MISSION STATEMENT
The SWFF hopes to help emerging artists and film-makers have a venue and outlet in which to showcase and celebrate the achievements of independent film-makers. We also want to create a place where people can network and feel safe discussing their ideas with colleagues and fellow film enthusiasts. The SWFF not only supports locally produced films but those from all over the nation and internationally. Our focus on the genres of animation, experimental, fan-film, fantasy, horror, and science fiction allows us to bring together an eclectic group of individuals who will appreciate films and film-makers that have a more defined interest.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we have made no formal finalizations for the 2021 venue but we still hope to have 2 screening rooms and a third room dedicated to our panel discussions. We will also be continuing of Filmmaker Interviews like in previous years which eventual are released online as our “An Interview With…” web-series! Our goal is to provide independent film makers with a place where they can share their innovative and artistic talents to the masses. We look forward seeing you at the 2021 Something Wicked International Film Festival.
HISTORY
This is our sixth year of the SWFF and it is an extension of Co-Festival Director/Program Director Kevin Powers' work through the GCI Film Festival (2012-2014) as well as his previous work with the Fright Fest Film Festival (Gainesville, GA) and the Cinemacabre Film Festival (Gainesville, GA). This film festival is designed to spotlight the talents of those in the niche genres that are sometimes overlooked by many mainstream film festivals, so you will find more films in the animation, horror,experimental. Fan-film, fantasy, and science fiction genres here than in any of the other film festivals that Mr. Powers has been a part of.
SPONSORS & PARTNERSHIPS
*As a Sponsor of the SWFF, we hope to help promote the contributions of the individuals and organizations that have helped make our event happen. Through monetary contributions and trade or Sponsors help present an event that helps not only promote film-makers and their films but to help booster the local economy as well. Our Sponsors also help make it possible to allow young film-makers and students the opportunity to learn more about the film industry in an atmosphere where they can network, view independent films and take workshops and be a part of panel discussions with professional film-makers.
*Partners of the SWFF get the opportunity to not only spread the word about their services with our patrons but also help us promote and market our event as well. It's an amazing opportunity for both businesses to help promote each other with very little monetary investment.
OPENING NIGHT CEREMONY & FILM
*The Opening Night Ceremony is designed to allow our Sponsors, Partners and film-makers to meet and network the night prior to our event. The Opening Night. Ceremony is not open to the public and therefore is the only unique opportunity for these groups of individuals to network and enjoy an evening before the main event.
*The Opening Night feature is a way for our event to showcase one of most ambitious films that epitomizes the themes and purpose of the SWFF. It can be of any genre but it is a film chosen to represent our event as well as show film-makers what we think exemplifies great indie film-making.
AWARDS CEREMONY
*The SWFF Awards Ceremony is on the final night of our event in our Main Screening Room. During this event, film-makers will be notified of which films and film-makers our Festival Jury decided should be honored for their achievements. It is a great honor to just be nominated for an award but awards will be given to the films which exemplifies the great spirit of film-making. Award recipients will receive awards and certificates. Winners of the Audience Choice Awards will be revealed a week after the event and there are a special selection of Festival Director Awards which will also be revealed during the event.
PANEL DISCUSSIONS & FILMMAKER INTERVIEWS
*The SWFF offers patrons a variety of panel discussions on various different film related topics with many professional film-makers in participation. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn from industry personnel on various topics of discussion.
*Filmmaker Interviews – Mr. Powers also offers filmmakers the opportunity to be interviewed during the event to help promote themselves and their film! These interviews are later released online as part of our festival web series “An Interview With…” Any filmmaker whose film becomes an “Official Selection” can have an interview conducted.
VENDORS AND VENDOR BOOTHS
*The SWFF has vender booths available for individuals and businesses to sell, promote, and showcase their goods and services as well as films. Vendor booths are cheap and affordable for the whole weekend of the event.
*Vendors will be allowed to load in on Saturday morning at 11:00am prior to the event. Load out will be Sunday night at 6:00pm.
We accept films in the following categories:
SHORT FILM (Animation/Experimental/Fan-Films/Fantasy/Horror/Science Fiction/Foreign Films)
Short films are 45 minutes of less. Any and all genres are accepted including animation and experimental.
FEATURE FILM (Animation/Experimental/Fan-Films/Fantasy/Horror/Science Fiction/Foreign Films)
Feature films are between 45 minutes and 150 minutes. Any and all genres are accepted including animation and experimental.
STUDENT (Animation/Experimental/Fan-Films/Fantasy/Horror/Science Fiction)
Student produced or directed films that are 45 minutes or less. Any and all genres are accepted. Note: There is no “feature student films” as these will be included in feature category automatically.
MAIN AWARDS CATEGORY
(Winners to be given an actual award)
*BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT FILM
*BEST HORROR SHORT FILM
*BEST SCI-FI SHORT FILM
*BEST FANTASY SHORT FILM
*BEST ANIMATION/PUPPETRY SHORT FILM
*BEST DIRECTION OF A SHORT FILM
*BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A SHORT FILM
*BEST MALE ACTOR IN A SHORT FILM
*BEST FAN-FILM SHORT FILM
*BEST FEATURE
*BEST DIRECTION OF A FEATURE
*BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
*BEST MALE ACTOR IN A FEATURE FILM
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR’S AWARD CATEGORY
(Winners chosen by the Festival Directors)
*GORIEST FILM
*SCARIEST FILM
*MOST BELIEVABLE SCI-FI/FANTASY FILM
*MOST INNOVATIVE ANIMATION/PUPPETRY FILM
*BEST MAKE-UP FX IN A SHORT OR FEATURE
*BEST VISUAL FX IN A SHORT OR FEATURE
*MOST MEMORABLE VILLAIN
*SCREAM QUEEN OF THE YEAR
*BAS-ASS OF THE YEAR
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS CATEGORY
(Chosen by Festival Attendees)
*BEST SHORT FILM
*BEST FEATURE FILM
*BEST ANIMATED/PUPPETRY FILM