Thin Line Fest is a blend of documentary film and multi-genre music in 2022. Texas' International Documentary Film Festival since 2007 and one of Dallas / Fort Worth's largest music festivals since 2014. The 15th Annual Thin Line Fest is March 23 - 27, 2022.
We are very excited to announce that Thin Line will award nearly $35,000 in cash and prizes at this year's festival including large awards to the Best Feature and Short Documentary, Emerging Filmmaker and Best Domestic or International Documentary.
Thin Line Fest will give your documentary our undivided attention during the review process. We review documentaries on any topic, of any length, shot on any format, and completed in any year. We want relevant stories with compelling characters and told in a creative way. We want to review your mockumentaries, docufictions and other hybrid forms of documentary. We love films with an uplifting message, or about overcoming adversity, about music or art, or with great characters. Regardless the topic, we want to watch it!
Thin Line Fest is a multi-format festival focusing primarily on two artistic areas in 2022: documentary film and multi-genre music. We love crossover opportunities and if your film includes a way to be included for music programming, let us know. We also want to know about any Texas connection. Please include this information in your cover letter.
Thin Line Fest is set in Denton, Texas, a progressive community with two universities. The music scene is one of the best in the country with plenty of places to catch a jazz ensemble or an indie rock band around town. Films screen virtually and at local venues in 2022. Music performances are anticipated as live experiences in 2022.
Thin Line Fest had the privilege of hosting two virtual festivals over the past 20 months, and both times we delivered a unique online festival experience unmatched throughout the pandemic. While we are over-the-moon about returning to our traditional venues, we are also committed to delivering an innovative virtual experience in 2022. The key to our success is that we only live stream our events. Nothing is available for download or as on-demand content. This is huge for security because it means that your content is only available while it is live streaming from the festival venue! We use industry-standard security protocols for our live streams and all viewers must first register as a festival attendee. We can also implement geo or viewer-count restrictions if required. Your content plays live on stage at the festival while we simultaneously stream the show to our virtual attendees.
Just like our festival, all streaming events are free; attendees only have to register online. Whether a film screening or a musical performance, online attendees will be able to interact with each other and in some cases with the filmmakers and artists. This creates a community experience for both in-person and online attendees around a live festival event! I hope you will join us!
Unless otherwise agreed by the Festival in writing, awards will be fulfilled approximately 10-14 weeks after the close of the festival. Any award that includes a certificate of credit will be presented at the Award Ceremony.
Award eligibility is subject to any restrictions or conditions imposed by applicable laws and regulations (international, federal, state or otherwise), and the award recipient is responsible for all applicable taxes, customs, tariffs, insurance and similar charges or costs (if any).
2022 Awards listed in the below Festival sections are subject to change.
Best Feature Documentary - Best Short Documentary
The overall best feature and short documentaries will be determined by a jury. Only films pre-selected by the festival programming committee will be eligible for this award. The winner will be chosen based on the following characteristics: 1. Be technically and creatively well-rounded and consistent. 2. Contain innovative elements that utilize the array of directorial decisions and creativity including, but not limited to: interview techniques (if there are interviews), narrative flow (traditional or not), overall style and approach to subject matter, as well as interest and importance of the content, subject, and people or things involved in the film. 3. Judges will NOT judge based on personal beliefs about the subject matter itself or any ethical concerns privately held by any one jury member. Feature winner will receive a $15,000 credit with Panavision. Short winner will receive a $5,000 credit with Panavision.
Sponsor: Panavision
Award Value: $15,000, $5,000
Emerging Non-Fiction Filmmaker
This award will go to the documentary filmmaker that shows the most promise for a successful career. Typically this would be a first-time feature filmmaker but it could also be a filmmaker that has a larger body of short film work.
Sponsor: Panavision
Award Value: $5,000
Best Domestic/International Documentary
This award matches the criteria of the Best Feature Award. If the Best Feature is awarded to an International film then this award will be given to the Best Domestic Documentary. If the Best Feature is awarded to a Domestic film then this award will be given to the Best International Documentary.
Sponsor: Panavision
Award Value: $5,000
Denton Award
The Denton Award is a $500 cash or cash value prize for the best feature or short documentary with a 'connection' to Denton County, Texas. A 'connection' can be any tie-in related to the People, Places, and Spirit of Denton County. Here are a few clear-cut examples: the filmmaker was born or currently resides in Denton County, the film's main character was born in or currently resides in Denton County, or the film features a Denton County location or individual city/community. Here are a few not-so-clear-cut examples: the film uses Denton County locations but they aren't featured or identifiable, the film's subject matter deals with a topic or issue currently affecting the people of Denton County, or the film's subject went to school in Denton County. All of the above examples would be eligible for this award. The criteria are meant to be broadly applied; but if you have a question send us an e-mail.
Award Value: $500
Best Student Short Doc Award
The Best Student Short Doc Award is based on the same criteria used in the Thin Line Best Documentary Award except it only applies to short documentaries which are labelled as a Student project in your submission. Student projects are only eligible for student awards.
Award Value: $500