BIFF: The Indie Filmmakers BFF
The [Brooklyn International Film Festival] is looking for submissions for its 11th edition, whose typically quizzical theme appears to be Newnergy (does that mean submissions should be new and energetic, related to new kinds of energy or so creative that they need new words like newnergy to describe them? You decide).
The red carpet wont be rolled out until late May (the festival runs from May 30th to June 8th at various locations throughout Brooklyn), but the festivals early deadline for submissions is November 30 (the final deadline is May 15, but those who wait will have to pay a $50 fee instead of the $30 entry fee for the early deadline). Any film that has not been released theatrically or broadcast can be submitted to one of five categories: narrative feature, narrative short, documentary, animation and experimental.
With its stated mission of encouraging independent cinema in a competitive festival atmosphere, all the while promoting Brooklyn as a film haven, the BIFF is an excellent opportunity for home-grown talent to find that elusive distribution deal and for local artists and cinephiles to come into contact with an impressive slate of international participants. And there is some loot to be had too: last years prizes added up to $85,000.
For complete rules and submission guidelines, [click here].