Blog: Film festivals

Annual Festival for amateur short films.

Each Spring, a selection of 30 to 60 films is presented.

Recently recognized as a "Must-See Event" by THE BOSTON GLOBE, the Collinsville Film Festival (CFF) is an annual film festival devoted to the theatrical exhibition of fiction/non-fiction cinema with a focus of support and development for independent artists.

Stationed in the picturesque Northwest region of Connecticut along the Farmington River, Collinsville was once the birthplace of the world-renowned ax factory & manufacturer of edge tools. The space is now home to antique sellers, studio artists and woodworkers. Recognized as one of the “Top 10 Coolest Small Towns in America,” Collinsville will welcome filmmakers for a three-day celebration of films, music and art.

Established by filmmakers, the CFF welcomes amateur, student, and professional filmmakers with warm hospitality and gorgeous surroundings. Participating filmmakers at CFF enjoy hotel accommodations, discounted tickets for attending cast and crew, discounts at local restaurants, bars and access to all events/parties.

Submit your film today & join us in Collinsville!

The CFF welcomes amateur, student, and professional filmmakers with warm hospitality and gorgeous surroundings. Participating filmmakers at CFF enjoy hotel accommodations, discounted tickets for attending cast and crew, discounts at local restaurants, bars and access to all events/parties.

MISSION

Imperfectu. International Film and Gender Studies Festival, creates reflections based on film, diverse artistic and academic proposals, individual and organizational experiences, and social movements, in order to generate an interdisciplinary analysis that impacts commonly widespread approaches to gender.

WHAT IS IMPERFECTU?

With the word “imperfectu” we give new value to the concept of imperfection, against the overvalued concept of perfection. The ending “-tu” avoids the use of spanish language gender morpheme (imperfecto/imperfecta) in the adjective of the noun “imperfection”, while referring to the spanish pronoun “tú” (you) in order to intervene in the relationship with those who read us, alluding them/you in the word: Imperfectu. This play on words then continues and extends between English and Spanish: I’m perfect u, Imperfect u, or I’m perfectu. “Imperfectu” is a proposed adjective that seeks to identify those who have been positioned outside the norm because they somehow transgress the binary system of sex, gender, and heteronormativity.

Imperfectu. International Film and Gender Studies Festival explores, through film, art, and gender studies, the infinite possibilities that the fields of sex, gender, and sexuality offer us, questioning the convictions to which the standardized system of gender and sexual normativity limit us.

The festival implements an analysis and multiple reflections that affect the representations commonly disseminated with respect to gender. The proposal defends the diversity of identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations, while encompassing varied and alternative feminisms.

Imperfectu was born in the city of Tijuana the first days of April 2014 with the idea of consolidating an annual meeting with local, national, and international representation, by the end of July 2015 it returns with a second edition, and in 2016 travels to Mexico City for its third edition.

In 2017, the fourth edition will be held in Tijuana, Mexico, from November 16 to the 18. This edition of Imperfectu will have as its central axis the relationship between Body, Science, and Technology. The objective is to bring interested audiences a programing that showcases cinema that has been and is being made surrounding various topics, such as: postgenderism, cyberfeminism, cyborg anthropology, disability and transhumanism, the intersex body and medicine, the transgender body and medicine, gender / sexuality and robots, the future of contraceptive methods, eugenics, girls / young women and new technologies, queer/cyborg identity and aesthetics, rejuvenation technology, and immortality.

For more information, please visit our website: www.imperfectu.com

Thank you for considering our festival for your film!

We are looking for the best features, shorts, docs and animation we can find to present in San Francisco. For 26 years SF IndieFest has developed a great reputation for eclectic, adventurous programming, getting great press for our films and filling theaters with enthusiastic film fans. Dozens of festivals and distributors have requested and received industry accreditation to view SF IndieFest titles at our festivals over the years.

Top 50 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee
25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World

“I’m certainly happy that IndieFest exists, because it is a celebration of films that don’t necessarily get distributed widely,” HITS director David Cross says, “I’m happy to be a part of it with my film, which is very much in the category of a low-budget, little indie movie. I’m glad there’s a place for it.” – SF Chronicle

“Sundance may have sold out, but SF IndieFest keeps it real” – Annie Lo, Flavorpill

“While the Bay Area is flush with festivals, this one remains an under-the-radar standout.” – Randy Myers, San Jose Mercury News

“The San Francisco Independent Film Festival, the Bay Area’s version of Slamdance, provides a showcase for edgy cinematic work — and a great excuse to do some serious partying.” – David Lewis, San Francisco Chronicle

"The movie business is in a perennial state of constant tension between ambition and collaboration, joyful inventiveness and jaw-dropping paydays. This roiling undercurrent, usually invisible to the public, gushes to the surface in the run-up to the Academy Awards ceremony. There is an antidote, however, to Hollywood’s annual backslapathon: SF IndieFest. The San Francisco Independent Film Festival is a beacon to anybody excited by the basic impulse of making movies. In its heart of hearts, IndieFest is a celebration of the minor miracle of finishing a film and getting it up on a screen in front of a live audience." - Michael Fox, KQED

“For many independent filmmakers, festivals such as SF Indiefest—aka the San Francisco Independent Film Festival–are the only way to bring their works before an audience. For filmgoers, SF Indiefest is the place to see original cinematic works created by directors who want to tell edgy stories which come from their hearts and souls. While some have bemoaned the death of cinema, the curators and filmmakers at SF Indiefest are keeping the craft of film alive.” – David Elijah Nahmod, SF SOUNDS

“SF IndieFest is the one festival of the year where you should throw a dart at the program and take a chance. Not because you’re guaranteed a masterpiece, but because it’s the best fest to see something that would never, ever breach your filter otherwise.” -Michael Fox, KQED


PRESS COVERAGE
Press Coverage for past year's festivals: https://sfindie.com/press-coverage

FILMMAKER COMMENTS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

"Hey Jeff: Just want to shoot you a quick note of thanks on hosting us at IndieFest and giving us our World Premiere. We had a great time and really enjoyed our time at the fest and in SF; it's a great vibe and the diversity of features and shorts in the program made for a really exciting and energized atmosphere. "- Max Gardner, Go/Don't Go

"Festivals bring unexpected benefits. Festivals are essential for brand creation. Premiering at Tribeca was enough to convince people to at least listen to me, but surprisingly it was the San Francisco Indie Fest that was just as crucial for our theatrical release. Our press from this festival helped convince the Red Vic to book us in April (I thank the amazing S.F. publicist Karen Larsen for convincing me of this in advance). We also incorporated festivals into our broader theatrical release, and while we did not claim them as cities in our 17-city count, they helped give us something to crow about."

http://www.filmmakermagazine.com/fall2008/bomb_it.php

"I've got to tell you that Indiefest was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I tell all filmmakers - and festival organizer friends of mine - how you run your fest and how you run each film twice. Every single time people look at me with shocked disbelief. Truly, Bonnie and I loved being a part of the event.
Thanks again for including us. SF Indiefest really made me feel that making YEAR was worth the whole effort.
Best-MIKE CARROLL"

"We LOVED San Francisco, meeting other filmmakers, seeing their films, participating in your screenplay panel and of course our awesome sold-out screening. You have one of the most engaged, passionate cinephile audiences I’ve ever seen at a film fest — they were incredible." - Warren Sonoda, THINGS I DO FOR MONEY, IndieFest 2020

"You have a great and engaging festival and one that draws on extremely passionate indie film audiences you are rabid for amazing content for which you definitely provide in bunches! You support of us and our film is greatly appreciated and we hope we are privileged To be welcomed back again in the future!" - Avi F.

"Thanks for these amazing photos (kudos on composition, lighting, and hyping up the crowd - what a great gift to filmmakers!). A million thanks to you both for pulling off an amazing event. We love the ethos of SF IndieFest and we're so honored to have participated. Thanks for your dedication to uplifting local filmmakers and for putting our all-female team (and our unexpected and important story) in the spotlight. Looking forward to seeing and working with you both again in the future!!" - Leslie Tai, How To Have An American Baby

"Thank you for a wonderful experience. The festival was a blast, the people so kind, the films inspiring, and great vibes all around. I'll be back to catch more films in the coming days." - Kerry Muir, Madame

"Thank you so much for having us and all that you and SF IndieFest do to champion independent film." - Anna Moot-Levin, Matter of Mind

"Thank you all for such a fun festival! You all really did a wonderful job all around and we were honored and grateful to be a part of it!" - Liz McBee, Finding Lucinda

SF IndieFest is a founding member of the FILM FESTIVAL ALLIANCE

Established in 2012 as a quarterly screening series in Toronto, Canada, Shorts That Are Not Pants is now a festival weekend held each November.

We've screened more than 350 films from 41 countries so far, and we're looking for more undiscovered gems to show our shorts-savvy Toronto audiences. Members of our programming team have experience working for some of the biggest and best festivals in the world (TIFF, Sundance, Hot Docs, Cannes) and travel to festivals around the world seeking out the best films and the brightest filmmakers to support.

Your submission will be evaluated by our team and if chosen, will screen at our festival in November 2020. We have eight years of great programming experience behind us, with lots of audience momentum.

See some of the nice things filmmakers have said about us here: http://www.shortsnotpants.com/testimonials/

Berliner Fenster and Seoul Metro in cooperation with SESIFF (Seoul) present:

From the 7th September until 22th 2015 Berliner Fenster and Seoul Metro in cooperation with SESIFF (Seoul) will run the 12th International Short Film Festival for 'Ultra Shorts' in Berlin's and Seoul´s underground trains. On over 6,100 monitors in Berlin and Seoul subways, 2.7 million passengers turn into an underground movie audience for two weeks, and can vote for their favorite of the 26 films.

ANTOFACINE, the Antofagasta International Film Festival, is a gathering instance for national and international filmmakers; based on this premise we would like to contribute to:

● Promoting fiction, nonfiction and animations films as tools for cultural and social transformation and to benefit all of Antofagasta Region residents.

● Fostering the development of audiovisual projects in the region and country, supporting the creation of a professional space in order to promote local, national and international audiovisual works; contributing to audience formation and generating a gathering point in Antofagasta for the necessary interaction of all relevant agents of the audiovisual industry.

The 12 version of the Antofagasta International Film Festival, ANTOFACINE 2023 will be held from November 14 to 18, in the city of Antofagasta and other places of the region.

A STEP TOWARD THE OSCARS
for FOX, NBC, CBS and Authority Magazine.

REVIEWS
"My favorite festival" Alex Proyas (I Robot, The Crow, Dark City)

"Other nominees included already famous people! It really was an honor to be nominated alongside such great nominees" Lisa Hurel.

“I truly cannot say enough good things about the Paris Art and Movie Awards. My experience with this event was easily the best and rewarding” - Ev Duran.

"One of the most organized and professionally run festivals I've been to! The official selections were of a high standard and the networking was incredible" - Jami Ramberan.

"One of the best festival experiences I've had. Magnifique!" Warren Paul Glover.

"The Fisherman's Diary" won twice at the PAMA in 2020, and is now selected to the 2021 , to represent its country.

"Game Changer" won an, his director Aviv Mano then worked on Disney’s COCO and TOY STORY 4 (2018).

"The Wishgranter" won an, an EMMY AWARD, and a (2016).

"Legacy of Lies" is distributed by Lionsgate (2020).

"Sgt Stubby", an unlikely hero, got a distribution deal at (2018).

"Curpigeon" got selected to, won the AMAZON VIDEO DIRECT Film Festival Stars (2016).

"Whisper" screened at FILMQUEST (2015).

"None of That" was STAFF PICK by (2015).
through the years included:

- John Lunn, 2 times Prime Time Emmy Award Winner, composer of "Downton Abbey"
- Monica Cruz, "Un Paso Adelante"
- Olivia Sandusky, journalist, NBC
- Mark Dacascos, actor, "John Wick III"
- Samuel Arnold, actor, "Emily in Paris"
- Patrick Fabian, actor, Emmy Award Nominee “Better Caul Saul"
- Claire Kopsky, Emmy Award-winning Journalist, CBS
- Jamie Campbell, producer, "Sex Education"
- Cindy Mollo, Eddie Award Winner, 4 time Emmy nominee, editor for "Ozark"
- Rena Owen, actress, "Star Wars Ep II" & "ep. III"
- Fola Evans-Akingbola, actress, "The Night Agent", "Siren", "Game of Thrones'
- Michelle Tesoro, SXSW winner, Eddie Award Winner, editor, "The Queen’s Gambit"
- Paz de la Huerta, actress, Boardwalk Empire
- Brent Huff, director & actor "The Rookie", 'The Rookie Feds", 'The West Wing"
- Max Markson -rep. A. Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, JCVD...
- Cole Sibus, actor "Stumptown', Olympic Gold Medal Athlete
- Mina Sundwall, actress, Netflix’s “Lost in Space”, DC’s “Legends of Tomorrow”

Our line up included through the years: Kirsten Dunst, Sam Rockwell, Vladimir Cosma, Kristanna Loken, Mark Dacascos, Caterina Murino, Andrew J. West, Hugo Becker, Jansen Panettiere, Leslie Bibb, Melanie et Alain Doutey, Macarena Gomez, French Prime Minister Edith Cresson, French Minister Frederic Lefebvre, Emma Bell...


We celebrate filmmakers and we focus on the humans making the movies : each director/attendee gets to talk about his movie.

You meet new audience, screen and show your latest work, connect with fellow professionals, share your passion with screenings and special events all over the city, including red carpets, movie premieres, parties, filmmaker’s networking, numerous Q&A's, international spotlights, industry talks and masterclasses, art performances and exhibitions, live music…


AN INDEPENDENT MOVIE FESTIVAL WITH
- Awards
- Photocall
- Artistic Recognition
- Networking
- award ceremony

Founded in 2002, Yogyakarta, Festival Film Dokumenter (FFD) is the first documentary film festival in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, focusing on the development of documentary film as a medium of expression and ecosystem of knowledge, through exhibition, education, and archiving.

Setting forth the notion born in a light conversation between a group of youngsters, it sought to explore the raw potential in Indonesia’s cinema: the documentary medium. Certain traits differentiate documentary films from other audiovisual products, a significant place as a media that educates, reflective, transcends time and space.
Amidst the strong current of the mass media, documentary films hold its own role as independent, aspirational media.

In its annual celebration every December, Festival Film Dokumenter always try to observe certain social issues as its focus, as well as creating a bridge between documentary filmmakers, professional filmmakers, and the general audiences, on the purpose of improving the quality and quantity of Indonesia documentary films.

The Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival is launching its 9th annual celebration of bringing strong, independent documentary films and filmmakers to West Sonoma County. Screening 71 films in 4 days during the 2015 festival, with over 90 filmmakers and guests in attendance, we had another incredible weekend of films and intense documentary discussion. 2016 is already shaping up to be another great festival. Our next festival will be held March 17-20, 2016. Twice named "One of the Coolest Film Festivals" by MovieMaker Magazine and chosen by the readers of the North Bay Bohemian as the Best Film Festival in Sonoma County for the third year in a row, we look forward to continuing to bring the best films, and their filmmakers, in the world to Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival. Please join us!

The San Pedro International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the diverse culture and community of San Pedro with a wide spectrum of independent film, documentaries, and shorts. SPIFF is committed to exhibiting films that embody inspiring entertainment for all. Works that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the intent that these films enlighten audiences while providing invaluable exposure for filmmakers, local and international.

In our first year, we had the first Los Angeles screening of Silver Linings Playbook. In our second year we hosted Ernie LaPointe, Sitting Bull's Great Grandson. In 2015 we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of The Usual Suspects with director Bryan Singer. We also had two short films either win or be nominated for an Academy Award! In 2017 we hosted the 30th Anniversary of Friday the 13th with director Sean S. Cunningham. We are very excited about our seventh year!

Prolific American writer and poet Charles Bukowski called San Pedro home for 15 years. Some of DW Griffith’s early short films were shot in San Pedro. These days you’re more likely to find film crews for NCIS, Mad Men, and Dexter. Other films shot in San Pedro include ‘King Kong’, ‘Chinatown’, ‘Point Break’, ‘Silence of the Lambs’, ‘The Usual Suspects’, ‘Pearl Harbor’, ‘Titanic’, ‘500 Days of Summer’, and a ton more. SPIFF is thrilled to present our 5th edition in a city with such a rich film history.

ABOUT FESTIVAL

Initiated by Istanbul University Faculty of Law - ‘The International Crime and Punishment Film Festival’ will be held between the dates of 16-22 October 2015 in Istanbul.

Festival aims to draw attention to the relationship between cinema and justice within an international organization and is considered to be unique as it will be held for the very first time in the world. During the Festival, approximately 100 films – amongst which are feature films, documentary and short films- will meet the audience.

The Festival will screen the latest movies of acclaimed film-makers as well as recent independent and examples from both Turkish and World Cinema. During the festival, panel discussions on cinema and justice, exhibitions, workshops and concerts will take place in addition to the movie screenings.

The Anima-Sao - International Animation Festival in São Gonçalo is produced by Studio Alexandre Martins.

The 2015 edition will take place at the Teacher´s Faculty by the UERJ - Rio de Janeiro State University. Teacher Faculty - UERJ

Competitive Exhibition of recent films and videos selected by special committee formed by representatives of the Brazilian cultural sector;

Awards shows with unique competitive trophy "Lollipop Yellow";

Shows graphic arts production drawings-animated national purpose of bringing the public the process of creation and development animation;

Show animations selected by specially commissioned for display in open area and popular themes;

Lectures by professionals from the Animation Cinema - animators, producers, voice actors, writers, etc..

"Colosseum" - Session of animators - professionals, amateurs, students etc - in a relaxed meeting.

The parallel places in the municipality of São Gonçalo .

Official program

Sessions: "School",, "Balaio", "Papagoiaba", "childish" and "Adult"
Colosseum (with special guest lecture)
Debate tables (with two guests and a mediator)
Workshops techniques (2D animation, and pixilation estoriborde)

Parallel Programming

Circus Session (display 50 'in public places of the city)
Exhibits unique arts films in theaters and other

Only for Spanish filmmakers

The Elche Film Festival, organized by Mediterraneo Foundation's main objective is to offer a cultural space to filmmakers and moviegoers.

In a constant commitment to the promotion of culture and supporting emerging values of cinema, focusing on innovation, public conversation with the authors and the elimination of technological compete when barriers and vote.

The Reel Youth Film Festival is a touring festival of the world's best youth-made short films. Chosen by a youth selection panel, it is a diverse collection that includes all genres, celebrates youth culture, and showcases a new generation of film makers.

The festival kicks off annually at the Vancouver International Film Festival (Canada) and goes on to tour in partnership with screening partners across Canada and around the world. Overall winners are determined by cumulative audience votes.

The eighth edition of Ventana Oscura, will take place on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 October 2016 at the Forum of FNAC Callao within the events of the Madrid Gothic Week VIII. During the event the selected works will be screened, and this event, only a sample and in no case a competitive contest.

Films of any genre, length and format with human rights themes.

"Toronto After Dark is a fabulous launching pad for independent genre film" - John Landis, Director/Writer/Producer (AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, BLUES BROTHERS, SOME GUY WHO KILLS PEOPLE)

Toronto After Dark Film Festival is one of the world’s leading showcases of new horror, sci-fi, action and cult films. Entering its celebratory 10th Year in 2015, the critically acclaimed annual event spotlights thrilling new feature films and shorts from around the world. Last year’s festival was attended by over 11,000 enthusiastic film fans and over 200 members of press and industry, resulting in an unprecedented over 500 published reviews for its film selections and a number of distribution deals for filmmakers. As well as the screenings, festivalgoers also look forward to the lively Q&A's with filmmakers, as well as Pub After Dark, our popular nightly social event where fans get to hang out with the filmmakers! In a poll of local filmgoers, Toronto After Dark was also voted Runner-Up for Best Film Festival in the City.

Following last year’s record-breaking success, for its next edition, Toronto After Dark runs for nine thrilling nights, October 15-23, 2015. We look forward to your entry and participation in this year's exciting 10th Annual Toronto After Dark: Horror, Sci-Fi, Action & Cult Film Festival!

WHAT FILMMAKERS & PRESS SAY ABOUT US

"Great films and a great time, Toronto After Dark is a can’t miss event!" - AIN'T IT COOL NEWS

"An amazing atmosphere and great energy! The fans at Toronto After Dark are the best." - Eli Roth, Producer/Actor/Writer (INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, THE LAST EXORCISM, CABIN FEVER, HOSTEL, GRINDHOUSE)

“Toronto After Dark is a really cool event, run by a dedicated group of hardcore fans, that celebrate genre cinema." - BLOODY-DISGUSTING

“A festival with great taste, I love Toronto After Dark! It is an event close to my heart.”
- Simon Pegg, Writer/Actor (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ, STAR TREK, A FANTASTIC FEAR OF EVERYTHING)

Toronto After Dark is an epicenter for genre fans across the globe." - MOVIE MAKER

"Well organized, friendly, and relaxed, you can’t go wrong with this festival." - FANGORIA

WHAT WE OFFER FILMMAKERS

"The people responsible for Toronto After Dark have given me nothing but positive support and assistance with my film.” - Steven Kostanski, Short Filmmaker

If your submitted film is selected for screening at the 2015 Toronto After Dark Film Festival, here is what you can expect from us:

- EXCELLENT PRESENTATION: Toronto After Dark takes pride in screening all films with the very best projection and sound equipment available.

- EXTENSIVE PROMOTION of your film as part of our massive two month festival marketing campaign that involves print, cinema, web, social media and street marketing. We also create excellent film profile pages on our festival website to showcase each film to the general public in the best possible light.

- A WELL-ATTENDED SCREENING: Our festival has become world-famous for its packed, enthusiastic audiences, with typically over 400 fans in attendance at every screening. These fans create fantastic word of mouth for the films they see.

- MASSIVE PRESS COVERAGE: Very few festivals in the world come close to Toronto After Dark when it comes to generating publicity for independent genre films, both feature films and shorts. Given our status as one of the world's top genre film festivals, over 100 press and industry members cover our event annually including the Hollywood trade press and most importantly we encourage them to cover our short films too.

Outlets Toronto After Dark and its film selections have been featured in include: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Ain’t It Cool News, Bloody-Disgusting, Twitch Film, Coming Soon.Net, Fangoria, Rue Morgue, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Filmmaker Magazine, and the SPACE Channel. Last year we were delighted to set a new record for editorial coverage, with over 500 published feature film reviews and short film reviews at the festival.

- EXPOSURE BEYOND OUR FESTIVAL: We like to tell filmmakers, that at Toronto After Dark your film is not just programmed, it is adopted. You can rest assured, if selected that our experienced festival team will do all that it can to make sure that your film's journey to finding the perfect audience wider than just our festival. is a successful one!

- HELP WITH DISTRIBUTION: Most recently Hollywood has also been taking notice of our festival with trade press coverage. Toronto After Dark has a number of high profile contacts that we can share with you if you are selected by our event, and seeking distribution domestically or internationally. A number of our official selections have gone on to find distribution deals following the buzz surrounding their screenings at Toronto After Dark.

ALL SUBMITTING FILMMAKERS CAN EXPECT

- A FAIR AND FULL PRE-SCREENING of your film: we don't pre-guarantee a program slot to any filmmaker, regardless of their relationship with the festival. Our programming department watches every single film that it is submitted, before making our final selections.

WANT MORE INFO ON TORONTO AFTER DARK?

You can find out more about our film festival, on a special page we have created for Filmmakers here:
http://bit.ly/tad15-filmmakers-about-us