Leicester, Vermont… The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF), set for its inaugural event on August 27-30, 2015, has launched its website and film submissions process. The website, www.middfilmfest.org, contains a wide array of information including the Festival’s purpose and its commitment to new filmmakers, a video message from festival Artistic Director Jay Craven, specific details for submitting a film, an opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation, and a guide to buying Festival passes and opening night tickets.
Dedicated solely to the work of first or second time filmmakers, MNFF will open its window for submitting films on January 15th and keep it open until June 15th. With 60 slots available at the August festival, MNFF hopes to draw films from around the world. Features and short films are welcome across a wide variety of genres: narrative drama or comedy, documentary, animation or experimental. Three festival winners in each of the feature-length and short film sections will have their films tour, with MNFF support, for screenings in each of the six New England states.
The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival is working with Withoutabox, a division of IMDB, to facilitate the film submission process. Withoutabox is a conduit for festivals worldwide to market their events to more than 300,000 international filmmakers and writers. MNFF encourages new filmmakers to register with Withoutabox if they are not already a member – and to visit the MNFF listing on Withoutabox for submission criteria, general rules and terms and conditions. A link to the Withoutabox site is also located on the Festival website.
“We are excited to see the pieces steadily coming together,” said Festival producer, Lloyd Komesar. “With the website now launched and the submissions process opening next week, we are officially on the map as a go-to place for first or second time filmmakers. The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival is working to create a level playing field for the exhibition and consideration of these filmmakers.”
About The Festival
The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival will celebrate the work of emerging voices in filmmaking. MNFF’s emphasis will be entirely on filmmakers who have created, within the past 24 months, either their first or second full-length feature film or first or second short film. All genres are welcome – including narrative, documentary, animation and experimental. MNFF is committed to offering exposure throughout New England to new filmmakers; to give audiences an opportunity to discover fresh and engaging talent; and to give filmmakers a chance to be discovered in a setting that is all about their work.
The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival is being produced by recently retired Disney film and television senior executive Lloyd Komesar and curated by award-winning filmmaker, impresario, and Marlboro College film studies professor Jay Craven.