MEDIA RELEASE
One of MovieMaker Magazine’s “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee†and “25 Coolest Film Festivalsâ€, Big Island Film Festival (BIFF) 2012 is now accepting entries for the May 24-28 events at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and The Shops at Mauna Lani.
A celebration of narrative filmmaking, BIFF 2012 includes screenings, social events and networking opportunities, celebrity receptions, screenwriting workshop and a closing night “Best of the Fest†with a top Hawaiian music concert and movies chosen from Festival entries.
Last year’s celebrity honorees included Hawaii actresses Kristina Anapau (“Black Swan,†“True Bloodâ€) and Sarah Wayne Callies (“Prison Break,†“The Walking Deadâ€).
Deadlines. Narrative short films (30 minutes or less) and feature length (60 minutes or more) completed after Jan. 1, 2010 will be considered.
Deadlines are:
* Early Bird – Nov. 1, 2011. Early Bird Entry Fees: $50 Feature, $40 Short, $30 Student
* Regular – Jan. 1, 2012. Regular Entry Fees: $60 Feature, $50 Short, $35 Student
* Late/Final Feb. 1, 2012. Late Entry Fees: $70 Feature, $60 Short, $40 Student
All films shot in Hawaii or created by filmmakers who live in Hawaii receive a 25 percent discount on entry fees (verification required).
BIFF 2012’s “Golden Honu†will be awarded to the Best Feature and Best Short in Family, Student, Animated, Foreign, Hawaii and Audience Choice categories at a special Awards Brunch to honor the filmmakers and their works Monday, May 28.
Numerous alumni films have won awards at prestigious film festivals around the world, and achieved commercial success in the industry.
BIFF 2011 Best Foreign Film “The Drummond Will†has been acquired by House Lights Media Partners for Theatrical and Non-Theatrical North American distribution.
Audience Choice 2011, the made-in-Hawaii comedy “Get A Jobâ€, was screened in Spain during the Marbella Film Festival and has enjoyed a successful festival circuit release, as have “The Dead Insideâ€, “Uncle Melvin’s Apartment†and numerous other BIFF alumni film projects.
“Lunatics, Lovers, and Poets†(BIFF 2009) was distributed in 10 states through Carmike Cinemas, and by North American Home Entertainment DVD contract with Seminal Films.
“Remarkable Power†starring Kevin Nealon (2009 BIFF Best Feature) was released through most cable outlets as a PPV title before DVD release.
“Two Tickets to Paradise†(BIFF 2008), and “Rain in the Mountains†and “Sixes and the One-Eyed King†(BIFF 2007) have been released on DVD.
“We are extremely grateful and very excited to be working on the seventh annual Big Island Film Festival with our resort partners at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and The Shops at Mauna Lani. There aren’t too many places more beautiful and inspiring — than here under the stars and the tropical palm trees — to watch your film and enjoy the company of fellow artists from all over the world,’†said Executive Director Leo Sears.
“With our new dates over the Memorial Day holiday, we’re hoping filmmakers and film-lovers will start a new Memorial Weekend tradition, come join us, relax, and enjoy meeting fellow artists and appreciative audiences,†Sears said.
The Big Island “Talk Story†Film Festival is a celebration of narrative filmmaking, with free family films under the stars at The Shops at Mauna Lani, international features and shorts screened days and evenings at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, stellar social events, celebrity receptions, screenwriting workshops, film awards and much more in an outstanding island setting.
For submission rules and application visit www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com
For further information call 883-0394
BIFF – Thanks for the shout out, if you would be interested in having us attend the BIFF as an industry presence, let us know and we’ll see if we can schedule.
Best,
Sandy Moore
SVP, House Lights Media