Blog: Film festivals

FRESCO: a New Formula of a Film Festival
Fresco is an international initiative that represents a thoroughly new format, distinct from the notions typical to the society. A festival that aims at the presentation of international spiritual works and cultural pieces combined with the organization of free and healthy social discussions concerning the issues raised by them.

Many festivals demonstrate films on global problems in the frameworks of their program. As a rule, after such films the audience needs to discuss and adopt what they have seen, however, the film remains the only source for an answer to the questions arisen. “FRESCO” film reviews come to fill in this gap.
FRESCO: an Informal Approach
"FRESCO" offers an informal approach to the participants of the film festival along all the stages of the festival starting from the film review up to the places the events are held, from the seat up to the prize.

The wonderful films, photo exhibitions, and shows brought to Armenia will go out from cinemas and literally “enter the streets”.
Round-the-clock open air demonstrations and film reviews “with no ticket” will literally become part of the Armenians’ everyday life 10 days on.

FRESCO Film-Program: Let’s Speak the Language of Humanism
The festival will contain both competitive and non-competitive programs. Fiction and documentary, full-length and short-length films and video materials of different formats, in which wars, violence, national, religious and any other types of discrimination, ecological disasters of human origin are denounced, and where peace, tolerance, humanism and global values are advocated.:

Cinema figures of worldwide fame and other guests corresponding to the subjects of the films shown, that is - church clerks, the intellectuals, musicians, psychologists, etc., will be invited to Armenia from different countries to participate in the festival.

About the Global problems in a Comprehensible/Simple Language
Not only the creators of the film strip will take part in the discussions following, but also church clerks, psychologists, and specialists directly concerning the issues arisen in the film and people responsible for the field. Any conceptual and technical detail concerning the film review is to contribute to the active and unconstrained participation in the discussions. The specialists will be part of the film watchers, professional orations will be replaced by unconstrained communication and active discussions. The films and direct communication with their creators will enable to “notice” the claimed issues in our country, observe them in the context of other countries’ experience, and the discussion with the people specialized and responsible for the field will become one of the most effective ways of developing versions for the solution to those issues.

FRESCO is Open to Anyone
The festival also gives a special importance to the employment of special social groups and especially individuals with limited abilities. Due to the cooperation with the institutes specialized in the field individuals with a disablement will not only participate in all the measures of the festival but also be actively involved in all the organizational works of "FRESCO".

The goals of the festival are:
- To promote the establishment of love, solidarity, and human values in the society with the help of spiritual and cultural dialogue,
- To spread international and religious tolerance,
- To create and promote the development of spiritual and moral films and to raise their social awareness as a social-cultural factor,
- To promote the communication among cultural representatives of different countries and the creation of the mutually beneficial field for their collaboration.

Only for Spanish Filmmakers.

We are the U.S. west coast premier destination festival for films such as fest favorites like Damsel starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska, to world premiere new discoveries like Netflix favorite Abducted in Plain Sight and many more.

We are dedicated to discovering and supporting the next generation of filmmakers. There’s a reason MovieMaker magazine has named Mammoth Lakes Film Festival as one of the “Top 50 Film Festival’s Worth Your Entry Fee” for the last seven years in a row¬: We put our filmmakers first!

We focus on bringing top-level press and industry professionals to the festival to get maximum exposure for our filmmakers. Past attendees included Variety, Hollywood Reporter, The LA Times, A24, MovieMaker Magazine, and more.

The 9th annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival will screen features and shorts for five days in the spectacular setting of Mammoth Lakes—California’s premier mountain resort, high in the Eastern Sierra. It will take place on Wednesday through Sunday, May. 22-26, 2024.

MLFF captures the imagination of audiences and contributes to the vitality of film culture by providing emerging filmmakers with an opportunity to show their latest work in a vibrant and nurturing atmosphere. Visitors are drawn to the area to experience exciting new films by both new and established independent artists, and for the opportunity to mingle with them at fun and friendly daily events. The festival is also a forum for filmmakers to have their work seen by industry professionals who have the potential to provide mentorship and propel their careers.

We are committed to promoting film as an art form by focusing on personal, innovative, imaginative films by writers and directors with a unique style and point of view. We present these films in the beautiful natural setting of Mammoth Lakes—a perfect backdrop for an independent film festival and a premier tourist destination in its own right. Because we are a destination resort, just a 4 to 5-hour drive or a quick flight from Los Angeles, we have strong allies within the entertainment industry. Our jury members are acclaimed artists and professionals from the world of independent film. We give out multiple awards in the categories of Narrative Features, Documentary Features, and Short Films. In 2022 we awarded cash and prizes valued at more than $44,000.00. We also provide travel stipends, housing, and festival passes for our filmmakers. Our juries have included Andrew Lazar (Producer of AMERICAN SNIPER), Allison Amon (Producer of THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES), Rachel Winter (Academy Award winning producer DALLAS BUYERS CLUB),and John Feidler (Producer of SERIAL MOM and PECKER). 2022 sponsors included Panavision, Light Iron, Town of Mammoth Lakes, among many others.

The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival, a DBA 501(c)3, is committed to showcasing the talent and imagination of emerging filmmakers and nurturing their efforts to follow their dreams.

The East Coast Film Festival is an independent film festival for lovers of independent film. The festival is based at the Savoy Hotel on the Lincolnshire coast. Entry for students and Linconshire based films & filmmakers is free! ( proof required )

All film genres are accepted at the East Coast Festival with a focus on low budget independent films. Selected Film makers are invited to attend the screenings and awards ceremony on 3rd September. The selected films will also have the opportunity to be included in The East Coast Anthology DVD compilation which will be available exclusively through the East Coast Film Festival website with all proceeds donated to Starlight Children's charity.

Traditionally, Queens World includes a well-attended multi-day annual film festival, year-round screening opportunities for QWFF alumni, special events to bring the Indie film community together and an educational initiative for youth and seniors. Just like everyone else, we are keeping it fluid and responding to the needs of the Indie Film community.

The 10th Annual Fest was scheduled to March 19 - 29, 2020 at the Museum of Moving Image and the Zukor Theater at Kaufman-Astoria Studios. When we were closed on March 16, we changed course and opened on time - online - with 191 films from 32 nations which garnered over 30,000 views.

After the festival Queens World poduced Wednesday Nights @9, 19 live weekly broadcasts that identified individuals and organizations as our 'Hero of the Week'. In their honor, we curated a block of films by filmmakers working in similar themes which ran from Sunday to Sunday on Vimeo. On Wednesday nights we gathered the Heroes and the Filmmakers of the Week to discuss their work. We ran for 19 weeks and gathered over 19,000 views.

In preparation for Q11, we are working with our venues and our partners to maximize all available resources for the festival. We will use our signature thematic programming, grouping films together to create specific cinematic experiences and each screening event will be accompanied by Filmmaker Q&As. Our plans for June 2021 include both a virtual and a live event with some very exciting global elements that we will share with you at a later date.

While this is a tough time on our planet, now is not the time to stop communicating, to stop looking for what will heal us, or to stop gathering. Queens World remains focused on ideas, stories with heart, films with a point of view and artists who challenge..

This year we are concentrating on HOPE as our theme.
H - Healing
O - Opportunities
P - Promote
E – Equity

We are interested in films that examine, explore, defy, contradict and support our theme. The very act of making and completing a film is hopeful.

Show us what you believe in.
Bring your craft and let's see what you got.
Bring it.

- FESCISA has the mission of giving publicity and projection to the independent production of short films and feature films; To bring independent filmmakers closer to the Ecuadorian public.

- Project the production of local, regional and world films in the city of San Antonio de Ibarra. Films of diverse genres, where subjects of humanity, social, solidarity, childhood, women, among others predominate.

After the grand success of the 3rd edition of IFFP in 2017 in Delhi, we are all set to celebrate its next level, 4th INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL OF PRAYAG,Delhi- 2018. The Festival We have added some more interesting segments this year.

The festival’s mission is to spread the knowledge of film art, especially in the form of short films, in order to show the public all the different aspects of contemporary international cinema.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

The Providence Children’s Film Festival (PCFF) presents the best of independent and international children’s cinema to inspire, delight, educate and connect a diverse community of children and families from Rhode Island and throughout New England. Our annual Festival brings the world to our children and our community through important films made from extraordinary, often unrecognized filmmakers from all over the globe. Each year we search for films appropriate for youth and children with interesting stories, that offers wisdom and multiple cultural perspectives and connections across all ages. Through our thoughtfully selected films, we hope to demonstrate the artistry and craft of filmmaking and provide opportunities to discuss the stories, people and connections from near and afar.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Now in its ninth year, the Providence Children’s Film Festival enhances and energizes the local arts and cultural community and has become of one the most highly anticipated family events of the year. The annual Festival takes place in February at multiple venues within walking distance of downtown Providence, with over ten days of screenings, filmmaking workshops, and free activities, along with post-film conversations that help deepen the film-watching experience and foster critical thinking skills. During the Festival, PCFF screens an average of 16 feature length films along with over 100 short films, including live-action, documentary, and animation made by filmmakers from around the world. Beginning in 2014, PCFF added the Youth Filmmaker Showcase, a juried program of films made by youth, followed by an opportunity for young filmmakers to talk about both the fun and the challenges they face during the creative process.

2017 Festival winners were…

Audience Choice Award Best Feature: FANNY'S JOURNEY (Belgium/France, 2016)
Audience Choice Award Best Documentary: SONITA (Iran, 2015)
Audience Choice Award Best Short: SUMMER CAMP ISLAND (USA, 2016)

Special Jury Award Best Feature: BLANKA (Philippines, 2015)
Special Jury Award Best Short: BIRDLIME (Canada, 2016)
Children's Hospital Jury Award: ONCE UPON A BLUE MOON (Canada, 2016)

In addition to the annual festival, PCFF presents films of the same high quality and film-related educational programming throughout the year. Children and families can learn about the history of the medium and its critical context, as well as the craft of filmmaking; through media literacy programs, hands-on workshops, and filmmaker presentations. We proudly collaborate with community organizations such as RISD Museum, Providence Children’s Museum, AS220, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Providence, Providence CityArts, Rhode Island Museum of Science and Arts (RIMOSA), Providence Athenaeum Children’s Library, Providence Community Library, Media Smart Libraries Project, and the Rhode Island Office of Information and Services.

CRITERIA

The PCFF selection committee seeks films with content that speaks positively to children, teens and families from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Please consider submitting if you have created work that can speak to all, including children. We seek films that are entertaining and/or challenging to young minds with serious, true-to-life topics and narratives that may span a range of emotions. The film need not have a "story-book" ending to find a place in our festival. PCFF welcomes foreign films with subtitles, documentaries, live action, animation and even experimental films that may inspire our viewers to think about the world in a new way.

SELECTION

The Director of Programming will make selections along with the Festival jury composed of educators, filmmakers, parents and children. PCFF takes pride in bringing children into the selection process; as a member of the PCFF Junior Jury, youth have a voice from beginning to end, taking part in final film selections, festival programming, and award distributions. PCFF will email all entrants no later than January 7, 2017, whether or not films have been selected for the festival. Preview DVDs, thumb drives, and related materials of all films submitted for consideration will NOT be returned unless submission includes a prepaid, self-addressed, stamped envelope.

SPECIAL EVENTS

In addition to our Opening Night Party and final Awards Presentation Event, PCFF hosts a Filmmaker Soiree’ during the festival. No box juices or Goldfish crackers here. The Soiree is a private, low-key and relaxing get together with our star filmmakers and some of our festival devotee's. In between bites you may meet some filmmakers who have films in this year's festival or share a drink with one of our invited Reel Connection speakers. You will certainly meet many of the people who helped create and support this year's festival.

YOUTH FILMMAKER SHOWCASE (YFS)

PCFF is committed to nurturing the work of young “amateur” filmmakers (age 17 and under) and so is proud to present a juried program of films all made by youth—from our local community and around the world—and to provide an opportunity for young filmmakers to talk about both the fun and the challenges they face during the creative process. This exciting screening is designed to encourage talented and committed up-and-coming young filmmakers, and to inspire those who are just thinking about it. Young filmmakers may apply as an individual or as a team. (e.g. Youth organizations, film clubs, etc.).

The European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation (the Federation) is a tightly knit network of 22 film festivals from 14 countries, with a global attendance of over 450 000 visitors, making it a vital economic and cultural player on the fantastic film scene.

The Taos Shortz Film Fest continues to bring global world class short cinema to the community and to provide filmmakers with a venue to showcase their work, participate in workshops, panels, and network with fellow filmmakers, media companies, producers and distributors.

We are again searching the globe for outstanding short films . We are looking for compelling stories, exemplary production and cinematography and overall awesome films! Voted one of "the 50 film festivals worth the entry fee" by MovieMaker's Magazine this spring, Taos Shortz boasts being the stellar shorts film fest in the country.

The Taos Shortz Film Fest is again... searching the globe for outstanding short films . We are looking for compelling stories, exemplary production and cinematography and overall awesome films! Voted one of "the 50 film festivals worth the entry fee" by MovieMaker's Magazine, Taos Shortz boasts being the stellar shorts film fest in the country.
We continues to bring global world class short cinema to the community and to provide filmmakers with a venue to showcase their work, participate in workshops, panels, and network with fellow filmmakers, media companies, producers and distributors.
Do you have a tale to tell? A secret to reveal? A truth that screams to be heard? If you think you have what it takes, submit your film.
Festival dates: March 19th- 21st, 2021
www.taosshortz.com

The 100-second Film Festival is a gathering for international filmmakers to use their brevity and endless artistic creativity to make a film with promising images of "Ethnical Cinema" in various dimensions, formats and perspectives, to Polish the lives of the audience by creating up to 100 second short pieces of art. The 13th edition of this festival will be held from Feb 28 to March 3,2023 in the city of Tehran – IRAN; after a 4-year break due to the Corona crisis.

In recent decades, and at one time to the emergence of new technologies that have ended up scanning most of the processes of the film, the documentary has known a notorious and systematic growth around the world. In our country, and for more than one decade, a production before linked almost exclusively to fiction has been swelling their ranks with new topics, new approaches, new geographies, new dilemmas.

It is in this context that FIDBA is proposed as the 1st. International Film Festival dedicated to this genre which films with the same fans - as long as we believe that the forms and the doings of the documentary film are different from those of the fiction - may meet and dialogue among them and with the public. If the documentary is a meeting point for the FIDBA, it is insofar as it proposes an interpellation to the little-known memoirs, disturbing present and (our) future in suspension. FIDBA will then be an approach not only among audiences, filmmakers and thinkers linked documentary but also in relation to the always stimulating possibilities that allow you to open this space to other border and heterodox expressions framed inside of what we would call "non-fiction" and that encourage us to dialogue with contemporary expressions that go beyond even the scope of the film.

FIDBA will pay special attention to those filmmakers for whom cinema is linked to a form of research and knowledge of the world that surrounds us as to the portrait of human beings whose conditions of life, in certain historical and social contexts, allow you to ask us about our. It is, therefore, authors who not only reflect reality but also ethical and moral relationship which involves filming the other.

FIDBA aims to become a point of support for filmmakers seeking to widen the perception of reality and to films which represent a step forward in the effort to understand it and anticipate it. So, it will make focus on films whose aesthetic originality put at risk not only an idea of the documentary but also a thought about the same film and its possibilities. Since this focus implies questioning the status of the real front of the camera or of the film in relation to reality, this is as inseparable from the mediations that arises.

1. ABOUT THE FEMINIST CINEMA SHOW
The 6th Feminist Cinema Exhibition is organized by Coletiva Malva and will take place in the city of Belo Horizonte - MG - Brazil between the 18th and 26th of July 2020. The curatorship excels in diversity, importance of themes and representativeness. The show will show films directed or co-directed by women.
The Malva Collective believes that cinema translates as a mechanism for the production of meanings and social representation, with emphasis on the way it portrays / reinforces / sustains or questions the differences between gender, sexual and ethnic-racial relations. The audiovisual sector as a whole reflects and (re) produces phallocentric and misogynistic paradigms in different aspects: in the way historically women are portrayed within the cinematographic narrative and in the exclusion and non-acceptance of the occupation of women in positions and in the construction of thought Brazilian audiovisual. Thus, this Exhibition seeks to create spaces for the diffusion, integration and preservation of audiovisual production made by women at national and international levels.
It is from the incessant and ambitious production of the feminine gaze when returning her aesthetics, her dimension, her body, her feminist becoming to the community through audiovisual materials that we have developed, since 2015, the Feminist Cinema Exhibition. We are jointly in the struggle for visibility and strengthening of black, indigenous, urban and rural cultures, LGBTIQA +, and we assume that a woman is every human being who identifies herself as a woman

Barcelona Short Film and Feature Film Festival of all genres.

7th Pilar de la Horadada International Film Festival - CORTOPILAR | PILAR AWARDS 2023

Festival Ull Nu:

It is a space to encourage, spread and fertilize creativity, art, culture and young talent.

It is a meeting point, exchange and dialogue between young creators coming from all over the Pyrenees and professionals from the film and audiovisual industry.

It is an alternative, original and innovative leisure proposal that aims to promote and bring to Andorra new proposals and audiovisual trends.

It is a unique experience, a festival of cinema and audiovisual.

The Roman road VIA XIV has crossed the Monterrey Valley for 2,000 years. Today the roads and railways, some of them built on the old Roman roads, and others that run parallel and a short distance away, give us an idea of its importance and validity.

During all this time they have been a path of new ideas, progress and culture. The Verin short film festival wants to continue this path of culture, bringing the gaze of creators from all over the world around carnival, emigration and the border.

Date: August 29th to September 8th, 2024.

Place: Municipal Auditorium and Assembly Hall of the Casa da Cultura de Verín

Be Epic! London International Film Festival is a yearly film festival that is looking especially for meaningful, innovative, free of cliche filmmaking.

BELIFF encourages young and old film makers from around the world to contribute to the shaping of society through inspirational films that combine with valuable messages and innovative ideas. BELIFF aims to be the rising point of film makers and up and coming new artists by promoting value and hard work and we are dedicating ourselves to stand up for everyone who is looking to refine and discover film both as entertaining and educating audiences from all around the globe.

Those who will get the best out of BELIFF film festival are:

- the visionary voices and artists (scriptwriters, directors, actors etc.) that have great empathy and a deep capacity to understanding and expressing beyond the surface layers of things and beyond those depths as well.
- distinctive scripts,
- truthful perspectives on themes and subjects,
- the creators of innovative cinematic outcomes that stand out from the usual mainstream.

The Cultural Association "Il Sogno di Ulisse", under the high sponsorship of European Parliament and the sponsorship of MiC Direzione Generale Cinema and Regione Lazio, announces the 11th edition of Visioni Corte International Short Film Festival, that will be hold in September 2023 in the Ariston Theatre of Gaeta - Italy. The official dates of the Festival, which will last 8 days, will be published after the deadline of the contest, along with the program, on our website www.visionicorte.it