The Australian International Film Festival Calls for Entries

[Australian International]

Aron Ping D’Souza, Executive Director of the Australian International Film
Festival, calls for entries in the nation’s most prestigious film and new
media competition.

The Australian International Film Festival (AIFF) www.aiff.com.au is now
calling for entries and seeks any combination of inventive, bold, incisive,
innovative and otherwise provocative work of any style or genre. Films exploring
the limits of technology and representation are particularly encouraged to
submit. The festival will be held in October 2006 in Melbourne, Australia.

The AIFF is Australia's only truly international film competition, offering
Australia's most diverse and dynamic market. The competition and associated
screenings are widely covered in the national and international print, television
and digital media. Held at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image - ACMI
- a world first, state-of-the-art facility featuring the world’s most advanced
projection facilities, located at the iconic Federation Square in the cultural
heart of Melbourne. The competition is judged by an international panel of
distinguished film critics, producers, directors and academics. The festival
culminates in a presentation of the Golden Spotlight awards ceremony and
a star-studded after-party. The Festival prides itself on treating traditional
and new media equally.

New Media refers to the latest form of mass communication developed by society.
In years past it was radio, television, cable, satellite, digital TV and
DVD. Today, the AIFF is the first international film festival to call for
entries of video blogs. Additionally, the festival seeks entries in a variety
of digital formats from memory chip-submitted works to flash animation. This
year's New Technology and Innovation Award is for the most innovative use
of SMS (text messaging) as a narrative device in filmmaking.

The Festival’s highest honour, the Golden Spotlight, is awarded to one feature
and one short film or new media work which the Festival’s distinguished jury
singles out for acclaim. This internationally coveted award has the power
to propel an independent artist to world standing.

The jury may single out exceptional works of its choosing and offer the prestigious
silver spotlight or a special citation.

The Silver Spotlight Awards
Best Australian Film
Best International Film
Best Director
Best Debut Feature
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Editing Award
Best Cinematography

Special Citations
Best Student Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Multicultural
Most Innovative
Best Ensemble Direction
Best Human Rights Award
Audience Award
Best Commercial Marketability
Most Likely to Succeed
Best Overseas Market


Jury Award for New Media
Best Mobile Phone Short Film
Best Memory-chip Submitted Work
Best Video Blog (Vblog) Short Film
Best Flash Animation
Best Film Under 100kb
Best New Technology & Innovation

Entry Deadlines
30 July 2006 (Final)
31 March 2006 (Early Bird)

Screening Formats
The festival encourages diverse and unique screening formats. Works completed
on 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, High Definition Video and Standard definition video
can be submitted. Entry is open to new media works that are of a linear nature
(ex. Non-interactive). Digital media works must be converted to one of these
formats. If this is not possible, please contact the festival directly to
discuss options for screening.

More information about the festival and electronic submission may be done
at www.aiff.com.au

You can contact the festival at http://www.aiff.com.au/index.php?option ... t&Itemid=3

The festival can be contacted via phone on:
Melbourne, Australia Head Office +61 3 9029 1932
Beverly Hills, California Branch +1 (310) 598-8416
Toll Free in the USA and Canada +1 (888) 257-3902
London, United Kingdom Branch +44 (0)20 8002 9707

[Ian Gardner]

"Australian International Film Festival" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Aron Ping D’Souza, Executive Director of the Australian International Film
Festival, calls for entries in the nation’s most prestigious film and new
media competition.

The Australian International Film Festival (AIFF) www.aiff.com.au

Entry Deadlines
30 July 2006 (Final)
31 March 2006 (Early Bird)

Screening Formats
The festival encourages diverse and unique screening formats. Works completed
on 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, High Definition Video and Standard definition video
can be submitted. Entry is open to new media works that are of a linear
nature
(ex. Non-interactive). Digital media works must be converted to one of these
formats. If this is not possible, please contact the festival directly to
discuss options for screening.

More information about the festival and electronic submission may be done
at www.aiff.com.au

I may have this wrong, so forgive me if I get the wrong end of the stick

but...........
I won`t be able to put my films onto 70mm, 35mm, 16mm or HD. So I am left
with standard Video! GREAT!!!!!!!! All these modern formats, but We are left
with Standard Video to put our Digital films on!! NOT VERY `The lastest and
Prestigious` is it. I`m not going to put my work onto Standard VHS! How 1970`s!

Can we put our films onto DV minitape. Or at least, the lower quality of
DVD as it is?

Ian (in the 20th Centuary now!)Gardner

[Dave Watterson]

"Ian Gardner" <ian@gardner44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

Can we put our films onto DV minitape. Or at least, the lower quality of
DVD as it is?

Yes.

The AIFF accepts VHS or DVD copies for their selection/judging process and
can screen almost any other format at the festival including DVCam and MiniDV.
But the entry fees as 75A$=£32 (60A$ if you apply early)

Mind you to learn those things you have to fight through a striking but slow-loading
intro video on their website, then work through until you download the pdf
entry form.

This festival looks as if it is for those who want a career in the film industry.

Now why don't our friends in the Aussie Amateur movement get together and
set up "The Other Aussie International Film Festival" for non-commercial
film makers?

Dave

[Ian Gardner]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

"Ian Gardner" <ian@gardner44.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
Can we put our films onto DV minitape. Or at least, the lower quality
of
DVD as it is?

Yes.

The AIFF accepts VHS or DVD copies for their selection/judging process and
can screen almost any other format at the festival including DVCam and MiniDV.
But the entry fees as 75A$=£32 (60A$ if you apply early)

If you want me to be honest (and I alway am, then) STUFF THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I`m not paying 32 QUID to enter a film into a comp. The IAC`s was bad enougth
seeing i`m used to paying Ziltch at my local video club! 32 pounds! Ha not
in a million years unless I was a profesional and had a budget of a few grand,
with film cameras to match. I know equipment isn`t everything and a really
low budget film can win but it is very rare and you also would have to be
confident that your film would do well.

Mind you to learn those things you have to fight through a striking but
slow-loading
intro video on their website, then work through until you download the pdf
entry form.

Well in some countries, their broadband is 100 times faster then our own.
We think 1meg is fast!

Now why don't our friends in the Aussie Amateur movement get together and
set up "The Other Aussie International Film Festival" for non-commercial
film makers?

Maybe they think there little film festival is better then everyone elses.
Ours may be low budget (and our films) but I bet you that ours are better
made and have a better story.
Remember also that all the Ausie stock came from our bad blood and all were
convicts!!! (ouch!)

Ian (being a bit rebellious) Gardner

[Alessandro Machi]

What about Super-8 films?

Can they be submitted on DVD?

[Dave Watterson]

"Alessandro Machi" <alex@super-8mm.com> wrote:

What about Super-8 films? Can they be submitted on DVD?

They don't mention film gauges below 16mm so I guess they are not expecting
standard-8mm, super-8mm or 9.5mm entries.

You should ask them. Head to http://www.aiff.com.au/index.php?option ... t&Itemid=3
and type in the question.

Basically this is a professional film festival aimed at people with much
higher budgets than most of us amateurs.

Dave

P.S. Fraught - thanks for the good news that another series of the great
'Green Wing' is on its way!

[Ian Gardner]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

"Alessandro Machi" <alex@super-8mm.com> wrote:

What about Super-8 films? Can they be submitted on DVD?

They don't mention film gauges below 16mm so I guess they are not expecting
standard-8mm, super-8mm or 9.5mm entries.

You should ask them. Head to http://www.aiff.com.au/index.php?option ... t&Itemid=3
and type in the question.

Basically this is a professional film festival aimed at people with much
higher budgets than most of us amateurs.

Dave

P.S. Fraught - thanks for the good news that another series of the great
'Green Wing' is on its way!

Someone please mention `Stargate`, Stargate: Atlantis` and `Battlestar Galacter`,

as well please.
If your colourblind. Does the `Green Wing` become `Grey Wing?`

See yer,
Ian (in a sarkey mood)Gardner

[Ned C]

I am interested in people's experience entering the "professional" Festivals.
I entered two last year, Santa Fe and Victoria, Canada, both quite expensive
and requiring in adition to the entry a "press pack" and stills. The only
reason I know they received my entry was by the alacrity with which they
paid in the checks. Otherwise , NOTHING, SILENCE, no acknowledgement of receipt,
no list of entries or winners circulated to the entrants. You and I are just
financial fodder for these Festivals, I will not be wasting my money on any
more. Any one else experience?

Ned C

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:


Basically this is a professional film festival aimed at people with much
higher budgets than most of us amateurs.

Dave

[Ian Gardner]

"Ned C" <neddy@fred.com> wrote:

I am interested in people's experience entering the "professional" Festivals.
I entered two last year, Santa Fe and Victoria, Canada, both quite expensive
and requiring in adition to the entry a "press pack" and stills. The only
reason I know they received my entry was by the alacrity with which they
paid in the checks. Otherwise , NOTHING, SILENCE, no acknowledgement of
receipt,
no list of entries or winners circulated to the entrants. You and I are
just
financial fodder for these Festivals, I will not be wasting my money on
any
more. Any one else experience?

Ned C

No, but................
I wonder how much it would cost to put a film into the Cannes Film Festival!
Any one know?

I another thread on here. Wasn`t it about £50s to enter a film in the Australian
film Fes!? I`ll think i`ll wait untill I get lots of money and hire Hugh
Grant to act in one of my Blockbusters. I know sometimes `these stars` do
theatre cheap sometimes. I wonder if they would act in a low lifes film like
mine!

Ian Gardner

[Dave Watterson]

"Ned C" <neddy@fred.com> wrote:

I am interested in people's experience entering the "professional" Festivals.

I contacted Filippo Lubiato in Switzerland about this since I know he has
entered both his own work and that of the group Clip Club from Berne in various
festivals. He replied:

"www.wbff.org (NY Brooklyn Festival) I paid 50 Dollars for each entry without
getting into the festival. This happened twice. But this is not really boring
(except for the money). I got answers from the festivals and every thing
was looking good.

www.worldfest.org (Housten Texas) is also expensive, but a really big festival
and the information is good. As I sent two films "Amazing Grace and "The
Hunt for the Miracle" and I had brief contact with the festival officer and
entered in the official programme which had 200 films from more than 2000
or 3000 entries. I also got a nice big diploma.

www.chrisawards.org in Ohio is more an educating film festival. I paid not
very much and the information was good. I got diplomas because I entered
with 2 of 3 films in the best of.

Only from AMMA I got really an unlucky opinion. Films of members were awarded;
this was so obviously that I took this organisation from my festival list."

I know Ned will disagree with the last item! I also know from previous correspondence
that Filippo was very touched and pleased that the AMMA team had revised
some of his English subtitles, much improving them. He is far from being
the ungrateful so-and-so that this sounds like. Bear in mind that his English
is not great and certainly not subtle!

Dave

[Ned C]

Just to clear up any confusion here, I am President of AMPS (the American
Motion Picture Society) and last year Filippo won three awards in our Festival
and the revision of the subtitles was done by Alberto Kniepkamp of AMPS.


AMMA (Amateur Movie makers of America) is a completely separate organisation
with its own Festival and judging that has no connection with AMPS other
than the joint membership of UNICA and shared convention.

Ned C


"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

Only from AMMA I got really an unlucky opinion. Films of members were awarded;
this was so obviously that I took this organisation from my festival list."

I know Ned will disagree with the last item! I also know from previous correspondence
that Filippo was very touched and pleased that the AMMA team had revised
some of his English subtitles, much improving them. He is far from being
the ungrateful so-and-so that this sounds like. Bear in mind that his English
is not great and certainly not subtle!

Dave

[Dave Watterson]

"Ned C" <ned@ampsvideo.com> wrote:

Just to clear up any confusion here, I am President of AMPS (the American
Motion Picture Society) and last year Filippo won three awards in our Festival
and the revision of the subtitles was done by Alberto Kniepkamp of AMPS.


AMMA (Amateur Movie makers of America) is a completely separate organisation
with its own Festival and judging that has no connection with AMPS other
than the joint membership of UNICA and shared convention.

DOH! Sorry Ned and all ... I was writing while half asleep. I really do
know the difference between AMMA and AMPS.

Now "amps", "watts" and "AGAs" ...


Dave Dozy