Festivals


FUTURE FESTIVALS


DancesWithFilms Film Festival Call for Entries

The DancesWithFilms Film Festival doors are open for submissions! The momentum builds as we head into our second decade, continuing to present the truest discovery festival in Los Angeles.

Canon, USA signed on as a major sponsor last year and is joining us again, which means there are is an XH A1 High Def camera being awarded to each of our Grand Jury winners for Competition Feature and Short Subject.

DWF has showcased more than 900 up and coming filmmakers, their casts and crews. Alumni include great talents such as Will Schaeffer and Mark Olsen (2004), creators of HBO's Big Love series, Dan Harris (1999), writer of X2, Superman Returns; Kathryn Morris (1999), lead actor of CBS's Cold Case to give a few examples.

The 2Minute2Step:
Rather make movies than watch them? Back for Year Two is the 2Minute, 2Step Short Film Challenge. Submit your dynamite 2-minute-or-less script. We'll choose the best scripts, and give you 4 hours to shoot and edit your movie – that will premiere on the big screen the very next night. Last year the winners got lunch with the "Big Love" creators and DWF alums, Will Schaeffer and Mark Olsen (DWF alums!). This year, they get a Canon HV30 Camera!

For more details, check out the website www.danceswithfilms.com

Please feel free to forward this to any interested friends!

Toronto International Film Festival

September 4-13, 2008

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) ranks among the most prestigious international film festivals in the world. For ten days, film lovers, filmmakers, industry professionals and media watch the best in new cinema from established masters and new talent. As one of the world’s most important cultural events, TIFF consistently strives to set the standard for excellence in film programming. Audiences are exposed to the work of emerging talent and masters of the cinema craft from around the world. The Festival also serves as a platform for this country’s artists to share their stories. Audacious in its selection and supported by the strength and intelligence of its international audience, TIFF has become the landmark destination for the moving image - and is forging ahead, seeking new ways to engineer creative and cultural discovery through film. Visit www.tiff08.ca for more information about this year's events.


Schweitzer Lakedance International Film Festival

September 7-14, 2008 | Beautiful Sandpoint, Idaho

SLIFF 2008 - Our call for entries deadline is approaching fast - June 30th - but there is still time to get your entry in, and still programming to fill! We're looking for good storytelling and high quality performances from fictional films, and captivating but slightly unconventional non-fiction, as well as expressive experimental films, and innovative music videos. Visit lakedance.com for the official 2008 entry form.

SLIFF has hosted 20 world premieres, nearly 50 filmmakers, stars and crew from around the globe, screened over 160 films from 25 countries, and awarded nearly 50 Soaring Eagle Trophies since founding in 2006, including Academy Award nominated BINTA Y LA GRAN IDEA, and Slamdance accepted DIE BESUCHER, as well as recently acquired by HDNET, feature THE BACHELORMAN. With special categories to promote International, Students, Northwest USA, and Idaho filmmakers, SLIFF looks to discover, celebrate and award the world's next big filmmaking talents.

SLIFF 2008 mixes more than 50 incredible international independent films, with question and answer sessions, workshops with leading industry veterans, parties, lake cruises, awards and more over 8 days - September 7-14, 2008 - all set against the gorgeous Sandpoint, Idaho sceneryof mountains, rivers, and lakes - the perfect place to celebrate independent film.

Enter your film now and join us for our biggest and best film festival yet! Stay tuned to our website lakedance.com for more information.

Independent Film Week's Celebrates 30 yrs
of Independent Filmmaking

September 14-19, 2008

Formerly known as the IFP Market, Independent Film Week is the oldest and largest forum in the US for the discovery of new projects in development and new voices on the independent film scene. Founded as a satellite program of the 1979 New York Film Festival, Independent Film Week has evolved into the nation's oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers, and also the premier advocate for them. Since its start, it has supported the production of 7,000 films and provided resources to more than 20,000 filmmakers—voices that otherwise might not have been heard. IFP believes that independent films broaden the palette of cinema, seeding the global culture with new ideas, kindling awareness, and fostering activism. This year acceptance into this curated program is by invitation only, and free of charge to filmmakers. All projects are accepted based on artistic merit. To learn more about this event visit www.independentfilmweek.com.

Montana Independent Film Festival:

September 19 - 21, 2008

Montana Independent Film Festival Going where no Indie has gone before. The Montana Independent Film Festival is an annual festival committed to the celebration of alternative vision and cultivation of independent, provocative and experimental filmmaking. By featuring work that pushes the envelope in form, style and content, M.T.I.F.F. seeks to be a platform for the screening of new work and a forum for the exchange of ideas amongst filmmakers, curators and audiences.

This will be the first year the Montana Independent Film Festival will make a mark on the film festival circuit. For years to come, being part of this new tradition of showcasing independent work from all around the country will give people the opportunity to discover new and cutting edge films. This festival will be a momentous occasion.

Festival takes place September 19-21 at The Wilma Theatre - Missoula, MT .

For more information visit www.mtiff.com.

South Dakota Film Festival

September 19 - 21, 2008

Submit your films to the second annual South Dakota Film Festival. Short film submissions and feature film submissions are being accepted in the categories of Animation, Documentaries and Narrative. Check ou the website for entry forms and deadlines. And plan to attend this year's festival!

South Dakota Film Festival is looking for films to headline this year's event. Emphasis will be given to submissions made in or by filmmakers from the Great Plains region (SD, MN, ND, IA, WY, NE). However, regional considerations are only one of many factors considered in the final draw of films chosen for the "South Dakota Film Festival". The "South Dakota Film Festival" will screen the "best" films submitted regardless of their geographic origin.

Festival takes place September 19-21 at Capitol Theatre, Alberdeen, SD.
Entries will be accepted beginning March 1st and ending June 30th.
For more information visit www.southdakotafilmfest.org.

Golf Coast Film Fest

The Gulf Coast Film and Video Festival was created to showcase the discovery of new and emerging artists.

Our Goals Include:

Dates open for submission are from February 14 to May 1, 2008. Late entries (subject to late fee) accepted May 2 to June 27, 2008. No entries will be accepted after that. Golf Coast Film Festival events will take place September 19-21, 2008. For more details about this film festival visit: Gulf Coast Film Festival .

Aspen Filmfest Call for Entries

September 24 - 28, 2008

Coinciding with Autumn's changing leaves, Aspen Filmfest offers a five-day feast of film and fall color that satisfies filmmakers and film lovers alike. With an emphasis on independent productions from around the world, Aspen Filmfest champions filmmaking at its finest. Intimate in scale and celebratory in tone, Filmfest offers new features and documentaries, as well as unique presentations, special events, and family films. Special programs include tributes to distinguished artists. Past honorees include such luminaries as Julie Christie, Harrison Ford, Rob Reiner, Sydney Pollack, Bob Rafelson, Michael Douglas, Anjelica Huston and William H. Macy.

Entries for Aspen Filmfest 2008 are now being accepted. Entry deadline is July 18th, 2008. For information on entering, please see our Entries page, or email filmfest@aspenfilm.org.


San Diego Film Festival

September 25 - 28, 2008

San Diego Film Festival (SDFF) is a competitive four-day fest where urban edge and perfect-weather escapism meet. Held blocks from the ocean in the Gaslamp Quarter San Diego's premier downtown entertainment district-- SDFF celebrates its seventh anniversary Sept. 25 – 28, 2008. Founded by a filmmaker, SDFF offers a fresh take on film premieres with wide-ranging programming from American and international features to thought-proving documentaries, short films and music videos, in addition to tracks celebrating Native American and women filmmakers. A full 360 experience, SDFF offers attendees everything from industry access through educational panels to intimate filmmaker and celebrity gatherings and nightly parties that earned SDFF Chris Gores Best Party Fest. San Diego Film Festival has earned more than 12 awards, including Best Beach Fest, Best Regional Film Fest, Best Festival and a coveted spot as one of the country's Top 10 Film Festival Vacations. Guests have included Joaquin Phoenix, James Woods, Zach Braff, Kevin Connolly, Colin Hanks, Jennifer Beals and many more. SDFF is produced by the non profit 501(C) 3 San Diego Film Foundation. Visit www.sdff.org for more information on festival events.


Vancouver International Film Festival

September 25 - October 10, 2008

The 27th annual Vancouver International Film Festival will be held September 25 - October 10, 2008. Founded in 1982, the festival's mandate is to encourage the understanding of other nations through the art of cinema, to foster the art of cinema, to facilitate the meeting in British Columbia of cinema professionals from around the world, and to stimulate the motion picture industry in British Columbia and Canada. VIFF is among the largest film festivals in North America and is one of the largest cultural events in Canada. Fore more information about this festival visit www.viff.org.


46th New York Film Festival

September 26 - October 12, 2008

The New York Film Festival continues its proud tradition of showing the newest and most important cinematic works by directors from around the world. The 17-day Festival is an unparalleled showcase of inspiring and provocative cinema by emerging talents and first-rank international artists whose films are often recognized as contemporary classics. A special section of the Festival is the Views from the Avant-Garde which premieres non-narrative, experimental film and video.

The Festival is highly competitive with an average of 28 feature films and 12 short films selected each year. There are no categories and no prizes awarded. Selections are made by a five person committee. All filmmakers, regardless of experience, are invited to submit work to the New York Film Festival. There is no entry fee. There are no competition categories ~ all lengths and all genres are considered. Application forms will be available online late May & the deadline for submission is early July. Fore more information on festival events visit www.filmlinc.com/nyff.

Hatch Film Festival

October 1 - 4, 2008

HATCH is a year round non-profit organization, designed to develop and foster the growth of creative minds in various industries through mentorship, exposure, and networking. Since it's inception in 2004, Hatch has successfully developed an environment, from HATCHfest to HATCHlabs that strikes the enthusiasm and stimulation of young artist’s creativity throughout the world, by connecting new filmmakers, musicians, photographers, designers, architects, writers and fine artists with award-winning veterans in the entertainment industry. The annual showcase and festival occurs this October 1-4 2008 in Bozeman, Montana. We are witnessing the future unfold. The inspiration of one affects the lives of millions. Who's next?

HATCHfest is now accepting submissions for the 2008 festival:

March 1: Submissions Open
April 30: Earlybird Deadline
May 31, 2008: Regular Deadline
June 20, 2008: Final Deadline
July 31, 2008: Notification of Accptance
October 1, 2008: HATCHfest begins

For more information visit www.hatchfest.org.

NWFF's 11th Annual Local Sightings

October 3 - 8, 2008

Northwest Film Forum's Local Sightings Film Festival is an event dedicated to the Northwest. Northwest Film Forum's premiere showcase of Northwest filmmaking is back, bigger than ever, October 3-8, 2008. The festival, which happens at NWFF's theaters in Seattle, features great prizes, filmmaker parties, archival Northwest films and an impressive national film industry jury looking for strong Northwest work.

The annual festival includes both feature film presentations as well as short film programs and special events with live film performances, installation art, audience participation and parties. This year's festival takes place in the cinemas of Northwest Film Forum on October 3-8, 2008. The line up of films will be announced and posted on the website on September 20th. Included in this year's festival will be the usual assortment of fiction, documentary and experimental films as well as a featured presentation of a historical Seattle film, a staged reading of this year's Washington State Screenplay Competition winning script, and an opening party that will ignite Seattle's film scene Friday night and keep it bleary eyed Saturday morning.

Montana CINE International Cultural & Environmental
Film Festival Announces a Final Call for Entries

October 6-12, 2008 in Missoula, Montana

Montana CINE International is the Last Best Film Fest in Missoula, Montana. Montana CINE International is a cultural and environmental screenings film festival held every fall and is now in its 5th year. Montana CINE International completes a global picture of why and how we live in our world and interact with our environment. While the International Wildlife Film Festival has a special focus with wildlife as the central theme, the subjects of Montana CINE International are broad, featuring issues that explore the human experience and peoples' relationships with nature and their environment.

Films that are eligible can be features or documentaries, full length of short. There is no limitation on production year. Films entered may have a special focus on cultural, social, political or economic issues. Environment is interpreted to be any type of environment be it rural, urban or sub-urban.

There is no restriction on production year. Films may be entered whether or not they have been broadcast. Entry forms and information are available at www.wildlifefilms.org. You may also contact the International Wildlife Media Center at 406-728-9380 or iwmc@wildlifefilms.org.

The film entry deadline is August 1, 2008. Cultures and Issues of Nature & the Environment events will be held October 6-12, 2008 in Missoula, Montana.

2007 Top Awards, Contact Us for a Full Listing:
Golden CINE Award
Presented to the film chosen as Best of Festival
Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History

Hands Around the World Award
Presented to the film that best portrays peoples' relationships with the natural world
Crude Impact

Focus Award
Presented to the best film that expands or advances our understanding of a relevant issue or topic of the festival theme or one which best portrays a developing trend or issue
Arid Lands

Montana CINE, now in its 5th year, will also host the Grand Re-Opening of the restored historic Roxy Theater on October 7, 2008. Join us as we unveil the Historic Plaque and throwback to 1937! Learn more at www.wildlifefilms.org. Don't miss an unforgettable week at the historic Roxy Theater! Call (406) 728-9380 for ticket or entry information.


Austin Film Festival

October 15 - 23, 2008

The Austin Film Festival is dedicated to championing the work of aspiring and established filmmakers, defined as screenwriters, directors, editors, producers, actors and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story. The Austin Film Festival boasts an outstanding program of narrative, animation and documentary features and shorts, including premieres, advanced screenings, and independent films. Film screenings are complemented by lively and informative Q&A sessions with cast members and filmmakers.

The festival is among the select events accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, so all award winning narrative short and narrative student short films are also eligible for an Academy Award. Each year the Austin Film Festival holds film competitions in 6 categories: including Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Narrative Student Short, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short. This year's Screenplay Competition has two primary categories: Drama Category (Historical, Western, Drama, Family, Romance, Horror, Thriller, etc.) and/or Comedy Category (Dark, Satirical, Slapstick, and more). The Teleplay Competition includes both Drama and Sitcom categories and is open to any spec script for the currently airing network or cable television program. To find out more about the festival events visit www.austinfilmfestival.com.


Hollywood Film Festival Call for Entries

October 22 - 27, 2008

The Hollywood Film Festival includes screenings of both domestic and international films, as well as emerging and established filmmakers, and has nightly red-carpet gala premieres. The film screenings include Asian Cinema, African Cinema, European Cinema, Hollywood Cinema and Latin Cinema. All screenings and premieres take place at the state-of-art ArcLight Cinemas in Hollywood. The Hollywood Film Festival is calling for features, documentaries and shorts. Festival premieres have included films from Disney/Buena Vista, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Miramax, Newmarket/Picturehouse, Paramount Studios, Paramount Classics, Strand Releasing, United Artists, and Warner Bros., among many other major and independent distributors, and our Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony nominees, honorees and presenters have been a virtual "who's who" of Hollywood's A-list talent and Hollywood studio executives.

The Hollywood Film Festival is announcing a call for entries. Submissions are accepted monthly. Visit www.hollywoodawards.com/contests.html to enter your film today.

AFI Fest

October 30 - November 9, 2008

AFI FEST spans 11 days each fall, featuring international films from emerging filmmakers, global showcases of the latest work from the great film masters, nightly special screenings, and red-carpet gala premieres. Each year, AFI FEST presents international competitions of features, documentaries and shorts, as well as regional showcases, as part of its broader World Cinema section.AFI FEST is the only film festival in the United States to hold the prestigious FIAPF accreditation (www.FIAPF.org), assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. Visit www.afi.com to enter your film today.

35th Annual Northwest Film and Video Festival

November 7-15, 2008

The Northwest Film Center calls for Northwest filmmakers to send their recent work by August 1, 2008 for consideration for the 35th Northwest Film & Video Festival. Presented by the Northwest Film Center, The Northwest Film & Video Festival is the most venerable and comprehensive showcase of outstanding work made by filmmakers living in the region. The Festival provides Northwest filmmakers with a forum for public recognition, critical appraisal and an engaged and enthusiastic regional audience. In addition, filmmakers are eligible for over $15,000 of Production Service Awards provided by sponsoring companies with valuable production resources.

Entries are judged by a prominent filmmaker, curator or critic who determines the Festival awards. Past judges have included Gus Van Sant, Matt Groening, Todd Haynes, Christine Vachon, Bill Plympton, and, Sundance and Outfest programmer, John Cooper. Generally, 30-45 shorts, features and documentaries are screened during the Festival, then 10-15 shorts are selected for the Best of the Northwest Tour program which travels the following year throughout the Northwest to media arts centers, museums, arts councils and universities.

Permanent residents of Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington may submit two works of any length or genre released since August 1, 2006 and not previously entered in the Festival. Student entries (college and university only) must be from a school located in the Northwest. Entry is free!

The entry deadline is August 1, 2008 (postmark).
The Festival runs November 7-15, 2008.

More information and entry forms are available at the Northwest Film Center’s web site: www.nwfilm.org. Questions should be directed to Festival Coordinator--Thomas Phillipson thomas@nwfilm.org. To download the Northwest Film & Video Festival Guidelines click here. To download the Northwest Film & Video Festival Entry Form click here.

Early Deadline Approaching for the
2009 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

February 13-22, 2009 | Missoula, Montana

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, the premier venue for nonfiction film in the American West, is seeking submissions for its sixth annual event. From February 13-22, 2009 the festival will screen 100 films, including world and U.S. premieres, classics, rare and experimental works on Montana's largest screen at the historic Wilma Theater in downtown Missoula, Montana. In addition to ten days of screenings, the event will feature many public and VIP events including panel discussions, galas, receptions and networking round-tables.

The competitive event is open to non-fiction films and videos of all genres, subject matter, lengths and production dates. Awards and cash prizes will be given for Best Documentary Feature (over 50 minutes), Best Documentary Short (15-50 minutes), Best Mini-Doc (under 15 minutes) and best documentary about the American West (the "Big Sky Award").

VHS (NTSC/PAL), DVD (NTSC/PAL), DVCAM (NTSC/PAL), HDV (NTSC), and miniDV (NTSC/PAL) accepted for preview. Enter via Withoutabox.com or download entry form in pdf format at www.bigskyfilmfest.org/entries. If you would like an entry form emailed to you in pdf format, send a request to callforentries@bigskyfilmfest.org.

Early Deadline - July 1, 2008
Regular Deadline - September 1, 2008
Final Deadline - October 20, 2008

We look forward to viewing your films!

Doug Hawes-Davis, Festival Programmer
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
131 South Higgins Avenue, Suite 307
Missoula, Montana 59802
(406) 541- FILM (3456)


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