15th Annual Austin Film Festival Announces Call for Entries for Film & Screenplay Competitions
Official selections will be showcased during 8 day event October 16-23
AUSTIN, Texas – March 14, 2008 – Calling all screenwriters and filmmakers – the 15th Annual Austin Film Festival is now accepting entries for all film, screenplay, and teleplay competitions. Eligible film entries in Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Narrative Student Short, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, or Animated Short categories can now be submitted directly online at the official Austin Film Festival website www.austinfilmfestival.com/new/film. Eligible screenplay/teleplay entries in Drama, Comedy or Sitcom categories can be submitted along with an entry form available at www.austinfilmfestival.com/new/screenplay. The 2008 Austin Film Festival will be held October 16-23 with screenings in and around downtown Austin, Texas.
2008 POSTMARKED DEADLINES
SCREENPLAY: May 15 (Early), June 1 (Late)
TELEPLAY: June 1
FILM: June 1 (Early), July 1 (Late), July 15 (Very Late)
About Film Competition
Selected films are eligible in competition to receive a Jury Award, which is presented to the writers of the winning films on October 18, 2008 at the Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon. Films are also in consideration for an Audience Award, announced one week following the Festival.
"I truly believe that whatever success we have with our film will be a result of all that warm Austin support that gave the film some legs." – Vanessa Roth, The Third Monday in October, Documentary Feature Audience Award Winner
Last year AFF screened over 175 films from over 9 countries. Past attendees of the festival have included Oliver Stone, Robert Altman, Wes Anderson, Harold Ramis, John Milius, Jason Reitman, Terry George, Diablo Cody, Judd Apatow and many more.
About Screenplay Competition
Entrants to the screenplay competition who advance to semi-finalist or above will be invited to attend private roundtable sessions with selected panelists during the festival and be included in the Producer’s Book, which is distributed to competition judges and other interested industry parties. Prizes for the Drama & Comedy categories include $5000 cash, reimbursement of travel and lodging, and the AFF Bronze Typewriter Award. Screenplay competition entries in the Drama or Comedy categories are also given the option to be considered for the Latitude Productions Award and Sci-Fi Award, which offer $2500 cash, reimbursement of travel and lodging and the AFF Bronze Typewriter award.
This teleplay competition is open to spec scripts for any network or cable television show that is currently in production (shows on hiatus due to the WGA strike are still eligible). Winners of the Drama and Sitcom categories receive $1000 cash, reimbursement of travel and lodging, and the AFF Bronze Typewriter Award.
"By being 'on the ground' at the Festival, I made a number of important contacts that I brought home with me. I sold my first screenplay four months after the Festival (to Dreamworks), and the credibility and contacts I gained in Austin were instrumental in that." - Matt Lopez, Screenplay Competition Finalist
“Entering the Austin Film Festival brought a lot of attention to my work from all the right people.” – Sean Minogue, Screenplay Competition Finalist
For additional information on the 15th Annual Austin Film Festival competitions, including entry forms, submission fees and rules contact Jesse Trussell by e-mail at jesse@austinfilmfestival.com for film inquiries or Alex McPhail by e-mail at alex@austinfilmfestival.com for screenplay/teleplay inquiries. Information is also available by calling the Austin Film Festival offices at 1-800-310-FEST (3378), visiting the official website at www.austinfilmfestival.com, or by regular mail at 1145 W. 5th Street, Ste. 210, Austin, TX 78703.
About Austin Film Festival
Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television and new media. The AFF champions the work of aspiring and established writers and filmmakers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships.
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CONTACT:
Jesse Trussell – Film Competition – jesse@austinfilmfestival.com
Alex McPhail – Screenplay Competition – alex@austinfilmfestival.com
Austin Film Festival
512-478-4795 (P)
512-478-6205 (F)
www.austinfilmfestival.com
