Belgium
Participating filmmakers around the world began receiving official selection notices from the International Peace & Film Festival over the weekend of November 18-20, 2017. Selectees must now send in their films for the screening competition, scheduled for January 18-20, 2018 in Orlando, Florida.
The categories in the festival, offered a wider range of competitive opportunities for world filmmakers, including students to gain more exposure for their work. Sub classes were added to distinguish between short and full length documentaries as well as separating music videos from shorts and commercials.
“The idea of adding categories, offers a better chance for a filmmaker to be recognized for their specific genre. Grouping them in a class such as shorts, where most compete regardless of the direction is unfair because we’re comparing a three minute music video against a twenty minute short film, so we split things up to balance the competition out,” said Jef Gray, IPFF Festival Director and Founder.
Filmmakers from almost 40 countries participated in the call for submissions this year with over 130 films in the first round of screenings. Official selections are now being added to the “Trailer Wall” on the festival website, click here to see more.
The 2018 trailers are also available on the festival YouTube channel, for those films that included a trailer in the submission. Playlist below:
Held annually in Orlando, Florida, IPFF is a not so typical film festival where cultural exchange on an international level is promoted heavily, including attendance from diplomatic influencers and world filmmakers. The non political climate of the event creates a comfortable space for all to enjoy the art, music and talent of the competition. At the conclusion of the festival, an awards night called “Izuminka” kicks off, combining a fashion expo featuring beauty and national costumes with awards for the best filmmakers.
Visit the official website for the International Peace & Film Festival for complete details.
Matthew Toffolo of FestivalReviews.com sat down with Jef Gray, Founder and Director of the International Peace & Film Festival. A portion of the interview is below, with the entire article available at FestivalReviews.com
Jef Gray
IPFF Director
The International Peace & Film Festival (IPFF) combines the excitement of independent film with the goodwill of cultural exchange. The impact of blending a peace and film festival brings numerous benefits to audiences through the diversity of talent in cinematic art, fashion, performance and diplomatic representation. IPFF is held annually in Orlando, Florida and features screenings of selected films, an expo of local vendors, fashion show of national costumes and awards for top filmmakers.
Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?
Jef Gray: We’re very devoted to the filmmaker experience in the festival, we use modern facilities, attract cultural and business crowds and give as much flexibility as possible to filmmakers to accommodate their schedules and travel constraints. We also host a large awards ceremony to recognize the cinematic achievements of both film and content.
What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2017)?
Our festival occurs in January 2018, and will be in an IMAX level theater, complete with lounge, bar, and enhanced dining menu’s. We are hoping to make it free to the public to draw larger crowds and incorporate vendor booths and a national costume fashion show, Called ‘Izuminka’, during the awards ceremony.
What are the qualifications for the selected films?
We are a peace festival at heart, so films with a base in culture, ecology, quality of life or the human journey are ideal. We only accept digital submissions through FilmFreeway.com as that platform is easier to manage. We have the typical genres of narrative, documentary, shorts, students and video. We’ve had fantastic stories from humor to intense drama screened, but we draw the line on themes that are too political, special interest, or violent.
Do you think that some films really don’t get a fair shake from film festivals? And if so, why?
Absolutely, Yes! The idea of independent film should focus on the undiscovered or up and coming filmmakers, in my opinion. Yet there are studio backed indy films with multi-million dollar budgets competing with entry level filmmakers? That creates a tremendous divide where the beginner cannot get their craft in front of audiences, while a studio ‘uses’ the festivals to build market share. I feel it violates the idea of the beginner artist trying to make his or her mark.
What motivates you and your team to do this festival?
Simply, the love of film and culture. An international film festival is like a crash course in diplomacy, awareness of world issues and amazing talent without borders. Each event creates amazing friendships that last long after the crowds go home.
How has your FilmFreeway submission process been?
Awesome, they make it so easy for us. I looked around when I first began trying to set up the submission platform, and their system is the best.
Where do you see the festival by 2020?
Ideally, running for a week, rather than 3-4 days, more sponsors to support longer knowledge sharing sessions and a venue where international cuisine can be incorporated. I’d also like to add more international performing and visual arts in the program. Definitely have the Festival Channel in full throttle on Roku/Amazon.
What film have you seen the most times in your life?
The Fifth Element, it’s a family favorite that is quoted way too much at home ?
In one sentence, what makes a great film?
A great film is a journey that leaves you inspired in such a way that you have a new perspective at the end.
Continue Reading at FestivalReviews.com
Submissions continue to come in as the 2018 festival season approaches. The submission process continues through November 3, 2017. During the judging and selection process, tasks are underway to prepare the theater for the festival, including the Izuminka Fashion Expo which occurs during the award ceremony. Additionally, recommendations for lodging, transportation and visa support letters will be released on the official website at www.peacefestival.us
United States 28
Iran 13
United Kingdom 8
India 7
Not Specified 5
Italy 5
Uzbekistan 4
Thailand 3
Russian Federation 3
Poland 3
Belgium 2
| Category | Percentage | Entries |
|---|---|---|
| Shorts (Narrative and Documentary) >30 Minutes | 37.1% | 46 |
| International Narrative Feature | 16.1% | 20 |
| Student Shorts -Less than 30 Minutes | 14.5% | 18 |
| Short Documentary- Less than 15 Minutes | 12.1% | 15 |
| Music Video -Under 6 Minutes | 8.1% | 10 |
| International Documentary Feature | 4.8% | 6 |
| Trailers/Commercials | 4.8% | 6 |
| Student Films under 50 minutes | 2.4% | 3 |
What to expect:
– Selection announcements via press release with film details on PeaceFestival.us
– Screenings in a modern recently constructed theater.
– Mixers and receptions for attending filmmakers and VIP guests.
– Off-site adventures in the surrounding Orlando tourism districts.
– Awards ceremony + Izuminka : Euro Fashion Show w/ International Costumes and Performances
The synergy in the peace and film climate will be unlike any other festival as it brings creativity and art together with a purpose for all humankind. Plans include screenings of selected films from over 80 countries, an awards program that includes the Izuminka Euro Fashion Expo with national costumes, mixers, after parties and sponsor opportunities to connect with the audiences.
**No waivers or sponsorships are available**
Films are selected based on their fit with the festival theme of peace and creativity.
Notice: If your film contains excessive violence, harsh language or frequent nudity, please reconsider your submission as all transactions are final without refund. Exceptions can be made, at the judge’s discretion regarding the length of films or their content. The decision of the judges is final and not open to negotiation.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
· International Narrative – Less than 120 minutes
· International Documentary less than 60 minutes
· Short Documentary – Less than 15 Minutes
· Shorts (Narrative and Documentary) Less than 30 Minutes
· Student Shorts – Less than 30 Minutes
· Student Films under 50 minutes
· Music Video – Less than 6 minutes
· Trailer/Commercial – Less than 10 minutes
AWARDS
IPFF offers several awards during the festival season including Ambassador of Peace, Avant Garde, Enlightenment, Essence, Rising Star, Best Screenplay, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and numerous Judges Choice awards. Awards are established to highlight notable individuals in film and diplomacy.
Prize amounts will be announced based on sponsorship and support for the festival.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for consideration:
• Entrants must fully comply with these Entry Rules & Regulations, including all deadlines, film length, entry material and other requirements as stated above.
• Non-English language works must have English subtitles at the time submitted. Dialogue lists will not be accepted.
ENTRY MATERIALS*
All entries must include the following:
1. An online official “Entry Form” properly completed.
2. An online digital entry from FIlmFreeway.com or web link, including password if needed, to an online store of the film.
-If you fail to provide a viewing password to access your film, it will be skipped and dropped from the competition.
3. Note: It is Entrant’s sole responsibility to ensure all ENTRY MATERIALS arrive at the IPFF shipping destination within the deadline window selected by Entrant. Films submitted for the EARLY or OFFICIAL deadline must arrive in our offices no later than 5 weeks from the postmark date. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission, without refund of any kind, which does not arrive at the IPFF shipping destination within the deadline window selected by Entrant. Up to 5 weeks after the applicable submission window deadline, Entrants may email [email protected] to find out if the Festival received the submission.
*Entry materials will not be returned and will be destroyed or discarded by the Festival.
MULTIPLE ENTRIES
Each entered film must be submitted online or on its own DVD(s) and accompanied by its own completed “Entry Form”; please do not send a compilation DVD composed of works for separate entries.
IF YOUR WORK IS SELECTED
If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by the Festival:
1. You must execute a release agreement wherein you (i) accept responsibility for obtaining any and all clearances necessary to exhibit your film at IPFF; (ii) warrant that you have the rights necessary to exhibit your film at IPFF; and (iii) indemnify and hold harmless the International Peace & Film Festival, Aurous Publishing, its management partners, its affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising out of exhibition of your film at IPFF.
2. You must deliver to the address(es) designated by the Festival
(i) one exhibition copy of the invited work; (online via FilmFreeway.com is preferred)
(ii) a second exhibition copy, if your film is in competition (to accommodate juror screenings); and
(iii) additional exhibition copies, if requested by the Festival (to allow for multiple screenings at more than one venue). We recommend you ship via courier in order to permit the tracking of your entry once it leaves your hands.
o All exhibition copies must be delivered in DVD format.
3. You must provide a properly completed and signed official IPFF “Film Information Form” including all press and publication assets as specified in the “Materials Checklist”.
4. You must provide at least one DVD copy of the final, completed film for Festival archives and internal purposes (online submission is preferred).
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