Looking ahead to its 7th anniversary, the Sarasota Film Festival has named Tom Hall its new director of programming. Hall is also program director at the Nantucket Film Festival and will return to that fest for his third year in the position.
The Sarasota festival, set for January 28 - February 6 in Florida, is currently seeking submissions for its 2005 edition. Complete call for entries information is available below and more information is also available on the festival website.
SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING TOM HALL
AND 2005 FESTIVAL (THE 7TH ANNUAL!!!) CALL FOR ENTRIES
Tom Hall will become the Director of Programming for the 7th Annual Sarasota Film Festival, it was announced by SFF Executive Director Jody Kielbasa.
Tom Hall has already begun working with the SFF staff to establish programming categories and procedures for the January 28th – February 6th, 2005 Festival, and will travel to the Toronto Film Festival scouting for SFF. In addition, Tom remains as Program Director for the Nantucket Film Festival, held each June. Tom has programmed the most recent (8th & 9th) editions of the acclaimed fest.
“We were determined to bring in a new programmer who would bring a fresh perspective, work enthusiastically with our staff, and help Sarasota garner even more consistently high-quality films and intriguing artists,” states Kielbasa. “Tom Hall has a proven eye and vision and will bring his great skills to SFF’s collective table.”
In addition to the Nantucket Film Festival, Tom has worked in the film arena with the Hamptons Film Fest, Bravo Networks/IFC-TV, as well as in the corporate world as VP, Systems Development for EduFund Intl./Global Student Loan Corporation. He is also currently developing a documentary about Americans who collect culturally taboo objects.
“I want SFF to become a showcase for engaging work,” states Hall. “Jody Kielbasa, the Board of Directors and his staff have built an impressive, popular, nationally acclaimed event. My goal for the 2005 Festival is to present our audience with strong, high-quality programming that will elevate the festival to even greater prominence within the film community. I intend to pursue what I consider to be GOOD WORK – stories that challenge the viewer, are engaging, and inspire real feelings and critical reactions. Hopefully, we can make a few real discoveries along the way.”
And to that end, the Sarasota Film Festival is announcing its 2005 Call For Entries.
Films will be considered for inclusion in the following programmatic categories:
World Cinema (International); Short (30 min. or under); Documentary (Competition & Out of Competition); Narrative Feature (Competition & Out of Competition)
Juried Competitions will be held in the following categories:
Official Competition; Official Competition Documentary; Emerging Filmmaker Award
There will also be Audience Awards presented for:
Best Narrative Feature; Best Documentary; Best in World Cinema; Best Short.
For programming consideration, the festival accepts VHS (NTSC or PAL) video cassette transfers or DVD (NTSC only) of the complete film. The Festival will not consider trailers or rough edits for selection purposes.
To be eligible for consideration, all films must meet the following requirements:
1) Be available to screen as a composite 35mm film print by January 16, 2004. Filmmakers must provide the Sarasota Film Festival with a clean, clear 35mm print (free of scratches, cuts, improper splices and torn sprocket holes) for projection. Or, for films accepted for screening in video format, filmmakers must provide the film for presentation in Digital BetaCam or BetaCam SP (NTSC ONLY) at the Festival’s sole discretion.
2) Not have been commercially screened in the US, or available for video or internet distribution prior to February 7, 2005.
3) Be in their original language with English subtitles when applicable. VHS preview tapes may be subtitled or dubbed in English for the selection process.
4) Have completed production within the last year.
5) Films previously submitted to the Festival and not programmed will only be considered for the 2005 Festival if they meet all the other eligibility requirements as outlined here.
Entries must be post-marked by November 15th, 2004.
Mail all submissions to:
Sarasota Film Festival
ATTN: Submissions
635 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 10-B
Sarasota, Florida 32436
Submissions can also be made through: www.withoutabox.com
For more information please refer to the Festival website at www.sarasotafilmfestival.com
635 S. Orange Avenue, Suite 10-B
Sarasota, Florida 34236
Phone: (941) 364-9514 ext 2#,
Fax (941) 364-8411
tom@sarasotafilmfestival.com
The mission of the Sarasota Film Festival is to present high quality independent films to entertain, educate and stimulate audiences within an environment that supports and encourages the filmmaker by supplying essential networking opportunities and open dialogue with intelligent, creative and inquisitive consumers of film.
PRESS CONTACT: Gary Springer / Michelle Moretta, Springer Associates PR, 212-354-4660, michelle@springchicpr.com.
