Moondance International Film Festival

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

EMAIL: director@moondancefilmfestival.com

TOP: Wild Atlantic dolphins photo by Atmo, Bimini, http://www.WildQuest.com

July2520170

~ Last Chance to Make a Big Splash at the 2017 Moondance!

C‘mon in; the water’s fine!

FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JULY 31st

The final deadline for submissions to the

2017 Moondance competition is July 31st

For your best chance to win,

send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

Thanks a million for all the very fine submissions by talented filmmakers, writers and composers we’ve received, so far, for the 2017 Moondance competition!

Scroll on down to read insider tips on the

SUBTLETIES OF SUBTEXT: The True Art Of The Writer!

MOONDANCE 2017

FINAL CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

~ READ & SUBSCRIBE TO THE POPULAR MOONDANCE NEWS-BLOG HERE! ~

Narrative feature, Short, Documentary, Drone & Animation Films • Feature & Short Screenplays •Film Scores • Short Stories, Stageplays & Audio Plays •TV Pilots, Episodics…and many more!LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

INSIDER TIPS:

SUBTLETIES OF SUBTEXT

The True Art Of The Writer

By Cheryl O’Brien

Buster Keaton

Movies combine multi-layered text with many messages sent and received. Subtext is “a subtle or coded message sent and received.” Subtext is the message under the message. Subtext when made obvious becomes text. Text is received through our eyes and ears. Sending and receiving text is a mental and physical process.

Subtext is received through our intuitions, thoughts, and feelings. Subtext is a mental, physical and emotional process. Subtext is filtered by our own experiences, knowledge, beliefs, and values. Subtext in screenplays can be, and should be, visual as well auditory.

Screenplays open up a whole range of subtext not available in other written texts. Images, manner of the characters, props used, dress and presentation of characters are all subtle forms of subtext. Screenwriters need to be aware of the subtleties within each scene, use them, manipulate them understand their uses and the concepts, ideas, and images created that are implied in, or can be inferred from the subtext. It is this careful manipulation of subtext that will make one screenplay stand out from another. A reader will sense something is different with a carefully crafted screenplay with consistent subtext.

Life itself is full of subtexts. Every day we use subtext to communicate to one another the messages we really want to communicate. Pay attention to it and use it in your screenplays! READ MORE HERE:

THE MOONDANCE E-ZINE IS HERE!

Don’t miss reading all the great filmmaking & writing articles

written by pros exclusively for Moondancers.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

“Success results from a relentless accumulation of small effects that grow into a critical mass that becomes invincible.” From “Mind Over Water”, by Craig Lambert

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“Culture is the sum total of the experiences people choose to have in common, and it provides the context and structure that facilitates all our collaborations and communications.” ~ Tennyson E. Stead

A MOONDANCER WRITES US:

From Stage32.com

“This is a fantastic concept, and when I read the words “Film Festival Without Borders”…. I just had to learn more. Its great to break and expand the barriers of territory and audience, bringing stories straight onto the world platform. Get the Art out there, without people in petty positions of power, gathering crowds to confined spaces of their own choosing. Let the world decide what films do it for them.” ~ Debbie Croysdale, Actor, screenwriter, director & filmmaker, London, England

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

EMAIL: director@moondancefilmfestival.com

“Big Wave” Photo credit: Clark Little

July1520171

A Moondance Summertime Special Discount!

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

By popular request, the final deadline for submissions to the 2017 Moondance competition has been extended to July 31^st, AND the entry fee is still only $50!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW! Accepting submissions NOW, through July 31st, 2017

Thanks a million for all the very fine submissions by the many talented filmmakers, writers and composers from around the world that we’ve received, so far, for the 2017 Moondance competition!

<< SCROLL ON DOWN FOR INSIDER TIPS >>

WRITERS: WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW!

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

THE MOONDANCE MISSION & GOALS

Narrative feature, Short, Documentary, Drone & Animation Films • Feature & Short Screenplays •Film Scores • Short Stories, Stageplays & Audio Plays •TV Pilots, Episodics…and many more!

LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

“THE CROW AND THE WATER PITCHER”

A crow wanted a drink, but the level in the water pitcher was too low. So he cleverly dropped pebbles in, one-by-one, which slowly raised the water level until he could drink the water!

That’s what you, our generous financial supporters, sponsors and friends of the festival are to the Moondance! Individually, each one of you increases, dollar-by-dollar, our ability to continue our important mission. But all together, your support makes our mission and another festival year possible. You help continue a film festival that is admired and respected by filmmakers, writers, composers, agents, actors, producers, directors, distributors, indie film buffs, and by an international audience around the world!

RAISE THE LEVEL! PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT THE MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TODAY!

INSIDER TIP:

WRITERS: WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW!

BY Elizabeth English

“Write what you know” is the vital, traditional message for all fiction and non-fiction writers, screenwriters, playwrights and journalists. You need to know the details, the visuals, the emotions, the reactions to events, and the totality of the experience, in order to write coherently about a subject, and action, a character and his or her dialog, and for your reader, or audience to relate to the story, the character and the action.

If you don’t know anything, or very little, about a subject, do deep research, learn about it from others, ask an expert, read about it online or in books, go experience it yourself, pay attention as you go through your daily life, listen and look, remember what you’ve seen, heard, learned and experienced, then use it in your writing. It’s a vital element of your “job” as a writer.

You would never be hired by any company if you didn’t know anything about the job and had no experience in the work required! Expand your knowledge and your experiences beyond your desk, mobile devices, social media, and computer.

“The ability of writers to imagine what is not the self, to familiarize the strange and mystify the familiar, is the test of their power.” ~ Toni Morrison

Get on out there and see the world, watch how people act in various situations, and listen to & watch how people express themselves, experience other events than usual. Learn to tango, ride a horse, go to a circus, cook a foreign dish, go for a long hike in the woods, join a political group, plant an organic garden, build a snow sculpture or sand castle, surf the waves, swim with wild dolphins, visit with the elderly in a nursing home, chat with a military veteran, practice yoga, learn to meditate, shop at a farmer’s market, volunteer to work with an environmental group, attend a lecture, go to a museum or an art gallery, study improv acting, travel to a foreign country, volunteer at an animal shelter, visit the children’s ward in a hospital, play hide-and-seek with a child, listen to teenagers to learn their lingo, sit in on an Al-Anon meeting, pick apples from a tree, chat with some homeless folks, go on an archaeological expedition, and, above all, remember and use your experiences and your past, discover your roots. Don’t just rely on movies, TV, social media and the Internet for your writing ideas…that’s not necessarily real life! READ MORE:

A 2017 MOONDANCE FILM JUROR COMMENTS:

THE SERVANT, 2017 MOONDANCE WINNER, short animation, directed by Farnoosh Abedi, Iran

https://vimeo.com/153882080
“The Servant” – a trailer

“This film is very fascinating…and memorable…it’s very well done…I haven’t seen this kind of animation before…and the use of sound and other imagery is remarkable…very ‘Kafka-esque’. More to it than meets the eye.” ~ Phil Pritchard

PLEASE WATCH & LISTEN TO THIS BEAUTIFUL “DOLPHIN BLISS” VIDEO!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFht1vmwpFk

PHOTOGRAPHER: ATMOJI, BIMINI, BAHAMAS

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

SAVE OUR GIANT SEQUOIAS!

Fight back against Trump’s “review” of Giant Sequoia National Monument — the home of 3,200-year-old trees towering 250 feet (more than 23 stories tall!) in the air. The trees in Giant Sequoia National Monument stand nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty and represent 2/3 of the remaining Sequoia trees ON EARTH. Giant Sequoia and the related coast redwood forests store more climate-altering carbon per acre than any other forest type on the planet, but none of that matters to Trump and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Opening up logging in Giant Sequoia forests is just unthinkable. It’s unbelievable that protecting them is even a question!

The Giant Sequoia relies on the greater forest ecosystem, and tree canopy of redwoods and other trees. They do not and cannot exist or survive in isolation. This ecosystem contains streams, as well as lush meadows and rare animals such as the California spotted owl and California condor. Opening this area to logging will place not only the Giant Sequoia at risk, but also the water and air quality for humans, flora and animals. Please join us and step up the pressure on your local, national & international lawmakers via emails now, to stop Trump and his wealthy cronies before they can completely destroy 3,200 years of the Earth’s precious natural history. These men appear to be willing to bend any law and decimate every natural treasure if it profits the major corporate interests who funneled almost $11 million into Trump’s inaugural coffers. Thank you for all you can do to protect America’s national monuments and the wildlife, tribal communities and neighboring economies who depend on the Antiquities Act’s critical protections to endure. With your help, we will save the Sequoias and other iconic American treasures for our children and grandchildren — hopefully, even, for another 32 centuries.

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The Veterans Brotherhood is a 501c3. Our main purpose is to prevent veteran suicides. We have been in existence for roughly 3 years. We take veterans off the street who are homeless and have no money or no place to go. We put them up in a hotel for a few days and evaluate them to place them in the best place for their needs. In our first year we took 18 veterans off the street. We donated $500 to gift cards to 3 families who had no food in their house. We found an elderly veteran who was in danger of losing his home for back taxes. We took a collection and paid his taxes. We also set him up with an organization so that won’t happen again. Some of these veterans now have jobs and their own apartment.

Our biggest project so far is a documentary film about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and TBI (traumatic brain injury). The film will be called “The Journey Home”. This film follows a Vietnam Veteran who comes home with PTSD but doesn’t know it. Eventually he comes full circle and devotes his life to helping other veterans with PTSD. We feel this film will do more to help veterans than anything else we could possibly do. This is a big undertaking and will be about a year before it is finished. If we can save one life through this film it will be worth it. We are in the early stages of finances for the film. We believe this film will give everyone the biggest bang for the buck to help veterans. We want to educate the public on PTSD but more importantly we want to educate veterans’ family members on what their son or daughter may be going through. PLEASE DONATE HERE

A NEW MOONDANCE WRITES US:

“Congratulations on Moondance’s success, while maintaining its commitment to important social issues.” ~ Raul Garza

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“Obstacles are those things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” ~ Henry Ford

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

EMAIL: director@moondancefilmfestival.com

July220170

Moondance’s Entry Deadline Extended To July 31st!

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

By popular request, the final deadline for submissions to the 2017 Moondance competition
has been extended to July 31st

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

Accepting submissions NOW, through July 31st, 2017

Thanks a million for all the very fine submissions by talented filmmakers, writers and composers we’ve received, so far,
for the 2017 Moondance competition!

For all our many talented American Moondancers:

HAPPY JULY 4^TH INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Scroll on down for insider tips: MAKING A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

~ READ & SUBSCRIBE TO THE POPULAR MOONDANCE NEWS-BLOG HERE! ~

Narrative feature, Short, Documentary, Drone & Animation Films • Feature & Short Screenplays • Film Scores • Short Stories, Stageplays & Audio Plays • TV Pilots, Episodics…and many more!LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate

the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

To all our talented Canadian Moondancers:

HAPPY CANADA DAY 150!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

Although more than 2500 years old, Aesop’s fables still have something vital to inform us, especially when it comes to funding the Moondance International Film Festival’s mission & goals. There’s something to think about in this fable of “The Crow and the Water Pitcher”.

A crow wanted a drink of water, but the level in the water pitcher was too low to reach. So she cleverly dropped pebbles in, one-by-one, which slowly raised the water level until she could drink the water!

That’s what you, our generous donors, financial supporters, sponsors and friends of the festival are to the Moondance! Individually, each one of you increases, dollar-by-dollar, our ability to continue our important mission. But all together, your support makes another festival year possible. You help continue a film festival’s indie film screenings, productive workshops, and amazing networking opportunities, and mission, that is admired and respected by filmmakers, writers, composers, agents, actors, producers, directors, distributors, indie film buffs, and an international audience around the world!

Raise the level! Donate now to support the
Moondance International Film Festival today!

INSIDER TIPS:

MAKING A HOLLYWOOD MOVIE:

By Elizabeth English

See all those people out there? All that equipment? Each and every one of them cost money. You wrote a screenplay, didn’t you? It got the greenlight. We’re making a movie here. OK? Quiet on the set! Rolling! And…action!

Director, assistant directors or ADs, Cinematographer and/or DP, producer, costumers, hair & makeup people, extras, focus-pullers, gaffers, best boy, key grips, script supervisor, body doubles, sound and light techs, still photographer, videographers, body-doubles, actors’ assistants, and actors!

Production assistants or PAs, studio execs, animal wranglers, props, art director, production designer, extras, location manager, assistant to the director, producer’s assistants, Foley, prop master, special effects, stunt coordinator, tech advisors, book-keeper/accountant, fire marshal, production designer, art director, story board artists, line producer, editor, catering, (and maybe even the screenwriter, if you’re lucky!). How many people are we talking about? 100+ below-the-line, maybe 25 above the line. Budget for this pic? Anywhere up to a hundred million dollars, give or take a million or so.

Now, the DIRECTOR’S GOALS here are two things: to get the best, most believable performances from the actors, and to get the best visual images on film. The PRODUCER’S GOALS, however, are to solve problems, give the director everything he or she wants, to spend the available time and money properly, and report to the investors. Of which, 70% goes to above-the-line costs, and only 30% go to below-the-line expenses.

But what do the STUDIO EXECS want to see? They want to see their money up on that screen! A movie is the most expensive entertainment production ever devised (other than the US presidential campaigns)!

Directors strive for a certain “harmonics”, a balance between the story components in your screenplay and proper production values. They want the story to be authentic: believable even. And entertaining! READ MORE HERE!

Don’t miss reading all of the other great insider articles written by pros exclusively for Moondancers HERE!

A MOONDANCER WRITES US:

“In 2015, Moondance awarded my 4-part audio drama “5 Levels of Fear” a Spirit of Moondance award. It has been picked up by Aural Stage Studios in New York and will be recorded later this year. The folks there, Matthew and Monique Boudreau asked me to come on board as co-producer.” ~ Sable Jak

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

SAVE OUR OCEAN WILDLIFE!

Following the president’s recent executive order setting the stage for oil and gas drilling to resume in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the Trump administration has released draft authorizations for seismic blasting in the Atlantic. But to proceed, these companies need approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and that’s where you come in.

Seismic blasting poses a serious threat to ocean life. These blasts register 235 decibels – louder than a rocket launch – and travel for hundreds, if not thousands of miles through the ocean. Scientists tell us that at least 130,000 marine mammals, including the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, will be injured by these blasts.

Don’t let the Trump administration continue to put the interests of the oil and gas industry above those of the American people, of precious marine wildlife populations and of a healthy and clean ocean environment!

And that’s where you come in – seismic testing companies still need approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) before they can begin their work to survey for oil and gas.

TELL NMFS TO DENY AUTHORIZATION FOR SEISMIC BLASTING IN THE ATLANTIC!

Scientists estimate that at least 130,000 marine mammals, including endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale, will be injured or killed by these blasts. Seismic blasting can drive whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife out of the vital habitat they depend on for feeding, reproducing and migrating. It can also deafen marine mammals outright – the sound levels are powerful enough to cause them to bleed from their ears!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

June2520170

Moondance 2017: June Entry Deadline Coming up!

~ THE FILM FESTIVAL WITHOUT BORDERS! ~

“Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows.” ~ Pope Paul VI

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

Accepting submissions NOW, through June 30, 2017

Thanks a million for all the very fine submissions we’ve received, so far, for the 2017 Moondance competition!

In our continuing success of promoting top-quality original filmmaking, writing and music composition by talented artists from around the world, the Moondance International Film Festival is very pleased to announce that our annual festival competitions have brought in great submissions, in all genres and categories, from Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Dubai, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Russia, Serbia/Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, UAR, Ukraine, the UK, the US, Venezuela, and more! Please do join us!

Scroll down for insider tips: How TO GET YOUR SCREENPLAY REJECTED

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

OUR REGULAR $50 ENTRY FEE IS EXTENDED TO JUNE 30th!

~ READ & SUBSCRIBE TO THE POPULAR MOONDANCE NEWS-BLOG HERE! ~

Narrative feature, Short, Documentary, Drone & Animation Films • Feature & Short Screenplays •Film Scores • Short Stories, Stageplays & Audio Plays •TV Pilots, Episodics…and many more!

LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

INSIDER TIP:

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO GET YOUR SCREENPLAY REJECTED

By Elizabeth English & Pinaki Ghosh

Writing a movie script? Want to know the secrets to getting your screenplay rejected, for sure? Read on:

Offer detailed camera directions in your screenplay. Don’t trust the intelligence of the director of photography or cinematographer and offer camera directions in your script like, ‘pan’, ‘zoom’, ‘dolly’, ‘trolley shot’ or ‘low angle shot’. That will make your script look like one from history and is a definite way of getting it rejected.
Insist on adding editing directions in your screenplay. Similarly, go ahead… show a complete disregard to the editor’s intelligence and write editing instructions like ‘cut to’, ‘dissolve to’, etc. and your screenplay will look like a thing of the past. In modern-day screenplays, editing directions are no longer acceptable. Only FADE IN and FADE TO BLACK are used in an entire screenplay.  By the way, FADE IN and FADE TO BLACK are transitions, not scene descriptions, or sluglines, and they belong on the right-hand side of the first & last pages.
Do not not capitalize the character names in the beginning, the first time the character is seen. Leave them in lowercase text or, even worse, have them in UPPER CASE throughout the entire script, and your screenplay will be rejected for sure.
Type most or all of the elements the props person will need to know about, such as DOOR, LAMP, CAR, HOUSE, TREE, in all caps, too. Similarly, have words that denote sound, like WHOOSH, SCREAM, WOOF, BANG, or CLANG in upper case, to show that you know all about sounds for the Foley editors, and, incidentally, to make your script virtually unreadable and distracting. READ MORE HERE

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

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“It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants and the bees. The question is: What are we busy about?” ~ Henry David Thoreau

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“Freedom” by Zenos Frudakis

“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to be.” ~ Carl Jung

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

June1520170

Moondance Summer 2017: Insider Tips for Writers, Filmmakers & actors!

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ~ Lao Tzu

Thanks a million for all the fine submissions we’ve received, so far, for the 2017 Moondance International Film Festival!

Scroll on down for insider tips for writers, filmmakers & actors

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

OUR REGULAR $50 ENTRY FEE IS

EXTENDED TO JUNE 30th!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

Accepting submissions NOW, through June 30, 2017

READ & SUBSCRIBE TO THE POPULAR MOONDANCE NEWS-BLOG HERE!

Narrative feature, Short, Documentary, Drone & Animation Films • Feature & Short Screenplays •Film Scores • Short Stories, Stageplays & Audio Plays •TV Pilots, Episodics…and many more!LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

INSIDER TIPS:

CREATING CHARACTER & CHARACTERIZATIONS

Tips for Writers, Filmmakers & Actors

By Elizabeth English

Interesting flaws humanize a character who is challenged to overcome inner doubts, errors in thinking, guilt or trauma from the past, or fear of and hopes for the future. Weaknesses, imperfections, quirks, and vices make a character more real & appealing. The audience can identify with the character.

Flaws and imperfections give a character somewhere to go – the character arc – in which a character develops and grows, overcoming obstacles and gaining knowledge and wisdom, and is recreated and restored to wholeness. A real character is not just a single obvious trait, but a unique combination of many qualities and drives, some of them conflicting.

Character development is essential to a good story. Characters should enter the story as dimensional, non-stereotypical characters, and become more dimensional as the story and other characters act upon them. They should be big as life; capable of developing and being transformed. We should see different sides of them, understand how they think and act, learn about their philosophies and attitudes. We should be aware of their emotional make-up through their responses to their surroundings, to others with whom they interact, and to events which occur.

If your characters don’t come alive in the script, they won’t come alive on the screen. Answer these questions, as you characterize the protagonist, antagonist, and other characters within your storyline: what is this character’s goal or motivation, why does he or she want to achieve this goal, who or what is trying to stop this character from reaching this goal and why, what strengths or weaknesses of this character will help or hinder in the pursuit of this goal? READ MORE:

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. “ ~ Bradley Whitford

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“If you can dream it, you can do it.” ~ Walt Disney

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Clark Little shooting a wave in Hawaii, www.clarklittlephotography.com

“Never, never, never give up.” ~ Sir Winston Churchill

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

June120170

Moondance $50 Entry Fee Extended to End of June!

Thanks a million for all the fine submissions we’ve received for the 2017 Moondance International Film Festival, so far!

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Due to popular request,

OUR REGULAR $50 ENTRY FEE IS EXTENDED TO JUNE 30th!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

Accepting submissions NOW, through June 30, 2017

Narrative feature, short, documentary, drone & animation films • Feature & short screenplays •Film scores • Short stories, stageplays & radio plays •TV pilots, episodics…and many more!

LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

INSIDER TIP:

A FILMMAKERS TOOLBOX:

MAKING A GREAT PROMOTIONAL TRAILER

By Elizabeth English

Do you want to have a really good 2-3-minute trailer to send to producers, studios, agents, actors, film festival competitions, for your website & in social media ? Haven’t quite finished post on your film yet, but want to promote it now?

Great trailers are in a special class of their own; little polished gems that showcase your film, and make people want to see more! But film trailers can be more difficult to make really well than the entire film, itself. It can be more time-consuming, judicious editing must be a main concern, you have to tell the main story, theme & concept quickly, harder scene decisions need to be made, and you need to sell your film in less than three minutes.

Can you tell the main story, introduce the lead characters, show the main conflict, and give the viewer a visual, memorable impression in under three minutes? And, remember, you need to hook the viewer in the first few seconds! FIND OUT HOW, HERE:

Sophia Coppola

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results.” ~ Wade Boggs

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

May2520170

Moondance Regular Entry Deadline End of May!

“The fence that makes good neighbors also needs a gate to make good friends.” ~ Jocob M. Braude

Thanks a million for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

REGULAR $50 ENTRY FEE DEADLINE IS MAY 31^ST!

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

Accepting submissions NOW, through June 30, 2017

Narrative feature, short, documentary, drone & animation films • Feature & short screenplays •Film scores
• Short stories, stageplays & radio plays •TV pilots, episodics…and many more!

LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

INTRODUCING OUR 2017 WRITTEN WORKS JUDGE & NEWEST TEAM MEMBER:

PHIL PRITCHARD

MOONDANCE 2017 WRITTEN WORKS JUDGE

Phil Pritchard is an Actor, Director, Producer from the UK. After training in Acting & Directing in London he has worked in Theatre, Film, & TV. One particular highlight of his acting career was playing the title role in a film called ‘A Kitten For Hitler’ produced and directed by British Film director Ken Russell. On Stage he appeared in the West End in Sondheim’s ‘A Little Night Music’ which later transferred to Broadway, and more recently starred in the musical ‘BACKBEAT’ about the early days of The Beatles. He moved to the United States in 2012, has produced and directed film and theatre productions on both sides of the Atlantic, and is honored to be a judge of written works at the 2017 Moondance International Film Festival. Meet the whole team here!

Insider Tips: FIRST IMPRESSIONS

TITLES & LOGLINES

by Elizabeth English

Have a fabulous, unique idea for a movie? That’s wonderful, but you need to know how to turn your great story into a great logline. There is and always has been only one real secret to success in the entertainment industry. Tell a great story. Period. And you need to figure out how to tell that fabulous story in only 25 words or less! You need to learn how to get your script idea enthusiastically read by an agent and then a producer, director and actors. Learn what they look for in a title and logline. Your first impression to these movers and shakers is all about the fine art of pitching your film or screenplay, your TV series concept or story idea, via your eye-catching title and logline.

“SELL THE SIZZLE; NOT JUST THE STEAK!”

A great title for your film or screenplay is the first (and maybe only) introduction to an agent, a producer, director or studio. “You’ve got 3 minutes; pitch me what you’ve got,” is what you’ll hear from the entertainment industry movers & shakers who might buy your project. But you probably wouldn’t even get that meeting or a reply to your query letter, if you didn’t have an interesting title and logline that caught their eye.

You can find that great, eye-catching title within your screenplay text, and then write a sizzling logline to go with it. Know how to “dress” your script for success, make it stand out from all the others, and get it noticed in the first round. READ MORE:

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been sown, I have great faith in a seed… Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

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NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

We look forward to previewing your 2017 submissions!

May1520170

~ A Moondance Springtime & Tips for Doc Filmmakers!

So far this season, we have received talented films, written works and original music competition submissions from these countries: AUSTRALIA, BELGIUM, BRAZIL, CANADA , COATIA, COLOMBIA, DENMARK, FRANCE, INDIA, IRAN, JAPAN, NETHERLANDS, POLAND, ROMANIA, RUSSIA, SCOTLAND, SINGAPORE, SOUTH AFRICA, TURKEY, UK, and the US. Send in your submission now to join us for the 18th annual Moondance! Represent your country!

Thanks a million for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the

18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

DOCUMENTARY FILMS: INSIDER TIPS FOR SUCCESS!

At Moondance International Film Festival, we look for documentary films that entertain, inform, inspire, encourage and educate. We believe that films can contribute to a healthier society, and that films should encourage the active involvement of audiences to connect and act collectively to address global challenges. Moondance screens doc films that are innovative, distinctive, compelling, educational, engaging, and relevant to varied audiences, and which encourage active participation.

Have a story; a clear beginning, middle and end, as well as a protagonist and antagonist(s), much as good screenplays and narrative films must have.
Go easy on the “talking heads” interviews! Please, please, please shoot the interviewee(s) in various situations with related locations and visuals, not just sitting in a room, looking straight on to the camera and talking, talking, talking.
Add an appropriate and memorable music score!
Start late and end early! Edit your doc film to be as short as possible, while still getting the salient point or points across.

READ MORE DETAILS HERE

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Accepting submissions NOW, through June 30, 2017

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!

MORE CELEBRITY SUPPORTERS:

Narrative feature, short, documentary, drone & animation films • Feature & short screenplays • Film scores • Short stories, stageplays & radio plays • TV pilots, episodics…and many more!

LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Moondance is also accepting submissions at:

Moondance International Film Festival Screenings dates: September 2017

The Moondance International Film Festival, featuring its distinct cinematic visions and bold film selections, has distinguished itself around the world as much more than an annual film festival! The Moondance is a unique community, a supportive, productive, and creative year-round collaboration between independent filmmakers and movie audiences, between writers, composers and the world of top-quality filmed entertainment.

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Narcissus” by JW Waterhouse

“Success is ten percent opportunity and ninety percent intelligent hustle.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

Picasso, “Fleurs”

“To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to clean up other’s trash.” ~ Bill Nye

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

NEWS-BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

EMAIL: director@moondancefilmfestival.com

May120170

~ Check out Moondance’s Celebrity Supporters!

~ OUR CELEBRITY SUPPORTERS 2000-2016 ~

MOONDANCE TESTIMONIALS:

“My overall impression while attending the 2001 Moondance film festival, in such a beautiful location,  and while speaking with other participants at the various film screenings, networking parties, and workshops, was one of enthusiasm, inspiration, and professionalism. In short, I loved it!” ~ Dr. Olga Rojer, professor of film studies, American University

“The Moondance International Film Festival is well known for offering the best venue to raise awareness of social issues through films and showcasing talented international independent social impact filmmakers’ works to audiences. We believe that your organization has a very good potential to share this important message to our global audiences who love social impact films as well as support social and environmental change.” ~ Michelle Lam, Founder of Visiomi.com

“As independent, first-time filmmakers, we love the festival’s mission to entertain, to inform, to inspire, to encourage and to educate.” ~ Ben Prawer and Jesse Swedlund

“My first documentary film was accepted and won at your festival several years ago. It went on to win several other awards, also. It was such a surprise, and meant so much to me at the time. It gave me the courage to continue to produce documentaries, and helped me define my career in filmmaking.” ~ Becky McMillen

“Thank you for all you do for the writing community, not just film. As a three-time award recipient in the audio drama division I am always proud to point out to people the value Moondance places on writers in all genres.” ~ Sable Jak

“One of the things I liked about Moondance is your investment not only in the festival itself, but in helping filmmakers get through industry doors. As a woman director, the added hurdles I face daily can feel insurmountable, and your work keeps women like me going.” ~ Ela Their

“It is really an honor for writers living across the world to participate in this distinguished competition of yours which values the principles of Mahatma Gandhi…” ~ Dhiraj Bakshi, India

“Very professional group of people with a great vision for filmmakers.” ~ James Carroll

MORE FILMMAKERS COMMMENTS:

MOONDANCE SCREENWRITER COMMENTS:

“I highly recommend the contest to any aspiring artist! As a Short Screenplay Finalist in 2002, not only did I receive a request to read my script, but with Elizabeth’s guidance and encouragement, I gained the confidence to tackle the writing of a feature length screenplay. It’s been an amazing ride. I’ve had dozens of requests for my script.” – Bonnie Maffei

“Fine festival for screenwriters. Good and timely communication make this a recommended festival for screenwriters, both new and experienced.” ~ Jim Norman

“At a time when too many movies glamorize or trivialize violence, Moondance stands out by awarding the Columbine award to scripts and movies with a good story about exceptional and compelling characters who want to make the world better, against seemingly impossible odds, and who employ a variety of nonviolent means to do so.” ~ Arthur Kanegis

“We were thrilled with everyone at Moondance including its founder, Elizabeth English. We flew to LA to attend the festival at Raleigh Studios. We received our awards and framed them. We were able to hand the script to a WGA agent at Moondance. Our script was requested by a production company who will be co-producing a handful of films for a well-known distributor. We have the script with a management company and some other production companies. Everything was superb. Great time, great memories!” – Colleen McQuaide

“Being one of the Moondance Columbine Best Feature Screenplay winners has provided me with a little more clout. Acknowledgement like that definitely encourages one to keep on pursuing the dream. In my opinion, a grand prize like this is far better than winning some cash, especially if one obtains representation and/or sells their screenplay.” ~ John Alarid

“I am so grateful for the support you have given me with my screenwriting over the years. You helped to give me the confidence to believe that I could write and tell stories.” ~ Sally Sutherland

MORE SCREENWRITER COMMENTS:

Thanks a million for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival! Plan now to participate in this unique film festival, and help celebrate the 18^th annual Moondance International Film Festival!

MOONDANCE 2017 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Accepting submissions NOW, through June 30, 2017

May 31 deadline for regular submission fees

June 30 deadline for extended submission fees

For your best chance to win, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!