The BolderLife program is set, theater people are rehearsing for their premieres of  six Original Short Plays, and BolderLife staff is working hard on final preparations.
BolderLife Festival 2013 can come. We are looking forward to the next few days and especially to the first week of December when we will proudly welcome filmmakers and guests like Motivational Speaker Craig Zablocki, Rose Garcia, Jessica Clark and Jessica Lawless, Barb Miller, Tracy Stegall  ... to name only a few. Denver audiences can expect 30 International Films, 6 Original Plays, 1 Original Dance Performance, and 7 Educational Offerings.  
 

BolderLife Festival Film Program 2013 is presenting

17 Colorado Premieres,1 US Premiere and 1 World Premiere! 

The Short Documentary "Give", from Director Vanessa Leigh, will be included in a shorts program for it's  World Premiere. The Dutch Feature Film "Regret!  - Spijt!" will be brought to Denver audiences for it's US Premiere.  

 CLICK HERE to read more about all BolderLife Festival Films 2013   

Thursday, December 5th, the Festival will open with the Feature Narrative "The Story of Luke". A comedy about Luke, a young man with autism who is on a quest for a job and a girlfriend. Starring Lou Taylor Pucci, Seth Green, Cary Elwes and Kristin Bauer. The Story of Luke has already received multiple awards and will be presented as a Colorado Premiere.  

"The Story of Luke"

Feature Narrative

Director:
Alonso Mayo 

Country: USA

Colorado Premiere

 The Story of Luke Trailer 


Luke, 25, is autistic and lives a sheltered life with his grandparents. But his world is suddenly turned upside down when his grandmother dies and he is forced to live with his dysfunctional relatives who have no patience for him or his senile grandfather, who they quickly force into a nursing home. Luke is left with his grandfather's final semi-coherent words: "Get a job. Find a girl. Live your own life. Be a man!" For the first time in his life, Luke has a mission. He is about to embark on a quest.

Event Information:

SIE Film Center - 2510 E. Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80206 

• Thursday, December 5th at 6:00am

Ticket Price: $25.00 All Admission - tickets will be available for purchase 2 weeks before the event or by calling the BolderLife line 303.818.4645

Educational Program 2013:  

Thriving in a Hostile Environment - Women in Television/Film/Fashion

Thriving in the face of challenge and adversity can be a real mixed bag of tricks that can even include withdrawing at first and then coming back out swinging! While some women seem to be born with more resilience, the good news is that we can all can learn how to boost our ability to cope, thrive and flourish when the going gets tough.  Please join us for a spirited conversation with a panel of self-defined, path-breaking women who have navigated through challenging personal and professional environments in the high profile entertainment and fashion industries and established themselves as successful professionals with fulfilling careers.

Panelists are Jessica Clark, Rose Garcia, Erin Kelly  (Artistic Director of the BolderLife Festival)  and Host Jessica Lawless.

Discussions will touch on the subjects of objectification and labeling vs. self definition, industry norms, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, eating disorders, drug abuse, personal definitions of success and the full spectrum of activism (both intentional and default acts).

Come hear panel member's personal stories as inspiration and join in an open dialogue about your own experiences in navigating your way through challenging environments.

CLICK HERE to read more about the Panelists

Event Information:

SIE Film Center - 2510 E. Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80206 

• Friday, December 6th at 8:30am

Ticket Price: $20 all admissions - tickets will be available for purchase 2 weeks before the event or by calling the BolderLife line 303.818.4645

For the fourteenth year, the Nihilist Cultural Foundation presents the Nihilist International Film Festival.  This year’s evening of films will be presented at the Highways Performance Space.  The show will start at 8:30 pm on Friday, December 13. The festival includes two hours of short films from around the country and around the world.  The films range from troubling to hilarious, from profound to completely silly.  Pretty much, something for everyone (except children and clergy).

Festival Director Elisha Shapiro commented, “Since 1999, we have been doing this film festival.  And if there’s one thing nihilists like, it’s tradition…a tradition of twisted, offensive art that makes you laugh.”

As a special feature, all those who bring their own televisions and arrive fifteen minutes early will be able to include their appliances in the traditional ritual Blessing of the Televisions.

Nihilist Film Festival director Elisha Shapiro is a Los Angeles-based conceptual artist.  He is known for presenting the 1984 Nihilist Olympics and the 1999 Nihilism Expo.  He was also the Nihilist Party candidate for Governor in 2006, for President in 1988, and for LA county sheriff in 1992. Most recently, Shapiro appeared as The Funniest Nihilist in the LA Fringe Festival.

The Highways Performance Space is located at 1651 18th Street in Santa Monica. Government Shutdown Special ticket prices are only 99 cents. More information is available at the Nihilists Corner website:  www.nihilists.net and highwaysperformance.org .

IFFS 2013 // December 8-10 // Austin, TX

Filmfestivals.com, a media partner of the Summit, allows it's festivals subscribers to benefit from a 300€ preferred rate (ask for the promo code); the first 10 subscribers will also receive a free newsletter ad (valued 150€)

Founded in 2002, IFFS provides the only annual conference & symposium for film festival professionals and entertainment executives to network, learn from one another, establish partnerships, and understand the latest trends in festival operations.

The 10th Annual Film Festival Summit will be the most informative and fun filled conference to date. We are excited to announce new topics and speakers at the annual conference, insuring that attendees at all levels – first-timers and repeat attendees, new to the industry or seasoned professional – can all find the answers and creative new ideas that they are looking for. With scores of keynote presentations, informative panel discussions, breakout sessions, social activities, and much more you won't want to miss the IFFS this year!

The Official website for the Summit!
http://filmfestivalsummit.com/austin/agenda/

Check the Full Program

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Monday December 9, 2013

Tuesday December 10, 2013

There is a slight triumph of Italian film on 24th Ljubljana International Film Festival LIFFE. A marvelous Miele directed by Valeria Golino got the the Kingfisher Award. A Visually stunning with great camera work, the angel of death Miele offers necessary drugs for the end, a smart and elegant suicide. The film directs toward very modern topic of today euthanasia.  The fellow Cannes Film Festival selection Miele, debut of Italian actress Valeria Golino screened in the Un Certain Regard category, in Ljubljana sold out every single ticket. Declared as masterpiece virtuoso by now an assisted suicide activist by the magazine Variety who marks that “Golino makes the leap into the director’s chair with consummate assurance.” Jasmine Trinca (The Best of Youth, The Son’s Room) did her best to picture the job and the character of Miele. Trinca plays Irene or Miele, a woman who has devoted herself to helping people with terminal diseases end their lives on their own way. Nevertheless, when a 70-year-old in good health (Carlo Cecchi) decides for the suicide her moral and spiritual questions arise. She is not dead stone cold as it seemed at first and her progressive de-humanization and alienation from other people simply goes away. Her socially useful job has a certain psychosomatic side effects. Just brilliant!

An absolute FIPRESCI Award winner of 24th Ljubljana International Film Festival LIFFE aesthetically lacks of dialogue: the Grand Prix and the Visionary Award in Cannes 2013, Italian film Salvo directed-written by Fabio Grassadonia and Antonio Piazza. The prize was given due to a magnificent play of different genres: spaghetti western, film noir as a celebration of filmmaking skills. It is the world of Sicilian Mafia seen through film noir at the beginning, with moody and unexpected turns, via its prime genre thriller. The story pictures stunning Salvo- the mafia assassin. He kills Rita’s brother Renato and takes Rita to an abandoned factory where he keeps her to kill. However, love comes up and they end up in spaghetti western runaway style from Mafs.The film as written in Variety “givesthe atmospheric picture that does fascinate on a visceral level”. The shadow play in the noir style takes a wonderful extended prologue with not much blood presented in aesthetic low-angle and long shots…and “bang bang I shut you down” style. The shadows of the house promise us a beautiful beach outside and it is for us to see that there is a paradise lost in a beautiful Palermo here. Here there's another side of the story, something beyond the tourist prospects of stunning sighting of Palermo, there are desperate young people with no proper jobs and there's Mafia war. All the mise-en-scene of the house of Rita, the house of shadows serve to wittingly use of the genre and “Daniele Cipri is the Italian master of chiaroscuro,” the authors said. There is no extra glamour involved here, just a picture of gritty life, dust and poverty, something we do not see often in Italian cinema. Impressive work!

In addition to Italian film on 24th Ljubljana International Film Festival LIFFE, there is an Audience Award of Venice 2013 Matteo Oleotto’s Italo-Slovenian co- production Zoran, My Nephew Idiot(Zoran il mio nipote scemo), a witty account of two different worlds mixed together, eccentric and attractive. “Wine is healthy, water is for burials” sings Ernesto in a small Italian wine bar in a Friulian village close to the Slovenian border. And the wine in this film as a real life wine area, does play a role.  The film is little village comedy about family and its importance on a very special kind. Paolo and his 150 kg body floats around the kitchen in the retirement home where he works during the day and daydreams about Gustino’s bar. He’s not a charmer but cynical misanthrope, a forty year old who longs for ex-wife Stefania. One day he gets an official visit and inherits a white porcelain dog named Helmut and trial guardianship of his 16-year old nephew from Slovenia Zoran Spazapan who speaks a strange Italian or better says Slovenian Italian and brings a little bit of Slovenia into his home. He is a kind of nerdy type of boy, bit clumsy and shy, but a brilliant dart player. Therefore, he cooks up a plan to get him to compete in a darts championship in Glasgow for the prize money of 60,000 Euros.  This is a brilliant sarcastic comedy full of optical and dialogue nuance, all the characters learn what really counts in life. The final answer here is love.  The film is a real treat, a kind of mentality drama with sweet and beautiful end that you actually enjoy, not despise as for being very unintentional and not pretentious comedy.  

Then of course, Paollo Sorentino’s The Great Beauty (Le Grande Bellezza) film out of competition but equally attractive film homage to Rome portrayed well La Dolce Vita by Federico Fellini. Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) was considered as a prime candidate for an award in Cannes, at least a Best Director for Sorrentino or a Best Actor for Toni Servillo. Instead, the film became the most prestigious entry to all film festivals around. “Often astonishing cinematic feast,” and by all mean amusing update on Italian society, offering good all cynical attitude, irresistible charm and bitter lucidity, something common to all Italian films, especially Sorentino’s caliber.

First list of films nominated for 6th Jaipur International Film Festival JIFF-2014 Released today.

89 films from India and abroad finds place in the list.

Jaipur, November 30: The international recognition for JIFF is increasing day by day and the jump in the number of film makers displaying their faith in the Festival has once again proved this. While a total of 1317 films from 90 countries were submitted last year, this year the number of submitted films is 1523. 

A total of 89 films have been selected in the first list of JIFF-2014. This includes 18 feature films, 45 short fiction films, 13 documentaries and 13 animation films. In this list 41 films are from India and the rest are from various countries. JIFF 2014 would be organized on 1-5 February, 2014. The registration for participation in JIFF is open. The registration can be done online as well as through downloaded forms from its website, www.jiffindia.org

The international recognition for JIFF is increasing day by day and the jump in the number of film makers displaying their faith in the Festival has once again proved this. While a total of 1317 films from 90 countries were submitted last year, this year the number of submitted films is 1523. 

A total of 89 films have been selected in the first list of JIFF-2014. This includes 18 feature films, 45 short fiction films, 13 documentaries and 13 animation films. In this list 41 films are from India and the rest are from various countries. The list of selected films is attached herewith.

The second and third list of remaining films which would include films from the home state, ie Rajasthan also is likely to be released by the end of December this year.

The members of selection committee of JIFF 2014 includes Niranjan Thade, Aarti Srivastava, Manish Vataslya experts from Mumbai and Prasoon Sinha, Dr. Durgaprasad Agrawal, Gajendra Shrotriya, Gaurav Panjwani, Deepak Gera, Vivek Sharma, Dr. Vibhuti Pandya, Narendra Arora, Parul Mathur and Dr. Dushyant experts from Jaipur. After three months of careful viewing of these films they have made this selection. One of the members of the selection committee, Dr. Durgaprasad Agrawal says that viewing these films was a great pleasure. Filmmakers around the world are boldly experimenting with the medium and are coming with the work which enriches and refines the sensibilities of the viewer. Jaipur is fortunate enough in having such a wonderful festival. Dr Agrawal urged the people of Jaipur to view as many films as possible during the festival.

Prasoon Sinha:  What I personally found that this year the quality of the Films as submitted in the JIFF were much better than the previous year. However, there were few Films, which were not at all matched with standard of selection as per the JIFF, 2014.

I, herewith, declare that all Committee members along with me have thoroughly watched every Film & took our decisions related to the selection of those Films for under different categories are purely based on the merit of the Films.

All decisions finally have been taken by me & these are only based on the quality of contents, treatment of the subject & presentation on the screen by the makers. This also to mention here that neither me or members of the Film Previewing & Selection committee have ever favoured anyone in the entire proceedings of the selection of Films for the JIFF,2014. 

Gajendra Shrotriya: As a member of JIFF2014 preview committee I got to watch the best of cinema from all parts of the world which as a film maker myself is nothing short of a privilege. The whole experience has been enlightening and helped me develop a better perspective to understand world cinema. 

After completion of interesting as well as exciting journey of 5 years, this is the time for serious re-thinking for JIFF family. After attaining so much insuch a short time, they have a bigger task of making this festival more meaningful. And keeping this thing in mind JIFF people have designed this year’s festival a bit differently and even have charted out some very special programs and features for film makers and film lovers.

From this year onwards, JIFF would be organized in five segments, namely JIFF, Film Market, Co-production, Regional Cinema, Special session and workshops, seminars and publications.

JIFF has scaled new heights and created national and international records, of course with the unstinted cooperation of global film fraternity. And for their cooperation and support, JIFF has only one word: THANK YOU.

The next target for JIFF is procurement of the revenue to the tune of 2 crores and attaining the target of one lakh registrations.

JIFF 2014 would be organized on 1-5 February, 2014. The registration for participation in JIFF is open. The registration can be done online as well as through downloaded forms from its website, www.jiffindia.org

Cuba 
      International New Latin American Film Festival (Dec 5 - 15, 2013)
Curaçao
      Curacao International Film Festival Rotterdam (April 2 - 6, 2014)
Dominican Republic
      Dominican Global Film Festival (Nov 12-20, 2013)
      International Film Festival of Santo Domingo
      International Fine Arts Film Festival
Guadalupe
      Regional and International Film Festival of Guadalupe - FEMI (Jan 30 - Feb 8, 2014)
Martinique
      Rencontres Cinémas Martinique (CMAC)
Panama
      International Film Festival of Panama - IFF Panama (Apr 3 - 9, 2014)
Puerto Rico
      San Juan International Film Festival (October 2014) 
Trinidad and Tobago (September 16-30, 2014)
      Trinidad + Tobago Film Festival 

Guests attending from all over the world praised the fantastic film selection, the great atmosphere, locations, parties and events. 

The 80 interfilm programmes (130 screenings) and 14 KUKI programmes (31 screenings) at seven cinema locations were well attended: a new interfilm record was achieved with 19,000 cinema-goers. All the work we poured into creating new event ideas truly paid off and many innovations are set to return in 2014, we're delighted with the overwhelming positive response!

More than 500 guests were accredited, over 200 international and German filmmakers came and more than 300 industry guests enjoyed the festival. This year, attending filmmakers came from 35 countries as diverse as Brazil, Taiwan, Canada, USA, Myanmar, Iran and Tunisia.
 

Skilled Curators and an Expert Team

Over 500 films from 67 countries in 60 competition and special programmes!

Choosing from more than 7,000 film entries once again proved to be our main summertime buzz: viewing in small teams till we dropped! An abundance of great films were played into curators' hands. In turn, the network of competent programmers stringently brought the mass of interesting films into the sharp and diverse focuses that became the festival.

Practice makes perfect: Every year, many parts of the team are pieced together anew (party staff, volunteers, interns, helpers) and this year's harmonious constellation was perfectly prepared to get everything wonderfully right. Our guests were happy, audiences satisfied and even staff at each of our event locations were full of praise. 

New Formats and Popular Events

interfilm loves thematic programmes, carefully composed dramaturgy that creates an arc of suspense, allowing each 90 minute programme to become a complex narrative experience. Seven impressive competitions are our festival flagships.

Our new event formats stood the test: The Sound & Vision experience, where diverse musicians compose new soundtracks for films and perform them live, is now as popular as the cult screening eject, The Long Night of Odd Films. And this year's brand new Best of FullDome-Festival Jena that featured 360° projections at the Planetarium am Insulaner proved to be an overwhelmingly successful spectacle.

Whether at Queer Fever, Bike Shorts, David Bowie, Otto Sander, Dance Films, Metropolis Tokyo or the Social Media programme, or at the Film Quiz, silent movies accompanied by Stephan Graf v. Bothmer on piano, or at the shows from Rigoletti, or Wurfsendungen with renowned actor Florian Lukas, the Viral Video Award or at Swing Shorts, the audience thoroughly enjoyed the huge variety of short film happenings and the incredible festival spectrum.
 

interForum - the Fringe Programme for Industry Professionals

The platform for encounters, exchange and discussions was taken advantage of by 450 productively inspired attendees. From the cosy "German Kaffeekränzchen" to packed seminars, workshops and panel talks right up to the Australian / New Zealand reception, the first-ever interForum was a total buzzing triumph!

At the Script Pitch competition, thanks to 25p MEDIA GROUP, the British Council and NISI MASA, ten scripts competed for €1000 prize money. Thanks to the extraordinary engagement of the tutors who held the exclusive seminars: Wim Vanacker, Nadja Dumouchel and Tobias Munthte, the ten finalists intensively worked on the projects they then presented at the Script Pitch. The winner was Ina Nikolova from Bulgaria.

Enthusiasm reigned thanks to the diversity of the programme that ranged from small intensive hands-on workshops to seminar groups and screenings right up to large-scale meet & greets. After the master classes, participants often stayed on and continued discussions in smaller groups. Illuminating debates and projects were also held and presented in the panel talks and at Pitch me. - The interForum was a fabulous success that winningly combined further training and networking – a festival in a festival!

Celebrating the Short Film ...

It's all about content! 10 years ago "short film" was still a dirty word. But numerous activities - including those organised by interfilm - have turned things around and given the short film its due place in the film world and increasing public appeal. Many outstanding films - both funny and serious - have elevated the "short" to what it's currently known for: fresh and dynamic filmmaking.
 

... thanks to our enthusiastic partners!

We're nothing without our partners! Throughout the years we've had faithful partners at our side, boosting the festival and our mission to propogate the short film format. And every year the list keeps on growing. Our sincere thanks go out to everyone who supports the festival!

Once again: A big thank you to all prize sponsors, partners and sponsors!

HOLA MEXICO KICKS OFF THE FIESTA WITH A BANG

The sounds, tastes, stories and spirit of Mexico were in full force last night as more than 350 guests flocked to the historic Chauvel Cinema in Paddington for the opening night of the Hola Mexico Film Festival– kicking off a week-long celebration of film and a huge program of free nightly entertainment for the new Hola Sol Festival Cantina.

Transporting guests to the heart and soul of Mexico, the Cantina was decked out in bright lights, vibrant colours, and authentic Mexican materials – with flowing Sol beer, tequila and Mezcal cocktails to boot.

Hitting Sydney shores for the eighth time, the Festival kicked off with a uniquely Mexican bang, offering up a smorgasbord of cultural delights in the form of great film, fine food and live music.

Aussie band Kallidad treated guests to a pre-Summer holiday with an acoustic set of Spanish guitars, thumping box drums and palpable party rhythms, setting the stage for a jam-packed, week-long lineup of live music.

Guests were treated to some Mex-inspired culinary treats including ice-cold $5 Sol Beers and Zapopan Silver Tequila shots, as well as $10 Donjalis – a kicker cocktail made with Scorpion Mezcal® Reposado, orange and lime juice.

Tasty food selections were also up for offer, with the bar serving $10 Margaritas topped with Don Juan 2 Worm Mezcal, 100 per cent agave nectar, rimmed with salt and chili.

You can be sure that the volume went up, rather than down, once festivalgoers got their Mex-mittens on these!

Mexico’s #1 smash hit comedy, NOSOTROS LOS NOBLES (WE ARE THE NOBLES) opened to a full house, with audiences grinning from ear-to-ear as the story of a trickster construction mogul and his clueless kids beamed up on the silver screen.

Fresh off the plane from Los Angeles was Festival Founder and Director Samuel Douek, who jumped head-first into festivities, mingling with guests and sharing a few Mexican tales of his own.

Guests comprised an eclectic mix of actors, local artists and musicians including Home & Away star, Samara Weaving, 107 Projects founder Jess Cook and emerging Sydney muralist Sally Gottlieb, as well as a slew of film buffs from Sydney’s Latin community.

While all this was happening, many guests indulged their inner-child by having their faces intricately made up Day of the Dead Style – for free, courtesy of the incredible artists at the Australasian College.

Creepy, but equally fabulous!

To complete the experience, there was an abundance of mini burritos, nachos, bean dip and guac for the whole gang thanks to Guzman y Gomez.

For those who missed out – never fear; the party has just begun! The Hola Mexico Film Festival and Hola Sol Festival Cantina will continue to run until December 4, with films screening each night at the Chauvel, and an incredible selection of workshops, free talks, live music, art exhibitions and cold cervasas featuring throughout!

To check out the upcoming program, visitwww.holamexicoff.com

Final Day to apply

(offer valid through November 30)

IFFS 2013 // December 8-10 // Austin, TX

Filmfestivals.com, a media partner of the Summit, allows it's festivals subscribers to benefit from a 300€ prefered rate (ask for the promo code); last day to subcribe with a free newsletter ad (valued 150€)

Founded in 2002, IFFS provides the only annual conference & symposium for film festival professionals and entertainment executives to network, learn from one another, establish partnerships, and understand the latest trends in festival operations.

The 10th Annual Film Festival Summit will be the most informative and fun filled conference to date. We are excited to announce new topics and speakers at the annual conference, insuring that attendees at all levels – first-timers and repeat attendees, new to the industry or seasoned professional – can all find the answers and creative new ideas that they are looking for. With scores of keynote presentations, informative panel discussions, breakout sessions, social activities, and much more you won't want to miss the IFFS this year!

Check the Full Program on the website !
http://filmfestivalsummit.com/austin/agenda/

Hoping to see you there.

Happy Thanksgiving !

Bruno Chatelin

RULES FOR THE ACTION4CLIMATE COMPETITION

SHOW US WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE MEANS TO YOU!

ACTION4CLIMATE video challenge invites young aspiring filmmakers to produce and submit a 1-12 minute video documentary telling a story about climate change.

How is climate change impacting your community? What are you doing about it? What needs to be done to solve the climate challenge?

ELIGIBILITY

The contest is open to young filmmakers from all over the world (individuals and teams of 5 or less) in two age groups: 14–17 and 18–35.

Download the competition rules here.

PRIZES

Stand a chance to win a cash prize up to US$15000 or video equipment. Winning films will go to major film festivals and will be featured on the new MTV Voices platform.

RULES

These Rules ("Rules") for the Action4Climate video competition are part of the Terms and Conditions of Use & Privacy Policy (the "Terms and Conditions of Use") that govern the use of the website where Action4Climate video entries are located.  The competition is administered by Connect4Climate (defined herein variously as Connect4Climate or the World Bank).

Entry Procedure

Participants shall submit video entries (defined in the Terms and Conditions of Use, to which these Rules are an integral part) that will tell a story to help raise awareness about climate change, reveal what local communities or individuals are doing to promote action, offer new solutions, and inspire change.

Participants shall submit video entries through the dedicated Facebook application available on the website www.action4climate.org and www.facebook.com/connect4climate.

The competition is open to people aged 14 to 35, and teams comprised of such individuals.Entries will be divided into and judged within two age groups: 14 to 17 years old and 18 to 35 years old. Participants  ages will be determined as of 11.59 pm EST on February 15, 2014.  Minors are responsible for ensuring their submission is authorized and in compliance with the legal requirements of their country.

There is a maximum limit of five members for any team. Each team member must  be of the age appropriate to the team’s age group – 14 to 17, or 18 to 35 years old on February 15, 2014. Mixed-age teams are not allowed to participate. Individuals and teams are limited to one entry each; however, an individual who is a member of a team that is submitting a team entry may also submit a different entry on his or her individual behalf.

Action4Climate video competition participants will be asked to certify their age when entering, and the World Bank reserves the right to verify the age of any participant, including potential winners.

Active staff members and family members of active staff members of the World Bank and Connect 4Climate, as well as members of the Technical Committee, or the Judging Panel, are not eligible to enter this contest. Active (at the time of Entry submission) paid staff of the World Bankmay submit Entries, but they will not be eligible to be declared one of the winners, including of the People's Choice award.

Action4Climate video submissions must be created by and owned by the participants.

Action4Climate video entries must be between 1- 12 minutes in length. Video entries shorter than 1 minute or longer than 12 minutes will not be accepted. The videos may be recorded in any language, but English or French subtitles are highly encouraged.

Deadline

The deadline for entries for the Action4Climate video competition is 11:59 pm EST, February 15, 2014. An entry is timely, and will be accepted, only if actually received before this time. The time of transmittal will not be taken into account.

Selection

In addition to the judging process described below, visitors to the Action4Climate site can vote on the eligible entries received before the Deadline for Entries to determine a People's Choice Winner. The one entry having received the most votes at the deadline will be deemed the winner of the People's Choice award. The number of popular votes for each entry will be shown on the site at all times.

Winning entries from the Connect4Climate Photo/Video Competition 2011 or Voices4Climate 2012 competition may not be re-submitted to the Action4Climate video Competition.

Prizes may include cash, video equipment and goods, computer tablets, and video editing softwares. Winning entries may also receive special recognition at major film festivals, as well as screenings on MTV Networks International’s Voices platform and other Connect4Climate partners media platforms. Prizes will be given to a first, second, and third place winner in the two age groups (14-17 years) and (18-35 years).

Winners will be selected by a Judging Panel composed of international fim directors, international organizations representatives and communication professionals, including those working in the field of film, arts, and/or the environment.

Connect4Climate reserves the right to award their own prize in each age group for any entries they feel to have particular originality.

Warranties

By submitting an Entry, Participants certify they have obtained the following:

1. Clearance agreements signed by all members of the public who speak to the camera/ interviewer or are profiled as specific characters within the production.  These agreements must show that the subject consented to be featured in a video to be submitted to this contest.
2. Evidence of clearance from the suppliers of any third-party material and footage that is included in the production, providing worldwide rights for use by any distributors in any format.
3. Evidence of clearance of any music that is included in the production providing worldwide rights for use by any distributors in any format.

Judging Criteria, Screening and Judging Process, Judging Panel

A. Judging Criteria

The judging of the documentary entries will be based on the following equally weighted criteria:

1) Content: clearness and effectiveness of the video in documenting a story about climate change, promoting action, and/or offering new solutions.

2) Technical expertise: quality of the camera and audio work, effectiveness of the editing and strength of the script  

3) Innovation, originality, and impact: telling a climate story in a fresh and unusual way, appealing to a broad and diverse audience, and encouraging further thought and action.

In the event of a tie, a winner will be selected based on the criteria described in (1), then (2), and finally (3). If there is still a tie, then a winner will be selected based on a new vote by the Judging Panel.

B. Screening and Judging Process

1. Submissions will initially be screened by a Technical Committee ("Technical Committee”). The Technical Committee will verify that the Contestant and the Entry meets the Eligibility criteria in the "Entry Procedure" and is consistent with the "Competition Terms."  If an Entry meets the criteria, as decided in the sole discretion of the Technical Committee, it will be posted on the Action4Climate contest web site.

2. All Submissions which pass the Technical Committee screening will be judged by an Judging Panel ("Judging Panel") of international filmmakers and communications professionals based on the judging criteria to determine which Submissions are awarded prizes or recognition.

SUBMIT

There's a film festival just around the corner! The 43rd International Film Festival Rotterdam will take place from 22 January to 2 February 2014. 

 

Sacro GRA

 

The central theme of IFFR 2014 has been announced: as a prelude to the European elections next year, IFFR brings a multi-strand Signal called The State of Europe. 

With three large film programmes (Grand Tour, My Own Private Europe and EU-29), the festival offers a platform reflections on Europe and for discussion on its future. In addition, Thomas Bellinck's exhibition Domo de Europa Historio en Ekzilo will travel from Brussels to Rotterdam. 

Festival director Rutger Wolfson on The State of Europe
'The historical project of the European unification has lost much of its luster. Peace and prosperity, the two main forces that have driven Europe, are still relevant today but feel worn out. Politicians seem unable to convey a convincing alternative future perspective and many citizens are angry, disillusioned or have lost interest completely.

Film can make European identity and ideas visible and recognizable for large audiences. It offers numerous starting points to freshly explore European culture, at a safe distance from any top-down political agenda, either pro or con Europe. With three thematic film programs, IFFR explores different topics relevant in Europe today, such as immigration, (cultural) identity and personal living conditions. Together they give an insight into what unites and what divides Europe. In doing so IFFR aims to look for answers and future perspectives, together with film makers and the audience, there where politics seem to fail.'

The State of Europe: Grand Tour
The films in The State of Europe: Grand Tour take you on a journey of cinematic Europe, showing its diversity, traditions, past, present and future. Parts of the grand puzzle that is Europe, many of the films in this sidebar are highlights of European cinema from the past year. Grand Tour includes award-winning Sacro GRA by Gianfranco Rosi, the first Tiger Teaser. This first ever documentary to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival depicts life along the Grande Raccordo Anulare, the ring-road highway that circles Rome. The series is curated by IFFR programmer Gerwin Tamsma.

The State of Europe: My Own Private Europe
My Own Private Europe aims to rediscover Europe through highly personal and sometimes very intimate points of view, showing how filmmakers experience living in today's Europe. These films, brought together by IFFR programmer Evgeny Gusyatinski, try to capture the personal notion of 'a European identity'. The Portuguese first-person essay What Now? Remind Me by Joaquim Pintois a great example. The film shows a year in Pinto's life, struggling with treatment for HIV and hepatitis C, creating a sensitive portrait of his work and a unique snapshot Europe.

The State of Europe: EU-29
Europe has become a Union of no less than 28 states, but not every person fits in these states or feels at home. Not everyone is welcome or expected to stay. Many people - and as a consequence many films - don't really belong to the EU-28. For them an imaginary 29th state was created by IFFR programmer Gertjan Zuilhof: a country of immigration and moving cinema. This sidebar includes Claire Simon's Gare du Nord, a love story between a young Algerian sociologist and an elegant French history professor set against the backdrop of this bustling Paris train station, meeting point for the French, the immigrants, the emigrants, and the travellers from all over the world.

Domo de Europa Historio en Ekzilo exhibition
The exhibition Domo de Europa Historio en Ekzilo travels to Rotterdam. In this exhibition, artist Thomas Bellinck shows us how we will look back on Europe in fifity years time. Set in a private museum in 2063, the exhibition looks back on life in the then former European Union. It was a remarkable era, characterised by Integration and Harmonisation, blessed by the Long Peace, overshadowed by the Great Recession. Back when national borders were blurred and people everywhere used a single currency called the 'euro'. Back when Brussels, not Warsaw, lay at the beating heart of the old continent. Produced by KVS (Royal Flemish Theatre), Domo de Europa Historio en Ekzilo was on show in Brussels earlier this year.

Destination: Europe
An online project by French artist Diane Rabreau, who travels Europe to answer questions about what at first sight seem insignificant locations. Read more.

Dutch producers Volya Films and Waterland Film have been selected for Hubert Bals Fund Plus in fall 2013. Each receives a grant of €50,000 from the Netherlands Film Fund for co-producing a Hubert Bals Fund-supported film. Volya Films co-produces Big Father, Small Father (Vietnam), and Waterland Film co-produces Women of the Weeping River (the Philippines).

Big Father, Small Father is the second film by Phan Dang Di (1976, Vietnam), whose debut film Bi, Don’t Be Afraid premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Big Father, Small Father is the story of a group of friends struggling to survive in the overpopulated city of Saigon during the Asian economic crisis of the 1990s. The film is produced by Vblock Media (Vietnam) and co-produced by Acrobat Films (France) and Dutch company Volya Films. Phan Dang Di received a script and project development grant for this film from the Hubert Bals Fund in 2011.

Women of the Weeping River is Sheron Dayoc’s (1981, the Philippines) second feature film, for which he received a HBF script and project development grant earlier this year. HIs first film Ways of the Sea premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. Women of the Weeping River recounts the tale of two women attempting to put an end to the blood vengeance cycle in which their families are trapped, as a result of a long-standing dispute about land ownership on the Philippine island of Mindanao. The film is produced by Southern Lantern Studios (the Philippines) and co-produced by Hautlesmains Production (France), Mogador Films (Germany), and Dutch company Waterland Film.

Now in its eighth year, the successful Hubert Bals Fund Plus programme of the Netherlands Film Fund and International Film Festival Rotterdam gets Dutch producers involved in HBF-supported, international co-productions.

Earlier this year, Dutch companies Circe Films and Fortuna Films were selected for Hubert Bals Fund Plus. Circe Film co-produces the film Rey by Niles Atallah (Chile), and Fortuna Films co-produces La última tierra, the debut film by Pablo Lamar (Paraguay).

More information:

www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com

www.filmfonds.nl

Sundance Institute today announced that the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, which took place in Park City, Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah in January, generated an overall economic impact of close to $70 million for the State of Utah, according to the independent annual economic and demographic study conducted by the University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the David Eccles School of Business (BEBR).

The Economic Report, posted in full on the Sundance Institute website, also found that the 2013 Festival: supported over 1,407 jobs; generated over $56.8 million in international media exposure; provided nearly $5.8 million in tax revenue; and was attended by nearly 46,000 people. More than 65 percent of festival attendees traveled from outside of Utah, including nearly 4,000 visitors from international locations, and more than 40 percent of tourist attendees indicated that they intend to visit Utah again during the next year.

Over the last five years, Sundance Institute, through its annual Sundance Film Festival, has brought in more than $375.6 million dollars in economic activity, $21.9 million dollars in tax revenue, supported more than 8,224 jobs and attracted more than 219,987 festival attendees.  Over the last ten years, the Sundance Film Festival has generated in excess of one-half billion dollars in economic activity for Utah. The Festival is the state’s largest annual international event, bolstering tourism and attracting worldwide media attention.

Laurie Hopkins Co-Managing Director of Sundance Institute, said, “Sundance Institute is proud to be a leading example of how investing in the arts can create jobs, boost tourism and support local businesses as well as provide a cultural experience for residents.   The more than $375 million in economic value that the Sundance Film Festival has brought to the state of Utah over the past five years demonstrates how the arts can support a local economy in a big way.”

“Utah is truly proud to be the official Sundance Film Festival host state. The Festival not only promotes tourism and educational opportunities for local schools, it provides consistent economic value annually," said Governor Gary R. Herbert. “Our collaboration with Sundance Institute also allows a unique opportunity to network with worldwide business leaders and highlight Utah as a great place to do business.”

Sarah Pearce Co-Managing Director of Sundance Institute, said, “The Sundance Film Festival continues to be a collaborative community effort that showcases Utah to the world and promotes the best in independent film. We are pleased to work with so many local volunteers, vendors and partners to make this event a success and bring $70 million to the State of Utah.”

Over 13,000 Utah residents participated in 2013 Sundance Film Festival Utah Community programming. Notable events at the 2013 Festival included the annual Salt Lake Gala, attended by Governor Herbert, legislators and community leaders. In the Governor’s welcoming remarks, he commented on the value of hosting the Festival in Utah, as evidenced by its cultural and economic impact on the state. Sundance Film Festival offers two high school student screening programs that reached a combined 8000 students.  The programs bring together students and filmmakers for screenings and discussions on the art of storytelling and an array of social and cultural issues.  Over 500 Utah based non-profit and community leaders attended the Festival via the Institute’s complimentary Outreach Tickets. The Festival also welcomed Hill Air Force Base for a special screening at Ogden’s Egyptian Theatre. Upon the conclusion of the Festival, many Utah locals attended Best of Fest, free public screenings of the Festival’s award-winning films.

Business Exposure for the State of Utah 
During the 2013 Festival, Zions Bank and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development hosted two networking events targeting CEOs and other top-level executives in the fields of technology, finance, sports and more who visit Utah specifically to attend the Festival: Utah Business Ambassadors and the fifth annual Sundance Institute Business + Technology Connection. Attendees represented companies including Oracle, Adobe, Expedia, HP, Hilton Hotels and Microsoft. Keynote speakers included Governor Gary R. Herbert; Scott Anderson, President and CEO of Zions First National Bank; Ben Lewis, director of Google and the World Brain; and Jerusha Hess, director of Austenland.

Building Audiences at Home and Abroad
Between the announcement of the film program in late November 2012 through wrap-up articles in February 2013, Sundance Institute and the 2013 Festival generated more than 31,100 print and online articles. From January 15 to February 15, 2013, the Festival generated 11,900 television pieces. In total, publicity value from the Festival totaled more than $56.8 million.

Over 900 registered press from 16 countries attended the Festival, including Australia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Macedonia, Kosovo, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan, Russia and Venezuela.

Sundance Institute’s social media and website content strategy continues to expand to reach new audiences across the world to inspire dialogue and raise awareness for independent film. The Institute’s website, Sundance.org, had unique visitors from 218 countries. Top countries outside the United States included the United Kingdom, Canada, France and Germany. In addition, the Festival now has over 1 million fans and followers across Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest and Google+ platforms.

Economic Report Methodology
The Economic Report findings were generated using an economic impact model known as RIMS II, developed by the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis. The economic impact study measures the impact of the Sundance Film Festival on jobs, wages, and value-added (or gross state product) on the state of Utah during a two-week period in January 2013. It also provides an estimate of the fiscal impacts that result from the increased economic activity generated by the Festival during the study period. Fiscal impacts refer to the effects of the Festival on state and local tax collections.

Estimating the economic impact of the 2013 Festival was a two-part process. The first phase of the study estimated the economic impacts of direct expenditures made by the Institute to produce the Festival. The second phase estimated the impacts of spending by Festival attendees.

University of Utah Bureau of Economic and Business Research
Established in 1932, the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) is an applied research center in the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah. BEBR’s mission is to conduct and support research related to the structure of the Utah economy, its resources, and its potential for expansion. Since its inception, BEBR has been a primary source of information on the Utah economy. BEBR’s professional staff gathers and analyzes data specific to both Utah and the Rocky Mountain Region to identify those factors which influence the state’s economic growth.

The Sundance Film Festival® 
A program of the non-profit Sundance Institute®, the Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most ground-breaking films of the past two decades, including sex, lies, and videotape, Maria Full of Grace, The Cove, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Inconvenient Truth,Precious, Trouble the Water, and Napoleon Dynamite, and through its New Frontier initiative, has showcased the cinematic works of media artists including Isaac Julien, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Matthew Barney. The 2013 Sundance Film Festival® sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors – HP, Acura, Sundance Channel and Chase Sapphire PreferredSM; Leadership Sponsors – DIRECTV, Entertainment Weekly, FOCUS FORWARD, a partnership between GE and CINELAN, Southwest Airlines, Sprint and YouTube; Sustaining Sponsors – Adobe, Canada Goose, Canon U.S.A., Inc., CÎROC Ultra Premium Vodka, FilterForGood®, a partnership between Brita® and Nalgene®, Hilton HHonors and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Intel Corporation, L'Oréal Paris, Recycled Paper Greetings, Stella Artois® and Time Warner Inc. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations will defray costs associated with the 10-day Festival and the nonprofit Sundance Institute's year-round programs for independent film and theatre artists.www.sundance.org/festival

Sundance Institute® 
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a global, nonprofit cultural organization dedicated to nurturing artistic expression in film and theater, and to supporting intercultural dialogue between artists and audiences. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to unite, inform and inspire, regardless of geo-political, social, religious or cultural differences. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival and its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, Light in the Piazza andAngels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Sundance Institute brings Utah residents a year-round series of events that best represents the Institute’s spectrum of artist programs. Free community events feature screenings, musical performances and discussions from recent and past Institute Alumni in conjunction with local community collaborators. Sundance Institute gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Principal Sponsor Zions Bank, and Community Supporters, Promontory Foundation, Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City Arts Council , Salt Lake County Economic Development, Salt Lake County Zap Tax Tier II, and Summit County RAP Tax.

The Sundance Film Festival® 
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2014, the Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most groundbreaking films of the past three decades, including Beasts of the Southern Wild, Fruitvale Station, Little Miss Sunshine, An Education, sex, lies, and videotape, Reservoir Dogs,The Cove, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Inconvenient Truth, Precious, and Napoleon Dynamite, and through its New Frontier initiative, has showcased the cinematic works of media artists including Isaac Julien, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Matthew Barney. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The Festival is a program of the non-profit Sundance Institute®. www.sundance.org/festival