FESTIVAL THEME: Overlooked and Hidden Lives
These are the lives of people from the margins, people whose stories need to be told. The narratives can be of suffering and endurance. The culmination may be marked by triumph or tragedy. At the same time, the lives of women and men from the mainstream often have hidden aspects that make for compelling stories. These stories may be comic or serious in tone, but in both cases examination through film and in screenplays can produce profound insight. Filmmakers and screenwriters need not hold too tightly to the theme of this festival. Loose connections, unexpected connections. and most of all connections that make the viewer think long after the screen has gone dark - all are welcome.
Adaptations from stage plays and novels will be accepted if rights are owned or unencumbered. We are looking for all sorts of films including features, shorts, and TV pilots. We want strong screenplays. There are special categories for student work when filmmakers and screenwriters can prove student status.
1. Cinema of all genres, any length, and budget are welcome from all over the world.
2. NO restrictions on the year of making or release.
3. World premieres of the films are a high priority.
4. Works in progress are accepted provided the completion takes place before the event.
5. A co-creators workshop will be organized where you learn from fellow professionals, share your experience and get potential partners/ financiers
6. This is a special opportunity for filmmakers who don’t necessarily have a large budget, but a vision and an important story to tell. We are here to provide them with an international platform. We encourage experimentation and welcome out-of-the-box ideas/content.
7. We will be handing out a number of awards at the event in a number of categories, selected and evaluated by our jury. We encourage you to submit to several categories in order to increase your chances of getting selected or winning an award.
8. Selection and screening of the films will be as follows:
a. Official Selection: First Selection list will be named “Official Selection”. These films will get a Certificate of Official Selection.
b. FINALISTS: Second Selection will be from the Official Selection list. The films selected from the first list will be named as “FINALISTS”. These films will qualify for screening depending upon requisite technical requirements of the Filmhuis like the availability of the film in the DCP format.
c. SCREENING: Some of the FINALISTS will be selected for Screening,
d. AWARD WINNERS: Award will be announced on the last day of screening in the Awards Ceremony.
e. Restrictions: If your film is already available for viewing on a free platform (like YouTube) then the film may not be screened. However, you can still participate in the festival for Official Selection and Finalists.
We have many awards in different categories which will be announced after the screening of the films.