My intent with this festival is simple: bring art alive again. This will be an event that emphasizes less on celebrity appearances, red carpets and expensive sponsors. It will be a forum for filmmakers and fans to meet and merge minds. It will be a foundation of fun while showcasing artistic souls and their work. It is an opportunity to honor the czars of independent cinema, and to initiate my platform of helping others to pursue their passions. I am also hoping one day to be able to raise enough funds to award grants to those who wish to embark on their dream of one day donning the director hat.

I am so thrilled that my festival, over the course of the last six years, has done so much to help the filmmaking community. Those who have met through my event have gone on to work together to make more movies. I am proud to say that I have provided numerous Q and A panels that are both thought provoking and truly in-depth. I am delighted that many filmmakers have left the festival not just with laurels, but also film reviews, interviews at and after the festival, as well as being offered distribution on various platforms. I am also told that my festival is a very friendly, hands on experience that allows for numerous networking opportunities. Lastly, I am able to honor the lives and legendary work of those in and out of Hollywood. Thank YOU one and all for helping me to achieve all these accolades.

Awards & Prizes


See website for details.

https://artisaliveff.wixsite.com/artisaliveff/

Rules & Terms

Film submissions must not have any distribution deals, be available online, or be available for purchase from the time of acceptance through the run of the film festival.

Films of a taboo nature (incest, porn, highly sexual or abuse of animals or children) are not accepted.

I do not accept rough cuts or work in progress.

All international films submitted must have English subtitles.

You may submit to AIA FF while having submitted to other festivals.

I accept films in the following genres/themes: Romance, Sci Fi, Horror, Animated, Youth, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, International, and LGBT.

Films 5-30 minutes in length are considered shorts; 35-90 minutes are features. Films longer than a run time of 90 minutes will not be accepted.

You are able to submit films that were filmed outside of 2023.

All filmmakers must secure any and all necessary licenses or permits associated with showing said film.

Youths wishing to submit films must fall within the age bracket of 10-17. All content must be created and filmed solely by said filmmaker.

As to screenplay submissions, all must be original content and in the English language. Shorts are from 1 to 35 pages; while features are 40 to 110 pages in length. Files must be submitted in PDF format only.

All submissions are to be done directly through Film Freeway. If your film is selected, I will contact you about press kits and screeners.

No refunds are to be given on entry fees.

30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Laurie Blakely

    A first-rate festival! Cindy really works to make it a meaningful experience for all the filmmakers involved with networking opportunities, distribution suggestions,, in-depth discussions during the screenings and more. It was the most personal and community-oriented festival I have participated in. A great experience!

    April 2023
    Helpful
  • Tony Hall

    This festival is more than worth it! There were several things unique to this film festival that you will not experience with many others. First, when you are first accepted you are asked whether you would like your contact information shared with the rest of the filmmakers. This creates an almost 'directory' of people to start networking with. You can start right away with contacting others to get them to come to your screening and to start helping each other with networking. The contacts you make here will not just help you with your current project getting more notice... but also having made great contacts for any future projects. Next, director CM has created a network of film critics and will be able to get your film reviewed by several IMDB approved film critics. This was totally unique! It's difficult trying to get a critic to review your work, but by being accepted into this festival you now already have an 'in' to getting this much needed press. Lastly, director CM has contacts with Distribution companies to help you get set up if your film is in search of distribution. All of these resources that the festival has been able to put together for the filmmakers is very impressive! Well done Art IS Alive!

    March 2023
    Helpful
  • Richard Terrasi

    Great communication from Cindy. I am honored and excited that they included my film The Monster Mash amongst a great lineup of features and shorts! . A Big Thank You for supporting my film and totally honored with winning Best Cinematography Award! Thank you... Cheers! - Rich

    February 2023
    Helpful
  • Louis Salvatore Bellanti

    Un festival très bien organisé...

    February 2023
    Helpful
  • Steven Bogart

    I was really looking forward to participating in the screenplay readings but the communication on dates and the rescheduling was confusing.

    February 2023
    Helpful