MEDIA RELEASE
Big Island Film Festival is accepting film entry submissions through Feb. 1, 2014.
Acclaimed as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s “Coolest Film Festivals,†the popular event series for filmmakers and film lovers takes place May 22-26, 2014 at The Fairmont Orchid Hawaii.
Specializing in narrative filmmaking, the “talk story film festival†includes multi-location screenings, social events and networking opportunities, celebrity receptions, screenwriting workshops and more.
A closing night “Best of the Fest†features a top Hawaiian music concert and movies chosen by our audience from Festival entries.
Last year’s celebrity honorees included Vincent Kartheiser, “Pete Campbell†on the award-winning drama “Mad Men,†and Kate McKinnon, featured player on the legendary “Saturday Night Live.â€
Deadlines
Narrative short films (30 minutes or less) and feature length (60 minutes or more) completed after Jan. 1, 2013 will be considered.
Early Bird Deadline – Nov. 1, 2013. Early Bird Entry Fees: $50 Feature, $40 Short, $30 Student
Regular Deadline – Jan. 1, 2014. Regular Entry Fees: $60 Feature, $50 Short, $35 Student
Late/Final Deadline: Feb. 1, 2014. 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).
Awards
“Golden Honu Awards†will be presented 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 on Monday, May 26, 2014.
Numerous alumni films have won awards at prestigious film festivals around the world, and achieved commercial success in the industry.
Success stories
Last year’s feature winner “Chasing Shakespeare†starring Danny Glover and Graham Greene continues to win acclaim at international film festivals, including AFI Cannes World Peace Initiative.
The animated made-in-Hawaii film “Strange Frame†is also enjoying success on DVD and filmmakers are creatively organizing the island’s first sci-fi convention, Hawaiicon, next fall.
2012 films “Searching for Sonnyâ€, “Qwertyâ€, “The Italian Key†and numerous others have enjoyed success on film festival circuits, as have 2011’s “The Dead Insideâ€, “Uncle Melvin’s Apartment†and numerous other BIFF alumni film projects.
The comedy “Get A Job,†by Maui filmmaker Brian Kohne was screened in Spain during the Marbella Film Festival and numerous other festivals around the world, and has been released on DVD.
Kohne and Malama Pono Productions are working on a new film, “Kuleana,†slated for production in 2014.
“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.
“Our resort partnership has been win-win from day one, and we are extremely proud to be taking the Big Island Film Festival at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii into its ninth year,†Executive Director Leo Sears said. “We’ve watched filmmakers grow and mature into accomplished artists. We’ve seen technology coming within reach of more and younger filmmakers. We have mainstream celebrities, Hawaiian entertainers and chefs contacting us to offer their support and participation. We’ve reached a new level, and it gets better every year.â€
The Big Island Film Festival at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is a celebration of narrative filmmaking, with free family films under the stars, international features and shorts, stellar social events, celebrity receptions, screenwriting workshops, film awards and much more in an outstanding island setting.
Anchor sponsors include: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority / county Department of Research and Development CPEP, Redeeming Light International Inc. and many other sponsors and supporters.
For submission rules and application, visit: www.BigIslandFilmFestival.com
For further information call 808-883-0394.
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