 90 percent rule? Weigh in by posting in the comments section!

February 18th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

Comments: 7

Faux Film Festival

The Faux Film Festival is Oregon’s irreverent alternative to the hyper-serious highbrow festivals that dominate the circuit. From fake commercials and alternative takes on training videos to music video parodies and mockumentaries—plus everything in between—some of the country’s best satire put to celluloid is showcased during the four-night event. And anyone attending is pretty much guaranteed to leave the festival in pain (from side-splitting laughter, of course).

The idea for this unique festival was put into play in 2005 when Mike Shkolnik found there was every conceivable type of film festival running in the U.S.—except one that catered to the type of films he wanted to make. “I made a faux trailer called Zombie Vegetarians and discovered there was no festival appropriate for this type of film, so I created one!” explains Shkolnik.

Held at Portland’s Hollywood Theatre, the Faux Film Festival costs attendees only $7 for a full night of some of the funniest shorts and features independent moviemakers have to offer. With such a great deal for attendees, the festival has quickly found a fan base, and last year found itself the hottest place to see the Alejandro González Iñárritu-inspired dieting spoof 21 Carbs, or Evan Lieberman and Eddy Von Mueller’s Lady from Sockholm, featuring the acting talents of sock puppets. It’s probably not so far-fetched to say you should expect more where that came from at the 2007 fest, which begins on March 29 and ends, appropriately, on April 1.

Visit www.fauxfilmfestival.com for more information.

Sound Off: What’s your favorite movie parody? Young Frankenstein? Brokeback to the Future? Let us know in the comments section!

February 12th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week | By MovieMaker Staff

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