Friday, June 27, 2008

Filmutea, a free social network for Indie film professionals, is the main networking site for filmmakers in Spain, with over 25,000 registered users, are starting a localized version for the UK& Ireland. You may register here: http://www.filmutea.com/registrationuk/Index.cfm

What do you need for your projects? You may share, find, post, search on Filmutea - a Web 2.0 platform, run by filmmakers, for the filmmakers, aiming at helping all Indie film professionals, by centralizing in one place: job offers, casting calls, locations, information, services, resources and much more. Currently, the main features are:
- Publish and search for paid and non-paid job offers
- Find the crew and cast for your productions
- Extend your professional network
- Subscribe to bulletins by RSS and email (daily, weekly or monthly): for job offers, casting calls, classifieds
- Embed your Youtube videos
- Upload your portfolio and production photos
- Let the others know about your events, courses, screenings
- Find the right locations for your shoots
- Hire or buy equipment, lights
- Complete your CV with: experience, education, film credits, photos, videos, personal attributes, blog

They have just also launched a localized version for Mexico and Argentina, so if you have any friends there, please feel free to forward them this info.

For more info please log onto http://www.filmutea.com/homeuk/Index.cfm

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

IFFS Call for Speakers Closing Shortly

5th Annual IFFS Call For Speakers Is Now Open
December 7-9, 2008 Las Vegas
To take advantage of Early Bird Registration CLICK HERE!

Don't miss your opportunity to network with festival directors and discover the latest trends and innovations taking hold in the film festival community.
Click Here To Submit a Speaker!

Deadline for submission is July 15th, 2008
Don't wait any longer, join festivals & executives from across the industry including: AFI Fest, Atlanta Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Bside, Denver Film Society, FilmThreat, Palm Springs International Film Festival, River Run International Film Festival, San Diego Film Festival, San Francisco Film Society, Seattle International Film Festival, SXSW, Variety, Withoutabox and many, many more.Join these and other organizations this December as the IFFS is now accepting speaking proposals for the 5th Annual International Film Festival Summit taking place December 7-9, 2008 in Las Vegas. The IFFS is bringing together film festival professionals and independent film leaders to address the most pressing issues facing the industry.

IFFS is seeking topics and speakers addressing the following areas: funding & sponsorship, programming, operations & management, publicity & public relations, acquisition & distribution, digital technology solutions and executive management. Other topics including new trends and challenges that are relevant are welcome as well. To submit a speaker Click Here
This year we are back on the Strip at the Las Vegas Hilton!

Be sure to take advantage of the special room rate of $99.00 per night.

5th Annual International Film Festival Summit in Las Vegas Connecting Film Festivals Worldwide

The 5th Annual IFFS will be the largest dedicated gathering of the film festival community, which provides a platform for the community to explore ways to collaborate and promote the advancement of the film festival industry. This is the exclusive meeting place for industry professionals, vendors and those committed to the film festival and entertainment industry to dialogue with their peers, share insights and gain knowledge that will help grow film festivals and keep the industry thriving.

This year's summit, taking place December 7-8, 2008, at the Las Vegas Hilton, will have industry leaders discussing the latest trends in funding and sponsorship, programming, operations and management, publicity and public relations, acquisition and distribution, technology solutions, long-term planning and sustainable growth, and executive management.
To register now CLICK HERE! Or, contact us at (646) 502-7563 or info@filmfestivalsummit.com

Thursday, June 19, 2008

DOC SOUP Early Bird Deadline Next Week

Subscriptions sales for the 2008-09 Doc Soup series are soaring - an early indicator of yet another record-breaking season. If you didn't purchase your Doc Soup subscription during the Festival, it's not too late. Early-bird prices are in effect until Wednesday, June 25. Buy yours now!

Remember, only a Doc Soup Subscription guarantees your seat at the hottest screening series in town!

PLUS! Each Doc Soup Subscription package comes with 10 FREE screening tickets for the 2009 Hot Docs Festival. Each Doc Soup Plus Subscription package comes with 24 FREE screening tickets.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

$4 Million available to Canadian Documentary

Hot Docs and Canwest have partnered in the creation of the Canwest-Hot Docs Documentary Funds. These Funds consist of a $3-million completion fund and a $1-million development fund. Canwest's $4-million infusion into the Canadian documentary production community via the Funds will provide much-needed financial support to filmmakers facing financing gaps at critical stages in their projects. Hot Docs will manage and disperse the Funds' benefit monies over the next seven-year period.

Application forms and guidelines are now available for both Canwest-Hot Docs Funds.

The Canwest-Hot Docs Completion Fund is a grant program that will provide financial support of up to $100,000 (limited to a maximum of 20% of a project's budget) for production companies to complete specific projects. The Completion Fund is open to producers who have attracted demonstrated market interest in their documentaries. The Completion Fund is expected to support on average 6 to 9 projects per year.

The Canwest-Hot Docs Development Fund is a loan program designed to help producers get specific projects developed, researched, written and/or packaged and ready for market. The Fund will provide non-interest loans averaging between $10,000 - $15,000 in the early development stage, when projects are at the highest risk and may have not yet secured a market partner. The Development Fund is expected to support on average 10 to 12 projects per year.

APPLICATION DEADLINESCanwest-Hot Docs Development Fund and Canwest-Hot Docs Completion Fund applications will be accepted twice in 2008, with deadlines of July 15 and October 15.

Michaelle McLean steps down from Toronto Documentary Forum

Hot Docs announced that Michaelle McLean has stepped down as director of the Toronto Documentary Forum (TDF), a post she has held since the event's inception nine years ago. An annual two-day market held during Hot Docs that assists filmmakers from around the world raise international co-financing, the TDF has grown during her tenure to become North America's essential market event for the international documentary community.

"Working with Michaelle for the past nine years has been a highlight of my career," says Executive Director Chris McDonald. "She had an ambitious vision for the TDF and with her extraordinary drive brought it to fruition. She was an invaluable member of the Hot Docs team and continues to be a tireless champion for the industry. Her hard work, dedication and pursuit of excellence inspire all those around her."

Having facilitated tens-of-millions of dollars in financing over the years for hundreds of social, cultural and political documentary projects, the TDF hit a record high in 2008 with 550 accredited delegates participating, including 190 broadcasters and distributors. Thirty-five projects from 12 countries were selected for presentation from the record 230 submissions from 29 countries.

Notable TDF alumnus that were selected for participation during McLean's tenure include: Peter Raymont's A PROMISE TO THE DEAD: THE EXILE JOURNEY OF ARIEL DORFMAN, which was shortlisted for a 2008 Academy Award, Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott's THE CORPORATION, Sam Green and Bill Siegel's THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND, which was nominated for an 2004 Academy Award, Christian Bauer's THE RITCHIE BOYS, which was shortlisted for a 2005 Academy Award.

McLean has stepped down to pursue other professional opportunities, but she will continue her association with Hot Docs, overseeing such initiatives as the new Canwest-Hot Docs Completion Fund. Hot Docs will begin a candidate search in mid-July to fill the vacated post.

For More Info on Canwest Hot Docs please log onto: http://www.hotdocs.ca/index.php/industry/development/canwest_hot_docs_funds

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

KFF 2008 - Call for Submissions

KFF ISSUES A CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE 9th KERRY FILM FESTIVAL ANNUAL

Kerry Film Festival to offer a e5,000 cash prize in Best Director Competition

The Samhlaiocht Kerry Film Festival, which is celebrating nine years of bringing film to the people of Kerry, has issued a call for entries for the Kerry Film Festival 2008, which runs from November 1st to November 8th.

"The Kerry Film Festival is committed to playing a leading role in providing a forum for emerging talent in film," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director Kerry Film Festival. "This dedication is evidenced by both the quality of the films screened and the prizes on offer, with a top cash prize of e5,000 for KFF's Best Director, as well as a number of prizes in other categories including Best Irish Short, Best International Short, Best Documentary Short and Best Animated Short."

All prizes including Best Director will be selected by a jury of internationally renowned film professionals. Past adjudicators of the Kerry Film Festival Short Film Competition have included such luminaries as Mike Leigh, Jim Sheridan, Neil Jordan and Gabriel Byrne. John Carney, director of ONCE, has agreed to adjudicate this year with more adjudicators to be announced shortly.

"We're delighted to have such an amazing filmmaker as John onboard to help adjudicate the shorts," said O' Mahony. "Short film is a compelling format with much of the work displaying a freshness and originality that is lacking from more formulaic studio releases, so it'll be interesting to see what John thinks of the films."

When asked what makes KFF special he said, "I think having so many of the filmmakers on hand to speak about their films and their creative journey ensures a rewarding film festival experience for both the filmmaker and the audience. One of the advantages of KFF, I suppose, is that it's such an intimate little festival but the quality of the films and quality of the adjudicators consistently punches above its weight."

While the main focus of the festival will continue to be on shorts, this year sees an extension of the programme. "Last year was our most successful Festival so far," said O' Mahony. "We screened more films to more people in more venues that ever before and this year we're hoping to top that!" The 2008 edition of the Festival will see an expansion of the feature programme which proved so successful in 2007, KFF 2008 will also see more Education screenings, more active retired screenings and a larger workshop programme.

Kerry Film Festival will work in conjunction with the Cork Film Centre to bring a top notch film workshop programme to Kerry, Cork Film Centre will also curate an experimental film programme. "The Cork Film Centre is delighted to be working with the Kerry Film Festival," said Chris Hurley, Cork Film Centre. "We are pleased to be collaborating in presenting an eye-opening programme of contemporary Irish experimental film, curated by Maximilian Le Cain. Additionally, we will sponsor a cash prize of e500 to be awarded to the winner in the Best Animated Short category."

For more info on Cork Film Centre please log onto http://www.corkfilmcentre.com/

New Spanish Festival Offers e1,200 Prizes for Shorts

Information supplied by the On & Off Festival:

On & Off 4 Festival creativo de Curtas
www.festivalonoff.com/2008
info@festivalonooff.com
Mr Misto Films SL, Covandonga 1-3, 1º F, 36600, Vilagarcia de Arousa Pontevedra Spain
(0034) 986 189 496

1. THE FESTIVAL
The On & Off 4 Short Films Creative Festival is an event dedicated to short films and will take place in Ribadeo in Spain from the 29th of July to the 3rd of August 2008.

After three successful Festivals the organisers are expanding the programme to include non-Spanish films for the first time. Organisers are looking for short films from all over the world.

2. AIMS
The On & Off Short Films Creative Festival's basic aim is the diffusion and promotion of short films. It's about promoting Short Films and offering a big audiences the chance to watch short film in the beautiful village of Ribadeo.

3. REQUIREMENTS
- Participation in the Festival is open to all producers and filmmakers; they may enter as many films as they wish.
- In order to be accepted, short films must have been in 2007 or 2008 and must be no longer than 20 minutes.
- Films will be selected based on the quality and originality of the film regardless of original format.
- Films will be presented in original version. Non Galician or Non-Spanish spoken language short films should have Spanish or Galician subtitles. However, if the film is of such high and original quality it may be accepted without subtitles. In that case the producer or filmmaker should provide, along with all other documentation, the dialogue in Galician, Spanish or English.

4. CATEGORIES
The official competing categories are:
- Live Action Short Films.
- Animation Short Films.
- Documentary Short Films.

5. REGISTRATION
Filmmakers must sent the following material to the festival:
- Copy of the short film on DVD.
- Completed entry form.
- A CD-ROM which will include: at least 3 stills from the short film, the synopsis and a technical and artistic sheet, Filmmakers are encouraged to send all other information they consider important.

The copy of the short film must be clearly labeled with title, producer, company and name of the author/s or representative.

Closing date for entries is the 30th of June 2008 (date of postmark). Completed entries should be sent to:
Mr Misto Films
On & Off 4 Festival creativo de Curtas
Rua Covadonga 1-3, 1ºF
Vilagarcia de Arousa_36600
Pontevedra-Spain
Cont: info@festivalonoff.com
www.festivalonoff.com/2008
+0034 986 189 496
+0034 981 667 665

6. SELECTION
A selection committee appointed by the organisation will select the short films. All decisions of the selection committee are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

The committee's decisions will be communicated to the participants selected.

The short films selected will be screened in the squares of Ribadeo in an order selected by the committee.

7. PRIZES AND JURY
-Misto de Pau de Sabugueiro for best Live Action Short Film e1200
- Misto de Pau de Carballo for best Documentary Short Film e1200
- Misto de Pau de Castineiro for best AnimationShort Film e1200
- Misto de Pau de Loureiro for best Short Film Audience prize e1200

The Jury will comprise of professionals from the film and cultural industries. The Jury's decision will be final and will be published through the festival official web, the Media, as well as by phone and email to the winners.

8. REDECURTAS 2008 PROGRAM
- Mr Misto Films promotes the REDECURTAS program, all the Short Films received will be included in this program and will be screened in different villages in Galicia.
- Screenings will take place in: cafes, auditoriums, cultural arts centers, squares, public places and educational centers
- Each Short Film will be paid e12 (Spanish VAT included) for screening within the program.
- The producer will receive a report by mail which includes all the information about his short film screenings and the monies owed at the end of the year; in order to get this money paid it's necessary to send the invoice to Mr Misto Films (to the address above).
- The duration of the program is 1 year, starting the day Mr Misto Films gets the completed entry form; this duration can be extended before the end of the year if the both parties agree.
- The territory in which REDECURTAS 2008 will take place is Galicia; any activity or screening outside of this territory will only take place with the producer prior consent.

9. GENERAL RULES
- The cost of sending the Films to the Festival will be paid by the sender.
- The producers of the selected short films authorize the use for promotional and information purposes of the materials provided (pictures, synopsis) and up to 2 minutes of the short films.
- Registration to the On & Off 4 Short Films Creative Festival implies full compliance to all requirements, rules and regulations of the Festival.
- These regulations are printed in Spanish and English. If any doubt in interpretation arises, the Spanish version will be considered valid.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Lisa Hannigan back in Killorglin

Sol y Sombra Live Presents Lisa Hannigan and Band

Lisa is no stranger to Killorglin, having played in Sol y Sombra for the Donal Dineen Month of Sunday concert as part of the Kerry Film Festival in November 07.

As part of her first ever tour, she is playing Sol y Sombra on Thursday 19th June with her full band.

Sol Y Sombra expects the concert to sell quickly so please let them know if you need tickets. Thursday 19th June Tickets e15.
Tapas Served from 17:00 - 19:15 (last orders) Places limited.
Reservations Essential
For Tickets Call 066 9762348 or email info@solysombra.ie

Thursday, June 5, 2008

News from Sundance Institute

Science in the City
Sundance Institute and the Sloan Foundation continue to support the development of film work-in-progress exploring themes of science and technology by announcing the 2008 Fellowship winners. Michael Almereyda has received the 2008 Sundance/Sloan Commissioning Grant for The Stanley Milgram Project and screenwriter Ryan Knighton (pictured above) has received the 2008 Sloan Fellowship for his script Cockeyed. Listen in to the "Science in the City" podcast from the New York Academy of Sciences as the 2008 Sloan Fellowship winners discuss their work with Sundance Institute Producer-In-Residence Anne Lai.
Read More
Listen to Podcast
Documentary Film Program Funding Deadlines
Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program awards up to $1.5 million in grants to support documentary films focused on contemporary social issues annually. This year's deadlines to apply for awards are July 7, 2008 and February 5, 2009. Films supported have included Zana Briski and Ross Kaufman's Born Into Brothels, Annie Sundberg and Ricki Stern's The Devil Came on Horseback (pictured above), and Laura Poitras's My Country, My Country. Sundance also requests proposals for a new initiative with the Skoll Foundation to fund feature documentary films that examine and amplify social entrepreneurship as an innovative approach to the central questions of our time. Applications will be accepted between June 15 - August 15, 2008.
Learn more
Now Playing: Film and Plays in Theatres Now
Yung Chang's Up the Yangtze (pictured above), Tom McCarthy's The Visitor , and Stephen Walker's Young@Heart are among the many Sundance films in theatres now. A Jihad for Love, a Sundance-supported documentary that examines the complex intersection of the Islam faith and homosexuality, has launched its U.S. theatrical release. The Sundance-supported play written by singer/songwriter Stew Passing Strange continues to play on Broadway. Also, The Civilians’ (2007 Theatre Lab) This Beautiful City opens at the Studio Theatre in Washington DC in June and Tanya Barfield’s (2007 Theatre Lab) Of Equal Measure opens at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles at the end of June.
Read More BMI Honors Peter Golub
As part of the BMI Film and Television Awards last month, Peter Golub, Director of Sundance Institute's Film Music Program, was presented the Classic Contribution Award. For the past ten years, Peter Golub, an accomplished composer of film, theatre, ballet, and concert works, has been leading the program and the Film Composers Lab which enhances the music of independent film by bringing together composers with emerging filmmakers and seasoned advisors.
Learn more From the Archives
As a founding member of Sundance Institute, Sydney Pollack was vital in the development of the Institute as well as the Directors and Screenwriters Labs. Sydney Pollack served as an advisor for the June Screenwriters Lab, Directors Lab, and Composers Lab throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. As the 2008 Directors and Screenwriters Labs begin the summer season in Utah this June, the Board of Directors, staff, and alumni of Sundance Institute mourn the passing of Sydney Pollack.
Learn More