festival deadlines

Submit to the AUTHOR’S INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

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Go to the website at: http://www.ficautor.com

Submit via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/ficautor

Get a 40% off discount when you submit via FilmFreeway by using the code: FESTREV

 The FIC AUTOR (Author’s International Film Festival) is interested in unique and artistic films that exceed the limits of traditional storytelling. We look for Feature and Short Films that reflect the director’s personal creative vision, and a style that is distinct enough to shine through the collective process.

We don’t care if your films have recognized stars or unknown names; we are against the politics and bureaucracy that floods the film industry. We want to be recognized as an objective festival. We don’t want to build our reputation based on how many superstars are in attendance; what we want is the truly best world cinema in our theaters!

The 2nd edition of the FIC AUTOR will take place from November 13 to 17, 2018 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México and Tequila Jalisco. We will present the very best films from around the world, and workshops and Master class for filmmakers and students who want to perfect their craft. FIC AUTOR will strive to be one of the most important cultural events in the city. We aspire to become an international spotlight for new directors!

Our first edition included the world premieres of “Brooklyn Roses” and “Nowhere Mind,” as well as the start of a tight-knit and talented filmmaking community. We held our closing festivities and a well-received outdoor screening of “Brooklyn Roses” in Tequila, about an hour outside of Guadalajara. The filmmakers enjoyed a few of the town’s tequila distillery tours, which includes more than a few tastings…

-The 13 winning Authors will receive the WINNER LAUREL, plus FIC AUTOR trophy or rings and sponsor’s prizes.
-WINNERS will be announced one month before the award ceremony, so all the nominated filmmakers can decide beforehand whether they want to travel to the festival.
-The award ceremony will take place in the CINEFORO the Saturday 15 November, 2018. The Cineforo is one of the biggest cinema theaters in the city with 440 seats, and is the most prestigious.

We are not like other bulls**t festivals, YOU DONT have to pay for your prize. IT’S A PRIZE, NOT A DEBT! And we don’t give metal or glass trophies… Our trophies are 100% made from silver and semi-precious stones! As independent filmmakers we know the things we love and hate about film festivals, so we want to avoid all the negative things we have found the in past years, such as exorbitant, unnecessary fees, teenage judges and of course.. trophies you would rather hide in the closet.

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Submit to the Thunderdance Film Festival

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Thunderdance film festival is a bi-annual event set in the heart of East London and the Dalston area. Winning films will be screened in local cinemas and followed by meet and greets/afterparties. Thunderdance is a festival for the ultimate in new wave London film culture.

  • ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE TAKEN THROUGH FILM FREEWAY
  • PLEASE CLICK ONE OF THE TWO BUTTONS BELOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FILM


  • THUNDERDANCE DARK FILM FESTIVAL (NOVEMBER 2018)

  • THUNDERDANCE FILM FESTIVAL (SUMMER 2019)

    • JUDGES:

    RUTGER HAUER
    Actor – Blade Runner, Hobo with a Shotgun.

    DAVID NUTTER
    Director – Game of Thrones, Band Of Brothers.

    BARRY WALDMAN
    Producer – ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’ ‘The Taking of Pelham 123’ ‘Armageddon’ ‘Bad Boys II’.

    COLIN SALMON
    Actor – ‘James Bond’ ‘Resident Evil’ ‘Alien vs. Predator’.

    KATHY PHILLIPS
    Beauty Director of Conde Nast International.

    LEE HICKMAN
    Owner of Wizzo DOP representatives.

    ANDY MOROHAN
    Director – ‘Goal III’ ‘Highlander III’ ‘Guns N’ Roses: Bad Apples’ ‘Murder In Mind’.

    SUE TILLY
    Fashion and art world influencer.

    SHERIDEN THOMAS
    Global Executive Producer of Great Guns.

Interview with Festival Director Ronald Quigley (PITTSBURGH INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL)

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The Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival is Pittsburgh’s own film festival for truly independent films, and a headline event for micro-budget films in the USA and world wide. PIIF offers a fantastic opportunity for undiscovered filmmakers to showcase their achievements, filmmakers who posses an independent vision and operate to create innovative work outside the studio system. Two recent winners of the festival have secured a distribution deal, as a result of entering our festival. Both our 2016 and 2018 winners are now in worldwide distribution. The Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival was founded by Ronald Quigley a Pittsburgh native who now lives and works as an  Actor / Director in Los Angeles.  Ronald, re-located from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles in April 2002.  He is the CEO of Last Act Entertainment a production company with several credits to it’s name.  Ronald acts as the Festival Director while our panel of judges are comprised of industry professionals from different fields within the film making community of Hollywood. The PIFF was created in 2010 and screened 48 films from around the world at the Hollywood Theater in Dormont PA,  a suburb of Pittsburgh.  Although the Hollywood worked well for the first year, Ronald felt a need for a venue that was more conducive to a film festival atmosphere. In 2013 the Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival moved to The Father Ryan Arts Center in McKees Rocks. For the 2019 season the PIFF is being held at the newly remodeled Parkway Theater. Aaron Stubna has taken an old theater and turned it into a hip modern cafe screening room with a Restaurant and Bar integrated all together to make this one of the coolest places to have a Film festival I have ever seen. We hope to be here for many years to come.    Link   http://communityreelartscenter.org/

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Ronald Quigley: The competition in the independent film world has become fierce, the quality of films has grown exponentially almost every year over the 9 years of our existence. We give an opportunity to filmmakers to screen their film on the big screen and perhaps secure distribution.

2) What would you expect to experience if you attend your next festival?

This year we have found a newly remodeled hip little theater in Pittsburgh The Parkway Theater. Aaron Stubna the owner, has taken an old theater and turned it into a hip modern cafe screening room with a Restaurant and Bar integrated all together to make this one of the coolest places to have a Film festival I have ever seen. We hope to be here for many years to come. In addition to our already one of a kind official submission plaque that is presented to every selected submission. We are the only festival in the world that does this.

3) What are the qualifications for the selected films?

The only qualification is that they be good. They must be shot on a very high level sound, picture and color all have to be great. I have said that you will be judged by your lowest common denominator not only by my festival but that holds true for your audience you wont be remembered as getting it pretty good your will be remembered as the film with bad sound or color whatever the worst part of your film is is what they remember.

4) Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film
festivals? And if so, why?

I don’t know about any other festival but at our festival every film is reviewed very carefully.

5) What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

The love of film. We are all filmmakers in one way or another. Our team is comprised of directors, producers, sound people, and just plain old filmmakers. We don’t make money from this the festival barely breaks even every year. We are a smaller festival because of where we are located,.but don’t get me wrong Pittsburgh is a great place to have a festival.

6) How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Filmfreeway is now our main portal for submissions we get most of our submissions through them. They have come on like gangbusters and have done everything for the better.I love Filmfreeway.

7) Where do you see the festival by 2023?

That’s a good question. We have grown every year and now that we have a hip new venue I think we could have like a little Sundance where everyone can’t wait to come. Anyhow that’s my dream.

8) What film have you seen the most times in your life?

The Wizzard of OZ still to me the greatest film ever made. No one disagrees with me when I say that, but they may have a different favorite. I vever miss it when it comes on TV.

9) In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A great film takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride you don’t think about anything else you are invested and engaged and you forget about the real world.

10) How is the film scene in your city?

Well that’s kind of a loaded question I live in Hollywood but my festival is in Pittsburgh. But the Pittsburgh film scene has been pretty vibrant Pittsburgh gets about 8 to 10 Major motion pictures a year made there.

These are multi -million dollar productions. Pittsburgh is a very cinematic city and many top rate filmmakers have no problem coming there to shoot 

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every single month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 3 times a month. Go to http://www.wildsoundfestival.com for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Alex P. Michaels (Prelude2Cinemas)

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The festival began as a monthly event created by Prelude2Cinema, a movie and marketing company. The goal was not just to screen movies from all over the world, but offer filmmakers a chance at distribution from the company. After four events, the festival decided a change of venue and a chance to regroup. In August 2017, the festival will relaunch with at least four events per year. The other thing that makes the event different is that there is live entertainment and food served at each event. We have had musicians, magicians and filmmakers interacting with the audience. By the end of the year, Prelude2Cinema presents… looks forward to offering funding for filmmakers.

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Matthew Toffolo:What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Alex P. Michaels: Prelude2Cinema presents… has given filmmakers more exposure and with a future chance for funding and distribution, we hope to establish ourselves as a film market/ film festival. Being filmmakers ourselves, we are geared toward helping other filmmakers reach an audience.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

Filmmakers are treated like royalty. We make certain to invite the press and give their film attention and encourage them to talk to the audience about their work and future goals. We also have live entertainment and food at each event as part of the ticket price.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

We like a certain level of quality, but realize your movie may not be “Hollywood” standards. We are drawn to movies that have distinct voices and are something you normally don’t see. Short films are better for programming, but we do screen features. We also keep the films from past festivals to screen at other screenings and keep in touch with the filmmakers.

Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

A few festivals have turned into Hollywood promotion events and certain movies are selected before they are even finished. A festival should be a chance to discover a movie that does not have movie stars but maybe offer a glimpse at future movie stars and directors. A lot of festivals can be narrow in their film selection as well and advertise they are looking for one type of movie but have a preference for another genre all together.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

As filmmakers, we wanted to give help to fellow filmmakers. Prelude2Cinema is also building a movie studio here in our hometown of Cleveland, Ohio and want to produce other filmmakers. We thought a festival would be a great way to build a relationship with filmmakers from all over the world.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Great. The process and payments are easy and we appreciate the template so people can discover our festival. We have had movies from Canada, Russia, France and the US. FilmFreeway is a great tool for any festival organizer.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Prelude2Cinema presents… wants to be able to screen trailers of movies and have screenplays submitted that we can later award production deals to. Imagine a film festival where your trailer screens, and you are awarded a budget to produce that movie? Even if we bring in movies with known stars, we always want to make certain there is equal room for new directors and actors. We want the festival to be about discovering the new filmmakers.

What film have you seen the most times in your life?

“Raiders of the Lost Ark.” I’ve seen it about 20 times.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

Big Money. Big Stars. No. Just kidding. Actually what makes a great movie is one that lingers with you. One that changes how you look at the world. One that you find yourself thinking about years later. I truly believe movies can be art. And art should always touch your soul.

How is the film scene in your city?

The Cleveland film scene is kind of paradoxically. The movie business is Show Business. Yet, here, it is all about SHOW and very little about business. There are talented filmmakers here and the usual jealousy and egos that go along with being an artist. Sadly a lot of artist here wear “Starving Artist” as a badge of honor. They work regular jobs and do some crowdfunding and get patrons but shy away from the business aspects of our industry. I am a director myself and have acted in my movies and for other filmmakers. While I personally would like to create more movies, I do devote a large amount of time to building a pool of funding. Prelude2Cinema has just partnered with a nonprofit Give to Cleveland that is focused on the economic growth of the region. We are able to accept tax deductible donations for our movies and the studio we are working on building. While we definitely have a strong community of filmmakers with great talent, I truly believe unless we get consistent funding, we will never be able to rise above the “Starving Artist” syndrome.
 

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Emmy winning writer and award winning director, Alex has produced a number of indie movies and a TV series in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He founded the Movie and Marketing Company Prelude2Cinema. Although Prelude2Cinema shoots in Northeast, Ohio, its movies have played all over the world. Alex also acts in other movies from other directors. Alex is the Cinema Czar and dedicated to creating a Cinema Industry in Northeast Ohio that is based on the old Hollywood Studio System and promotes movies and includes Hollywood and Indie filmmakers.

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script
FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed

Interview with Festival Director Len Gibson (Peachtree Village International Film Festival)

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PVIFF is hosted by Gipp. Museums, Inc. PVIFF attracts 3,000+ people each year from around the world. PVIFF was created in 2006 under the previous name (Sweet Auburn International Film Festival) and have served as the launching pad for many successful filmmakers and other artists alike in the film & entertainment industry. This dynamic international film festival showcases feature length films, shorts, music videos, documentaries, and screenplays from around the globe. PVIFF also feature celebrity attractions, innovative workshops, panels, parties, and much more. PVIFF is one of the most celebrated film events through dynamic programming and a dedication to helping filmmakers excel in their careers. PVIFF’s brand is entrenched in the old saying “It Takes A Village.”

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    • Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

    Len Gibson: We succeed at connecting filmmakers with the resources they need to advance their careers. Over the years we have garnered numerous international relationships to include financiers, distributors, executives and more. We succeed at pairing our filmmakers with these relationships in a non threatening manner.

    What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

    You can expect to meet some really cool exciting people that are doing great things in film, television and technology. You can also expect to experience some great films, panels and workshops.

    What are the qualifications for the selected films?

    The films just have to speak to our audience. Our audience is multi-cultural with diverse backgrounds. We attempt to select quality films with great themes that speak to a broad audience.

    Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

    In some cases I do. In some cases you can see the talent in a young filmmaker that may not be there yet but they have all the tools to be successful. We try to give young filmmakers an opportunity to share their work if we feel that they are the tools to become a solid filmmaker. Not all festivals do this and I can understand why but we try to because you never know who is going to blossom into a great filmmaker.

    What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

    Helping young artists succeed.

    How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

    Our process with Film Freeway has been great.

    Where do you see the festival by 2020?

    By 2020 we expect to be about 3 times the size we are now. We are focused on infusing more music and more technology into what we offer at our festival.

    What film have you seen the most times in your life?

    Probably Shawshank Redemption.

    In one sentence, what makes a great film?

    A great story that makes a broad impact on the viewers that see it told with believable acting and solid cinematic value.

    How is the film scene in your city?

    The film scene is great is Atlanta. This city has truly become the place to shoot film and television. Atlanta has the look of many places around the U.S. and the weather is good here so shooting in this city is great.

     

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    Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

    SUBMIT your TV PILOT Screenplay or TV SPEC Script
    Voted #1 TV Contest in North America.    		 Screenplay CONTESTSUBMIT your Short Screenplay or FEATURE Script
    FULL FEEDBACK on all entries. Get your script performed

Interview with Festival Director William Vela (Miami Short Film Festival)

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Miami short Film Festival is a film festival based in Miami, Florida that features short films of 20-minutes or less each. A growing movement to exhibit and expand the art form of short film making providing a venue to build community around the arts. Philosophy: Short films, past and present, are true works of art, and deserve a venue dedicated to their exhibition. Their mission is to present quality films from around the world as well as support, recognize and honor filmmakers creating a films under 20 minutes.

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

William Vela: Miami short Film Festival is succeeding because we continue to promote the short film genre and supporting local and international filmmakers providing an ideal platform in a popular city such Miami Florida. The MsFF is international in scope and as a result, the festival has showcased over 1,000 high-quality films from around the world representing over 70 countries and has given the filmmaker a gateway for exposure and to short film an identity differentiating it from the classical feature lent films.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

MsFF will offer our audience a one of a kind selection of the best short films across all genres from all over the world. From original scripts to different perspectives, to new cinematography and film techniques, each piece is the result of true emotion andexpression. Today’s short film cinema is beyond doubt, the nurturing ground of tomorrow’s world-renowned filmmakers.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

When selecting the films, our goal is to find films that are
distinctive and with a powerful team. We look for a storyline that can transform audiences, living them with a powerful message.

Technical Requirements:
-Films must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2015
-All non-English films must have English sub-titles.
-Films must be submitted electronically
-We will only consider works with a maximum running time of 20 minutes or less. There is no minimum running time.
-Works-in-progress will be considered, provided they will be completed prior to the Festival.
-We do not allow multiple category entries.
-Though not a requirement, we prefer that films NOT have previously screened in a public theatrical setting in Dade or Broward County FL prior to their screening at MiamisFF.

Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

No comment.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

The love of filmmaking and desire to contribute to the cultural scene of our community. Also the responsibility of having create a dependable film festival that filmmakers and our audience wait for every year.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Film Freeway has been very helpful offering filmmakers and Film
Festival organizers a friendly tool to process all the materials. It has also provided a reachable staff that you can contact any time. They are way better than any other exiting platforms.

What film have you seen the most times in your life?

The film that I have seen the most times in my life is The Godfather by Francis Ford Coppola

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

Great films most have a good storyline, interesting characters and good performance.

How is the film scene in your city?

Miami’s independent film scene is flourishing, even as hundreds of arthouse cinemas close around the country. The city is home to seven independent cinemas, most of which have opened in the last four years, and its increasing number of film festivals and notable filmmakers is propelling South Florida into a passionate film mecca with more than 10 festivals and an entire month dedicated to showcasing film such as the Miami short Film Festival.

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Interviewee BIO: For the past thirteen years Mr. Vela has been the Executive Director of the MsFF organization, overseeing every single aspect of this exiting international film festival. With more than 20 years of experience working as a professional actor, producer and director, he has work in over 250 TV commercial for the locals, nationals and international market. A creative and dynamic leader in the entertainment field industry, with continued success in event planning and media productions. Mr. Vela has been focus on expanding local, national and international independent short film productions while integrating influential and diverse partnership and sponsors to this campaign

Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Shira Dubrovner (Mammoth Lakes Film Festival)

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Awarded in 2016 by MovieMaker Magazine as a top 50 film festival worth the entry fee. In 2017, the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival will screen over 60 features and shorts in the spectacular setting of Mammoth Lakes—California’s premier mountain resort, high in the Eastern Sierra. It will take place on the Wednesday through Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

http://www.mammothlakesfilmfestival.com/

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Shira Dubrovner: We combine our commitment to cutting-edge programming with our efforts to create a friendly, nurturing, fun atmosphere, giving our filmmakers a unique experience to be a part of what’s new and exciting in the independent film world and to make personal and professional connections in a truly unique setting. We believe films can change the world, but we also believe in art for art’s sake. Our slogan is “Movies Unfiltered,” and we make a point of showcasing work that digs deep, gets personal, and gets real and raw and confrontational when necessary. We put our filmmakers first, and make every effort to bring them to the festival and give them an unforgettable experience. We are truly a filmmaker friendly film festival. We offer all our filmmakers travel stipends and housing. We take over a student housing facility and house all the filmmakers under one roof, which creates a great synergy and a “Filmmaker-First Festival”.

What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

We create an intimate atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable to connect: filmmaker to filmmaker, filmmaker to audience, and filmmaker to industry professionals (from our Jury) and sponsors. Whether you are a filmmaker or cinephile you will be inspired and challenged with the lineup of films that we carefully procure for our audiences. We also have both guided and spontaneous outings to visit the amazing natural surroundings.

What are the qualifications for the selected films?

For this year, 2017, they must have been completed after January 1, 2016. They also must not have had a theatrical release.

Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

I think the bigger festivals rely on reaching out to established filmmakers and organizations for their programming, and submitted films can become an afterthought. We make a point of carefully evaluating all submitted films and drawing a large percentage of our program from blind submissions.

What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Our commitment to find films with a specific and original vision. We love discovering the filmmakers of the future. Our director of programming Paul Sbrizzi discovered Lena Dunham and Ben Zeitlen before their careers took off. We love discovering and nurturing young filmmakers’ careers and watching them grow. We also love to showcase fresh and stimulating work by established filmmakers.

How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Very smooth. We find the platform very easy to use and easy to keep all the submissions organized and we are able to communicate with all the programmers well through the platform.

Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Our goal is to be a destination festival that is known for showcasing a selection of the best new work from around the world as well as finding up-and-coming talent. We are well on our way and intend on achieving that by 2020.

What film have you seen the most times in your life?

The Wizard of Oz because it comes on T.V. every year and it brings out the kid in me.

In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A naturally gifted filmmaker who is unafraid of expressing a personal, inspired vision with style and sensitivity.

How is the film scene in your city?

Mammoth Lakes is a ski resort where many second-home-owners are industry professionals with a passion for filmmaking and a great interest in new talent. A lot of the year-round locals have a taste for art and culture; they welcome the festival and the filmmakers with open arms.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Xavi Herrero (IBIZACINEFEST)

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IBIZACINEFEST is facing its second edition in 2017 with the organization of UTOPIKFILMS and the collaboration of the Ibiza Town Council, Gobern Balear and the Film Commission of Balearic Islands. Among those selected will be nominated FINALISTS that will participate in the Festival and will be screened in our Auditorium and will opt for the IBIZACINEFEST grand prize.

http://www.ibizacinefest.com/

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

A: I’m surprised at the success of IBIZACINEFEST in its first year.
This success began when many registrations came to us and above all of great quality.

The name of Ibiza is a good brand and a place known worldwide, this has helped us.

I am also a filmmaker, in 2016 I have directed 2 short films that I personally distribute and I am about to release my first feature film in April.

I believe that being in the two sides I have been able to create a festival to taste mainly of the Director.

Our format is not typical at festivals. We make a first selection of shortfilms and have their space on our website, with their poster and corresponding links. This helps to access the Festival to many works and to promote them. Of these pre-selected, we chose 44 shorts for the projections.

Another novelty is to communicate in less than 30 days if your shortfilm has been selected. This speed is very much liked by the Director of a short film. It has also been definitive the support of the Ibiza Town Hall to cede to IBIZACINEFEST the Auditorium of Can Ventosa. It has capacity for 400 people and a great quality of projection.

We invited the Festival to 5 Directors and a Director of Photography and they loved the Auditorium.

Our budget allowed us to pay for the trip and a 4 star Hotel thanks to the collaboration of the Department of Culture and the Film CommissioN of the Balearic Islands.

We also have a multicultural space, bar and restaurant for the attention to the press, some projections and conferences.

All this and with the full support of the media and press of Ibiza, we have achieved that the Festival is a cultural event of reference in Ibiza.

But most of all, the filmmaker, Lionel Auguste, actor and French director, who won with his short film “El Mecenas”, asked me during the festival to be part of the Jury, is the best prize for me and
the Festival.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

Our second edition will have much more budget, thanks to the support of the Balearic government. We will have another projection room for parallel activities. We plan to screen 50 shortfilms in competition and the Festival will last 6 days. We will have a section on feautures and shorts or created in Ibiza, activities for children, conferences, etc …

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

We have a jury that covers all the cinematographic aspects.

I come from the direction of photography and I look a lot in this aspect, but in the Jury there are two actors, producers, screenwriters and directors of film and experimental cinema.

We also value the originality of the work and shortfilms made with little budget but high quality.

I believe that the three winners of our first edition represent very clearly the spirit of IBIZACINEFEST.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

There are many Festivals in the world. I would recommend to the Directors that they distrust the on-line Festivals without projections and without the assistance of at least the winners to the event.

If the Festival charges fees it is obliged to give cash prizes.
The collaboration of public institutions also gives confidence to the Festival.

Personally I came across a Festival that rewarded a shortfilm of mine …. but you had to buy the trophy that was worth 70 eu ….. I do not think it serious.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

The Festival is my initiative. From time to time I was thinking about this possibility.

In 2015 I left my professional activity as director of photography in Barcelona and I settled to live in Ibiza. In Ibiza I produced 2 shortfilms and seeing the good reception of the island, I thought about organizing an International Short Film Festival.

MT: How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

Filmfreeway is my favorite platform for several reasons, it is very complete at the editing level and offers many possibilities to promote a Festival, in a clear and semzilla way. It was the platform that gave us more inscriptions, I can only be grateful to Filmfreeway, all are facilities and no problem.

I can tell an anecdote with them. We can all make mistakes, we are human, but even one mistake with us was good and fun. They put us as an Oscar-nominated Festival for a week, participants told me if this was true and I telephoned filmfreeway and fixed the misunderstanding.

We laughed a few minutes with this.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Simply,celebrating the 4th edition with the same illusion as the first.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

My first movie, I’m finishing now … jajjja.

Seriously, maybe Mulholland Drive by David Lynch or Europe by Lars V.Trier.

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A good script well photographed.

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

Ibiza is a small island well known for its party, beaches and discos. It really is a place where tourism affects a lot and alters the lives of its inhabitants.

During the winter months, Ibiza is another island, a quiet place where many artists and culture-related people still live. It is a few months where it is easy to see 2 or 3 sessions of films and independent and interesting short films every week.

There is a lot of activity and many projects are supported by institutions.

I invite you to visit Ibiza in winter.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Interview with Festival Director Janet Rose (EQUUS International Film Festival)

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 From the heart of the American West, in the cradle of the Northern Rockies, the EQUUS INTERNATIONAL Film Festival fills a niche in international film and media programming with an exclusive focus on the world of EQUUS, and all things equine. It was the first all-equine film event, launching in 2011 with a global view of the equine arena. An outreach project of an equine rescue and adoption organization, our mission is to enhance the equine/human bond and improve the welfare of the horse and other equines through excellence in film, television and other media.

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

A: It is our greatest hope that the EQUUS INTERNATIONAL Film Festival is giving a voice and a platform to filmmakers for whom equine issues is their focus. For many years, there have been magnificent and important films made about equine topics and issues but there hasn’t been a platform in which to share these incredible stories. Through EIFF, we now hope there is.

MT: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?

A: Attending the festival this year is an opportunity to both tell your story in a receptive environment, in a place where film and horses go hand in hand because Missoula is becoming a very significant place for film, filmmakers and film festivals. It’s also a breathtaking environment. So we expect great networking opportunities, great exposure for the films and a magnificent place to experience.

MT: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

A: As it should be with all films, excellent story-telling, great cinematography, an inspiring, interesting or significant subject. But the centerpiece of selected films is that they tell a great story on an equine issue or subject.

MT: Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?

A: Absolutely yes. Sometimes the judging criteria are skewed. Sometimes there are just too many good films entered into a festival for all of them to get the best judgment on their entry into the festival. In, other words, sometimes there is simply so much competition, such as with film festivals that have hundreds or thousands of entries, it’s almost impossible to pick out all of the good ones.

MT: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

A: That’s a really easy question — a passion for the subject matter (equine) and a realization and knowledge that a film festival and the films are incredible tools for raising awareness and promoting an understanding of issues. This is a venue where we can engage, inspire, educate and at the same time provide a platform for filmmakers to share the essence and the “heart” of what they do. That certainly is our goal.

MT: How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?

A: It’s been great – it’s a very easy, affordable way to both receive and review film entries. I think the more we can promote FilmFreeway as a means for filmmakers to get their films entered, it will be a wonderful outlet for film entries. We also love the simplicity and ease of use.

MT: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

A: We hope that the EQUUS INTERNATIONAL Film Festival will continue to grow and become a louder and a stronger voice for films on equine issues. We hope to elevate and enhance its impact as a place for filmmakers whose genre is pretty subject specific to network with a wide range of others in the equine arena with a shared interest. We expect and hope to see an expansion of its impact and its outreach and certainly to build the audience that becomes a more global, international as well as national one. This is currently the premier venue for equine film but we would still like to expand our awards recognition, the festival’s benefits to filmmakers and the global reach of EIFF for the sake of filmmakers, equine advocates and many others concerned with or passionate about equine welfare.

MT: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

A: Oh, that’s a tough one since I don’t generally like to see a film many times over but because it’s a holiday tradition in our home, probably Gremlins. LOL, no horses in that one but it’s still in my mind, about animal welfare. J

MT: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

A: It’s a film that rocks your world, touches you to the core, moves you, inspires you, makes you come away just saying “wow.”

MT: How is the film scene in your city?

A: The film scene in Missoula, Montana is thriving — part of it is probably the incredible setting of the Northern Rockies, some of it is simply that a number of major film festivals had their birth in Missoula, and it’s a creative environment with great subject matter so Missoula is definitely a film capital of the west – casual sophistication mixed with incredible creative inspiration and a backdrop like few others.

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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 20-50 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto, and Los Angeles at least 2 times a month. Go to www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.

Screenplay Festival Deadlines Today -(Feature, Short, TV)

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Deadline February 15th: Screenplay Festival – Get FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsound.ca/screenplaycontest.html

Watch WINNING Screenplay Readings – Watch videos of past winners performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/feature_script_readings.html

READ 100s of testimonials from past submitters –
https://wildsoundfestivalreview.com/feature-screenplay-submission-testimonials-wildsound-screenplay-contest-review

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Deadline February 15th:: TV PILOT/SPEC Script Festival – Get FULL FEEDBACK. Get script performed by professional actors
http://www.wildsound.ca/tvscreenplaycontest.html

Watch WINNING TV PILOT Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_pilot_readings.html

Watch WINNING TV SPEC Screenplay Readings
http://www.wildsoundfestival.com/tv_spec_readings.html

READ 100s of testimonials for past submitters –
TV Screenplay Testimonials from the WILDsound Festival