Where is America now? In the avalanche of police brutality and killings of African Americans, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement has been forged. Indigenous communities are equally under attack. Gun violence is on the rise, as are homegrown terrorist attacks. Is this the face of America? Is this the dream? What is the people’s response? Where is the voice of artists and filmmakers? America Now! examines these questions while mobilizing a responsive dialogue.

America Now! illuminates voices and visions of filmmakers from America, and around the globe, responding to the times. This special program will feature premiere screenings of new films and videos about the American condition. America Now! solicits original and innovative works by today’s cutting edge independent media makers in narrative, experimental, documentary, animation and student works. The program will place a strong emphasis on showcasing the work of filmmakers of color and under-represented communities.

Filmmakers  are invited to submit their films, videos and animation work for screening consideration. Independently produced works completed after January 1st, 2014 will be accepted.

The program will be screened at Intermedia Arts, and other festivals internationally. The first year of the America Now! program was in 2016, and it premiered at the 46th Tampere Film Festival, and will be screened at the Riga International Film Festival 2ANNAS in September, and the Uppsala International Short Film Festival in October 2016.

Deadline for the America Now! submissions is on December 31st 2015.

The America Now! film program is now accepting submissions of independent features, shorts, narratives, web series and documentary films that focus on the American condition, and issues that speak to life in America today. Submissions are also open to filmmakers outside of the U.S. that have created work that deals with or relates to issues facing Americans, or international perspectives on the state of America. Screenings will take place at Intermedia Arts in March 2017. It will held in the theatre at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408.

The goal of America Now! is to find original and innovative work by today’s cutting edge filmmakers that speak to the American condition. The selected films will be curated into a program to be screened at various venues including Intermedia Arts and other festivals nationally and internationally.

America Now! is presented by Tru Ruts and Intermedia Arts. For more information about America Now!, please visit: http://tamperefilmfestival.fi/?event=america-now-2

Filmmakers are invited to submit short films of no longer than 30 minutes, and feature films of 60 minutes or more.

The deadline for America Now! is December 15th. There is a nominal $1 screening fee to cover adminstative support for the submission process.

Submissions is open to filmmakers of all races and nationalities, with priority given to filmmakers of color, and aims to showcase the work that speak to the American condition.

We accept features, web series, documentaries and short films in all genres. Filmmakers must guarantee that permission from the rights holder is secured for a minimum of one screenings as part of America Now!.

Submissions accepted through FilmFreeway, and also via DVD or flash drives. Filmmakers are asked to submit a link to their film, a brief description of the film, and a brief bio of the filmmaker. Filmmakers may also submit flash drive or DVD formats. Films will not be returned unless a self-addressed padded envelope is included.

Address:
Tru Ruts
P.O. Box 21305
Minneapolis, MN 55421

For any questions please contact: truruts.admin@gmail.com.

Tru Ruts is an artistic organization based in Minneapolis with a history of high caliber artistic work ranging from films to theatre performances, a record label to workshops and residencies. Tru Ruts projects include Freestyle Theatre, Foto Libre, Speakeasy Records and others.

As Minnesota's premier multidisciplinary, multicultural arts organization, Intermedia Arts builds understanding among people by catalyzing and inspiring artists to make changes in their lives and communities. We provide creative people of all ages with the opportunities, tools, and support to come together across disciplines, sectors, and boundaries to connect, create, share, collaborate, innovate, think big, and act as catalysts for positive community-driven and community-defined change. We are a nationally recognized leader in empowering artists and community leaders to used arts-based approaches to solve community issues. By stimulating deeper community engagement and providing a platform for the stories and experiences of underrepresented communities locally, nationally, and internationally, we contribute to a stronger, healthier society.