Are you passionate about social change and storytelling? If so, this is the festival for you!

Created by Movikarma - a nonprofit organization dedicated to inclusion, representation, and social impact in Hollywood - A Show For A Change Film Festival highlights underrepresented filmmakers and social impact storytellers who are harnessing the power of story for social change.

Now with 600+ submissions representing 51+ countries and counting, A Show For A Change Film Festival was born out of our shared passion for change. Our quarterly festival began in 2017, and continues to grow, with socially conscious filmmakers participating around the world. Non-U.S. submissions are both welcome and encouraged.

Several times throughout the year when possible, we hold a live, in-person festival in the Los Angeles area. Our festival provides a unique opportunity to have your socially conscious film seen by an engaged community that includes industry leaders, nonprofits, brands, and other filmmakers.

In addition to global recognition via our film festival, we are pleased to offer select entrants to our festival exciting distribution opportunities on major platforms. To submit your film for consideration, enter it into our film festival. We'll reach out to you if selected for a distribution opportunity.

In addition, we interview awarded filmmakers on our award-winning podcast, Rewriting Hollywood, now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. We will also share news of your award with targeted press outlets around the world and offer cultivated partnership opportunities with nonprofits, influencers, and more. Our goal is to make sure your film gets seen - and has the greatest impact possible.

Our affordable and uniquely impactful festival occurs in several different phases, including:

1. Each submission cycle, our reviewers will evaluate social impact projects. These works may be a project of any length, including a short or feature film, or a web series episode, either fiction or non-fiction. Through our various social media channels and online platforms, recognition will be provided to the most compelling and engaging projects in various categories. To provide increased exposure for filmmakers, we will actively publicize recognized projects on our online platforms and, whenever possible, connect awarded filmmakers with relevant nonprofits, influencers, and changemakers to amplify their impact.

2. During the year (pending on public health guidelines), we will periodically host a live event, A Show For A Change Film Festival in Los Angeles. This unique event will celebrate the most impactful projects recognized over the latest submission cycle, including short works (short films and webisodes) and longer works (feature films, documentaries, and episodic series). Prizes and exclusive perks will be awarded to all recognized projects.

3. Additionally, in an effort to maximize social impact whenever possible, A Show For A Change will partner with leading nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups that champion issues addressed by the recognized works. For example, if a film addresses environmental justice, we will seek to partner the filmmaker with a nonprofit organization, influencer, and/or thought leader that works in environmental justice, thereby providing opportunities for impact beyond the contours of a typical film festival. We hope that our filmmakers and nonprofit partners will collaborate to raise awareness and action in specific issue areas of interest. During our live festivals in the Los Angeles area, we will celebrate these changemaking partnerships and collaborations.

Each project is required to have a socially conscious message that has the potential for substantial social impact, in addition to being a compelling motion picture on its own merits. We evaluate each project for its Social Impact, Cinematography, and Creativity, in addition to awards in Spotlight, Best Non-Fiction, and Fiction. Awards will be given to projects in these areas.

We encourage filmmakers of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit inventive, engaging, and provocative works that have a powerful socially conscious theme or message to our festival. We look forward to reviewing your projects!

*Note: We never share or post submissions without permission. Additionally, to be fair to all filmmakers and keep our festival affordable, we do not offer fee waivers at this time.

Cinematography Award:
This award honors extraordinary achievement in cinematography.

Creativity Award:
This award honors extraordinary achievement in creativity.

Social Impact Award:
This award honors extraordinary achievement in social impact.

Best Fiction Award:
This award honors extraordinary achievement in fictional storytelling, as it relates to the mission of A Show For A Change Film Festival.

Best Non-Fiction Award:
This award honors extraordinary achievement in non-fiction storytelling, as it relates to the mission of A Show For A Change Film Festival.

Spotlight Award:
This award honors projects that are not selected in our other award categories, yet are still worthy of recognition due to extraordinary achievement and exceptional alignment with the mission of A Show For A Change Film Festival.

GENERAL RULES
The following is an explanation of rules and regulations (“Rules and Regulations”) governing the submission of projects (hereafter called the “Project”) for consideration for the A Show For A Change Film Festival (hereafter called the “Festival”).

By agreeing to the Terms And Conditions located below, the entity submitting the Film (hereafter called the “Applicant”) acknowledges that he or she has obtained consent from any and all owners, creators, writers, Producers and/or other authorized representatives of the Project (hereafter called the “Project’s Owners”) whose consent is required to submit the Project to the Festival, and has read and understood the submission rules and regulations set forth below:

I. GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF A FILM TO THE A SHOW FOR A CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL:

1) Projects completed prior to January 1, 2019, are not eligible for consideration for the 2021 edition of the Festival.

2) It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure authorization and permission from the copyright owner(s) of any and all copyrighted content or materials included within the submitted Project. The Festival expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted content or materials within or relating to the submitted Project, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third party claims for copyright infringement. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Project with any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Project makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any copyrighted content or material, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend the Festival, the Festival, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

3) It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure authorization and permission from the owner(s) of any and all trademarked content or materials included within the submitted Project. The Festival expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any trademarked content or materials within or relating to the submitted Project, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third party claims for trademark infringement, trademark dilution or unfair competition. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Project with any unauthorized inclusion of trademarked content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Project makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any trademarked content or material, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend the Festival, the Festival, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

4) It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to clear all content of the Project from any and all actual or potential legal claims and issues, including, without limitation, claims based upon theories of libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, violation of rights of publicity, theft of trade secrets, breach of confidence, breach of confidential relationship, and breach of express or implied contract (“Third Party Claim(s)”). The Festival expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any content or materials within or relating to the submitted Project that are or may be the basis for any Third Party Claims based upon any of the foregoing legal theories or others. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Project that is or may become the subject of any Third Party Claims. In the event that any Third Party Claim(s) shall be asserted by any person or entity, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend the Festival, the Festival, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any and all fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that each of any of them may incur in connection therewith.

5) Applicants submitting Projects that contain significant non-English spoken dialogue must provide on-screen English subtitles. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Project that contains significant non-English spoken dialogue that does not include accompanying on-screen English subtitles.

6) All Projects submitted to the Festival for Festival consideration must be uploaded via FilmFreeway’s Online Screener system, via a Vimeo link entered directly on the online application. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from Applicant, any Project that is not submitted via this format.

7) The Festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Project with a submission form that is considered to be delinquent due to the non-payment of any or all submission fees. The Festival may attempt, but is under no obligation, to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form in an effort to bring the payment status of the account up-to-date. The Festival disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any failure to contact the Applicant and inform the Applicant of any payment delinquency or other deficiency of a submission form.

8) Upon completion of the Festival selection process, the Festival will attempt to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form to notify the Applicant of the Project’s acceptance status. The Festival disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any failure to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct throughout the entirety of The Festival selection period.

9) The Festival is under no obligation to provide to the Applicant or any other representative of the Project any comments or feedback regarding the submitted Project, any information relating to the manner in which the Project is, will be, or was reviewed; any views that the Festival or any reviewers of the Project may hold concerning the Project; any reasons why the Project, should it not be accepted for exhibition at the Festival, was not accepted; or any other information relating to the Festival’s review, consideration and/or selection process regarding the Project specifically or submissions generally beyond the information set forth in these Rules and Regulations. The Festival disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible or liable for, the contents of any internal comments or feedback regarding any submitted Project that are or may be obtained by the Applicant or any other representative of the Project; any communications by any representative of the Festival or the Festival relating to the Project or The Festival selection process; the manner in which the Project shall be, is or was considered and reviewed; the identity or identities of any specific reviewers of the Project; and/or any failure on the part of the Festival or the Festival to provide the Applicant or any other representative(s) of the Project with information concerning the Festival’s consideration and/or review of the Project.

10) With the express written permission of the Filmmaker/s, the Festival may request to use any footage obtained from filmmakers in any forum it chooses, including on mobile applications and other online platforms. It may also raise funds for selected charity organizations at its discretion, and make other partnerships or distribution agreements regarding submitted film projects. Filmmakers are not entitled to any compensation unless expressly provided by the Festival and/or A Show For A Change, Inc..

II. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Projects submitted to the Festival for consideration for The Festival may apply in one of seven submission categories and must be applicable to The Festival’s mission. The Festival reserves the right to determine eligibility of any film for any Festival program or submission category.

Projects may have been screened at any number of festivals or other public theatrical exhibitions anywhere in the world, broadcast or streamed on television or the Internet, and/or released via any home video or other public distribution platform.

The following is a description of each submission category, along with eligibility requirements for each:

Narrative Fiction Feature Films:
Any narrative work of fiction of U.S. origin with a running time of more than 20 minutes, including films that are shot in a "mockumentary" style.

Documentary Feature Films:
Any non-fiction film of U.S. origin with a running time of 20 minutes or more, not including entirely scripted or improvised fictionalizations of actual events. If your documentary contains some dramatization of actual events, you may submit to this category, but we will ultimately decide which program is best suited for your project, if accepted.

Narrative Fiction Short Films:
Any narrative fiction or documentary film of U.S. origin with a running time of 20 minutes or less, including credits.

Documentary Short Films:
Any non-fiction film of U.S. origin with a running time of 20 minutes or less, not including entirely scripted or improvised fictionalizations of actual events. If your documentary contains some dramatization of actual events, you may submit to this category, but we will ultimately decide which program is best suited for your project, if accepted.

Webisode:
Projects submitted in this category may be documentary series or fictional series of any genre, whether scripted or improvised. Applicants may submit a single episode of the same project, provided that the total running time does not exceed 10 minutes, including credits.

Webseries:
Projects submitted in this category may be documentary series or fictional series of any genre, whether scripted or improvised. Applicants may submit single or multiple episodes of the same project, provided that the total running time does not exceed 60 minutes, including credits. Multiple episodes should be uploaded as one continuous video file.

Virtual Reality:
We encourage the diverse creative community of storytellers and technologists to submit inventive, independently produced works of fiction, documentary, and interactive projects for consideration. Projects must be viewable via one of our accepted VR platforms (360° video, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google Daydream, Samsung Gear VR, PlayStation VR, or Windows Mixed Reality). We request that you provide a link to a 360° video file (.mp4), app download package (.apk), or other installation package via the special questions page of the application. Additionally, we request that you provide a 2D version or documentation of the project via FilmFreeway’s Secure Online Screener system. Virtual Reality Projects may have been previously made available, either for free or for purchase, via any existing distribution platform or exhibited at other festivals, industry trade shows, and/or conventions and still retain their eligibility for open submission to the Festival.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I, the authorized representative of the project being submitted (hereafter called the "Project") for the 2021 A Show For A Change Film Festival (hereafter called the “Festival”), hereby acknowledge and clicking to the following:

1. I represent and warrant to the Festival that: (a) I am duly authorized, on my own behalf and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights or interests (including, without limitation, intellectual property rights) in or relating to the Project (hereafter called the “Project’s Owners”), to exhibit this Project at the Festival, (b) exhibition of the Project at the Festival will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity; and (c) the Project is not subject to any litigation, arbitration, or other adversarial claim or proceeding, nor is the Project the subject of any threat of litigation, arbitration, or other adverse claim or proceeding.

2. I further represent and warrant, on behalf of myself and the Project’s Owners, that the exhibition of the Project at the Festival will not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity, and that the Project does not constitute or include a defamation of any person or entity. I have paid and will pay in full all license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from or associated with the exhibition of the Project at or in connection with the Festival.

3. In the event that the Project is accepted by the Festival for inclusion in the Festival, I acknowledge, on behalf of myself and the Project’s Owners, that the Festival’s exhibition or presentation of the Project at the Festival does not and will not create any confidential or fiduciary relationship between the Festival on the one hand and myself and/or the Project’s Owners on the other. I further acknowledge, on behalf of myself and the Project’s Owners, that I and we understand that neither I nor any of the Project’s Owners will receive any compensation for such exploitation, although some prizes at the Festival may include cash awards. I acknowledge that no obligation of any kind is assumed by, or may be implied against, the Festival or the Festival in the event of, by virtue of, or as a result of the Festival’s selection of the Project for the Festival. I and the Project’s Owners understand and acknowledge that the selection of the Project for inclusion in the Festival does not and will not in any way constitute an express or implied endorsement or approval by the Festival or the Festival of the content of the Project or any opinion expressed therein.

4. I agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, to indemnify and hold harmless the Festival and the Festival, together with each of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, creative advisors, agents and representatives (collectively, “Festival Related Parties”), from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that may be asserted by any person or entity, or may be incurred by the Festival, the Festival, or any Festival Related Parties, at any time in connection with the Project or the Festival’s use, handling or consideration thereof, and/or arising from any breach or alleged breach of any representation made by me to the Festival, the Festival or any Festival Related Parties, including, without limitation, any express or implied representation in these Terms and Conditions.

5. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that the Project is being submitted to the Festival voluntarily and without promise or inducement, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of the Festival, the Festival, or any Festival Related Parties to accept the Project for inclusion in the Festival, to exhibit the Project at the Festival, to acknowledge the submission of the Project, or to return the Project to me or others. I further agree, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Project’s Owners, that I and the Project’s Owners, in submitting the Project for consideration, are waiving, forfeiting, foregoing and relinquishing any right that I or we might otherwise have to assert any claim or commence any proceeding in any forum or tribunal against the Festival, the Festival, or any Festival Related Parties, based upon, arising out of or otherwise relating to the submission, exhibition or failure to exhibit the Project (including, without limitation, claims relating to any failure or refusal to exhibit the Project at the Festival, the exhibition or marketing of the Project at or in connection with the Festival, alleged oral or written representations by the Festival or its representatives relating to the submission or exhibition of the Project, and any other matters arising from or relating to the submission of the Project), whether such claims may be based on theories of contract, implied contract, tort, statute, or other legal theory (hereinafter, “Claim”). In the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, in violation of the agreement set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, I agree, on my own behalf and on behalf of each of the Project’s Owners, to indemnify the Festival and the Festival from any and all Claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that are incurred by the Festival, the Festival and any Festival Related Parties as a result of or in connection with any such Claim or any action, arbitration or other proceeding brought in violation of the representations and agreements set forth in this paragraph, including, without limitation, reimbursement of all attorneys’ fees incurred or to be incurred by the Festival, the Festival, or any Festival Related Parties in connection with any Claim or any action, arbitration or other proceeding brought or initiated by me or any of the Project’s Owners or any other representative of, or person affiliated with, the Project.

6. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above and paragraph 10 below, I further agree and accept that, in the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, by me, any of the Project’s Owners, or any other representative of or person affiliated with the Project, in violation of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above, and in the further event that an arbitrator or other tribunal should permit such Claim to proceed despite the waiver language set forth in paragraph 5 above, the sole and maximum remedy that could be awarded to me or any other person or entity asserting any Claim shall be a refund of the submission fee paid in connection with the submission of the Project to the Festival for consideration for the Festival. Under no circumstances shall any other remedy, including without limitation actual, expectancy, reliance, consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or any other damages, or injunctive, declaratory, provisional or other relief, be available to me, the Project’s Owners, or any other person or entity representing or affiliated with the Project.

7. In the event that the Project is accepted by the Festival for inclusion in and exhibition at the Festival, I hereby grant, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, each of the following rights to the Festival, the Festival, and any Festival Related Parties without reservations, conditions or qualifications: (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Project for promotional purposes; and (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Project and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information. I also agree to provide up-to-date contact information pertaining to the director(s) and producer(s) of the Project, and to grant the Festival and the Festival, at their sole and absolute discretion, the right to provide this information to film industry organizations that sponsor Festival events.

8. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that the Festival has made no claims, representations or guarantees, and has provided no assurances, in relation to the internal process utilized by the Festival with respect to selection of films for inclusion in the Festival, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of the Festival, the Festival, or any Festival Related Parties to provide me, the Project’s Owners, or my or their related parties with comments, feedback or other information pertaining to the viewing or consideration of the Project by the Festival for possible inclusion in the Festival.

9. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that by submitting the Project to the Festival, I hereby grant the Festival the irrevocable right to view and/or download all digital assets associated with the project, including, but not limited to, any representation of the Project in the form of video files, still images, assets streamed via the Internet, and/or all other assets and information provided by the Applicant on the application. Any dissemination of these materials, incidental or otherwise, shall not be the responsibility of the Festival or any Festival Related Parties.

10. I represent that I am 18 years of age or older, or that, if I am younger than the legal age to enter into contracts in my state, I have provided the Festival with signed, written consent from my parent or legal guardian.

11. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above, I further agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that any claim, dispute or controversy arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise related to the Project, the Festival, or these Terms and Conditions, including, without limitation, any Claim (as this term is defined above) and any other claim or cause of action of any nature arising from the actual or alleged breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity of these Terms and Conditions, as well as the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, will be governed by the internal, substantive laws of the State of California and will be subject to and submitted to exclusive, binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Los Angeles, California, which shall be the sole and exclusion forum for determination of such claim, dispute or controversy. Such arbitration will be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect. The arbitrator will be selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator, will be appointed by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect. The arbitrator shall issue a written award and, subject to the terms of paragraph 6 hereof, shall have the right to award monetary relief. I specifically agree and acknowledge, however, that the arbitrator shall not have the power to award punitive or exemplary damages, nor shall the arbitrator have the power to order the Festival to include the Project in the Festival or to award other injunctive or non-monetary relief. The arbitrator shall have the power to award, and shall be required to award, to the substantially prevailing party in any such arbitration, its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration (including, without limitation, reimbursement of that party’s share of the arbitrator’s fees and JAMS administrative charges). The arbitrator’s award shall be final, binding and non-appealable. Judgment on the arbitrator’s award may be entered in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction in the United States. In agreeing to this exclusive arbitration provision, I hereby waive, forfeit and relinquish, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, any right or entitlement that I or the Project’s Owners might otherwise have had to bring or litigate any claim or claims encompassed by this paragraph in any federal or state court against the Festival, the Festival, or any Festival Related Party, and further waive, forfeit and relinquish any right to a trial by jury with respect to such claim or claims.

12. I hereby acknowledge that I have the right to consult with an attorney of my own choosing with respect to these Terms and Conditions and with respect to the Rules and Regulations for submitting a film to the Festival. By completing my submission application for Festival consideration, I agree that I am doing so after having consulted with an attorney or after I freely or voluntarily elected not to do so without coercion or duress.

13. I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the Rules and Regulations for submitting a film to the Festival, and that the information contained in said Rules and Regulations does and shall supersede any information obtained elsewhere, including, but not limited to, information contained in any Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents and/or rules and regulations documents from prior years.

14. By completing my submission application for Festival consideration, I freely and voluntarily give and express my full and complete acceptance of all of the terms and provisions set forth in these Terms and Conditions. I acknowledge that no oral representations, inducements, promises or assurances of any kind, and no representations, inducements, promises or assurances not set forth in these Terms and Conditions, have been made to me or the Project’s Owners by the Festival, the Festival, or any Festival Related Parties.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • The festival seems to know the industry very well and tries to change the world through using the sound of imagination.

    February 2023
  • The owner got back to me with my questions in good time. This is a really cool festival with wonderful opportunities to reach people.

    February 2023
  • Thankyou to Jared and the Team behind A Show For A Change Film Festival! We had a great experience, and are grateful to have received the Grand Jury Award. This team really care about social impact and diversity through the art of film and you can tell they really respect and care about the film craft itself. Communication was great and we really felt valued by the team here, a great festival to enter and be a part of!

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Sangeetha! Congrats again on your award!

  • Federico Ahumada D

    Great festival! Very Thankful for the award I got there!

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Federico! Congrats on your award!

  • Forget Me Not Team

    Communication was great and It was so well organised, my team had such a good experience with A Show for a Change. The festival has a great mission statement, is inclusive and diverse and offers a thoughtful platform to promote socially-conscious film-making. They also made us aware of distribution opportunities beyond the festival. We were so honoured that our film “Forget Me Not” won the ‘Creativity Award”! And that our first ever award was with this festival.

    August 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much! Congrats again on your film and award!