ANNOUNCES 2010 FESTIVAL DATES AND CALL FOR ENTRIES
AFI FEST Renews Commitment to Community with Free Tickets
Los Angeles' Longest Running International Film Festival
Also Announces New Award & Section for Filmmakers
LOS ANGELES, CA, April 27, 2010 - AFI FEST presented by Audi officially announced its dates and call for entries today for the 24th annual event. AFI FEST will be held November 4 through 11, 2010 in Hollywood, California at the historic Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Mann Chinese 6 at the Hollywood & Highland Center, and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
The market partner of AFI FEST, the American Film Market (AFM), will be held November 3-10, 2010.
Last year, AFI FEST broke new ground by offering free tickets to all of its screenings. With the support of Audi, the festival's presenting sponsor, and other committed sponsors, what began as a recession-inspired experiment has proven a new model for film festivals, where the price of admission is not a barrier to experiencing the best of world cinema. The success of last year's AFI FEST has led some other film festivals to explore adopting a free festival model.
Filmmakers are invited to submit narrative, documentary, experimental, animated and short films at AFI.com/AFIFEST or through Withoutabox.com. The final submission deadline for shorts (under 30 minutes) is July 30th, 2010, and the final deadline for feature length films (documentary and narrative) is August 13th, 2010. Decisions will be announced no later than October 8th, 2010. Filmmakers can call 1.866.AFI.FEST for more information.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards. AFI FEST is the only film festival in the United States to hold the prestigious FIAPF accreditation (FIAPF.org), assuring a high standard of quality and reliability for the international film community.
AFI FEST also announced today that the 2010 edition of the festival will feature a new section and award to highlight films discovered solely through the submissions process. Films in this new section are eligible for a cash award of $5,000, which will be decided by the audience at AFI FEST.
AFI FEST Director Jacqueline Lyanga said, "We have found extraordinary gems in the submissions process over the years, and this is an opportunity to highlight the 2010 entries at the festival. These are films that tend to be truly independent endeavors; films that get made on pure passion and persistence."
"It is always a thrilling moment when a film that you have not been tracking surprises you and, immediately, you want to share it with others," said Lane Kneedler, Associate Director of Programming at AFI FEST. "This section will enable us to bring these films to an audience eager to see and experience the world's newest stories."
Last year's AFI FEST presented by Audi enjoyed record attendance, as audiences turned out in force to attend films and special events. Programming highlights from AFI FEST 2009 presented by Audi included seven consecutive nights of galas and tributes, including FANTASTIC MR FOX, PRECIOUS, THE MESSENGER, A SINGLE MAN, THE ROAD and a 50th Anniversary digitally re-mastered presentation of Alfred Hitchcock's NORTH BY NORTHWEST; tributes to Viggo Mortensen and Christopher Plummer, the latter featuring a screening of THE LAST STATION; red carpet appearances by Wes Anderson, Drew Barrymore, Angela Bassett, Kate Beckinsale, Nicolas Cage, Lee Daniels, Julie Delpy, Robert De Niro, Colin Firth, Tom Ford, Terry Gilliam, Woody Harrelson, Werner Herzog, Martin Landau, Julianne Moore, Mo'Nique, Bill Murray, Tyler Perry, Eva Marie Saint, Jason Schwartzman, Charlize Theron and Oprah Winfrey; and access to the AFI DigiFest new media conference.
About the American Film Institute
AFI is America's promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work, and to educate the next generation of storytellers. As a national, public-supported educational and cultural organization, AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is the only non-profit organization dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.
AFI is America's promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work, and to educate the next generation of storytellers. As a national, public-supported educational and cultural organization, AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is the only non-profit organization dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.
AFI preserves the legacy of America's film heritage through the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, an authoritative and scholarly record of American films made from 1896 to the present, and the AFI Archives, which contains rare and previously unseen footage from AFI's 40-plus year history.
AFI honors the artists and their work through a variety of programs and special events during the year, including the annual AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI Awards. For 37 years, the AFI Life Achievement Award has remained the highest honor for a career in film while AFI Awards, the institute's almanac for the 21st century, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year. AFI's 100 Years/100 Movies... series and definitive movie reference lists, as well as Target presents AFI Night at the Movies, have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers. And as the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the United States, AFI offers film enthusiasts a variety of events throughout the year, including AFI FEST presented by Audi, the longest running international film festival in Los Angeles; AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs, the largest documentary festival in the US; and year-round programming at the AFI Silver Theatre in the Washington, D.C. area.
AFI educates the next generation of storytellers at its world-renowned AFI Conservatory, offering a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in six filmmaking disciplines - Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. AFI also explores new digital technologies through AFI Conservatory curriculum and workshops and at AFI DigiFest, and showcases the work of young storytellers at through AFI ScreenNation and emerging filmmakers through AFI Project: 20/20.
Additional information about AFI is available at AFI.com.
About AFI FEST
Celebrating its 24th year as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2010 presented by Audi will take place November 4 through 11 in the heart of Hollywood. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing appreciative audiences with a festive atmosphere and the very best of world film, right in the center of the film capital of the world.
Celebrating its 24th year as a program of the American Film Institute, AFI FEST 2010 presented by Audi will take place November 4 through 11 in the heart of Hollywood. Kicking off the awards season each year, AFI FEST offers a crucial avenue of exposure to the entertainment community, while providing appreciative audiences with a festive atmosphere and the very best of world film, right in the center of the film capital of the world.
The American Film Market (AFM), November 3-10, 2010, is the market partner of AFI FEST. Together, AFI FEST and AFM provide the only concurrent festival/market event in North America. AFI FEST is the only FIAPF-accredited film festival in the United States. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the annual Academy Awards®.
AFI FEST 2010 presented by Audi is sponsored in part by American Airlines, American Film Market (AFM) and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission. Additional sponsors include Stella Artois, Little Black Dress and the Hollywood & Highland Center. AFI FEST is proud to continue its collaborative partnership with the Skirball Cultural Center.
Additional information about AFI FEST presented by Audi is available at AFI.com/AFIFEST.
About Audi
Audi of America, Inc. and its 270 U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2009 Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe, while in the U.S. market Audi posted the largest market share gain of any luxury automotive brand. Over the next few years, AUDI AG expects to spend nearly $2 billion annually on new products and technology. Visitaudiusa.com or audiusanews.com
for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.
About AFM
The business of independent motion picture production and distribution -- a truly collaborative process -- reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market. More than 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.
AFM is the premier global marketplace for Hollywood's decision makers. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals are sealed -- on both completed films and those that haven't started shooting yet -- making AFM the must-attend industry event.
The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association representing the world's producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs. More information can be found at IFTA-online.org and AmericanFilmMarket.com.
Audi of America, Inc. and its 270 U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. During 2009 Audi outsold all other luxury brands in Europe, while in the U.S. market Audi posted the largest market share gain of any luxury automotive brand. Over the next few years, AUDI AG expects to spend nearly $2 billion annually on new products and technology. Visitaudiusa.com or audiusanews.com
for more information regarding Audi vehicle and business issues.
About AFM
The business of independent motion picture production and distribution -- a truly collaborative process -- reaches its peak every year at the American Film Market. More than 7,000 industry leaders converge in Santa Monica for eight days of deal making, screenings, seminars, red carpet premieres, networking and parties. Participants come from over 70 countries and include acquisition and development executives, agents, attorneys, directors, distributors, festival directors, financiers, film commissioners, producers, writers, the world's press and all those who provide services to the motion picture industry.
AFM is the premier global marketplace for Hollywood's decision makers. In just eight days, more than $800 million in deals are sealed -- on both completed films and those that haven't started shooting yet -- making AFM the must-attend industry event.
The American Film Market is produced by the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA), the trade association representing the world's producers and distributors of independent motion pictures and television programs. More information can be found at IFTA-online.org and AmericanFilmMarket.com.
For additional information contact:
Marsha Conner
American Film Institute
323.856.7766
mconner@AFI.com
Marsha Conner
American Film Institute
323.856.7766
mconner@AFI.com
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