Bold. Diverse. Empowering. Captivating. These are just a few words that encompass the type of films we will curate for our audiences in our second year!
The Bridgeport Film Fest is making “philanthropy through film” a priority in Bridgeport, CT. This nonprofit initiative is dedicated to the discovery, championing, and development of independent filmmakers and audiences.
Through various programming, the festival seeks to showcase, guide, and inspire independent filmmakers from the Bridgeport community and beyond, worldwide. Local audiences will be enriched by the films, workshops, panel discussions, and other forms of artistic expression curated by the festival team.
Submissions for the second annual Bridgeport Film Fest will open on Monday, October 4, 2021, here on FilmFreeway.
We are accepting short films and original content with a running time of 25 minutes or under including:
Narrative Short Films
Documentary Short Films
Web series Episodes
Experimental Short Films
Student Short Films
Music Videos
Environmental Films
Animated Shorts
Super Shorts (films 2 minutes and under)
Connecticut Short Film (films shot in Connecticut)
"The Lock Down Diaries" (films produced during quarantine)
We are also accepting short film screenplays and web series pilots for the first time! The winning screenplays will receive a table read at the festival with professional actors and a modest cash prize, among other prizes. Any genre will be accepted, but the MAX page length is 20 pages, not including the title page.
The second annual Bridgeport Film Fest will take place July 22-24, 2022 in the historic city of Bridgeport, CT. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will follow up with these adjusted details in early 2022.
Over the course of the weekend, we will have multiple short film screenings, filmmaker Q+A's, workshops, panel discussions, live music events, a VIP gala, and an awards ceremony!
Our 2022 Jury will be announced soon!
OUR 2021 JURY INCLUDED:
AJ Mattioli: Director, Producer, and Founder of Mattioli Productions
Bobby Yan: Six-Time Emmy Award-Winning Director
Emory Parker: Director, Writer, Actress, and Co-Founder Blue Slate Films
Eugen Bräunig: Director, Writer, Editor and Co-Founder Macrofilm
Jeremiah Kipp: Award-Winning Director, Writer, and Producer and Founder of Kipp Films
Natalia Bougadellis: Director and Cinematographer, Blue Slate Films
Patrick Wimp: Director, Writer, and Co-Founder Digital Hydra
Rob Alicea: Writer, Producer & Founder of Leaving Normal Productions
Robin Cloud: Award-Winning Writer & Director
Sarah Ann Masse: Award-Winning Writer, Director, and Actress
Sara Newens: Emmy Award-winning Editor and FIlmmaker
Shaunya Thomas: Founder of the Melanin Pride Film Festival
LOCATION
The Klein Memorial Auditorium: a 1,447-seat performing arts center that serves as a hub for Bridgeport and surrounding communities. Built in 1940, it is one of only 7 Broadway-sized stages remaining in Connecticut.
ABOUT BRIDGEPORT, CT
Bridgeport is not only the fifth-largest city in New England but a historic coastal city with a growing art community. We are a smooth and scenic 85-minute train ride from New York City on the Metro-North train line. Plus we are less than a three-hour drive from Boston, MA, and less than two hours from Providence Rhode Island.
There are many attractions and cultural institutions to check out while you are here! You can tour the Housatonic Museum of Art, visit the Barnum Museum, and learn with hands-on exhibits at the Discovery Museum and Planetarium. Feel free to walk along Captain's Cove Seaport where you will find a selection of shops, eateries, and beautiful views of the Long Island Sound. Plus you can visit the famous Beardsley Zoo, the only zoo in the state. Last but not least you can stroll through the many art galleries downtown or take a visit to the Knowlton Walls and see incredible murals by global artists!
We look forward to you submitting and joining us!
AWARDS
Grand Jury Award for Best Film
Best Drama Film
Best Comedy Film
Best Horror/Thriller Film
Best Documentary Film
Best Webseries
Achievement in Writing Award
Best Actress: Drama/Horror
Best Actress: Comedy
Best Actor: Drama/Horror
Best Actor: Comedy
OPPORTUNITIES
The Grand Jury Award for Best Film winner will receive a virtual meeting with Jason Kyle (Development Coordinator at SONY PICTURES).
Other meetings with industry professionals.
CASH PRIZES
Grand Jury Award for Best Film
*amount TBA and could be a cash equivalent prize.
CERTIFICATES
Audience Awards for each film block.
MORE TBA!