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DAMN! Film Series celebrates its fourth season showcasing the best DAMN! short films around at New York City's Theaterlab, which has hosted film screenings with Willem Dafoe, Abbas Kiarostami, Thomas Vinterberg and more. There's a $2,000 grant for the film selected as the BEST DAMN! Film of the series. That's right, the winning filmmaker will receive a $2,000 check for their next film [Previous winners: Ellen Burns' WATER FROM THE MOON; Andrew Ruiz's FISH; and Crystal Friedman's WE ARE NOT LOVERS].

DAMN! Film Series seeks documentary and narrative shorts for its 2018 season.

The series will showcase DAMN! great short films (20 minutes or under) at its screenings September through December 2018. Each screening is followed by a mix and mingle with fellow artists, audience members and producers.

WHAT PARTICIPATING FILMMAKERS CAN EXPECT:

(A) A great experience. DAMN! Film Series is a filmmaker-run film series that knows what filmmakers need.

(B) Podcast Opportunity. Filmmakers featured in the festival also have the opportunity to be interviewed on the series' podcast–The Story Around The Story, now on iTunes.

(C) Chance to win a $2,000 grant for filmmaker's next film. One of the films will be named the Best DAMN! Film, and the filmmaker will receive the $2,000 check for his or her next film.

A LITTLE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL'S HISTORY

DAMN! Film Series' mission is to showcase the best DAMN! films through live screenings in New York and offer filmmakers and audiences the opportunities to mix in a collegial atmosphere.

In other words, everyone should have the best DAMN! time too.

The series also hosts exciting experiences. In 2015, after a screening of Phoebe Driscoll's Memphis jookin documentary–The PHARAOHS OF MEMPHIS– dancing sensations Lil Buck, DPKOM and Ryan "The Mind" Haskett performed jookin live, accompanied by renowned guitarist Doug Wamble. The event was nominated for the Bessie Award.

FILMMAKER ALUMNI
*Nina Gantz's EDMOND (Sundance & BAFTA winner)
*Bat-Sheva Guez's BEHIND THE WALL (Dozens of festivals, Multiple awards)
*Phoebe Driscoll's PHARAOHS OF MEMPHIS (Winner, two awards Indie Memphis)
*Craig Harwood's ANCHOVIES (Award-winning film)
*Javier Marco's CASITAS (200+ festivals, more than 50 awards)
*Carolin Färber's LEBEN! (Cinematic Achievement Award, Thessaloniki International Short Film Festival)
*Venetia Taylor's THE FUTURE (more than 15 international awards)
*Assia Lakhlif's DAUGHTER (Cannes Court Metrage)
*Samantha Smith's THESE WILD THINGS (Jury Award - Best LA Short Film, New Orleans Film Festival)
*Mark Philip Lichtenstein's musical film BURNING UP! (Musical is product of The BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop)
*Jamal Hodge's THE JUMP (Multiple Audience Awards)

Awards & Prizes

For our next round running September 2018-December 2018, we will select the best DAMN! short films, all with a running time under 20 minutes.

BEST DAMN! FILM AWARD–Juried Award
One of the filmmakers will receive a $2,000 grant for his/her next film along with the Best DAMN! Film Award.

OTHER AWARDS – (no remuneration)
*Audience Favorite
*Outstanding Cinematography
*Outstanding Performer
*Outstanding Script
*Outstanding Director

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS FOR THE DAMN! FILM SERIES
The 2018 DAMN! Film Series will accept submissions January 8, 2018 through May 19, 2018. Use code DFS2018 for $5 off your submission.

(1) DAMN! Film Series accepts submissions for short films (running time under 20 minutes) in narrative and documentary categories. Only independent films will be considered. Artists must have final creative control over their work to be eligible.

(2) Experimental films, animation, web series/new media and sponsored works (training films or commercials) will NOT be considered.

(3) DAMN! Film Series 2018 SUBMISSION DEADLINES:
-February 28, 2018: Early Deadline
-April 12, 2018: Regular Deadline
-May 19, 2018: Final Deadline

(4) All films submitted must have been completed on or after January 1, 2016.

(5) All films must be submitted with an online screener. It is the ONLY way to submit to the DAMN! Film Series. NOTE: All films that are accepted must be sent to us as .mov or .mp4 sized at 1920 x 1080p.

(6) Films must not have been previously submitted to the series.

(7) Films must NOT have any other screenings in New York City between September – November 2018.

(8) The DAMN! Film Series does not pay screening fees.

(9) One of the selected films will be named BEST DAMN! FILM and the filmmaker will receive a $2,000 grant for his or her next film.

(10) All non-English language films must have legible English language subtitles.

(11) Filmmakers may only submit ONE film.

(12) By submitting your film to DAMN! Film Series, filmmakers agree for their film, if selected, to be screened at the series, and to provide press materials, film stills and creative team head shots to the series for promotion.

(13) We will confirm the receipt of every submission.

(14) If you have any questions, E-mail polyphony.creative@outlook.com.

(15) Acceptances will be sent out by July 4, 2018.
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Bridget McKenna

    I was selected and then never heard anything about a screening event. It was really disappointing, especially since I tried really hard to contact someone in charge to figure out what was going on. I wish I had at least heard back from someone, I tried various emails, numbers, even twitter and facebook. I feel a little cheated out of my money.

    February 2019
    Helpful
  • Abraham Felix

    After receiving an email that we had been accepted to the D*** Film Series, all communication with the programmers evaporated. They just took our application fee and vanished. Seems like a scam. Probably a good idea to avoid this one, fellow filmmakers!

    December 2018
    Helpful
  • Jen Lyon

    We had a fun time in a nice relaxed atmosphere. The Festival Organizer was highly communicative and greeted me personally when I got there! Our cast enjoyed the screenings and met quite a few other filmmakers. It was quick but it still felt like a nicely rounded out program. I really enjoyed it. Full marks!

    September 2017
    Helpful
  • Andrew Huggins

    Lanie and Phil at the D*** Film Series conduct their communication exactly how you dream a festival would. I live in North Carolina and was unable to make the event, but they consistently updated me on the festival's progress through email and phone contact. They even invited me for a Skype interview for their podcast, "The Story Around the Story." It was an excellent experience, and I wish them the best with future festivals.

    January 2017
    Helpful