Welcome to 2023 Kinodrome - our 6th year! We're different. We do NOT reject properly submitted and fully completed content. Unlike most corporate festivals, we don't send you that ugly "We are sorry..." rejection letter after you pay and submit your work. If you follow our submission rules - you WILL become an "official selection" for public show. If (for any reason) we must decline your submission - we will offer a FULL REFUND to you. The submissions open January 1st of each year (festival is in late September). Please, see details below and join us (it's a long text on our page, but we disclose everything to our submitters).

NEW in 2023: we will shoot a segment for our feature documentary about underground cinema, titled "Invisible Visionaries" (coming out via streaming in 2025, listed on IMDb). If you submit and attend the festival, you can be interviewed for this film and be in it!

KinoDrome is:
-- SHORT FILM and VIDEO festival;
-- SCREENWRITING contest;
-- PHOTOGRAPHY contest;
-- one of best reviewed "micro-indie niche festivals";
-- based out of Cleveland, Ohio, USA (ground + online);
-- listed in global database (Amazon's IMDb);

KinoDrome accepts motion picture content (all under 11 minutes):
-- FICTION FILMS;
-- DOCUMENTARY FILMS;
-- EXPERIMENTAL FILMS or VIDEOS (various techniques);
-- ANIMATED CONTENT (various techniques and forms);
-- MUSIC VIDEOS (for original songs or live concerts);
-- FOUND FOOTAGE CONTENT (re-edited VHS or old stock);
-- PSAs, ADS and PROMO-CONTENT (up to 60 seconds);

KinoDrome has SCRIPT and PHOTOGRAPHY contest, too:
-- SCREENPLAYS (any length, for several awards);
-- PHOTOGRAPHS or single FRAMES FROM FILMS;

ATTENTION SCREENWRITERS!

Writers - at our festival your NAME and your script's TITLE will be presented on screen as well (public show recognition)! All properly formatted scripts will be ACCEPTED to compete for awards. We don't provide script coverage or script feedback. The goal of our contest is to give you a chance to COMPETE and possibly win an award (about 30% of submitted scripts gets nominated for an award). Judged by produced writers and producers.

ATTENTION FILMMAKERS!

KinoDrome accepts WIDE VARIETY of cinematic work under 11 minutes. Why "11"? The standard length of an old 35mm film reel is 1,000 feet, which runs approximately 11 minutes (cinema science). Since we accept 95% of films submitted (and show it publicly) we cannot accept longer films - and 11:00 is the maximum length accepted. The works can come from independent artists, professionals, hobbyists, students, and amateur filmmakers - anywhere in the world. We will accept ALL fully completed films for the show, but considering our mission - the Jury wants to AWARD the following:

-- an ORIGINAL narrative or experimental concept,
-- thought PROVOKING themes,
-- slightly UNUSUAL subjects and characters,
-- an OPENMINDED way of artistic expression;

ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS and DPs (DoPs)!

For our photo-contest, we believe that one image can tell the story, too. Or make you think about life. If you're a still photographer or photojournalist - look at your portfolio and find something cool. Cinematographers are welcome as well - submit one frame from your reel (from a movie you photographed).
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ATTENTION ALL - Kinodrome is about...

...something fresh, strange, scary, provocative, shocking, weird, hilarious, or maybe politically “incorrect” and nonconformist. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines “Nonconformist” as: “a person who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action”. Be slightly DIFFERENT, provoke, make people talk about your content - because it's unlike anything else. KinoDrome doesn’t care how much money you spent on your film or video (your budget size). Your film could be shot on old film stock, or with an old camera, on your mobile phone, or an expensive high-end 8k camera. In each case, pay attention to some basic audio-visual techniques and overall quality. Regardless of "pixel quality" show us your:

-- ORIGINALITY (fresh ideas, unique visuals, creative concepts);
-- ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION (slightly different mise-en-scene);

KinoDrome is less about “mainstream and popular” content, and more about “arthouse and edgy” content. This applies to all categories.

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HISTORY, MISSION and ARTISTS

KInodrome was born in 2018, as an independent non-corporate small festival that promotes up-and-coming film artists. You might say “just another little festival…”. But there’s a reason for “another little festival”. The equipment is available and affordable to all, and a lot of people want to express themselves. Therefore, there’s need for more public shows and more contests. At Kinodrome, we have first-time creators and many experienced artists showing their work. Check out the following award winning content creators on Google or IMDb: Carol Conley, Ayesha Abouelazm, Eileen O'Meara, Logan Fry, Al Mertens, Barsan Rostami, Saman Hosseinpuor, Stefan M. Mladenovic, Martin Mulcahy, John Maslowski, Jason Klingensmith, Bianca Cassinelli, Juliette Blanche, Shaun Rylee, Mike Genz... (see our website for other names).

THE PUBLIC SHOW EXPERIENCE

Being accepted to screen at the film festival – you’re publicly showing your art (just like showing a painting at the museum or an art gallery) and adding something very important to your career. The PUBLIC SHOW is the best way to present your visual art! This is super important for first-time filmmakers and film students. You're building your reputation and your content portfolio.

GENERAL FESTIVAL FACTS

-- about 30-40% of all selected titles will get an Award (or Nomination);
-- half of winning titles in the past came from female artists;
-- age range of award winning artists: from 17 to 77 (or higher);
-- besides global contests, we also have State of Ohio contests;
-- many films or videos were created on smartphones;
-- 20% of award winners are talented FIRST time filmmakers or writers!

VENUE PROJECTION FACTS (for tech-nerds and geeks)

-- projection screen size is 9x5 feet (google-convert to metric)
-- projected with DLP at 1080p res (hard-drive to Apple QT Player)
-- sound output via wired external speaker station
-- conference style presentation inside HOTEL BALLROOM
-- NOT a commercial movie theater

IN-PERSON EVENT FACTS

- small dedicated and super-friendly volunteer staff;
- max. 100 attendees (mostly artists and art enthusiasts);
- small comfortable venue (hotel auditorium or ballroom);
- enough room and time to network with attendees;
- enough space/time to take pics in front of step-n-repeat banner;
- GIFTS with goodies for every artist who attends (T-shirt, too);

VIRTUAL EVENT FACTS (online show)

- the programs are shown online the same day;
- award ceremony recorded for YouTube (shown 2-3 days later);
- we can ship awards to winners (not free, details will be emailed);

YOU WILL NOT (N.O.T.) SEE the FOLLOWING:

- shiny rich "executives", invited to praise THEMSELVES;
- annoying "popcorn crowd" who DON'T understand your art;
- posers in suits, pretending to be "important biz people";
- "agents" who purchase films/scripts (no such thing);

CHECK KINODROME OUT (on the WEB):

- click on our website, link is under "contacts";
- read reviews written by past participants on FilmFreeway;
- search KinoDrome on Facebook;
- search KinoDrome Festival on YouTube (clips from the festival);
- simply google "KinoDrome Festival" and you'll find the links;

KINODROME TUBE

It's our YouTube: interviews w/filmmakers, coverage of award presentation, and more. If you attend, you can be interviewed, be on the show, and earn an IMDb credit for participating. We also have "video greeting" option (you can send 1-minute promotional video to talk about your art - shown at the festival and web as well).

HELP TO "KINODROME ALUMNI"

Once you become an Official Selection, you can always expect additional help from us. The festival director Bruno Tatalovic (film producer himself) is also an IMDb "tenured contributor" and he assists beginner film artists with navigating and updating their IMDb page, including: film title listings for first-timers, name listings, corrections, etc. All FREE! Just email us with a subject "IMDb" (more info about IMDb below, under "Awards").

FESTIVAL'S DEDICATEES

• Eadweard Muybridge, 1830-1904, an English photographer important for his pioneering work in photographic studies of motion, and early work in motion-picture projection. His famous art-piece (and first motion picture ever made) "Horse in Motion" (1878) serves as our festival’s logo.
• George K. Spoor, 1872-1953, an American film producer known for his early and successful movie exhibition service, ultimately named Kinodrome, in Chicago in 1897 – inspired our festival’s name.

CONCLUSION

KInoDrome is NOT a corporate for-profit festival where you pay high fees and don't get accepted, because "special guests from the biz" and their expensive films take all the spots. No. This little festival is a labor-of-love, created by an ordinary film enthusiast and educator - for the sole purpose of helping less established artists. That's it. We ARE here for YOU. Submit with confidence, get accepted, and have a SHOW!

"OFFICIAL SELECTION" status

"Official Selection" or every title marked as "selected" on FilmFreeway means that your submission is selected for public show. This is NOT an award. It's an acceptance to show your work at the festival.
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"AWARDS"

Out of all Official Selections, about 30-40% of "artistically exceptional" pieces will receive Nominations and Awards (explained below). This happens on the day of festival's public event. They will all receive a MEDAL + CERTIFICATE.

1) "Winner" is 1st place Winner in one category
2) "Nominee or Runner Up or Finalist" is 2nd place (shared by 2 titles below Winner)
3) "Honorable Mention" means that you're below Winners and Nominees, but your work still deserves special recognition (could be several titles, based on Judges' decisions);
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"SPECIAL AWARDS"
(given by festival director, in addition to regular awards):

A) "Eadweard Muybridge Award" for Outstanding KinoDramatic Content, presented to ONE nominated film or video with a "stronger societal message or higher emotional impact".

B) "The Sallie Gardner Award" for Most Productive Creator, presented to ONE visual content creator, who submitted 2 or more titles (not only 1 title) of high quality, as chosen by the festival director.

C) "Augie Starr Award" for Animals in Motion Picture, presented to ONE title (film, photo, or script) that features an ANIMAL as an important part of the story, plot, or picture.

D) "Frances Marion Award" for ONE High-Volume Writer (submitted 3 or more scripts of high quality).

If you're in attendance (in Cleveland) you will know the winners in the evening and if you win something - you'll get your trophy in person! All others (not in attendance) will be notified by email 2-3 days AFTER our public event.
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"IMDb" Listing for Awarded Titles

Our event is verified and registered December 30, 2018 by IMDb (an Amazon company) as an official juried international festival. IMDb lists:
-- Nominations,
-- Awards,
-- Honorable Mentions.

IMDb does NOT list Official Selection status, because an "Official Selection" is not an Award. If you win something (or get nominated) and if your name was on IMDb prior to entering our festival, your AWARD will be recorded there as a "win or nomination". We record the name of artwork's initial submitter, but, if you want to share your award with another collaborator, or need to correct names - let us know (by email) and we will update IMDb's data. If your name is NOT on IMDb at all (most unproduced writers), we'll let you know how to list it there (email and ask about it anytime).

Kinodrome's IMDb page was created by our team and we monitor and update this page. Please, do not update IMDb data yourself by adding false information and marking yourself "winner" prior to Jury's decisions (this happened before and we had to eliminate and report "self-proclaimed winners"). If you have questions about our IMDb page and awards (for any year), or you notice something that needs to be changed - CONTACT FESTIVAL. Our team will make sure that your NOMINATION, AWARD or HONORABLE MENTION is properly corrected on IMDb.
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JUDGES

Our official judges are selected film or media educators, award-winning writers, producers, and visual artists. The names of past judges are listed on the website. The following process applies:
— once we collect all accepted titles, the Judges will begin their work;
— the Judging process takes 2-3 weeks (before festival's event);
— the Winners (all recipients) will be announced at the closing ceremony;

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GIFTS

All attending Official Selection artists (people who show up in Cleveland) will receive: 1 Official Selection Certificate, 1 gift TOTE-BAG with goodies, 1 festival T-SHIRT, 1 festival VIP pass. If you can't attend, you can send your "representative" (crew/cast member, family member, or friend) and he/she will get the same treatment.

SHIPPING AWARDS and GIFTS

After the festival we will send an email about shipping options and arrangements (for those who couldn't attend). Shipping of items is NOT FREE (due to high cost of shipping, we must charge for it - details will come in an email in early October).

- YEAR: your artwork can be ANY year of release (old work, new work);
- SUBMISSIONS: must be made online, by official deadline-dates.
- ORIGIN: include in your FilmFreeway profile your STATE / COUNTRY.
- CATEGORY: enter your work in the category that rightfully fits in to. The festival reserves the right to place your film into another category that's better suited for your film. If your title is moved, it will compete for awards in its new category.
- OFFICIAL SELECTION: you will be notified via email that your entry is “selected” and it will be screened at the festival. An Official Selection is not an "award". It's a "selection for public show of your artwork".
- SCREENING COPY: required 15 days after selection notification. If your screening copy is the same as your submission copy (Vimeo or FilmFreeway) you don’t have to send another copy. We do NOT accept YouTube transfer (only FilmFreeway, Vimeo, Dropbox or WeTransfer accepted). If it's on Vimeo, you must ALLOW downloading in Vimeo settings. Kinodrome will cancel your selection if NO copy is available for download 15 days after you’re notified.
- EXCERPTS: by entering this festival, entrants reserve the right for Kinodrome to screen excerpts from their films for promotion (festival teaser video).
- SUBTITLES: all non-English narrative films (in foreign language) must be subtitled in English to be eligible for screening and judging. It does NOT apply to music video lyrics or experimental content that uses visuals as primary expression.
- ENTRY FEES: entry fees cannot be refunded if an entrant changes his/her/their mind later and wants to withdraw.
- WAIVERS: free submission or waivers will be given to certain content that comes from countries under economic sanctions/wars. If you feel that your entry deserves a waiver, email festival and send your bio, artwork link and any relevant data (the festival will reply within 10 days).
- JUDGING: all films will be viewed by a judging panel (at the festival) appointed by Kinodrome. All judging decisions are final, and no discussions will be entered in to thereafter. The artists may be able meet judges in person, at the festival.
- COMMUNICATION: we will send emails to you via email address you listed on FilmFreeway. Check your email regularly (including "spam" folder).
- TERMINATION: the Festival reserves the right to exclude titles or submitters who don't follow the rules, spread negative information about festival on social media, or add false information (update data) on festival's IMDb listing without contacting Kinodrome staff.
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AGREEMENT (standard legal text - protecting artists and festivals):

I, the undersigned ("Artist"), by clicking SUBMIT on FilmFreeway site, do hereby consent and agree that Kinodrome (the “Festival”) is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any video accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless the Festival, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. I understand that there will be no financial or other remuneration for showcasing the film, either online or inside an auditorium on the day of public event.

I, the undersigned Artist, did register my written content (the “Screenplay”) with the U.S. Copyright Office or WGA database (or my native country’s copyright body) prior to submission, and hold harmless the Festival, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright violation of my Screenplay. I further consent that my name and script title may be revealed therein for public show purposes. I do hereby release to Festival, its agents, and employees all rights to exhibit this work for Judging purposes.

I, the undersigned Artist, agree to follow festival rules and terms regarding the use of festival's name on social media sites ("Internet") and use or updating of festival's page on global database ("IMDb"). I understand that festival's IMDb page is updated by festival's staff and I shall not alter festival's IMDb page by adding false information. I represent that I am at least 18 years of age, understand this agreement, accept festival's rules, and agree that my Official Selection status can be terminated if I break festival's rules listed on this FilmFreeway site.

(signed by Artist via SUBMIT button click)
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©2018 Belgrade & Cleveland Media Group, LLC

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Daniel Griesheimer

    Last year was my first experience at Kindrome and they made a great first impression! It's obvious the staff works hard all year round to create a well organized festival ripe with amazing films, awards, and networking opportunities galore! I highly recommend submitting to Kinodrome!

    January 2023
  • Lucas Vossoughi

    Great communication from the start, super friendly and professional, a unique festival with a special view on the art of moving pictures - we were honoured to be Runner Up in Best Long Short with our film Fragments, but unfortunately couldn't be there in person (I am sure, their hospitality is as well great ...). Such a pity! Thank you so much for selecting and even awarding us!

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    We really enjoyed watching "Fragments". Great cinematography! Very unique film.

  • Thank you for the honor of the acceptance and the award! An illness kept me from traveling and being there in person, something I'll forever regret. The communication was incredible and professional. Thanks for the expirience!

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Your film is very powerful in every way: story, visuals, and message. Thank you for participating and showing your work.

  • Kathleen Welton

    This is a fun festival to enter. I am quite grateful that my screenplays were included in the festival (for the past two years) and that my latest screenplay was a finalist (this year)! They have super cool certificates and then medals too if you are lucky enough to place.

    Would highly recommend this one. Thank you so much for your care and consideration.

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Kathleen - for your participation and your kind words. Stay motivated to create new stories and characters. We want you to come back again. Cheers.

  • Excellent competition to enter! Thank you for your recognition of my work Time, Space, & the Poet, parts one and two!

    October 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Very good script. Keep writing and competing!