Miami International Film Festival, Produced and Presented by Miami Dade College, Announces Call for Entries for 2011 Edition
The premier showcase for Ibero-American cinema in the U.S. will award more than $50,000 USD in cash and symbolic prizes in major categories
Miami, August 31, 2010 – Organizers of the Miami International Film Festival, produced and presented by Miami Dade College, are now accepting official entries for the 28th edition of the beloved event. Considered the top venue in the U.S. for emerging Ibero-American cinema, the Festival seeks the latest works by debut, emerging and veteran filmmakers for various competition and non-competition categories and genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental cinema and Florida-centric stories. The Festival, which runs March 4-13, 2011, will conclude with the prestigious Awards Night ceremony planned for Miami’s historic Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.
“These are challenging times for artists—funding for independent films is scarce all over the world and distribution agreements are harder to secure,” explains Jaie Laplante, the Festival’s new executive director, “which is exactly why Miami will continue to support new cinematic creations, as an artistic outlet for filmmakers and a passport to cultural escape for audiences.”
The regular submission deadline is Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, and the late submission deadline is Monday, Oct. 25, 2010. To qualify, all films must have been completed after March 2010 and may not be scheduled for theatrical release or commercial broadcast in the U.S. before MIFF 2011.
Competition categories include: World, Ibero-American, DOX and Shorts. Non-competition categories include Cinema 360º, Gusman Galas and Cutting the Edge.
Cash prizes totaling $50,000 USD will be awarded by the Festival’s long-time, esteemed partner, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in the World, Ibero-American and Dox competitions. Miami Dade College will present $2,500 USD to the makers of the Festival’s top short film. Grand Jury Prize winners from MIFF 2010 were: Lola by Brillante Mendoza (World); To the Sea (Alamar) by Pedro González-Rubio (Ibero-American); Sins of My Father (Pecados de mi padre) by Nicolas Entel (DOX); Believe by Paul Wright (Shorts); and, Pepperminta by Pipilotti Rist (Cutting the Edge).
One film in the World Competition will receive the FIPRESCI Prize, the top honor from the Munich-based International Federation of Film Critics; 2010 honors went to Judge (Tou Xi) by Liu Jie.
MIFF 2011 SUBMISSION FEES & GUIDELINES
Regular deadline: Monday, Sept. 27 (postmark date)
Submission fees: Features and documentaries: $40 USD. Shorts: $30 USD.
Late deadline: Monday, Oct. 25 (postmark date)
Submission fees: Features and documentaries: $50 USD. Shorts: $35 USD.
Accepted exhibition formats: Beta SP, DigiBeta, HDCam
Submission forms: The official submission form via Without a Box and additional information are available at www.miff2020.wpengine.com. For more information, call 305-237-FILM.
Competition categories include:
World (Running time: 70 minutes or more)
A selection of the latest features created by up-and-coming filmmakers from across the globe who will have their U.S. Premiere* at MIFF 2011. Films are eligible for a $20,000 USD Knight Grand Jury Prize, a FIPRESCI Prize, and a MIFF Audience Award. Open to all directors.
Ibero-American (Running time: 70 minutes or more)
This inspiring competition, for first-, second- and third-time directors only, features dramatic works from Latin America, Spain and Portugal. Films must be a U.S. Premiere* at MIFF 2011 and are eligible for a $20,000 USD Knight Grand Jury Prize and a MIFF Audience Award.
DOX (Running time: 50 minutes or more)
Engaging and thought-provoking feature-length documentaries created by international filmmakers that examine social issues, diverse cultures, icons and/or inspiring people. Films must be a U.S. Premiere* at MIFF 2011 and are eligible for a $10,000 USD Knight Grand Jury Prize and a MIFF Audience Award. Open to all directors.
Shorts (Running time: 20 minutes maximum)
Drama, comedy, experimental, animation, documentary and other genres will compete in this rich and exciting selection. Shorts are eligible for a $2,500 USD Grand Jury Prize. Open to all directors.
Cutting the Edge (Running time: 50 minutes or more)
This section showcases provocative and stirring feature-length visual experiences guaranteed to test limits and take viewers to the extreme. Offers a symbolic Grand Jury Prize. Open to all directors.
* Exceptions may be made for Sundance Film Festival and AFI Fest (but not both).
Non-competition categories include:
Cinema 360° (Running times: Features: 70 min. or more. Documentaries: 50 min. or more)
Amazing works from both masters and up-and-coming filmmakers are showcased in this vibrant array of feature and documentary films from around the world. This category includes an international selection of dramas, poignant biographies, innovative docudramas, neo westerns, comedies and groundbreaking documentaries. Open to all directors.
Gusman Galas (Running time: 50 minutes or more)
Films from world-renowned directors and emerging filmmakers are showcased at the historic Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and given red carpet treatment. By invitation only.
A special Florida Focus section will be announced in September.
The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), celebrating its 28th edition on March 4-13, 2011, is considered the preeminent Ibero-American film festival in the U.S. The annual Festival, produced and presented by Miami Dade College, attracts more than 70,000 audience members and more than 400 filmmakers, producers, talent and industry professionals. In fact, it is the only major festival housed within a college or university. In the last five years, the Festival has screened films from more than 60 countries, including 300 East Coast, U.S. and World Premieres. Because of MIFF programs, such as Miami Encuentros, and a special focus on Ibero-American cinema, the Miami International Film Festival has become the natural gateway for the discovery of Ibero-American talent. Additionally, the Festival offers unparalleled educational opportunities to filmmakers and the community at large, including the REEL Education Seminar Series, and the World Issues / World Films outreach program. For more, visit www.miff2020.wpengine.com or call 305-237-MIFF (3456).
Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including The Miami Book Fair International, the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, the Cultura del Lobo performance series, The Cuban Cinema Series, nine visual arts galleries including The Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College and the School of Entertainment and Design Technology, in addition to the renowned Miami International Film Festival. MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is nationally recognized for many of its academic and cultural programs. With an enrollment of more than 170,000 students, MDC is the nation’s top producer of degrees. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer nearly 300 distinct degree programs including several baccalaureate degrees.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. The Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote informed, engaged communities and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.
Media-only contacts: Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director Tere Estorino, 305-237-3949, testorin@mdc.edu, MDC media relations director Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu, media specialist Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu MIFF Media Contact: Tatyana Chiocchetti – tatyana@miamifilmfestival.com
– See more at: http://www.miff2020.wpengine.com/press/pr_miff_announces_call_for_entries_for_2011_edition.aspx#sthash.8s2g2tBd.dpuf
