The Smalls Short Film Fest is Big on Prizes!

Holy Smokes! There are only 14 days left to upload your short film for The Smalls Short Film Fest. Up for grabs is £20,000 worth of camera equipment rentals (or, 'hire' for our UK readers) from Panavision and £1,000 cash prize that they are offering each of the winners.

All they ask is that your film(s) express creativity and originality. A panel of industry professionals, who are looking for original ideas, inspiring scripts and great execution, will judge the films.

You can enter in either of two categories: BEST UNDER 5 MIN or BEST OVER 5 MINUTES. The awards will be presented in London this September, during the fest when we will also host workshops, screenings and terrific hot-topic panel discussions.

The Smalls welcomes all filmmakers, from the first time director to the seasoned professional. Any country. Any nationality. Any genre. They want you to help make this the biggest and best of The Smalls Short Film Fest ever.

Feeling excited and inspired? Enter your film before the 12th of August 2011.

Click the link below to submit your film today. And best of luck! Heck, if you've completed a film (long or short) you're already lucky. So go for it!

LINKS: The Smalls Film Fest

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3-D Zombies? You Betcha!

I can't say much about the project yet - something to do with non-disclosure agreements, confidentiality clauses, and death threats from a guy named Jimmy Fish Eyes.

But keep your eyes peeled for a new 3-D zombie feature film "Dead Before Dawn", from Wango Films. Filming gets under way soon, really soon...

And how do I know this? I'm the 1st Assistant Director on the show (smattering of applause).

While I'm barely conscious after a hard night's filming I'll attempt to blog about working with 3-D technology. If you see something like this:

mkniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiivr vr vvvvvvvvv

then you'll know I've passed out on the keyboard.

Wish us luck on the shoot. Then be afraid... be very afraid - and try not to wet yourself.

LINKS:
Dead Before Dawn site
Wango Films
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Tri-City Film Info & Interview

Don’t let the geographic limitations of the name fool you.

Yes, it’s true that Tri-City Film covers the local indie film scene in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area of Southern Ontario. What isn’t as obvious is that they go beyond their titular borders covering Guelph, and even… (gasp) Toronto! [more on that later]

In fact, as site creator and lead scribe David Briggs points out:

“The point of Tri-City Film is to help connect people interested in local film to what local filmmakers are doing. Anyone producing film in and around these cities is encouraged to contact us and keep in touch. If someone is working on something great, or is putting together a festival or compilation that may be of interest to Tri-City Film readers, then we will certainly cover it.”

The web site is a focal point for local and related indie filmmakers and film fans.

David accepts ideas and submissions for articles, interviews, photos, casting calls, crew postings, film festivals, and “other works that would jazz up the site”. If you’re a creative indie filmmaker here’s your showcase shot.

So, if you’ve got something indie going on, get it on Tri-City Film and see what can happen.

And, while you’re visiting the site, feast your squinties on the interview with yours cruelly [this is the Toronto connection cunningly mentioned earlier]. I hear that David transcribed our recorded interview in vampire blood. Cool. Enjoy.

And keep supporting indie filmmaking – wherever it may be.

LINKS:
Tri-City Film
AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits

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Gruesome Hertzogg Lovingly Dissects AAAAAH!!

I'll keep this brief, because that's what podcaster & film reviewer Gruesome Hertzogg would do.

Instead of posting bloated podcasts full of ego puffery and mindless chatter he posts thumbnail reviews of horror films. He gives you the skinny on a film and a qualified rating out of 10. You get in, get informed, and get out.

So, I was flattered when he offered to review the films of "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits" volumes 1 & 2 one by one. Do they live up to their claim of "All Killer - No Filler". Check out what Gruesome Hertzogg has to say about each film. You can hear his podcasts on Blogger and on iTunes, and follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Linked In, and IMDB.

Can't wait for the chance to do a long interview, which he also does with horror actors and filmmakers.

Short or long, he's not shy about telling you what he likes. And I feel like Sally Field gushing at the Oscars, "You like me. You really like me."

Fill yer boots and your horror-loving ears...

LINKS:
Gruesome Hertzogg's Podcast
AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits
IMDb

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8th Maverick Movie Awards - Don't Call It A Film Festival

The words 'film festival' conjure up a public event with red carpets, applause, and glamour - at least for some filmmakers. For others, a film festival is a nerve wracking ordeal where the popcorn is topped with flop sweat.

So why submit your film to a festival? Mostly to gain exposure to create a buzz with which to tempt distributors into making a deal. But if you're looking for an alternate route for your film - without the need for tuxedo dry cleaning - there's the Maverick Movie Awards.

But don't call it a 'film festival' because there are no screenings.

I'll let the Maverick Movie Awards' Mission Statement explain:

The Maverick Movie Awards was founded by moviemakers who have been through the glorious highs and crushing lows of the international film festival circuit; from these shared experiences came the calling to create a real alternative to the nepotism, politics, and commercialism that defines far too many festivals and competitions.

Our goal is to help talented moviemakers achieve the recognition they deserve by awarding movies with unique style, exceptional craft, and the power to communicate.

By championing great movies, regardless of origin, genre, or budget, our hope is to re-ignite the spirit of the major film festivals and distribution pioneers by celebrating what they once valued above glitz and glamour...simply put: GREAT CINEMA.

So, if you've made some GREAT CINEMA in the form of a feature film, short film, or documentary you can submit it to MMA through Withoutabox.
Regular Deadline: May 31, 2011
Late Deadline: June 30, 2011
Extended Deadline: July 31, 2011

Fees & submission details are at the Maverick Movie Awards site.

And save your black tie attire for a wedding or a nice funeral...

LINKS:
Maverick Movie Awards
Withoutabox

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Cannibal Cam's Review & Exposé

At last summer's FanExpo we had the distinct displeasure of having our booth in too-near proximity to a loudmouthed schnook with a mini-bullhorn. Prolonged exposure can drive you to coldblooded, broad daylight, I-don't-care-if-the-security-camera-is-recording-in-high-def murder.

Fortunately, on the other side of the aisle was another fellow with a mini-bullhorn. He was quite personable and entertaining as he lured, cajoled, and threatened people to come meet George Romero's Zombie Nurse. His name is Cannibal Cam. We liked CC. We liked him even more when CC agreed to hold down the loudmouthed schnook while I introduced the mini-bullhorn into a conspicuously inconspicuous orifice on the schnook's person.

Between the waves of crazed and glazed conventioneers we got to talking. CC & I had been Facebook friends for a while, but had never met face to face.

Long story short: CC invited me to do a three-way interview with the friendly Zombie Nurse, and then I slipped him some DVDs to review. CC didn't flinch.

And here's his refreshingly honest posted review. CC begins talking about "AAAAAH!! Indie Horror Hits" at the 1:15 mark.

Enjoy. Then catch his other reviews. CC knows his stuff and ain't afraid to tell you about it.



LINKS: Stupid New Reviews Video
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