*Update! Because of the uncertainty of the Covid-19 Crisis we are again postponing our NIFA Awards Show (The Film Forte) until the weekend of April 30 - May 1, 2021. (Deadline has been moved to Feb 28th, 2021) The Film Forte (home of the National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) ) is a film festival and music festival in the vein of South by Southwest (SXSW). Held at Lawrence University (a top 25 Liberal Arts College in the Nation) & various venues in Appleton, WI (The home of Harry Houdini, Willem Dafoe and The Mile of Music). Hosted by Dan Davies (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Davies) star of the worldwide Netflix sensation "A Trip to Jamaica". This 4 day event, is also the home of the National Independent Film Awards (The NIFA Awards) The NIFA Awards comprise of Lifetime Achievement Awards (our inaugural winners in 2019 - Sir Sean Connery - NIFA Lifetime Achievement Award henceforth The Connery Award, Neal McCoy - NIFA Musical Legend Award - The Real McCoy Award, Jeff Olm - NIFA Lifetime Achievement - Post-Production - The Olm Award & Michael Blake (awarded posthumously) NIFA Legend Award - The Blake Award and the NIFA Best Independent Film, NIFA Best International Film, NIFA Best Micro-Budget Film, NIFA Best Documentary Film, NIFA Best Short Film, and NIFA Best Music Video. (Postponed til April 30th - May 1st, 2021 Appleton, WI)

Awards & Prizes

The National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) in conjunction with The Film Forte will be nominating 5 films for the NIFA Best Independent Film Award (1 winner), 10 nominated films for the NIFA Best International Film (1 winner), 5 nominated films for the NIFA Best Micro-Budget Film (1 winner), 10 nominated films for the NIFA Best Documentary Film (1 winner), 10 nominated films for the NIFA Best Short Film (1 winner) and 10 nominated films for the NIFA Best Music Video (1 winner). Each winner receives our beautiful cobalt blue/crystal glass and Italian marble NIFA Trophy .

Rules & Terms

All films that were filmed or screened from 5/01/19 to 3/21/21are eligible. We do accept works in progress but would prefer screen ready versions. NIFA Best Independent Film (60 mins or more) NIFA Best Micro-Budget Film (60 mins or more) NIFA Best Short Film (Under 60 mins), NIFA Best International Film (over 10 mins) NIFA Best Documentary (over 10 mins) NIFA Music Video (under 15 mins).

SUBMITTING YOUR FILM
Send an online screener through FilmFreeway or other online link:
(Dropbox, Google Drive, Vimeo, etc.) Send links to danny.daviz@gmail.com and include your FilmFreeway registration number.

We will accept DVD's or BRD's in the mail but online is preferred.

1) The application fee is non-refundable. DVD's or USB Drives will not be returned unless a prepaid mailer or label is included. By submitting you are agreeing to this and to being completely responsible for any problems which might arise due to any uncleared material (music or other) .

2) There may be distributors present but no distribution is guaranteed.

3) We will have a panel of judges. Winners will be announced on Friday, May 1st 2020. The first prize winner in each category will win our NIFA Award Trophy.

4) People whose films have been selected will be notified by April 8th, 2020.

5) Submitted films will not receive a screening fee if screened at the The Film Forte.

6) The Film Forte in conjunction with the National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and 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 Film Forte and the National Independent Film Association (The NIFA Awards) 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.