SHIFT Film Festival 2020

SHIFTING DISTANCE

We celebrate the sixth edition of the SHIFT Film Festival organised by film hub CineSud and we do so in spite, and maybe especially because, of the crazy times that 2020 has brought us so far. With the coronavirus outbreak, social distancing and strict measurements, it is still uncertain whether the live events will take place, however, we are proud to announce that the sixth edition of the SHIFT Film Festival will take place, whether live or online, we continue rolling, by shifting distance of social distancing, we invite you to experience (part of) a festival in the digital form!

With film production on hold, a closedown of cinemas, financial and funding insecurities and pressure of the lockdown, it is your creativity that thrives and needs a boost. Are you ready to shoot in October-December or do you need inspiration and direction in preparing your first or next short film? This year’s edition of SHIFT Film Festival will run online, shifting distance and creating a space for all the filmmakers to screen their films in the online cinema and enhance filmmaking skills during BootCamp ShortsLab. Get prepared to finally shoot and distribute your short film!

This year we have no choice but to offer the screenings of the Short Film Competition online. The screenings will be done on a special digital cinema platform, giving access only for the registered viewers or viewer with the link. The films will not, under any circumstances, will be published for the public viewing, as we respect the work of the filmmakers and the festival run for your film.

Please note (!) that if the corona outbreak measurements will make it possible, the films will be screened at Royal Theater Heerlen, though masterclasses will be held online to give opportunity to more filmmakers to join!

This year we offer you two options:
- Submit your film to the Short Film Competition and whether your film is selected or not, you will get an access to the Bootcamp Shorts Lab and network with other participants at the lectures and at online Lunch! Short Film Competition will be screened at the online cinema and the viewer can not only watch your film but also talk to you during Q&A sessions after the screening.
- Submit your film to the Short Film Competition with a lower fee and only if selected, you will be able to participate the Bootcamp Shorts Lab.

SCHEDULE:

BOOTCAMP SHORTS LAB
September 11, 2020
- Masterclass | Script Development: Shape up Your Idea Into a Killer Script
- Online Lunch & Filmmakers Talk - Q&A with the filmmakers from the Short Film Competition
- Masterclass | Producing: Find Ways to Finance Your Film
- Masterclass| Directing: Bring Your Vision to the Screen
September 12, 2020
- Masterclass| Camera & Composition: Make Your Story Visual
- Masterclass| Editing & Sound: Enhance your Story in the Post
- Online Lunch & Filmmakers Talk - Q&A with the filmmakers from the Short Film Competition
- Masterclass | Distribution: Submit to be Selected

SCREENINGS

September 11 - Short Film Competition 1 & online Q&A
September 12 - Short Film Competition 2 & online Q&A
September 11-12 - Audience watch and vote (online closed platform, no public access)
September 12 - Awards

Awards & Prizes

• SHIFT Award for Best Film (€250)
• Youth Jury Award for Best Film
• Special Jury Award
• Audience Award for Best Film
• Best Pitch (€2.000)

Rules & Terms

1. There is no limitation regarding the production date of your film, although our main focus will be productions made within the last five years.
2. The maximum running time for shorts is 20 minutes (including credits).
3. Films in every genre can be submitted (e.g. fiction, documentary, animation, experimental and more).
4. Titles produced in languages other than English must have legible English subtitles or dubbed in English.
5. Submissions only via FilmFreeway.com, with online screeners (downloadable preferred). Additional materials such as credits, synopsis, stills, director’s biography and headshot are obligatory.
7 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tanya Yakovlev

    So honoured to have my short represented at SHIFT film festival.
    Excellent festival with very good networking opportunities.
    I met great people and made new friends from around the world here. The films are also of outstanding artistic quality. I love how this festival gives the guests and filmmakers a really nice familiar feeling. Everyone is super nice but also very professional. I would love to be able to join this festival again!

    March 2020
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  • Greg Hall

    I've been to alot of festivals but this was one of the best I have ever attended. Super well organised with great events as part of the festival, all communication and hospitality was exceptional. An amazing selection of films, I was very happy to screen as part of it and to attend the festival. The networking was brilliant. I highly recommend this festival!!

    December 2019
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  • Didi Spaans

    Great welcoming festival, with a lot of networking opportunities.

    October 2019
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  • Michael Schmidl

    Well organzied Festival with fast and friendly communication. We had a really nice weekend in Maastricht and enjoyed it to be part of the Festival. Also great networking opportunities and workshops!

    November 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Michael, thank you for your kind review! Hope to see you again!

  • Rose Hanawi

    Shift Film Festival is a very well organized and valuable event. It is much more than a film festival.
    I was invited by the organization when my film "Who am I?" was selected for the official competition, and it was an amazing experience.
    Thank you to the organization and volunteers.

    November 2018
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    Response from festival:

    Dear Rose, thank you for your kind review! It was a pleasure to have you at our festival! Keep us updated on upcoming projects!