KerryFilmFestival

Oscar Winner to Join Take 2 Film Festival

2008-08-07T04:42:00.000-07:00

The Take-2 International Student Film Festival (T2FF), which runs under the umbrella of The Kerry Film Festival, from November 3rd to November 7th, 2008, has announced that Laura Waters Hinson, a golden award winner at this year's 35th Student Academy awards, will adjudicate films for Take 2.

"We are overwhelmed and delighted at Laura coming on board as adjudicator," said Jerry Fitzgerald, Director of the Take 2 Film Festival. "We approached Laura, during a very busy time for her, off the back of huge success for her Documentary, so we thought the opportunity had passed us by, but when she accepted our proposal we were very happy. It's always nice to have an Oscar winner on board!"

The Take-2 Film Festival (T2FF) will focus on student films and on the short film format in particular and will feature a competition in a number of categories including Best Irish Short, Best International Short, Best Short ás Gaeilge, Best Animated Short, and best Documentary, which Laura Waters Hinson will adjudicate.

Laura Waters Hinson is a filmmaker and photographer based in the Washington, DC area. She is president of Image Bearer Pictures and has a Master of Fine Arts in Film from American University. Laura’s most recent project, As We Forgive, is an Oscar award-winning documentary about two Rwandan women coming face-to-face with the men who slaughtered their families during the 1994 genocide. Laura said, "I am honored to be a part of the Take-2 Festival and am eager to see the work of student filmmakers from around the world."

The organisation of the Take-2 Student International Film Festival is shaping up incredibly well with close to 200 entries expected at the festival in its pilot year. Kicking off on November 3rd, and running under the umbrella of the Kerry Film Festival, Take-2 will be host to many special short films as well as guest feature films, at the Institute of Technology, Tralee’s North and South Campuses. The Festival runs until Friday November 7th and it promises to be a festival that the people of Kerry and the enthusiastic students, both from home and abroad, who are involved won’t forget in a hurry!

For more information on the Take-2 Student International Film Festival please log on to http://www.t2ff.com/

Documentary News

2008-08-01T02:43:00.000-07:00

DOC SOUP SET TO LAUNCH IN VANCOUVER AND CALGARY; SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLEHot Docs is pleased to announce that it has partnered with the Calgary International Film Festival and the Whistler Film Festival to launch its immensely popular Doc Soup screening series in Calgary and Vancouver this fall.

"We're thrilled to have these dynamic partners helping us to cultivate wider Canadian audiences for documentaries," says Chris McDonald, Executive Director of Hot Docs. "Both festivals have developed loyal followings and we're certain that they'll embrace Doc Soup as Toronto audiences have done."

Launched in 2001, Hot Doc's monthly Doc Soup screenings have become must-attend events for Toronto's film-loving public. The series showcases the latest Canadian and international documentaries, and has premiered for Toronto audiences such notable Academy Award-nominated films as CAPTURING THE FRIEDMANS (2003), JESUS CAMP (2006), and NO END IN SIGHT (2007). As an added bonus, guest directors are in attendance at select screenings to introduce their films and engage in post-screening Q &A sessions with audiences.

Films selected for Doc Soup in Calgary and Vancouver will be premieres in those markets and guest directors will also be present at select screenings. To ensure the best available selection, Doc Soup films are programmed and announced a month prior to their screenings.

Vancouver's Doc Soup will run monthly from October to March, with screenings taking place at the Pacific Cinematheque, 1131 Howe Street.

Calgary's Doc Soup will run from November to May (no screening in December), with screenings taking place at the Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market, 200 Barlay Parade, S.W.

Subscriptions for all three Doc Soup series are currently available at www.docsoup.ca and come with additional bonus tickets to the co-presenting festival.

Hot Docs is pleased to acknowledge City TV as the Presenting Partner of the Doc Soup series. Toronto's Doc Soup is presented with the generous support of Rogers, deluxe and the Toronto Star.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR TDF DIRECTOR POST THIS FRIDAY
The application deadline for the post of TDF Director is this Friday, August 1. The TDF Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Toronto Documentary Forum, Hot Docs' flagship market event. The position is a 7-8 month contract running through May 31, 2009, with the potential for full-time or contract extension. The position offers a competitive salary and opportunity for international travel. Visit www.hotdocs.ca for the full job posting.

HOT DOCS HIT THE LAST CONTINENT OPENS IN TORONTO AND VANCOUVER
A hit at this year's Hot Docs, THE LAST CONTINENT, directed by Jean Lemire, will receive its English-language release in Toronto at AMC Yonge and Dundas and Vancouver at the Ridge Theatre this Friday, with other cities to follow.

For 430 days, a crew of scientists, sailors and filmmakers live on a schooner in the Antarctic to study the impact of global warming in this gloriously cinematic adventure, full of awe, joy and life-threatening danger. Gale-force winds threaten to dash the crew on the rocks in one of the most nail-biting scenes ever seen in a non-fiction film. Abnormally warm temperatures prevent the formation of the deep pack ice needed to stabilize the schooner and provide a birthing ground for seals. When desperately needed winter arrives at last, the camera goes overland to scenes of unbearable beauty and beneath the ice to a magical undersea world of never-before-photographed species. A marine biologist by training, Jean Lemire's acclaimed 2006 feature The White Planet focused on the Artic. The massive devastation from climate change he shows at this, the other polar extreme, is a powerful reminder of the fragility of our world. - Lynne Fernie

THE TDF CONGRATULATES...The Toronto Documentary Forum congratulates director Israeli David Ofek and his producer Edna Kowarsky whose film, THE TALE OF NIKOLAI AND THE LAW OF RETURN has just won the Wolgin Award for Best Documentary at the Jerusalem International Film Festival. The project was pitched at the TDF market under the title THREE LEGENDS in 2007 and was cited by the JIFF jury for its "critical and ironic view on the situation of foreign workers in Israel and the Law of Return" and its "originality and humor...in a approaching a very sensitive and complicated subject."

The TDF also congratulates Parvez Sharma and producer Sandi DuBowski on the current successful theatrical run in the USA (FirstRun Features) and Canada (Mongrel Media) for their feature A JIHAD FOR LOVE, which was pitched at the TDF in 2006. It has already enjoyed theatrical releases in other parts of the world, including sold out screenings in India and Turkey.

Casting Call for Kenmare

2008-07-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

A casting agency is casting a drinks advert in Kenmare on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th of July. There may be call backs on Saturday 26th July TBC. The venue will is Brook Lane Hotel, Kenmare. The shoot dates are the August 19th and 20th, so please ensure you are free for those dates if go for the audition!!

Please call Gillian on 087 261 9718 to book audition times.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Everybody in the commercial must be over the age of 25 and must look like they are over the age of 25.

Background:
Set in rural Ireland the commercial is full of rustic, earthy, rugged values. The market for this commercial is central and eastern Europe, so there is no harm in playing on an idealised notion of Ireland. The characters that populate the commercial should be real. There should be an authenticity to them. Like in a traditional, rural Irish pub.

Types:
Old guys propping up the bar (every night in their usual seats), supping a pint and telling long tales.
Younger, rustic types who have made a conscious decision to step out of the urban rat race.
Middle-aged couples from both rural and civil service backgrounds who have lived in the area all their lives.
Young ones from the area who call in for the music, the craic and a bit of flirting.
Local musicians who love to come and play the odd session more for their own gratification than any reward that might be in it.
Local businessmen and their wives whom have made it good in their own area.

All in all a fairly mixed bag of personalities and characters who simply enjoy a night in the local having the craic! Although they may all be from different backgrounds, interests and age groups, they just seem to merge into one melting pot of authentic characters.

Galway Film Fleadh Launches IFB Shorts

2008-07-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

A wide range of new live action shorts will be presented at the Galway Film Fleadh produced under the Short Cuts and Short Shorts film schemes on Saturday 12th July.

New films produced under the Short Cuts scheme include THE DOOR (Juanita Wilson), LOWLAND FELL (Michael Kirinons), SPACEMEN THREE (Hugh O'Conor) and OF BEST INTENTIONS (Brian Durnin). The scheme aims to encourage strong, original storytelling, visual flair, and production values appropriate to the big screen.

The Door, written and directed by Juanita Wilson and produced by Louise Curran (Octagon Films) is based on the true story of a father and his young daughter set in Russia 1986. Juanita jointly produced the feature films H3 and Inside I'm Dancing. She has written the screenplay As If I Am Not There, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Slavenka Drakulic which is due to film during 2009. The Door was shot by cinematographer Tim Fleming (Once, Small Engine Repair).

Blinder Films present Lowland Fell written and directed by Michael Kinirons. The film tells of a teenage girl who makes an extraordinary discovery on an isolated bog. Kinirons is a recent graduate of the National Film School in London and has previously directed a number of short films including an IFB Short Short (Treeclimber) as well as a series for TG4 (Blood and Ink). The short is produced by Katie Holly (Striapacha, Basket Case) and shot by cinematographer Suzie Lavelle (An Creatur, Treeclimber).

Spacemen Three directed by Hugh O'Conor and written by John Butler and Hugh O'Connor tells the story of an astro-geologist in space for the first time. O'Connor began his career in acting in 1985 opposite Liam Neeson in 'Lamb', and has appeared in such films as 'My Left Foot', winning the Youth In Film Award, The Young Poisoner's Handbook and Chocolat. The film is shot by cinematographer Cian de Buitlear whose credits include Man About Dog and South Paw.

Directed by Brian Drumm and produced by Paul Holmes of Red Rage Films Of Best Intentions is a film that examines the lives of five well-meaning individuals as fate decides to intervene. With a large number of commercials under his belt, Brian has written and directed a number of award winning short films including An Teanga Runda which was selected to screen at the Tribeca Film Festival and Tilly and the Teeth. Holmes previously produced the successful short film Screwback.

Short Cuts will premiere on July 12th at 3pm in the Town Hall Theatre at the Galway Film Fleadh.

For more information on these and other IFB funded shorts visits http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/ Or contact Louise Ryan, Marketing and Communications Executive, Bord Scannan na hEireann / the Irish Film Board, T) +353 91 561 398

Irish Film Board announces online Shorts

2008-07-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

Bord Scannan na hEireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) has just announced that the first ten Virtual Cinema shorts are now live on its website. http://www.irishfilmboard.ie/film_directory/virtual_cinema/

The new scheme, co-ordinated by Wildwave, focused on producing high-quality Irish shorts suited to new forms of digital video consumption.

The shorts, which can now be viewed online, are:
- Don't Leave Me Hanging by Paddy Courtney & Simon Gibney
- Deer Park by Billy Walsh
- Paranoid Fat Chick Gets Fired by Cecilia McAllister
- When Nuns Attack by Boru
- A Facebook Fatwa by Eamonn Carey
- The Athenroydes by Jesse Ward & Sue Morrell
- Stay Out Of My Bag by Frances Roe
- Chipper by Rachael O'Kane
- The Perils Of Internet Dating by Simon Eustace
- Rapunzel - The Blonde Years by Trish Groves & Fiona Ashe

Sundance Institute News

2008-07-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

The Year is Near: 2009 Sundance Film Festival
Begin your preparations now for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival set to arrive in Park City, Utah from January 15-25, 2009. If you are a filmmaker planning on submitting your film to the Festival, the official deadline to submit is September 5th for short films and September 8th for feature films and documentaries. If you are a Festivalgoer, it's never too early to begin making travel arrangements and you can book travel now with local experts through Destination: Sundance Film Festival. Learn More

Stories of Change
The Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, in partnership with the Skoll Foundation, will provide $1.2 million in grants to new, feature-length independent documentary films that frame, examine, and amplify social entrepreneurship as an innovative approach to the central questions of our time. Proposals are now being accepted and the deadline to submit is August 15, 2008. The third convening of the Sundance/Skoll Stories of Change partnership will take place during the Independent Producers Conference from July 31-August 3 at the Sundance Resort. Prior convenings included the 2008 Skoll World Forum in Oxford, England and the 2008 Sundance Film Festival where Albina Ruiz (pictured left) discussed waste reduction management in Peru. Learn More

Native Initiative News
On July 10, 2008, the Walker Art Center in conjunction with Sundance Institute will celebrate Native American filmmaking with free screenings of two Sundance Film Festival award-winning films. Sikumi (On the Ice), pictured left, a short film directed by Andrew Okpeaha MacLean and Four Sheets to the Wind, a full-length film directed by Sterlin Harjo will be followed by a Q&A with the films' directors and moderated by Bird Runningwater, Associate Director of Sundance Institute's Native American and Indigenous Initiative. There will also be a community screening of these films on July 9 on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation in Onamia, Minnesota. Read More

Summer on the Mountain
The Sundance summer Lab season is underway in the mountains of Utah. During June, the Sundance Resort hosted the Directors and Screenwriters Lab and the Documentary Edit and Story Lab. The Directors Lab, a core element of the Feature Film Program, provides an opportunity for filmmakers to develop distinctive new work under the guidance of accomplished Creative Advisors. Creative Advisors ranged from directors to actors to cinematographers, including Robert Elswit, winner of a 2008 Academy Award for Best Cinematography for There Will Be Blood. The Insider sat down with Elswit to discuss the creative spark thriving at the Labs and what light brings to a film. Click below to read this interview. Read More

2008 Documentary Edit and Story Lab
Sundance Institute selected eight Fellows for the sixth annual Lab which focuses on the craft of editing in documentary filmmaking. The projects this year represent stories from around the world, including Natalia Almada's El General, a historical reflection on one of Mexico's most controversial presidents from the perspective of the president's great granddaughter. Pictured left, editor Vivien Hillgrove and director Deann Borshay Liem work on Precious Objects of Desire, a story about mistaken identity in a South Korean adoption process. To catch a first-hand take on the Sundance Lab experience, participants have been blogging for Filmmaker Magazine. Read More Read Blog

Now Playing
Mark and Jay Duplass's Baghead, Susan Koch's Kicking It (pictured left), and Yung Chang's Up the Yangtze are a sampling of comedies and documentaries from the 2008 Sundance Film Festival now playing in theatres across the country. The Sundance-supported play written by singer/songwriter Stew Passing Strange continues to play on Broadway and Tanya Barfield's Of Equal Measure (Theatre Lab 2006) continues its run at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, CA. Read More

From the Archives

Stew and Heidi Rodewald's Passing Strange was developed at Sundance Institute's Theatre Lab in 2004 and 2005. The musical is currently playing on Broadway and was just awarded a 2008 Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical. Sundance Institute Theatre Lab which offers artists three weeks to develop new work in a rehearsal setting with actors and creative support from a staff of dramaturgs begins this month at the Sundance Resort in Utah. Learn More

La Femme Fatale

2008-07-08T03:21:00.000-07:00

The LA FEMME FILM FESTIVAL, which showcases the work of emerging and professional women filmmakers in Beverly Hills, California is looking for entries from up and coming young female film directors.

The Festival is dedicated to boosting the careers and profile of women in the film world, LA Femme participants gain access to established industry players. Past honorees include Rosanna Arquette, Lea Thompson, Martha Coolidge, Bravo Networks President Lauren Zalaznick, and NBC Universal Television President Angela Bromstad.

It's a great place for women to connect and build relationships while experiencing and enjoying each others' work. Winning LA Femme filmmakers have gone on to secure national, international and cable distribution for their films, while screenplay winners have garnered development deals, writing assignments, and agents. Even winning shorts have led to studio development deals for long form stories from the talented storytellers.

For more info please log onto http://www.lafemme.org/

2008-06-27T06:03:00.000-07:00

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

IFFS Call for Speakers Closing Shortly

2008-06-25T01:53:00.000-07:00

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

DOC SOUP Early Bird Deadline Next Week

2008-06-19T03:45:00.000-07:00

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.

$4 Million available to Canadian Documentary

2008-06-18T05:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

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

KFF 2008 - Call for Submissions

2008-06-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-10T02:15:00.000-07:00

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.

Lisa Hannigan back in Killorglin

2008-06-06T02:53:00.001-07:00

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

News from Sundance Institute

2008-06-05T03:43:00.000-07:00

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

The European Audiovisual Observatory in Cannes

2008-05-30T08:45:00.000-07:00

European Audio Visual Observatory

If you liked the VoD workshop - you'll LOVE it on film!

The European Audiovisual Observatory hit the right note with the 2008 edition of its Cannes afternoon workshop: VoD - which licences for which markets? Over 300 film professionals crowded into the Palais des festivals to hear the Strasbourg-based Observatory's latest information on the legal and market aspects of the VoD sector on Sunday 18th of May.

But those of you who missed the workshop can now catch up in the comfort of your own homes and offices as the workshop is now on line:
http://www.obs.coe.int/about/oea/mif2008_workshop.html

The Observatory's afternoon workshop in Cannes takes place during the first weekend of the film market and is accessible free of charge to all those holding a market or festival accreditation.
To receive an invitation to next year's workshop, please contact Alison.Hindhaugh@coe.int

About the Observatory
Set up in December 1992, the European Audiovisual Observatory's mission is to gather and distribute information on the audiovisual industry in Europe. The Observatory is a European public service body comprised of 36 member states and the European Community, represented by the European Commission. It operates within the legal framework of the Council of Europe and works alongside a number of partner and professional organisations from within the industry and with a network of correspondents. In addition to contributions to conferences, other major activities are the publication of a Yearbook, newsletters and reports, the compilation and management of databases and the provision of information through the Observatory's Internet site.

5th International Film Festival Summit

2008-05-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

5th Annual IFFS Call For Speakers Is Now Open December 7-9, 2008 Las Vegas

To take advantage of Early Bird Registration CLICK HERE!

Film festival afficiodos are being advised not to miss the opportunity to network with festival directors and discover the latest trends and innovations taking hold in the film festival community.

The Deadline for submission is July 15th, 2008

The IFFS is also 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 inlcuding new trends and challenges that are relevant are also welcomel.

To submit a speaker please send an email to info@filmfestivalsummit.com or call IFFS at +1 646 502 7563 . Visit IFFS on the web: http://www.filmfestivalsummit.com/

Kerry Ladies Denied Sex Movie

2008-05-29T09:26:00.001-07:00

The ladies of Kerry have been denied their favorite Sex Movie! Sex and the City the movie based on the hit HBO TV show will not play in either Tralee or Killarney. All is not lost, however, as fans will be able to see the big screen adaptation of their favorite TV show in Listowel in the Classic Cinema.

For more on the Classic Cinema in Listowel please log on here http://www.listowel-cinema.com/

For more on the HBO series Sex and the City please log on here http://www.hbo.com/city/

All the News for All the Film Festivals around the World

2008-05-01T05:16:00.000-07:00

Roy W. Dean Grants Available

2008-04-30T04:56:00.000-07:00

The Roy W. Dean grants are now taking applications for documentaries, shorts and Indie features under $500,000. We want films that are unique and make a contribution to society.

The Roy W. Dean Video and Editing Grants are closing soon, NYC grant 5/30/08 Go Edit Editing 5/30/08 and the LA film and LA video close 6/30/08. These are goods and services and awards run from $25 to $40,000. Full info & applications
On www.fromtheheartproductions.com

Digital Cinema in Ireland

2008-04-22T04:36:00.000-07:00

On Friday, 7 April, at the access Cinema Viewing Sessions in Drogheda, Mary Cloake, Director of the Arts Council, launched the report, Digital cinema in Ireland (1.47 MB, Adobe PDF), which was commissioned by the Cultural Cinema Consortium.

The Cultural Cinema Consortium is a strategic partnership between the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board. The consortium has supported and developed a national infrastructure for cultural cinema in Ireland with the roll out of two major capital funding programmes, which have been instrumental in improving and enhancing the cinematic experience for audiences throughout the country. Light House Cinema, Smithfield, a four-screen cultural cinema, is the first of the major capital projects, supported by the consortium, to come on stream and will open in Smithfield, Dublin, on Friday, 9 May.

The Cultural Cinema Consortium commissioned Digital Cinema in Ireland, by Ron Inglis, in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the digital cinema environment and to inform policy development in this area into the future. The report details the technological advancements in the distribution and exhibition of film and it outlines a number of options for the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board to consider in order to provide new opportunities for audiences of cultural cinema in Ireland.

Stones Roll into Listowel

2008-04-21T04:03:00.000-07:00

Jim Aiken couldn't do it - MCD wouldn't do it but Kieran Gleeson at The Classic Cinema in Listowel has secured the ROLLING STONES.

O.K. so it's not live but you can still be guaranteed they will rock the house! ''Shine a Light'' , the new Rolling Stones concert movie , directed by Martin Scorsese will show for one night only at the Classic Film Club on May 8th.

Martin Scorsese and the Rolling Stones unite in "Shine A Light," a look at The Rolling Stones. Scorcese filmed the Stones over a two-day period at the intimate Beacon Theater in New York City in autumn of 2006. Cinematographers captured the raw energy of the legendary band and the film has been garnering positive press ever since it's launch at the Berlin Film Festival earlier this year and to see why just click on the links below!

To see a Trailer of the film, please log on here:
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=yDHbnF0z4EE

For more on the film, please log on here:

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=jA_pG3KXooU

For more on the UK Premiere of the film, please log on here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7325957.stm

NOMINATION FOR FICC JURY

2008-04-14T03:54:00.000-07:00

FICC Jury at the forthcoming jury: 48th Krakow Film Festival, Krakow, Poland(May 30 - June 5, 2008,)

Please send your nomination before April 19, 2008 to access CINEMA / info@accesscinema.ie

Access Cinema can only accept nomination forms handed in by federations. No forms sent by individual film society people will be accepted. Please consider the following points if you wish to hand in a nomination:

The nominated person must arrive on the opening day of the festival and must stay until the morning after the closing ceremony. The nominating federation is responsible to find a replacing person in case that the originally nominated person cancels.

Only federations which have paid their membership fees up to 2007 are entitled to nominate jury members.

In each jury one invitation is reserved for the delegate from the corresponding national federation(s). Therefore the federation(s) in the country in which the festival takes place must nominate a jury member in due time.

For your nominations please return forms to access CINEMA / info@accesscinema.ie

FICC JURIES 200848th Krakow Film Festival, Kraków, Poland

Dates of the Festival: May 30 - June 5, 2008

Jury Conditions:

- 3 jury members (1 from Poland)

- free access to all festival screenings and accompanying events

- hotel B&B SGL 30.05-6.06.2008

- lunch vouchers

- travel expenses up to 100EUR for non-Polish members

Information about the Festival:

Festival website: http://www.kff.com.pl/

NOMINATION FORM FOR FICC JURIES

Please return the completely filled in form to:access CINEMA / info@accesscinema.ie

NOMINATION FOR FICC JURY

2008-04-14T03:47:00.000-07:00

The 48th International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Zlín, Czech Republic from June 1 to June 8, 2008 is looking for Jury members.

Please send your nomination before April 16, 2008 to access CINEMA / info@accesscinema.ie Please also forward a high definition photo and short bio.

access CINEMA can only accept nomination forms handed in by federations. No forms sent by individual film society people will be accepted. Please consider the following points if you wish to hand in a nomination:

The nominated person must arrive on the opening day of the festival and must stay until the morning after the closing ceremony.

The nominating federation is responsible to find a replacing person in case that the originally nominated person cancels.

Only federations which have paid their membership fees up to 2007 are entitled to nominate jury members. In each jury one invitation is reserved for the delegate from the corresponding national federation(s). Therefore the federation(s) in the country in which the festival takes place must nominate a jury member in due time.

For your nominations please return forms to access CINEMA / info@accesscinema.ie

FICC JURIES 200848th International Film Festival for Children and Youth, Zlín, Czech Republic
Dates of the Festival: June 1 to June 8, 2008.(short film and documentary competitions)Renowned international festival focusing on films for children and young adults.
Languages: Czech and English- FICC Jury with 3 members /one (1) of them Slovak and two (2) from other European countries/ (not the same jury members as before)
Arrival of jury members (2008): 1st June. Departure of jury members: June 8th.
Invitation covers bed & breakfast and 3 meals per day.
The festival offers full travel expenses for all jury members but the tickets have to be arranged through the festival. Please add your travel plans to the nomination form under "remarks".
The jury member should also send CV and photo to the festival
Information about the Festival: Festival website: http://www.zlinfest.cz/
For more information please contact access CINEMA on info@accesscinema.ie