News: Cindependent Film Festival Partners with Cincy Stories for Award Exclusively for High School Filmmakers
The Cindependent Film Festival and Cincy Stories have joined forces to create a new opportunity for budding filmmakers with the “Cincy Story Award” to be presented on August 26, 2018.
Cincy Stories is dedicated to building community through story and has found a unique opportunity in CFF to spread that message by recognizing a high school student film that will be presented at CFF. The award will be announced from nominated films at the Awards Brunch following the festival. The winner will work directly with Cincy Stories within the next year to develop and produce a unique film with guidance and resources from Cincy Stories.
To be considered for the award, submissions must be:
-submitted/produced by a filmmaker in high school or graduating high school in 2018
-a programmed short film at the Cindependent Film Festival
-available for film production in Ohio upon receiving the award (winner not required to be an Ohio resident)
There are no restrictions on subject or genre, but submissions must specifically indicate in the profile that the film was produced by a high school student. Submissions must be made through FilmFreeway and will be judged based on creativity, contact and execution.
The first annual Cindependent Film Festival is currently taking submissions for original short films, feature-length films, and screenplays of any genre. Works can be submitted here though July 3rd. Official Selections will be announced on Cindependence Day, July 4th, 2018.
In addition to being a part of over 35 hours of screenings and filmmaker events over three days, August 23-25 in downtown Cincinnati, visiting filmmakers can participate in a Cincinnati Brewery and City Tour early on August 22 for a chance to take in the Queen City’s beer history. On August 26, an awards ceremony will be held to celebrate the best of the fest with a select number of awards distributing monetary prizes. Filmmakers have an opportunity to interact with the audience during Q&As following each screening. There will be live entertainment at multiple after parties along with second screenings for filmmakers in the VIP lounge.
“Cincinnati is alive with cinematic opportunity. We are positioned to develop into a filmmaker-focused annual event to attract cinematic talent and showcase Cincy as a pulsing, friendly city,” says Cindependent Film Festival Creative Director Allyson West. “Consider us ‘undiscovered.’ We’re here waiting for you to explore Cincinnati’s creative potential!”
The festival is developing sponsorship for two nights of lodging per accepted film to attend the event. Festival attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended. For more details on the submission process go here.
The Cindependent Film Festival is presented by CIFF, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a home for independent filmmaking in Cincinnati, Ohio. CIFF strives to bring professional resources to filmmakers so as to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit of filmmaking. CIFF will provide community camaraderie, drawing filmmakers from around Ohio, the US, and the world, educating the community in the art and craft of filmmaking.