Category: Blog

Entries NOW Open for 2021 WorldFest Houston International Film Festival

September 26, 2020 (updated September 26, 2020) Published by

The WorldFest- Houston International Film Festival has announced that it has begun accepting entries for 2021 as of August 15th, 2020.

The entry period for 2021 Worldfest-Houston continues through January 31, 2021, so if your film is not quite ready, there are a few months left to enter.

The deadlines are posted on the worldfest.org web site along with an entry form at https://worldfest.org/submit-via-our-website/.  A recap of the deadlines as posted on the 54th annual WorldFest site includes:

  • Entry Period Began August 15th, 2020
  • The EarlyBird Entry Deadline is November 15th, 2020
  • Main Entry Deadline is December 15th, 2020

The online entry deadlines as described in the entry form are: “These are ‘Postmark by Deadlines’. If you enter Online by the January 15th Late/Final Deadline and we receive the physical entry by January 31st, your entry will still be reviewed by our judges.

Due to popular demand, we have extended the Final Brick Wall Deadline to January 31st, online!”

The History of the Houston Film Festival

Producer-Director Hunter Todd founded the WorldFest-Houston Film Festival in 1968 as the International Film Society.

The festival continues to take place in April, as it has since its founding. The 2021 Worldfest is the 54th consecutive annual film festival that is billed as being “fiercely independent”.

Unlike other major film festivals, WorldFest bestows awards to 10 major categories of film. The WorldFest Awards are called the Remi.

Previous notables who have a Remi Award include Ang Lee, David Winning, John Lee Hancock, Randal Kleiser along Hollywood icon Steven Speilberg.

Worldfest awards the Remi in 10 major film and video categories as well as 200+ sub-categories, which attests to how it caters to the independent film and video maker.

The ten distinctive categories to which independent film and video makers can submit their work to at the 54th Annual WorldFest-Houston include:

  • Independent Shorts
  • Independent Experimental Films & Videos
  • Independent Theatrical Features
  • Independent Study Films & Videos
  • Television and Cable Production
  • TV Commercials / Public Service Announcements
  • Film & Video Production
  • Screenplays
  • Music Videos
  • New Media (including websites and 3D productions)

Along with offering a depth of categories for every independent film and video maker, WorldFest-Houston highlights categories that include producers, screenwriters as well as web site and 3D Productions.

Although WorldFest features one of the most extensive lists of categories and sub-categories the public attending WorldFest-Houston view less than 50 films on 3 primary screens over a 10-day period.

The founder J. Hunter Todd and the festival board want the audience to view as many entries as possible which can not happen when a festival screens hundreds of films.

WorldFest Houston typically receives approximately 500 entries which the judges whittle down to less than 10% to be entered for the various Remi Awards.

The limited number of final films in competition for the Remi Award as well as the number of them issued in each category almost guarantees that each final entrant will be recognized in some way.

This makes WorldFest-Houston one of the friendliest, attainable as well as rewarding experiences for the independent film and video maker.

The Remi Awards

Each category entrant at the WorldFest-Houston Film Festival has the chance to win a Grand Remi. The Remi Awards earned in each of the categories include The Grand Remi, which is awarded to the Top Winner in each category.

After the Grand Remi is awarded the sub-categories receive recognition with the following Remi Awards:

  • Platinum Remi
  • Gold Remi
  • Silver Remi
  • Special Jury Award

The number of awards combined with an audience able to view many of the entries over a ten-day period is a testament to the foundational principles of WorldFest-Houston.

The goal of the festival is to highlight the truly independent film, video, and media maker.

WorldFest-Houston states that its mission is, “to recognize and honor outstanding creative excellence in film, to validate brilliant abilities, to promote cultural tourism for Houston, to educate young people in the cinematic arts, to develop film production in the region and to add to the rich cultural fabric of the city of Houston. “

Adding New Media to their list of categories WorldFest is leading the way in recognizing the future of independent productions.

Along with its extended entry period and number of awards, the 54th WorldFest-Houston is a great opportunity for film, video, and media makers to receive accolades for their work.

For the independent film, video, and media to add, “Recipient of the Remi Award” to their credits will go far in furthering their opportunities within the highly competitive industry.

Depending on the time of entry, the entry fee is affordable, the entry time frame generous and the possible rewards immeasurable.

Every Independent Film Maker who has been spending the strange days of 2020 putting the finishing touches on a project should consider entering the 2021 WorldFest-Houston.

Ways to Enter WorldFest-Houston

WorldFest-Houston offers a liberal entry process coupled with an affordable fee. It is an ideal film festival for not only independent film and video makers to enter, but it also offers opportunities for scriptwriters, producers, and those engaged in new media ventures.

You can enter WorldFest-Houston directly with their online entry form at https://worldfest.org/submit-via-our-website/ or through the entry submission sites FilmFreeway.com & FestHome.com. WorldFest-Houston is dedicated to independent film and video makers.

Hunter Todd, the Chairman, and Founding Director have posted an article, “HOW TO MAKE AWARD-WINNING FILMS & VIDEOS” on the WorldFest-Houston website aimed directly at first-time entrants.

This advice from a winner of more than 115 international awards as Producer, Director, and/or Cinematographer of over 300 films is an invaluable read for independent film, video, and media producers as well as anyone involved in these productions.

The 54th WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival is scheduled to be held April 16-21, 2021. Get your Entry in before the hard deadline of January 15, 2021.

Written by Daniel Dachille

Filmmaking in the Age of a Pandemic

September 16, 2020 (updated September 16, 2020) Published by

COVID-19 Pandemic affected every aspect of life. Closed restaurants, bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues such as movie theaters and playhouses became the norm around the world. With most countries allowing only what was deemed as “essential” businesses to remain open with tight restrictions, television and film production came to a halt.

Bollywood and Hollywood, names that signify the giants of movie, television, and media production closed. This closure left 100’s of thousands of actors, producers, directors, technicians, musicians, writers, graphic designers, and others associated with the industry unemployed. Some within the industry were still able to work on preparing future projects by working from home, however, for the most part, television and movies faded to black.

As world health experts tackled the pandemic, safety protocols were announced that led to the gradual re-opening of businesses. Each industry had to re-evaluate how they would conduct business in the age of COVID-19. Bollywood and Hollywood were no exception.

High budget films with scheduled theater release dates had to reschedule, some already multiple times. Others such as Old Guard, a blockbuster major motion picture ready for release in theaters at the beginning of the pandemic, opted for other outlets such as live streaming on Netflix. Although Hollywood and Bollywood are terms used to encompass the giants of the industry, under the umbrella of those terms, are thousands of individual film, video, and media projects. These include some of the world’s largest production companies, highest-paid actors, directors, producers, and professionals, it also includes thousands of independent filmmakers looking for their opportunity to be recognized within the industry.

While Bollywood and Hollywood include production companies with massive financial reserves, even their budgets were drastically affected by months of inactivity. For many independent filmmakers, financing is always a problem. During the shutdown most independent filmmakers were able to preserve their budgets because unlike the major players, they do not have to maintain the expenses of overhead while waiting to film. The flip side of this coin is that when production begins again independent filmmakers may not be able to pay for new health protocols for cast, crew, and location usage.

Hollywood and Bollywood spent the shutdown time preparing for a new normal that will include COVID-19 testing for cast and crew, sanitizing equipment, sets, and locations along with budgeting for unexpected delays caused by positive tests for the virus among leading characters.

Filming Delayed by COVID-19 Talent

As Hollywood and Bollywood begin to film again under the precautions and guidance issued by world health organizations, they are coming face to face with the new reality that will affect their sets and budgets.  One of the first major films to hit the restart button was The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves. Just days after the set was reopened to film the newest epic for the Batman franchise, lead actor Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID -19. After waiting for over 5 months to begin shooting what is sure to be a Hollywood blockbuster, the set was closed. This will undoubtedly affect the budget of this film project as the delay means that the product will be on the hook for salaries of cast and crew while a determination is made as to when shooting can begin again.

For a large production company with a budget of over $100 Million, a shut down is a financial inconvenience, however, it is not a deal-breaker. Unlike the deep pockets of major studios, a shut down like this could break the bank and end the project for an independent filmmaker. Caution and planning are watchwords of the day for any independent video and filmmakers who are anxious to follow Hollywood and Bollywood into the world of filming during a pandemic.

Testing New Film Making Methods Proves Successful

Bollywood producers and directors are preparing to start filmmaking again with new protocols, ideas, and methods in place. India’s The Gone Game starring Shweta Tripathi and Sanjay Kapoor was shot entirely at home. With cast and crew coordinating by phone, document sharing, and online chat they could only complete about 3 minutes per day, but they were successful in completing the project. The Gone Game is an example of the new normal for large production companies and could serve as a blueprint for independent film, video, and television makers. Head of Voot Select, Viacom18, Farzad Palia said that they realized early in the pandemic that it may provide them a chance to be first in a new process of filming in isolation. Each of the actors, cast, crew, directors all participated in the project from their own homes or locations.  They completed this four-episode series under the restrictions imposed on their craft by the pandemic.

Independent filmmakers can coordinate in the same way to complete or begin their projects by becoming Members of Filmiere. This combination social media/classified platform dedicated to film making was unveiled just as the pandemic was taking hold, it could not have come at a better time for those engaged in independent film production. Members include filmmakers, directors, producers, writers, actors, editors, musicians, and all the professionals associated with video, media, and film production. With The Gone Game forging a new path in collaborative film making from isolation, Filmiere offers the same opportunity to enlist and work with a cast and crew online for the independent filmmakers and associated professions.

Of course, the new normal requires a new vision, Bollywood may not be able to produce musical scenes featuring hundreds of dancers, and Hollywood may not be able to produce large action battle scenes right now, but they will quickly figure it out.  Using green screens, the new amazingly realistic computer animation and editing techniques, technicians, special effects masters, and editors will become the new stars of post-COVIDD-19 film and television production.

The Newest Department on the Film Set

New ideas, new methods, new precautions will all be a part of the post-pandemic world in everyday life as well as on film, television, and media production studios. Some of the behind the scenes professionals who have always been integral in the magic of film making will rise through the ranks to be the most sought after and catered to within the industry.

Always a major part of every film and television production that lurks behind the scenes is the amazingly talented makeup artists. In a post-pandemic new normal, the makeup department may have to take on a new role or incorporate a new department within their duties. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will become a significant part of all post-COVID-19 productions. Whether it is incorporated under the talented makeup departments or developed into a new department, it will be essential to the new normal of filmmaking.

Independent filmmakers should be aware and adjust budgets to accommodate the need for PPE personnel on your first post-COVID-19 production. The temptation to start shooting is pulling on everyone’s creative soul, it should not be done without proper planning, protections, and health protocols in place. Even in the post-pandemic new world order, it can be lights, camera, action, guided by new ideas, new visions, and most of all safety in place.

Written by Daniel Dachille

The Venice Film Festival

September 15, 2020 (updated December 28, 2020) Published by

The Venice Film Festival was founded in 1932 as part of the larger Venice Biennale, one of the world’s largest art exhibitions. Under the umbrella of the Venice Biennale are separate exhibitions for international art, architecture, dance, music, theatre, and cinema. Events sponsored by Venice Biennale include, the International Art Exhibit, the International Architecture Exhibition, the International Festival of Contemporary Dance, the International Festival of Contemporary Music, the International Theatre Festival, and its most famous exhibition International Exhibition of Cinematographic Art of the Venice Biennale, commonly referred to as the Venice Film Festival.

The Venice Film Festival is held annually in late August and early September on the island of the Lido in Venice Lagoon. In a normal year, the attendance tops 100,000. It is estimated that half of the attendees are film professionals from various fields within the world of cinema.

Thousands of entries are whittled down by the judges to be presented on the premier screens of this international event. Its prizes are prizes awarded by the juries composed of industry professionals. Along with Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, and Berlin Film Festivals, winners of the Venice Film Festival are often thought to be on the fast track to the Oscars.

The Venice Film Festival has been dominated by American films since its inception. The first film screened at the Venice Film Festival in 1932 was the American made Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde directed and produced by Rouben Mamoulian for Paramount Pictures. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde won Audience Referendum at the first-ever Venice Film Festival for Most Favorite Actor, Fredric March along with Most Original Fantasy Story, Rouben Mamoulian. At the 1932 Academy Awards, Fredric March shared the Oscar with Wallace Beery for The Champ in a tie for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

A New First for the Venice Film Festival

The 2020 Venice Film Festival will add a new first to its historical run as the first major industry event to be held in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era. Owing to the shutdown of major motion picture studios around the world caused by the pandemic, American Films did not dominate the screens of the 2020 Venice Film Festival.

There were still plenty of entries to fill the 66 screens of the two-week 2020 Venice Film Festival which ran from September 2 – 12, 2020. Although the coronavirus pandemic has hit the film industry hard shutting down sets around the world, it may have provided unforeseen opportunities for some filmmakers at the Venice Film Festival. More women and international filmmakers were featured on the coveted screens of the Venice Film Festival than in recent years.

Best Film of the Venice Film Festival 2020

The Golden Lion Award for Best Film of 2020 went to Nomadland directed by Chloe Zhao. It is the first film directed by a woman to capture the Venice Film Festival top prize since 2010 when Sofia Coppola took it home for her film, Somewhere. Nomadland, an American Drama distributed by Searchlight Pictures was simultaneously entered at the Venice, Telluride, and Toronto festivals. It has an official release date of December 4, 2020.

Nomadland is a screen adaptation of a 2017 non-fiction book by Jessica Bruder, Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century.

Along with directing the film Chloé Zhao, also wrote, edited, and co-produced this stark look at America’s current nomads. The film stars Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Charlene Swankie, Bob Wells along with a cast that leans heavily on actual “nomads”, giving this film a unique authenticity.

The competition jury that awarded Nomadland the Golden Lion was headed by Cate Blanchett. It included actors Matt Dillon and Ludivine Sagnier, writer-directors Veronika Franz, Joanna Hogg, and Christian Petzold, and writer Nicola Lagioia.

The second-place award went to Mexican director Michel Franco for his film Nuevo Orden (New Order).  This Spanish language film stars Naian Gonzalez Norvind, Diego Boneta, Mónica Del Carmen, Fernando Cuautla, Darío Yazbek Bernal, and Eligio Meléndez. It is summarized as a Mexican French art dystopian thriller. It was written, directed, produced, and edited by Michel Franco. Nuevo Orden (New Order) premiered at Venice and Toronto simultaneously.

The Winners List for the 2020 Venice Film Festival

Here is a full list of winners at Venice Film Festival 2020:

  • GOLDEN LION: Nomadland, Chloé Zhao
  • SILVER LION – GRAND JURY PRIZE: New Order, Michel Franco
  • SILVER LION – AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR: Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Wife of a Spy
  • SPECIAL JURY PRIZE: Dear Comrades! Andrei Konchalovsky
  • AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY: Chaitanya Tamhane, The Disciple
  • COPPA VOLPI for Best Actress: Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman
  • COPPA VOLPI for Best Actor: Pierfrancesco Favino, Padrenostro
  • MARCELLO MASTROIANNI AWARD for Best Young Actor or Actress: Rouhollah Zamani, Sun Children
  • ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST FILM: The Wasteland, Ahmad Bahrami
  • ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR: Lav Diaz, Genus Pan
  • SPECIAL ORIZZONTI JURY PRIZE: Listen, Ana Rocha de Sousa
  • ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY: Pietro Castellitto, I Predatori
  • ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST ACTRESS: Khansa Batma, Zanka Contact
  • ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR: Yahya Mahayni, The Man Who Sold His Skin
  • ORIZZONTI AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM: Entre Tu Y Milagros, Mariana Saffon
  • VENICE SHORT FILM NOMINATION FOR THE EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS 2020: The Shift, Laura Carreira
  • VENICE AWARD FOR A DEBUT FILM: Listen, Ana Rocha de Sousa
  • GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST VR IMMERSIVE WORK: The Hangman at Home, Michelle, and Uri Kranot
  • BEST VR IMMERSIVE USER EXPERIENCE: Finding Pandora X, Kiira Benzing
  • BEST VR IMMERSIVE STORY: Killing A Superstar, Fan Fan

The 2020 Venice Film Festival Paves the Way

The 2020 Venice Film Festival, the first major cinematic event to be held in the age of the pandemic shows the world that filmmaking will comeback. While many other film festivals canceled or became totally virtual events, the 2020 Venice Film Festival planned and continued its history.

Strictly enforced social distancing, smaller crowds, and sanitary protocols were the order of the day. Tickets and reservations were done online avoiding unnecessary lines and crowds. Although seats were limited due to in theater social distancing, they were easier to obtain than normal because of the diminished attendance.

The 2020 Venice Film Festival paves the way for other events in cinema to continue by using their model of precautions and following health procedure guidance. For filmmakers, Venice should ignite their interests in returning to a new normal in production. Limiting cast and crew, sanitary protocols, testing, and following guidelines should allow production to begin again.

The adversity of the pandemic may be an opportunity for the independent filmmaker. As more film festivals go virtual and with big-name production companies still shuttered, submitting to, and being accepted to world film festivals in the COVID-19 era may be an independent filmmaker’s best opportunity to get screen time.

Written by Daniel Dachille

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