New for SUNDANCETWENTYTEN this year's festival will dispatch eight filmmakers with their films to eight cities, January 28, 2010. No word on which films or filmmakers will be chosen yet. But we do have a list of cities and theaters:
* Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor, MI
* Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA
* BAM, Brooklyn, NY
* Music Box Theatre, Chicago, IL
* Downtown Independent, Los Angeles, CA
* The Belcourt Theatre, Nashville, TN
* Sundance Cinemas Madison, Madison, WI
* Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, San Francisco, CA
The 7th Annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) drew to a close on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood. More than 26 awards were presented to the top filmmakers this year. The Festival received more than 250 submissions from junior high schools, high schools, colleges, universities and private film schools worldwide, including such countries as Vietnam, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Romania, Israel, Canada, Australia and the USA.
Michael Greenspan was presented with the Inspiration Award for his achievements since winning an award for his film “The Legend of Razorback” at the very first ISFFH in 2003. Michael is currently directing the feature film “Wrecked,” starring Adrien Brody who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “The Pianist” in 2002.
Throughout the Festival, filmmakers had the opportunity to mingle with each other and industry professionals. Each screening segment was followed by a question and answer period encouraging the filmmakers to actively engage the audience in discussion to further build their enthusiasm, self-confidence and public speaking ability.
Michael Greenspan handed out this year’s awards along with the ISFFH Founder and President, Robin Saban. The winners were Best Junior High School Claymation: “Fabio” directed by Jared Harris; Best Junior High School Animation: “Astronuts: Lunar Mission” directed by Kaya Ogmen; Best Junior High School Docu-Animation: “The Resister” directed by Noah Schneider; Best Junior High School Music Video: “The Lie” directed by Joshua James; Best Junior High School Documentary: “Homelessness in the United States” directed by Sarah Marshall and Rose Johnson; Best Junior High School Drama: “Letters to Lincoln” directed by Robert Rickert; Best High School PSA: “Listen to the Truth” directed by Brendan Michaelson; Best High School Music Video: “Hideaway” directed by Kerry Furrh; Best High School Documentary: “Omer” directed by Emma Strebel; Best High School Drama: “In The Dark” directed by Sam Medina; Best High School Comedy: “2 People” directed by Adam Buchsbaum; Best High School Claymation: “Lucky” directed by Max Maddox and Brady Serwitz; Best High School Animation: “Super Gecko!” directed by Yuko Takeoka; Best Foreign Language High School Dark Comedy: “You and I are About to Die” directed by Idan Shamay; Best Foreign Language High School Documentary: “Between Two Worlds” directed by Nina Kardashov and “Shay-El” directed by Tomer Buskila; Best Foreign Language High School Drama: “A Long Way Down” directed by Lior Levi and Shay Eyal; Best Foreign Language Drama: “Elkland” directed by Per Hanefjord and “In the Dark” directed by Alex Fazeli; Best Animation: “Mushroom” directed by Robby Sanguinetti; Best Documentary: “One Sister at a Time: Positive Women's Stories” directed by Deborah Craig and Veronica Deliz; Best Sci-Fi: “S.S. Humanity” directed by Matthew Ladensack; Best Horror/Thriller: “The 4th” directed by eNKee Nguyen; Best Dark Comedy: “Delaney” directed by Carles Torrens; Best Comedy: “Fiasco” directed by Nadia Hamzeh; Best Children Drama: “Rocket” directed by Phillip Austin Wilson; Best Drama: “Open Your Eyes” directed by Susan Cohen; and Grand Jury Award: “Beholden” directed by David Jibladze. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers!
The ISFFH is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers, please visit the ISFFH website for more information on this important event and to support the festival www.isffhollywood.org.
We thank the following sponsors for supporting the next generation of filmmakers. American Building Supply, Wells Fargo, CRA/LA, CISCorp, LA 411, Saban Enterprises, Marilyn Bradbury, Rotary Club of Studio City and Sherman Oaks, Gloria and Lou Weintraub, Creative Handbook, Actors Certified Training, A Matter of Pixels, Turkla.com, Entertainment Partners, NoHoArtsDistrict.com, and LAGrip.com.The 7th Annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) drew to a close... more
Houston We Have A Problem is a feature documentary about America's voracious appetite for oil from the insider's perspective of the Energy Capital of the World - Houston Texas. The film explores our dangerous addiction to oil through candid insights from the Barons, Wildcatters, CEO's and Roughnecks that comprise the world of Big Oil. Oilmen on oil addiction.Houston We Have A Problem is a feature documentary about America's voracious appetite... more
Mobile, Alabama based independent filmmaking group Fighting Owl Films is set to produce an independent feature in the city utilizing local talent. The feature, titled “The Night Shift”, is based on Fighting Owl Films' short film of the same name which proved an online hit, was positively reviewed in "Fangoria" magazine's online edition earlier in 2009 and has screened in several festivals across the United States.
A supernatural adventure-comedy, “The Night Shift” centers on Rue Morgan, the undead night watchman at Pinewood Oaks Cemetery. Rue, along with his buddy Herb, a limbless corpse, spends his nights trying to keep the cemetery’s cantankerous residents in, and his days dreaming of a date with hard-nosed day-shifter, Claire. It’s an okay afterlife until a scourge of supernatural occurrences leave Rue not only watching the cemetery, but also watching his back!
The short film’s positive reception coupled with the disillusionment with Hollywood’s current output of remakes and reboots encouraged the filmmakers to pursue their dream of turning the original “The Night Shift” into a feature length adventure film. Thomas Smith, the film’s writer/director and co-producer, is hoping to recapture some of the cinematic magic of the 80s Amblin films he grew up with that had a lasting influence.
“Growing up as a child of the 80s, the world depicted on film had a completely different atmosphere,” Smith says. “The films possessed a graininess and lived-in look that added an extra dimension of realism. There also seemed to be a greater emphasis on character and storytelling and less of the headache-inducing flash and sensory overload that’s become so commonplace today. It was the era of ‘Gremlins’, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, films everyone could enjoy, not just children or adult audiences. That’s what we’re hoping to recapture with ‘The Night Shift’.”
The independent feature has secured its cast. Returning from the short to reprise their roles of Rue Morgan, Claire Rennfield and Herbie West are Khristian Fulmer, Erin Lilley and Soren Odom, respectively. New additions to the cast include Andrew Crider as Adramalech, the villainous vengence demon with an affinity for western wear, Jordan Woodall as Curly and Jonathan Pruitt as the mysterious Captain Roderick Blake. The film, currently in pre-production, is expected to begin shooting in May 2010.
Arin Crumley's new project to set up a cutting edge film self distribution website has succeeded in getting it's initial round of funding through Kickstarter (http://bit.ly/3jvU0).
A lot of filmmakers spend a lot of money entering festivals in hopes of finding distribution. But the reality is that their chances are very slim. Even at Sundance where a few hundred films are selected from about 6000 entries, only one or two are typically funded for distribution. OpenIndie is designed as an alternative to that crap shoot. One thing you do need though is an audience. If your film has an audience of a few thousand, you'll have a good shot at making out with something like OpenIndie. The idea is that you sign people up on a mailing list and they are notified when enough people in their area create the demand for a screening at a theater.But there's a lot more to it (http://blog.openindie.com/).
The website will have the following up and running by March:
# Import emails/zipcodes of their fans so those people can be messaged about near by screenings
# Have a URL for their film where people that they can spread around allowing people to "request" a screening of their film.
# Allow members of OpenIndie to create screenings of any each film complete with RSVP functionality for each film
# Host of a screening can collect donations at the screening and then transfer online to the filmmaker.
# A URL where films can receive donations from audience directly.
# Information about which cities have the most requests for a given film.
Phase two is now in gear which will raise additional funds for the following objectives:
# Filmmakers can adjust the maximum percentage that hosts are able to withhold as their cut.
# Filmmakers will be able to enable certain regions or provide access for screenings to be booked in any region.
# Filmmaker gains ability to auto approve each screening or chose to manually approve.
# A calculation built into the license that describes what an academic or institutional environment must pay the filmmaker based on an assessment of what that institution is charging.
# Filmmaker will be able to list public speakers available to be booked and adjust the fee each person must be paid by the host as well as provide a percentage split of donations collected at the screening that go to the guest speakers.
# Filmmaker will be able to assign percentages that must be shared by the Host on the selling of digitally reproducible physical goods at screenings. For example the host being able to print posters to sell, burn DVDs to sell, screen print the films logo at screenings or sell a USB drive that contains the film.
Got a film project you want to self distribute? Check it out.Arin Crumley's new project to set up a cutting edge film self distribution website has... more
The Film Industry is bustling in our region with financial incentives, locations to suit every desired backdrop, accommodating city services and expert support from us, your Greater Philadelphia Film Office.
But, don’t take our word for it. See for yourself why Greater Philadelphia is the best site for film & video production in the country!The Film Industry is bustling in our region with financial incentives, locations to... more
Robin Saban, Founder and President of the International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) is pleased to announce Michael Greenspan as the recipient of the Inspiration Award at the 7th annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood.
Michael Greenspan graduated from York University in Toronto, Ontario and then from the American Film Institute in 2002 with a Masters in directing. Michael’s thesis film, The Legend of Razorback, turned out to be a surprising success. It won over fifteen different awards at film festivals across the country, aired on national television and most importantly, got him representation in Hollywood.
In November 2003, The Legend of Razorback won the first award ever given by the ISFFH. After the ceremony, a stranger in the audience offered Michael a job teaching filmmaking to elementary school kids. At first, Michael was hesitant but later accepted. Michael teaches an advanced stop-motion animation class and live-action filmmaking class for film students age six to twelve. He has shot over three hundred live-action shorts, music videos and stop-motion animated movies.
Michael is now directing the feature film Wrecked, starring Adrien Brody. Wrecked is a psychological thriller written by long-time collaborator, Christopher Dodd. It’s the story about a man trapped in a car at the bottom of a ravine who can’t remember who he is or how he got there. They will be shooting deep in the lush forests just outside of Vancouver. Christopher Dodd and Michael have also adapted the coming-of-age comedy/drama, The Unthinkable Thoughts of Jacob Green, based on the novel by Joshua Braff. Michael will also direct.
Michael has also written and directed an original web series for Ghost House Pictures, and wrote, produced and directed the pilot for an Internet documentary series. He also wrote, directed and edited a national commercial for a major league sport.
Michael’s earlier films Fishtales and Lost And Found were received with critical acclaim in Los Angeles and Palm Springs and won awards in Toronto and Montreal. They continue to air nationally on Canada's CBC.
Hollywood is the capital city of the entertainment world. The ISFFH offers student filmmakers from all over the world a unique opportunity to gain the recognition of film industry leaders. It is a forum for student filmmakers to showcase their independent films in Hollywood. This event at the epicenter of the film industry puts these students face to face with working Directors, Producers, and other industry professionals throughout the event, giving them the invaluable opportunity to promote themselves and their films.
After years of work in film and theater and passionate about the opportunity to offer student filmmakers well-deserved recognition for their talents, entertainment industry veteran, Robin Saban founded the International Student Film Festival Hollywood , focused solely on students in September of 2003.
The ISFFH is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of others. For more information about the ISFFH, to donate, sponsor or to purchase your Festival tickets, please visit our website www.isffhollywood.org
The ISFFH is sponsored by Diamond Cinema, American Building Supply, Wells Fargo, CRA/LA, CISCorp, Saban Enterprises, Marilyn Bradbury, Rotary Club of Studio City and Sherman Oaks, Gloria and Lou Weintraub, Creative Handbook, Actors Certified Training, A Matter of Pixels, Production Hub, Discmakers, Turkla.com, Entertainment Partners, NoHoArtsDistrict.com, and LAGrip.com.Robin Saban, Founder and President of the International Student Film Festival... more
The Drive Smarter Video Contest (http://www.drivesmarterchallenge.org/contest/) invites anyone with a camera to submit a two-minute video illustrating one or more of the Drive Smarter Challenge campaign’s gas- and money-saving tips to compete for a $5,000 grand prize.
The goals of the campaign are to encourage people to drive smarter, reduce their gas consumption and drive fewer miles by combining errands, biking, telecommuting, walking, carpooling, or taking public transit.
The first 80 entrants whose videos meet the contest criteria will receive a $25 ExxonMobil Gift Card and a Car Care Council Car Care Guide. Once the contest judges select the finalists, the public will vote for the winners of these prizes:
• Grand Prize: $5,000
• Second Prize: Choice between one VIP NASCAR Race Package (two tickets and two garage/pit passes to a NASCAR race event) or one VIP Indy Racing League Package (two tickets and two garage/pit lane passes to an Indy race event, plus a ride in a specially modified Indy car driven by a pro driver);
• Third Prize: Whichever prize package hasn’t been selected by the second prize winner (either the VIP NASCAR Race Package or the VIP Indy Racing League Package);
• Fourth Prize: Transportation Efficiency Package: A set of 4 Michelin Energy Saver All Season Tires (or comparable tires for the winner’s vehicle), one-year AAA membership, and two Silver Spoke League of American Bicyclists memberships.
Nina Paley, indie filmmaker and entrepreneur, talks about how making your film available for free, as in free downloads, actually promotes it to the point of a lucrative sales profit. It seems counter to what we've been brought up to believe in our law and order capitalism where ownership and copyright equate to money in the bank.
The key point that Nina makes is that she still holds the copyright, so that no one else can distribute her film exclusively as their own. That way, when others copy or distribute ii, it is effectively advertising for her product. She then can make money on the DVDs and associated merchandise including some items that she personally endorses with a signature. That part cannot be copied. She says that many people who buy the film strive to make sure they buy it from her because they want to support the artist and not just some ripper.
Yet the traditional distribution companies and media outlets shy away from her because their legal departments cannot fathom distributing something they don't own. However, those distributors willing to go for it are making money on her film.
This is the crux of DIY filmmaking distribution. The days of Hollywood studio deals that leave filmmakers in the dust while many middlemen reap the profits is coming to and end. Is this their rapture?Nina Paley, indie filmmaker and entrepreneur, talks about how making your film... more
Godfather was just a job he took to support the fam. He says in this interview he always regretted not writing and directing his own stuff. Now he's finally got around to this dream with Youth Without Youth and now Tetro. Although, I believe The Conversation, probably my favorite film of all time, was also all his.
You might not think Coppola is an indie filmmaker having worked for studios on many of his films. But he has gone head to head with them and has broken out on his own, creating Zoetrope in San Francisco with George Lucas and a few other USC film school grads, early in their careers, to escape the L.A. madness.
This is a two part interview on last night and tonight, 8/4/09 on Tavis Smiley.Godfather was just a job he took to support the fam. He says in this interview he... more
Lance Weiler (http://workbookproject.com) collaborates with other DIY filmmakers to figure out how to self distribute their films. Lance didn't like the idea of distributors taking all his profits, and so distributed his films on his own. In this video he discussed discovery with other similar filmmakers. Discovery is about how to get an audience discovery your film.
One of the things you cannot do without as a self distributor is a large audience, starting with at least 1000 people, not counting only your friends. We see people get huge audiences with some crappy stuff they post on YouTube, so how hard can it be?Lance Weiler (http://workbookproject.com) collaborates with other DIY filmmakers to... more
Four Eyed monsters is a film about the making of itself (it's almost Charlie Kaufman-esque). Two young artist-filmmakers meet and document their lives, in the process turn it into a feature film and web vlog, which garnered enough audience support to parlay with theaters to show their film. This got them qualified and nominated for two Independent Spirit awards.
Plus it's a totally cool film.
Here's a run down of their process:
* Small, Low Budget (”Amateur” filmmaking) - Arin was a wedding videographer; Susan, a waitress/artist
* Went to SlamDance hoping for distribution – did not happen
* Created blog
* Told that film would be hard to market without any recognizable star power
* Realized iPod might be a good venue
* Created Video podcasts about the film to build their audience
* Worked – blogs, Myspace etc. showcased them, helped publicized
* Got coverage all over which continued through their endeavors.
* Connected with audience threw these podcasts
* Online audience helps with getting feedback, helped shaped their
* Audience got interest in watching film, asked to see it
* They collected zip codes and emails knowing this would help target their screening/distribution
* People are subscribed & watching videos through various venues (e.g. Youtube, Itunes), not a website, so they always put “go to our website” at the end of each video
* Send email to people in related area to invite to IndieWire showcase
* Many people showed up, people were invested in them, asked friends to go – phenomenon
* 1 request from filmmakers = 1 ticket sold
* Created Map with requests = a type of social network around people who were interested in their film – self-fulfilling prophecy
* Then began cold-calling theatres suggested to them, to screen film (didn’t always work… But it did – sometimes!)
* Showed the film in 6 major cities (LA, Chicago, NY, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston) every Thursday at 8pm in the month of September (2007, I believe)
* 1691 were at the screening
* Arin and Susan were able to prove that they had an audience, could make money
* Industry averaged 7 people per screening /”Four Eyed Monsters” averaged 70
* Then they were able to open in the theatre
* They got sponsorship and
* Got nominated for a Spirit Awards (previously inelligible since they didn’t screen in theatre)
* Screened in Second Life
* Began selling DVDs.
* Looked a new tactics to further propel (and pay back the money on their credit card they used to fund the film. Money they got now paid for operations, expenses etc.)
* Uploaded film to YouTube for free. Asked them to join Spout and the filmmakers would get $1 per person who joined (that + ad revenue from Youtube = $50,000) (Note: 10MPH is doing something similar)
* 1 million views, plus boosted DVD sales
* Online attention landed them a $100,000 broadcast & retail release
* Ignited interest foreign markets
* Then posted film to MySpace
* Saw more boost
* (since their film was available online and it resulted in sales) Suggest: why not offer low-quality version online and then then high quality for purchase
* Suggest allowing people to translate (dotsub)
* One Store – they sell stuff off their websites (DVD, t-shirts – used BSide)
* Google can teach you everything (search and you will find) (Takes time, but you can)
* MySpace was first step
* Was struggle, but wanted to justify making another film – now they can do these things while making the next filmFour Eyed monsters is a film about the making of itself (it's almost Charlie... more
The first film by the self-critically acclaimed duo of Mark (Trenkle) and Marcus (Chapman). Be gentle. Contact us at Onceiproductions@gmail.comThe first film by the self-critically acclaimed duo of Mark (Trenkle) and Marcus... more
Sam Rami advises up and coming filmmakers to make a small movie every week with actors, sound and music. Then get an audience reaction to see where it may have failed. Then keep doing that and you become a filmmaker.
Tarantino agreed that his first 16mm film was a big failure but he learned from it and it was cheaper than film school.
The panel is then asked if today's filmmaker can go the same route that they did for success, to which Tarantino replied, "Make reservoir Dogs... [make] a f***ing kick ass movie..."Sam Rami advises up and coming filmmakers to make a small movie every week with... more
Just a funny little animated film I made on a fun site called Animasher. I hope Young and the Restless fans out there get a kick out of it.Just a funny little animated film I made on a fun site called Animasher. I hope Young... more
Let Hollywood Saloon take you back to a time before Stanley Kubrick was “Stanley Kubrick”, before Spielberg was “Spielberg” and Scorsese was “Scorsese”.These early works, consisting of 16mm student productions, Super 8 and VHS films, give us a glimpse of the youthful talent that would go on to produce some of the most important films of the 20th century.Let Hollywood Saloon take you back to a time before Stanley Kubrick was “Stanley... more
Documentary film-maker Lupita Nyong-O talks about her first documentary film, "In My Genes" at the African Roundtable hosted by Global Information Network on April 6, 2009. The film tells the story of Kenyan albinos and their community's negative and positive reactions
to their skin condition, touching upon issues of identity and race.Documentary film-maker Lupita Nyong-O talks about her first documentary film, "In My... more
Who doesn't want to meet other New York-based filmmakers? Exactly, we though so.
Now, answer this. Who doesn't want to get discounted access to things like studios, post-production faculties, and more? NO ONE!
3rd Ward [3rdward.com] is a creative co-op that offers amazing resources to artists, filmmakers, and many more. They have offered our VCAM producers for the upcoming AXE assignment to take advantaged of some sweet discounts. How, might you ask?
Come hang out with 3rd Ward [and your NYC Current Team] on Tues, May 12th at 8pm. Meet up with the NY crew, talk more about the upcoming assignment, and more importantly, meet up with some of the coolest filmmakers making a name for themselves today.
If you are a filmmaker that's [a] bored, [b] broke, or [c] really desperate for attention, then you will LOVE making a VCAM
address: 195 Morgan Ave, Brooklyn, NY
phone: 718.715.4961
date: 5/12/09
time: 8:00pm
Got questions? Hit us up here on the post or at vcamnyc@current.com DO IT!Who doesn't want to meet other New York-based filmmakers? Exactly, we though so.... more
The International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) is now accepting submissions for its 7th annual Film and Video Competition. The Festival will be held in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood, CA November 6 – 8, 2009. The competition is open to students of all ages and academic backgrounds. Students compete with their own peers. Submission deadline is August 31, 2009. More information and entry forms are available on the festival website www.isffhollywood.org.
Art is and always has been our universal language and the ISFFH has been successfully reaching out to student filmmakers all over the world for more than 6 years. It is this generation of story tellers that will be influencing the following generations. The ISFFH gives them a platform to be seen, offering students the unique opportunity to gain the recognition of film industry leaders and create career development opportunities.
Each year the ISFFH has had the privilege of receiving more than 250 film submissions. Awards are presented to winners after their films are judged by a panel of professional filmmakers, writers, directors, producers, actors, distributors, agents, film critics and professors that comprise the jury. Films go through an initial screening, are separated into genres, go before a panel of preliminary judges, then on to the blue ribbon judges.
Visitors to the Festival each year have ranged from 2500 guests to over 3000. The ISFFH has brought student filmmakers and their families from 5 of the worlds 7 continents, including following countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, Mexico, Korea, Colombia, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Turkey, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Sweden, India, Iceland, Hungary, Russia, Georgia, Belarus, China, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Argentina, Finland, and from states throughout the USA. We have screened over 800 student films and the Festival has helped to place more than 20 graduate film students into production and post-production job positions.
Through the years the ISFFH has had the honor of having celebrities participate and share their experiences with the student filmmakers. Participants have included Director George Hickenlooper, Writer/Director Alan Jacobs, Writer/Director Jennifer Lynch, Actress Lainie Kazan, Producer Bonnie Bruckheimer, and Producer A.C. Lyles. In 2007, filmmakers and guests were honored with a surprise visit by Famed Director/Producer/Writer, Garry Marshall and Award–Winning Actor, Hector Elizondo; who graciously shared stories and took questions from the filmmakers.
Last year, Mike Medavoy, Chairman & Co-Founder of Phoenix Pictures received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his role in the success of some of America’s best films over the past 25 years. From agenting to studio chief, he has been involved with over 300 feature films. After the festival, Mr. Medavoy said that he too, gets “inspired by seeing all these younger people’s work.”
The ISFFH is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of others. Please visit www.isffhollywood.org for donation and sponsorship opportunities.
The ISFFH is sponsored by American Building Supply, Wells Fargo, CRA/LA, CISCorp, Saban Enterprises, Marilyn Bradbury, Rotary Club of Studio City and Sherman Oaks, Gloria and Lou Weintraub, Creative Handbook, A Matter of Pixels, Production Hub, Discmakers, Turkla.com, Fun Little Movies, NoHoArtsDistrict.com and LAGrip.com.The International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) is now accepting submissions... more
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