Hayti Heritage Film Festival

St. Joseph's Historic Foundation - Hayti Heritage Center

Press Release For Immediate Release

Contact: V. DIanne Pledger (919) 683-1709 vdpledger@hayti.org www.Hayti.org 2011 Hayti Heritage Film Festival Scheduled for February 17-20, 2011 Accepting Submissions Durham, NC - January 14, 2011 - Formerly known as the Black Diaspora Film Festival, the Hayti Heritage Film Festival (HHFF) is proud to be celebrating its 17th year by showcasing the diverse works of and about people of African descent. In honoring this 17 year legacy, HHFF has expanded into new territory. In addition to adding competition categories, the festival is stepping up efforts to recognize and hone the talents of established and up and coming filmmakers with competitive awards, a short film challenge, and student workshops, celebrity panel discussions and much more. The HHFF celebrate African American cinema by highlighting established and emerging filmmakers and films showcasing the contributions and uniqueness of the Black artistic tradition in film. Our film selection embodies the richness of Black culture while recognizing universal themes and the similarities that exist among all cultures. The Hayti Heritage Film Festival is currently accepting applications and submissions for films, videos and pocket films, both short and long form. Student and General Filmmakers are welcome to submit. Films can be of any genre including drama, comedy, horror, adventure, animation, romance, experimental and science fiction. These works must be made by and/or about people of African descent and includes domestic and international films. (African Descent is inclusive of all people who are or whose ancestors are from Africa (i.e. African America, Latino, African, Caribbean, etc). All materials must be received by January 31, 2011. Please include a 50 word synopsis, photo stills, and biographies. Notification of acceptance will be determined within 7 days of the completed film submission (application and film). Films must have been completed and copyrighted no earlier than 2009. Our new category-Pocket Film celebrates the artistic potential of readily available video or short films made on non-professional devices (i.e. cell phones, still camera, webcams, and other video capture devices). This offers a forum dedicated to the creative potential of this new mode of film making through screenings, competitions and other events to showcase the best work with the disposable genre. The student component is unlike most other film festival competitions. All students will have the opportunity to have their work screened in front of their peers and in the presence of a panel of professional film-making judges who will offer constructive observation. This screening offers students an opportunity to ask questions in addition to discovering the subtle and complex "dos and dont's" of film-making. Also, all accepted students will receive a free festival pass which includes admission to all film screenings and panel discussions, awards ceremony, and opening and closing receptions. And most importantly, the winner in student categories, will have the option of having his/her film screened during the awards ceremony. The winners in each student categories will receive a plaque. The winner of the competition will have their film screened as part of the closing awards ceremony at the festival and may also have the opportunity to have their film showcased both regionally and nationally. Applications and Films must be received by January 31, 2011. Competition: All films submitted and accepted to the festival are eligible for the competition categories. Films requested for special screenings are not eligible for competition. The competition categories are as follows: Best Long Form (narrative/documentary), Best Short Film (narrative/documentary), Best Pocket Film, Best Acting Ensemble, Audience Choice Award, Best Student Film - General Submission, and Best Student. With the exception of the Audience Choice Award, all films will be judged by an independent jury panel. General Filmmaker Guideline Checklist Submission Procedure: The preferred format for submission is DVD, however Digi-Beta Video, Beta SP will also be accepted. Pocket Film submission may be downloaded to website- www.haytifilmfest.org, but if selected a DVD must be submitted for screening. Final deadline January 31, 2011- $35 filmmaker fee submission/application fee for the 2011 Hayti Heritage Film Festival. $20 for Pocket Film submissions and application. This fee is waived for current students. Please make checks/ or money order payable to St. Joseph Historic Foundation. You may also pay on line through Paypal. Films for the competition must have been completed after January 1st, 2009. General & Student Long Form Submission - Films 45 minutes and longer. General Short Film Submission - Films 44 minutes or less. Students Short - 30 minutes or less For General Film Submission, the films/videos must be made by and/or about people of African descent. The filmmaker does not have to be of African descent if the subject matter is about people of African descent. Also, if the filmmaker is of African descent, the subject matter can be inclusive of all subjects, topics, or audiences. Pocket Film Guidelines Readily available/non-professional media devices must be central and integral to the film. Acceptable devices include: webcams, cell phones, point and shoot cameras, disposable video cameras, screen capture software, pocket cams (like Flips) - you get the point. Unsure if your device is ok to use? Contact us. Use of multiple devices is encouraged but by no means necessary Submissions must be under 10 minutes If selected, the filmmaker will be contacted and must provide an uncompressed version of the film. ALL Filmmakers are responsible for their usage of restricted or copyrighted material. (HHFF is not liable for any copyright material unlawfully used) The 3 out of 6 rule applies to student film categories only. Three of the following six key roles in the project must be of African descent: Director, Producer, Screenwriter, Director of Photography, Lead Actor, Lead Actress. Filmmaker accepted into the Festival will receive two festival passes which includes access to all films, panels, access to the filmmaker lounge, opening and closing receptions, and awards ceremonies. Each student filmmaker accepted into the Festival will receive one festival pass. If students submit the film in a team, each team member will each receive a festival pass (limit 5 people per team). Please include a stamped self-address envelope with your application if you would like to have your film returned. CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION All Films and Applications must be submitted to Hayti Heritage Film Festival 804 Old Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27701 www.hayti.org or www.haytifilmfest.org Email: info@hayti.org (919) 683-1709 Phone (919) 682-5869 Fax