Azubuike Arts is producing the Quad Cities' first annual 'Pulling Focus' Film Festival of The Black Diaspora for National Independent Filmmakers. The mandate of the Azubuike African American Council for The Arts is to empower and inspire Black filmmakers by showcasing the cinematic stories made by and about people of African Descent and bringing recognition to their work. The Pulling Focus Film Festival creates an appreciation for Black culture and the Black experience while creating empathy and understanding for each other and helping make our community a better place.

The Azubuike African American Council for The Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to reconcile the racial divides in our community and spark a much larger conversation about race relations through the arts.

Azubuike is the parent organization of the Urban Exposure Independent Film Project, which offers a Summer film program that trains young people in the fundamentals of filmmaking. Azubuike also offers the Urban Exposure Film Incubator, a Narrative Short Film program for emerging regional filmmakers.

1. Best Short Film
2. Best Student Film
3. Best In The Midwest
4. Audience Choice Awards
5. Best Inspirational Story Award
6. Out of Competition Showcase

1. Films are accepted via email or online with FilmFreeway.

2. Submitted films should be in digital media file format: MOV or MP4.

3. Films must be at least 1 min long and not exceed 35 mins in length with titles &
credits.

4. Films must reflect the Black Diaspora/African American /BIPOC experience and
be created by an African American or filmmaker of African Descent.

5. The general Film category is open to Midwest Region independent filmmakers with short films produced by either first-time filmmakers, student filmmakers, emerging independent filmmakers, or Regional Independent films produced by small production companies. (*Festival is open nationally.)

6. Awards and Official Selections are at the sole discretion of the jury and programming
committee and are based on the overall merits of the films. The selection committee
and jury's decisions are final.

7. If your film is selected, you allow us to use brief excerpts (stills & video clips) in
promotional and marketing campaigns for our competition. We are happy to use any
trailer you may have. We will not use any media from any films not selected as a semi-
finalists, finalists, or winners.

8. Works in progress will not be accepted.

9. Each applicant must be the rightful owner of
submitted films and own all literary and musical rights.

10. Filmmakers may submit multiple entries, each of which must be submitted
separately.

11. The filmmaker will assume material and print shipping costs to The Pulling Focus
Film Festival.

12. The Pulling Focus Film Festival reserves the right to make necessary scheduling or
programming changes to the event.

* Please do not send press kits with your entry. We will contact you if we need Press
materials after selecting your film.

* Entrants agree to indemnify and hold us, including our volunteers, directors, sponsors,
and affiliates, harmless against all claims arising from entry or participation in The
Pulling Focus Film Festival.

* All responses by PFFF will be made by email. Official Selections will be contacted
approximately 21 days before the Festival.

* By submitting your film to The Pulling Focus Film Festival, you agree that you have
read, understood, and agree to all the Festival's, as mentioned above, rules and
guidelines.

*IF YOUR FILM IS SELECTED, YOU MUST COMPLY WITH OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS.

*Indemnification: Applicant and rightsholder shall, at all times, indemnify, defend and hold PFFF, Azubuike African American Council for The Arts INC, and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, judges, employees, service providers, contractors, and sponsors of the foregoing harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, penalties, liabilities, costs, and expenses including, reasonable counsel fees, arising out of or relating to: festival violations, omissions, violations of copyright.