Upcoming Film Festivals

Courtesy: MovieMaker Magazine

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THE AOF FESTIVAL is one of the most progressive festivals in the world. Voted one of MovieMaker's Top 25 Festivals Worth the Fees, it boasts celebrities, industry insiders, huge parties, symposiums, parties and much more. This International affair features divisions for Animation, Documentary, Drama, Comedy, Experimental, Action and the Written Word. Past attendees and award winners include Talia Shire, John Savage, Bill Duke, Michael Madsen, Kim Coates, Deborah Kara Unger and many others. Over $100,000 in prizes and awards given in 2010. For more information, visit http://www.aoffest.com/.

Call for entries: indiefilmpage.com and Coney Island USA present the 11th annual CONEY ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL September 23 - 25, 2011 at Sideshows by the Seashore and The Coney Island Museum in the historic Brooklyn neighborhood Coney Island, New York! Named one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals" by MovieMaker Magazine! Deadlines: April 29, 2011 (regular); June 24, 2011 (late); July 8, 2011 (extended late). Entry categories: Feature, Short, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, Experimental, Silent Film, Horror, Animation, Music Video. Info: http://www.coneyislandfilmfestival.com/. 

The DC SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL (September 8-15, 2011) turns the spotlight on truly independent short films, created by new and established filmmakers in an era when the art of filmmaking is opening to all. The fest selects films of every genre and niche for our competition screenings- with a special focus on films created by metropolitan Washington, DC-based directors and writers. Cash prizes and more! Judges' feedback given to ALL entrants. Information online at: http://www.dcshorts.com/.

 

The DC SHORTS SCREENPLAY COMPETITION (October 2010) is a very different kind of screenwriting competition. A panel of judges consisting of filmmakers,

screenwriters and critics will review and provide feedback on scripts of 15

pages or less. Five to seven finalists have their scripts read in front of a live

audience - and one will walk away with $2,000 to shoot their project! Information online at http://dcshorts.com/.  

20th annual FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL announces its Features in Competition. Accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Florida Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary and announces its selection of American independent competition features. Showcasing 10 documentaries and 10 narratives, the selections will be eligible for up to three awards each; a Grand Jury award for best film in that category, a Special Jury award given at the jury's discretion for exceptional achievements and an Audience award determined by audience votes. To view this and the festival's full line up, visit http://www.floridafilmfestival.com/.

7th annual LA FEMME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL,Launches "Call for Submissions" for 2011 season! We are a dynamic Los Angeles event highlighting the work of talented Women Filmmakers, Producers, Directors, Animators, Game Creators and Screenwriters. "By Women, For Everyone" is our mantra guiding filmmakers throughout the festival's extensive program. La Femme programs features, docs, shorts, commercials, music videos, games, animation and more. Panels, parties and networking events take place at Hollywood hotspots, and the festival's connections are exceedingly valuable; La Femme boasts a remarkable high distribution rate garnering rave reviews from attendees. Website: http://www.lafemme.org/; office: 310-441-1645; e-mail: llapage@lafemme.org.

The HAWAII OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL features films about marine resources, ocean recreation and our cultural connections to the Sea. "One of the 20 Coolest Film Festivals in 2010," in MovieMaker Magazine. Exceptional opportunities for new filmmakers who have passion, pacing and a point of view. Fest is looking for upbeat films that inspire the audience to get involved and take action. Send shorts by June 15 for July 2011 festival,under the stars on the big screen on Kauai. Surf * Sail * Dive * Tow * Kite * Voyage * Preserve * Protect * Perpetuate. E-mail: ofilmfest@yahoo.com; Web: http://hawaiioceanfilmfestival.org/.

HIGH DESERT SHORTS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL'S mission is to provide a showcase for both veteran filmmakers and budding talent at home and abroad in a celebration of unique vision and creativity. The fest showcases films of incredibly talented filmmakers from around the world. The fest is continuing with its initial goal of becoming an Academy Award-qualifying festival through the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The fest wishes every filmmaker a most glorious fruition of their vision. The festival is held every year, during Memorial Day weekend, in Pahrump, NV, one hour west of Las Vegas. The Pahrump Nugget Casino hosts the event and has done so for the past six years, continuing to be a large supporter of the festival. If you submit to the festival, you can expect a speedy response.  If your film is chosen to compete, the fest stays readily available to answer all questions through the processes. For more information on the festival go to: http://www.highdesertshortsiff.com/. Or call the program director: Tony Mendoza 702-372-1201. Or shoot us an e-mail at: info@highdesertshortsiff.com

The 14th annual INDIE MEMPHIS FILM FESTIVAL, set for November 3-6, transforms the city best known as "Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll" into a connecting point for filmmakers and film-lovers. Scheduled to serve on the 2011 jury are Scott Mosier (Clerks), Peter Gilbert (Hoop Dreams), Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood) and Ira Deutchman (Emerging Pictures). Festival awards include Gorilla Film Production Software; Narrative Features compete for $25,000 in color grading and finishing services from Nice Shoes in New York City. Submission deadlines: April 1 / May 1 / June 1. Contact: 901-214-5171; http://www.indiememphis.com/.

The 6th MYRTLE BEACH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is now receiving submissions. This year's festival will take place from April 19-23, 2011. The MBIFF has quickly become one of the most significant independent film festivals for the independent artist. Politics and favorites do not play here, only great film! We offer one of the most diverse judging panels in the film festival circuit, from liberal to conservative, blue collar to white collar. Your film will never be subjected to bias, only to the quality of the content. The MBIFF is a production of Dalton Pictures providing indie moviemakers with solutions to production and distribution. http://www.myrtlebeachfilmfestival.com/. 

Enter your film now into the international 5th annual RED ROCK FILM FESTIVAL. Held beneath the majestic red mountains of Zion Canyon, this festival retreat celebrates the art of film every November with a film market, filmmaker hiking excursions, premieres, screenings, workshops and panel discussions with approachable professional people. The action sports docs and democratic competition enhance the festival's staple of intriguing documentaries and foreign film. The festival is just a 90 minute drive north of Las Vegas, and offers a breathtaking location to see film in the warm part of the state of Utah. http://www.redrockfilmfestival.com/.

13th annual SCRIPTAPALOOZA INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION. Deadline March 4th. http://www.scriptapalooza.com/. Why should you submit your script to Scriptapalooza? -Grand Prize: $10,000 -All the reading is done by 90 production companies -We promote the winners, runners-up, finalists and semifinalists for a full year -Endorsed by Robert McKee, Author of STORY -As seen on CNN Questions? Comments? Call the office 323-654-5809 or e-mail us at mailto:info@scriptapalooza.com

THE 2011 PAGE INTERNATIONAL SCREENWRITING AWARDS - http://www.pageawards.com/. Presenting more than $50,000 in cash and prizes, including a huge $25,000 GRAND PRIZE!! The PAGE Awards have become one of the most important sources for new screenwriting talent within the Hollywood community and worldwide. Each year dozens of producers, agents and development execs vie over the winners, and as a result, many PAGE Award-winning writers land script assignments, secure representation and sign option agreements on their work. Will 2011 be your winning year? LATE ENTRY DEADLINE: Friday, April 1st. DON'T MISS IT!! Enter online at: http://pageawards.com/.

The 16th annual STONY BROOK FILM FESTIVAL will be held from July 21 to 30, bringing 15,000 filmgoers to Stony Brook University to see new, independent films over ten days. Having a film at Stony Brook is a career highlight for many filmmakers because of the 1,000-seat packed theatre, large screen, quality of the screening, comfortable accommodations and receptions. Thanks to sponsors there is no entry fee to submit films to be considered for the Festival. Formats accepted for projection at the Festival are 35mm and beta formats. DVDs are accepted for entry purposes only and should be sent to Stony Brook with the official entry form available online at http://www.stonybrookfilmfestival.com/.  Entry deadline: May 1, 2011. Stony Brook invites features, documentaries, shorts and animation.