NEO-SOUTH INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

We present to you Neo-South Independent Film Festival (Neo-South) formerly known as Neo-Joho Independent Film Festival. The 2nd year we has expand to a bigger empire and we are conquering the South of Malaysia.

Neo-South Independent Film Festival (Neo-South) is an international film festival to showcase innovative independent film makers and artists from around the world.

The 2nd year of the festival will be on 16 October 2021 and 17 October 2021, Neo-South Independent Film Festival (Neo-South) welcomes the best independent filmmakers from around the world!

We want to showcase stories of niche genres, styles, and from different countries!
We are looking for stories that capture the imagination, talent, and diversity of independent filmmakers, which will leave audiences in awe.

A panel of international judges will be selecting the best films, to create a unique and exciting program for two nights of screening. Filmmakers will get a chance to win and have their films screened.

Neo-South Independent Film Festival (Neo-South) is organized by Rogue & Rebel Studio, a local indie production company run by a collective of independent filmmakers, producers and marketing professionals.

Our mission is to create a collective of films that support independent filmmakers in a very competitive and often unfair industry. We aim to provide an ecosystem for emerging talents and independent filmmakers, to inspire, motivate and award new talents based entirely on their skill set and passion.

Awards & Prizes

Neo-South Independent Film Festival (Neo-South) will showcase a number of feature films and short films.

Each film we designate as an "Official Selection" will receive a high-resolution .png image of our festival laurels to be used for marketing and promotional materials as the filmmaker sees fit.

Out of the official selections, the jury will select one winner in each category and a certain number of Special Mention in the feature film and short film.

The winning filmmakers will receive a high-resolution .png image of our festival laurels with the "Winner" label or "Special Mention" to be used as the filmmaker sees fit.

Categories:

NEOSOUTH AWARD (FEATURE FILM)

Best Picture
This category is for all films that surpass on each award categories and it is a special award to recognise the hard work of the film production. Must provide English subtitles for non-English speaking dialogues. Date of completion should be no less than 2017.

Best Director
The Director is practically the mastermind of the film. The job of the director is one of the biggest responsibilities of the entire film. They uphold the vision of the film and must know how to make that vision a reality. A film's success depends on how a director delivers his vision. Must provide English subtitles for non-English speaking dialogues. Date of completion should be no less than 2017.

Best Cinematography
Cinematography isn’t just concern on capturing the best shots, they must understand how composition, angles, and movement support the tone and atmosphere of the scene. Or capture the relationship between characters from visual cues. Must provide English subtitles for non-English speaking dialogues. Date of completion should be no less than 2017.

Best Original Screenplay
Before a film is brought to life, it starts with a script. The scriptwriter makes up the story and the structure of the film. They create the conflict of the film, while keeping in mind how the characters would react that seems natural and makes sense to them. Filmmakers for this category must submit an English script to be judged, with no minimum or maximum number of pages.

Best Production Design
Production design is the creation and organization of the physical world surrounding a film story. During the studio era, production designers, as opposed to art directors, were the exception. The production designer's primary, though by no means exclusive, responsibility is the design of the sets and the looks of the film.

Best Original Score
The best scores can complement, or even become more memorable than the film itself. A good music scores can bring a film to life and tell an accompanying story. Scores submitted in this category will be judged on cinematography, storytelling, production value, and choreography (if applicable).

Best Film Editing
The job of an Editor isn’t just to cut and place between shots. An editor is basically a second director, they are the ones that set the pace and the beat of the film, and they make sure the tone and atmosphere stay constant throughout the scene..

FILMUDA AWARD (SHORTIES)

Best Shorties (Shorties)
There are no boundaries on how the story is told, the filmmaker
is free to shape reality as they want within the film. A shorties
also can be a tool for entertainment, share a certain mindset, or
highlight a problem. This category is for narrative fiction should
be no more than 20 minutes, showcasing the filmmakers best
work.

Best Director (Shorties)
The Director is practically the mastermind of the film. The job of the director is one of the biggest responsibilities of the entire film. They uphold the vision of the film and must know how to make that vision a reality. A film's success depends on how a director delivers his vision. Must provide English subtitles for non-English speaking dialogues. Date of completion should be no less than 2017.

Best Cinematography (Shorties)
Cinematography isn’t just concern on capturing the best shots, they must understand how composition, angles, and movement support the tone and atmosphere of the scene. Or capture the relationship between characters from visual cues. Must provide English subtitles for non-English speaking dialogues. Date of completion should be no less than 2017.

ROGUE & REBEL AWARD (First Time Malaysian Filmmaker)

This special award is meant for first time Malaysian Filmmakers who are trained in a special program 12-Week Filmmaking’. During the first 4 weeks of the program, 50 filmmakers are expected to undergo all the basic requirements in filmmaking. Then, only 5 filmmakers are chosen to produce their own films during the last 8 weeks of the program. Out of these 5, only one outstanding film will be granted the award.

The categories are:
Best Feature Film
Best Director
Best Cinematography

Rules & Terms

SUBMISSIONS

The Neo-South Independent Film Festival (Neo-South) ONLY accept ALL genres of feature films and short films.

Films must be submitted via online screener (Vimeo or YouTube).

An online screener (Vimeo, Youtube) file (MP4, MOV,etc.) is needed.

All films must be subtitled in English.

All films must be made in or after 2017.

Short Films should be under 20 minutes in duration.

Student films must provide proof of school/university ID.

Entry does not guarantee acceptance into the festival.

ALL FILMS MUST BE RATED "G" or "PG-13."

All submission materials WILL NOT be returned.

We cannot provide refunds.

We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.

We do not accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere and that may have distribution agreements already in place.

Multiple entries are allowed; however, a separate entry form must be submitted for each.

We place no restrictions on your work in terms of premiere status or whether your work has been made available online.

We may use clips from your film on social media, based on the press kits you have provided us with.

We retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances.

All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through our online platforms.

The exhibition version (film) must be submitted in the following file formats: Digital Cinema Package (DCP) in PAL format with 24 or 25 fps, or a Blu-ray disc, excepts for shortfilm, the exhibition version (film) must be submitted in Pal format with 24 or 25 fps DVD.

Any technical issues with the submitted films are 100% the responsibility of the filmmakers. If, at the time of judging, your video file doesn’t work or doesn’t have English subtitles (if in a language other than English), it will be automatically rejected, without a refund. Please contact the festival team ASAP if there are any issues with the submission process, and a solution will be found.

ENTRY LIABILITY
The filmmaker holds the Neo-South Independent Film Festival (Neo-South), its management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from entry.

The filmmaker certifies to have full rights.

Filmmakers are responsible for the copyright of their own materials.

Producer will indemnify the organizers of the Festival against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.

By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience.

By submitting to us you agree to our terms and conditions and to receiving marketing newsletters and discounts about film festivals in the form of emails. We will never sell your information to third parties.

Nominations:
All films nominated for an award in every category. Not all nominated films will be screened.

Official Selection:
Nominated films selected for screening will be notified via email. If you received a Nomination email, but no Official Selection email, it means your film will not be screened, but is still a contender for an award in its category.

Award Winners:
Chosen from the Nominations (which includes the Official Selection).