Q: Can you return my DVD?
A: No. All materials submitted to Albany FilmFest are
non-returnable, so please don't send originals.
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Q: What formats do you accept?
A: We accept film submissions on DVD only. If your film is
accepted, we’ll contact you regarding a higher-quality format.
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Q: Can I attend?
A: Yes, please do! You may even get a chance to talk about
your film.
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Q: How much does it cost to enter a film?
A: $20 for adults, $5 for youth (17 and younger).
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Q: Does my film have to be new?
A: No. As long as it doesn’t have a theatrical distribution
deal, your oldest film is welcome.
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Q: Where will it be held?
A: Selected films will be screened and winners presented with awards and prizes at a hosted premier event at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave, Albany, California.
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Q: Who’s in charge?
A: Albany FilmFest is presented by the City of Albany Recreation Department, KALB33 Community TV, and Albany’s Community Media Access Committee.
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Q: How do I enter?
A: Fill out an entry form and send it to us along with your entry fee and with a DVD of your film. Complete details are on the entry form or at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Avenue. |
Q: Do I have to be an experienced filmmaker to enter?
A: We welcome all independent filmmakers, whether you have years of experience or were inspired to create your first film just for Albany FilmFest
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Q: What’s the entry deadline and fee?
A: Early submission deadline (reduced fee, $30, adults; $10, youth): December 15, 2011
Final submission deadline ($40, adults; $15, youth): January 20, 2012
Register online using withoutabox.com |
Q: What can I win?
A: We will be presenting cash awards of $250 for the films chosen by the panel of judges as first place in each category. The film judged Best of Show will also receive a cash award of $500. Youth category awards will be $100 or prize equivalent.
There will also be an audience raffle prize, and a special prize for the Audience Choice award, voted on by the audience and presented at the end of the event.
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Q: What are the categories?
A:
- Narrative Short: Comedy, drama, pathos . . . Show us a story. (30 minutes or less)
- Documentary Short: Truth is beauty. (30 minutes or less)
- Animated short: Cartoons, claymation, stop motion, puppets, cutouts . . . make it move. (30 minutes or less)
- Tiny Movies: Three minutes or less! We mean it. Last year’s winner was 49 seconds long. Cell phone videos welcome. (3 minutes or less)
- My Own Private Albany: We live here, maybe you do too. Show us how you see Albany! (30 minutes or less)
- Youth, 6-12: A film in any of the above categories. You will be judged with your peers.
- Youth 13-17 (or high school senior): A film in any of the above categories. You will be judged with your peers.
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Q: A film festival! In Albany? Tell me more!
A: Albany FilmFest 2012 is a national juried festival of short films (and really short films) of all genres—an annual showcase for emerging independent filmmakers of all ages.
Our mission is to build community enthusiasm for the arts inside Albany, and to encourage the exchange of creative expression by independent filmmakers everywhere. AFF welcomes new and experienced filmmakers of all ages, from inside or outside our quirky and creative 1 square mile.
We will consider all submissions that meet our criteria for entry. Accepted films will be screened at the festival, and winning films will be screened on Albany’s community media channel (KALB 33 on cable TV), and streamed on our website. |
Q: I’d like to be a sponsor. How can I do that?
A: Building a community of sponsors is an integral part of our fundraising efforts. Our expenses are modest — we’re an all-volunteer festival — and we do not aim to make a profit. But we do need your help to make this second Albany FilmFest even better than the first!
See the Sponsorship page for details, or email us at filmfest@albanyca.org We’ll be happy to talk to you about how you and your business can become part of Albany FilmFest. |
Q: What formats do you accept?
A: We prefer entries via the Internet using Withoutabox.com. It’s quick and easy for you to download and pay, and we get your entry right away. We also accept film submissions through the mail or in person, on DVD only.
Please see Submitting Your Film for details. |
Q: Can I volunteer to help in some way?
A: Absolutely! Putting on a film festival is a lot of work, and a lot of fun — we need your help to do it. If you would like to be a part of Albany FilmFest 2012, please email filmfest@albanyca.org and ask how you can help. |
Q: But I’m a kid!
A: It’s never too early to start your filmmaking career! We have two special youth categories: ages 6-12 and 13-17 (or high school senior). Youth can enter any genre — these categories will be judged separately.
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Q: When is it?
A: Join us on Saturday, March 3 2012, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. You can come and go all day for$5 (adults) and $1 (kids). Cheap!
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Q: How do you select the films to be screened?
A: All films will be reviewed and scored by two different festival programmers. We will rank the films we watch from 1 (abysmal) to 10 (outstanding) on the following criteria:
- Category: Does the film meet the category criteria? Please consider your category carefully!
- Originality: Is the film fresh and creative?
- Production quality: Fuzzy sound and blurry images will make it hard for us to love your film, let alone consider it!
- Artistic impression: Includes cinematography, acting (if applicable), and sound/soundtrack.
- “Je ne sais quoi”: We don’t know why exactly, we just really like it!
Then we’ll average the scores. Films with the highest overall scores will be passed on to the festival judges, who will choose the winners. |
Q: Who's in charge?
A:
Albany FilmFest is presented by the City of Albany, California, KALB 33 Community TV, and Albany’s Community Media Access Committee.
Entries will have an initial review and rating by our team of programmers. All films will be seen by two or more screeners. The highest-rated films will go to our panel of judges, who will select the winners.
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