UPCOMING FILM FESTIVALS: May Edition

Hey, filmmakers--

Here's a list of upcoming film festivals that you can both attend and submit to. Much of this comes from MovieMaker Magazine, which does a great job compiling these things. Do yourself a favor and-- if you don't wanna subscribe-- become a regular at their site and sign up for their emails... they're terrific.

Also, thanks to Lori B. and everyone else who has sent in festivals to promote. And if any of you know of other upcoming festivals, please let me know and I'll try and get them out there next time...

The Nashville Screenwriters Conference (NSC) will bring some of Hollywood’s top writers to Music City the weekend of May 30- June 1. Guests will include writers and producers from ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Scott Frank (Minority Report, Get Shorty), Ted Griffin (Matchstick Men, Ocean's Eleven), Steve Nicolaides (School of Rock, A Few Good Men, When Harry Met Sally), and many more. Anyone interested in film and TV can network and learn at the open-to-the-public event at Union Station Hotel. On Friday, May 30 at 1 PM screenwriter Larry Wilson (Beetlejuice, The Addams Family) will offer his “Method to Madness” program about horror writing, and “The World’s Fastest Screenwriting Course.” There will also be an advance screening of the HBO Films miniseries Generation Kill, by The Wire creators and Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright, on Friday, May 30 at 5:30 PM at the Country Music Hall of Fame. A Q&A will follow the screening. Then, the “Music in Film & TV Luncheon” will return this year on Sat., May 31 at 12 PM at the Country Music Hall of Fame, focusing on placement of music in films and TV. More info available at www.nashscreen.com.

The ANGELUS STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL honors future filmmakers for creating works that respect the dignity of the person. Award-winning films reflect values such as redemption, spirituality, tolerance, equality, diversity, hope and triumph of the human spirit. Angelus Award alumni include Sundance winners Patricia Cardoso (Real Women Have Curves) and Tony Bui (Three Seasons and Green Dragon). Get complimentary tickets to the festival called “best bet” for student filmmakers by MovieMaker Magazine! Just e-mail tickets@angelus.org or call 323/874-6633. For details, go to www.angelus.org or contact Monika Moreno at 800/874-0999.

The 15th Annual AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL runs October 16 – 23, 2008 in Austin, Texas. Film categories: Narrative Feature, Short, Student Short, Documentary Feature, Short and Animated Short. Early Deadline: June 5, 2008, Late Deadline: July 5, 2008. Do not forget about their screenwriting competition! Screenplay Competition deadline: May 15 (early), June 1 (late). Teleplay Competition deadline: June 1. Get $5 off your film entry fee with a copy of this e-mail. For an entry form and more information, visit: www.austinfilmfestival.com.

The 5th Annual BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVALis now accepting entries for this year's event taking place November 19 - 22, 2008 at the world famous Tribeca Cinemas in the heart of the greatest city in the world. The BAFF is dedicated to showcasing and promoting the highest quality films from the New York City independent film community, as well as additional specially selected films from across the country and around the world. The festival includes special New York City premieres, interactive panel discussions with industry professionals, networking parties and a closing night awards ceremony. Alumni films include Suffering Man's Charity directed by Alan Cumming, Love, Ludlow (Warner Home Video), Owl and the Sparrow (2008 Spirit Award nominee) and Chubb Chubbs Save Christmas (2007 Sony Pictures Release). Previous panelists, guests and keynote speakers include representatives from Samuel Goldwyn Films, Magnolia Pictures, HBO, Current TV, Wellspring Media, Cinematical.com, Zeitgeist Films, Wild Bunch Films, First Run Features and Gen Art. In order to bring the most elite talent to the silver screen, BAFF partners with a variety of New York City independent film organizations and media outlets including IFP, The Village Voice, Indiewire.com, Cinematical.com, The L Magazine and MovieMaker Magazine. For more information go to www.bigapplefilmfestival.com.

Compete for more than $3,500 in cash prizes at West Texas’s 4th Annual FLATLAND FILM FESTIVAL this September. Contests for live action, documentary, animated and experimental works. Flatland also screens invitational features by up-and-coming directors, brings in industry guests for a topical panel discussion and rounds out the evenings with fun parties. Visit to enjoy their Texas hospitality and mingle with filmmakers, enthusiasts and industry professionals at the beautiful Firehouse Theatre inside the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in Lubbock, Texas. Visit www.flatlandfilmfestival.com or call 806/762-8606.

The HAYDENFILMS 4.0 FILM FESTIVALis now accepting entries! Haydenfilms is the premiere online platform for independent and student film producers to showcase their work. The festival is open to all student and independent films, with all genres accepted for review. Your short film could win the $10,000 grand prize! Each entry received must be accompanied by a completed Haydenfilms Official Submission Form, or be submitted through the Withoutabox.com entry process. The extended deadline is July 15, 2008. Visit www.haydenfilms.com/rules.html for more information on how to enter your short into this season's festival!

The INTERNATIONAL HORROR & SCI-FI FILM FESTIVAL is now accepting submissions. Get your film and screenplay in now. Be part of the coolest genre fest in the country. Directors of acquisition from distributors will be in attendance to view films for consideration. This event will receive press coverage from the top genre press, both online and traditional. Submit your film and screenplay now to become part of the madness that is the International Horror & Sci-Fi Film Festival. Go to www.horrorscifi.com for more information.

PALM SPRINGS SHORTFEST—August 21-27, 2008. Now in its 14th year, the Palm Springs ShortFest has become known world-wide for the extraordinary community of filmmakers it attracts and the quality and scope of its programming. This is the largest festival of its kind in America, showcasing over 350 short films from more than 40 countries, with a library of more than 2,200 films available to film buyers, industry and press in the Film Market running concurrently with the Festival. Included are seminars, technological demonstrations and 'one-on-one' meetings with industry experts and filmmaking professionals, free to all participating filmmakers. www.psfilmfest.org.

The POPPY JASPER FILM FESTIVALof Morgan Hill, CA seeks t
o showcase international independent short films. Taking its name from the rare Morgan Hill poppy jasper gemstone, the festival mines the fast-growing niche of less-than-30- minute films and brings the passion of filmmaking to the community. The festival has attracted the attention of a number of filmmaking notables, including Academy Award winner John Bruno (Titanic), screenwriter Victor Miller (three-time Emmy winner) and producer Susan Cartsonis (What Women Want, No Reservations and Where the Heart Is). Film submissions accepted until May 31, 2008. For further information, please visit www.poppyjasperfilmfest.org.

Georgia’s ROME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “20 film festivals worth the entry fee,” is one of the best film festivals in the southeast. Each year RIFF features more than 100 films from more than 30 countries, including shorts and features in the categories of documentary, narrative, experimental and animation. Jury awards are presented for best narrative feature, documentary, narrative short, experimental film and animated short. Audience awards are presented for best feature and best short. RIFF is always the weekend after Labor Day in early September. Located in historic downtown Rome, Georgia, all festival venues are within walking distance. The festival also includes the Southeastern Film Industry Expo, a film industry convention featuring representatives from throughout the southeast. For more information, visit www.riff.tv.

The SAN DIEGO FILM FESTIVAL, co-founded by an award-winning filmmaker, features four days of 100 films, industry panels, inviting audiences and hands-down the best parties. It’s no wonder San Diego Film Festival has been named one of MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 25 Fests Worth The Entry Fee; Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide’s Best Beach Fest, Best Party Fest and Best Regional Fest; plus one of the Top 10 Film Festival Vacations. Visit www.sdff.org.

The 8th Annual SCREAMFEST HORROR FILM FESTIVAL & SCREENPLAY COMPETITION takes place Oct. 10 – 19, 2008 at the prestigious Grauman’s Mann Chinese 6 at Hollywood and Highland in the heart of Hollywood. Call For Entries deadlines are approaching for new horror feature films, shorts and feature length screenplays. Film submission deadlines: Early—July 15, Final—August 15. Screenplay submission deadlines: Early—June 15, Regular—July 15 and Final—August 15. Winning screenplay receives $1,000 cash and Movie Magic software. Screamfest is sponsored by Boost Mobile, Write Brothers, Inc. and InBaseline. For more info www.screamfestla.com or email screamfestla@aol.com.

STARZ DENVER FILM FESTIVAL * November 13-23, 2008 * Now entering its 31st year, SDFF presents approximately 175 films over 11 days and hosts more than 150 visiting filmmakers. Known for its exceptional hospitality and diverse programming SDFF has become an increasingly important stop for any filmmaker. Entry information available at www.denverfilm.org.
“Few American festivals have put it all together in terms of size, scope and intimacy as well as the Starz Denver Film Festival.” —MovieMaker Magazine; “The best kept secret on the US Film Festival circuit may well be the Starz Denver Film Festival.”—IndieWire