shortfilm.de is the joint short film portal of the International Short Film Festival Oberhausen and AG Kurzfilm, the German Short Film Association.
Best practice benchmarks for film festivals
/ November 23, 2009
Not all too long ago, short film festivals were few and far between. Their organizational form and mode of operation was pretty much the same all over the world. Festivals with international competitions followed similar, if not identical, sets of rules and conventions. Today, however, there are thousands of events and occasions that describe themselves as festivals. Most do not deserve this appellation, many work with obscure regulations, and some even make do without any rules or terms & conditions at all.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for both the industry and the audience to distinguish between these events and to judge their quality. Filmmakers in particular are faced with the decision of whether and where to submit their films in view of the plethora of practices on the festival circuit today. Unfortunately, an increasing number of black sheep can be found among the festival organizers – operators who have introduced practices that are unfair to the audience, their festival colleagues and above all the filmmakers. Against this backdrop, some uniform conventions and standard criteria would certainly be a welcome addition to the festival scene. more
New questions on European media funding
/ November 23, 2009In our Topic article in September 2009 on the European MEDIA funding programme, we also mentioned support for film festivals. We referred there to MEDIA regulations that favour European films – rules by which, for example, festivals with an international orientation are only eligible for a grant if they devote less than 30% of their programming to films from outside Europe.
An attentive reader has now alerted us to recent changes in the funding guidelines that may in particular put short film festivals at a disadvantage. more
Animate Projects launches new “Engine” online platform (UK)
Engine is a new online channel for debate and discussion exploring the intersections between diverse areas of film and media art. more
Second round for American video contest “Democracy is ....”
Short film quality initiative and no-budget films at AFI Fest in Hollywood
Sex sells: Dirty Diaries a controversial hit worldwide (S)
Live 2011 Grand Prix competition (FIN)
Relaunch of French short film portal 6nema