THEY FIGHT
Haymaker Film Festival is a celebration of action cinema, filmmakers, and stunt performers. Our mission is to challenge the notion that action cinema is lowbrow or unsophisticated. We assert that it's as worthy an art form as any other, that story is not strictly confined to the lines of a script, that a noteworthy performance is not limited to line delivery. While film actors work to hone their skills or chase prestige in theater, stunt performers are often world-class martial artists or acrobats that have spent a lifetime refining their physical abilities. Despite obstacles and injuries, they push on to create something aggressively beautiful. In the pursuit of contributing to the global language of action, they fight.
Year One of Haymaker Film Festival featured a suite of 15 short films from filmmakers across the globe: the World Premiere of Night Shift, from Germany-based director and star Lorenz Hideyoshi Ruwwe; Prevail, from Filipino-American filmmaker Ryan Dalan; United Kingdom's Brawler, from Bulent Ozlarusso; as well as Waterlogged and Ace of Spades, both from local, Utah-based filmmakers.
It is clear that action cinema transcends both language and borders. Reduced to its most basic form, action is conflict in motion — and there is no story without conflict.
THE HAYMAKER TRAVEL GRANT
Out-of-state and International filmmakers whose works are selected are eligible to receive a Haymaker Travel Grant. Recipients of the Haymaker Travel Grant will receive up to a $500 allowance to support travel to Salt Lake City, UT to attend the Festival. Haymaker Travel Grants are extremely limited. Selected filmmakers with an interest in the travel grant are encouraged to reach out to the Festival as soon as possible.
ONE WITH THE UNDERDOGS
Haymaker Film Festival is fiercely independent and exists outside of the mainstream, commercial festival circuit. Hosted in-person at The Beehive, an alternative arts venue in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, our punk rock influences are immediately evident. As an upstart festival, the DIY ethos is central to our mission of highlighting dynamic, exciting filmmakers and stunt performers, many of whom have grown from similar roots. Frequently overshadowed by its peers across the genre film landscape, Haymaker Film Festival aims to champion independent action cinema and pay proper reverence to the tenacity and lifelong dedication of those who create it. For outsiders, by outsiders.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Haymaker Film Festival is committed to showcasing the broad spectrum of action cinema in all its forms, whether serious or fun, straight-up or experimental. Though we are not burdened by the hazy boundaries of genre or sub-genre, we ask that submissions are action- or combat-oriented. All submissions will be considered on their own merits, but special attention will be given to action sequences as part of the selection process. That being said, we love it when expectations are subverted. Still unsure if your film is a good fit? Feel free to send us an inquiry.
For more information about the Festival, host, and projection information, visit us at https://haymakerff.com
