MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL OCTOBER NEWS

MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL OCTOBER NEWS

Many thanks to 5 of our generous 2011 Moondance donors: Daniel Gonzalez Silva, 2011 finalist screenwriter, from beautiful Bucaramanga, Colombia; and Gordon Phipps, Australia, short story winner. And from the US: Donna Lisa, TV pilot script for kids winner, A.J. Pelzer, co-owner: entertainment finance company, and Cyndi Lenz, short documentary film winner.  If you’d also like to support the Moondance work with a donation, please go to: http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

~~~~~~Scroll on down for news & other items of interest!~~~~~~

URGENT REQUEST FOR 2011 MOONDANCE FESTIVAL PHOTOS

Special request to all Moondancers who attended the 2011 festival: Please send us several of your favorite photos from your days at the film festival! To help identify people in the photos, please remember to add the names and/or some description to the digital pix titles, rather than just long numbers. We will add the best photos to the Moondance website photo album, and to the next festival blog! Please do it now! E-mail them as .jpg attachments to: moondancefestival@gmail.com, with MIFF PHOTOS in the subject line.

DO YOU WANT YOUR 2011 MOONDANCE FESTIVAL AWARD??

Couldn’t attend the awards ceremony & reception?

Do you want your beautiful star award and official certificate sent to you?

Please go now to: http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

MOONDANCE 2011 LAURELS

To get your Moondance 2011 winner, finalist, semi-finalist, selected film, and/or audience favorite laurels image for promoting your project, go to: http://moondancefilmfestival.com/06_other.laurels.html

2011 MOONDANCE  POSTERS AND TOTE BAGS AVAILABLE!

For a limited time only, 2011 Moondance posters and mermaid logo tote bags are available at: http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

M    O    O    N    D    A    N    C    E

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

September 16-18, 2011

B O U L D E R,  C O L O R A D O  U S A

MOONDANCE 2012 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

The 2012 Moondance early-bird call-for-entries will open for submissions on December 1, 2011.  We look forward to receiving your next film, screenplay, film score, TV script, stageplay, radio show, music video, and  more!

Check out all of the 2012 Moondance submission categories at: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/03_submission.categories.html

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

The Wayseers Video: http://www.wayseermanifesto.com/

Wayseers are the change agents of society. Wayseers are the ones who know first, who sense earliest the disturbances in the fabric…Wayseers are the free spirits, the misfits, the rebels and revolutionaries, the passionate creatives, the innovators, the visionaries, the pioneers…

HERE ARE 2 OTHER VIDEOS YOU’LL LIKE:

“STOREFRONT IN BERLIN”

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=XVTga6GmbGw&vq=medium#t=74

“DOGS HAVING LUNCH”

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&vq=medium#t=125

Web Address: http://www.remedica.com.au

REMEDICa Australia offers a range of luxurious, effective and natural skincare products based on natural remedies combined with modern science, as an alternative to synthetic chemical-laden products. Intensive phyto-nutrient-based product lines for healthy, radiant and, most importantly, self-reliant skin. No animal testing, ever!

Natural Skin Care Solutions | Organic Soap | la Savonnerie | Natural Skin Care For Problem Skin | Acne | Australian Bush Botanical Soaps | African Skin Care | Australian Made Skin Care | Natural Soap | African Organics | African Black Soap | African Fair Trade Shea Butter | Natural Insect Repellent | Organic Skin Care | Monoi De Tahiti | Bath And Body

FILM AS COMMUNICATION

Living in the 21st Century is to engage in the consumption, production, and distribution of sounds, images, and information that enables creative talents and audiences to realize and gain a more sophisticated perception and contemporary understanding of the world around us.

Media, defined as the multiple channels, technologies, and interfaces through which information, ideas, and emotions are stored, shared, and reciprocated – and the ways in which that plethora of media shape our understanding of the world and our ability to act in it, for the common good, can make it a better place for all.

Awareness of all forms of media can promote a heightened ability to analyze, contextualize, create and use all forms of media, and emerging trends affecting the traditional media distribution channels, as a vital exercise in creative expression and positive change, through international entertainment mediums.

Films screened at Moondance are original, entertaining and uniquely distinguished by our focus on story, top quality, social justice, peace, women, and environmental activism. Media is inextricably linked to questions of power, rights, human development, peace, national and international social and environmental issues, creative expression, knowledge, entertainment, collaboration, self-determination and vital calls for action.

MOONDANCERS WRITE US!

“I thank you for giving us this award. It will be my pleasure and a privilege to submit my next documentary of the MYSTERIOUS CHINA Series to your festival.” ~ Chris D. Nebe, USA, writer, producer, director of the 2011 winning feature documentary “DALI – Love at first Sight”

“I meant what I said about your ‘First Impressions: Titles & Loglines’ workshop – I’ve paid considerably more for other seminars where I learnt NOTHING, compared to that. It was great to finally come up with a decent logline, so thanks a million for that!” ~ Eilis Mernagh, Ireland, winning screenwriter

“You’ve done it again.  I’ve just read the Post-Fest Blog and it is great. …everything about it.  The photographs are wonderful and the way you set them up was terrific. Makes me want to see all the films.  I was tremendously impressed. You really deserve strong accolades for the wonderful job you’ve done.” ~ Lorna Kanter, USA, finalist short story writer

“Thank you so much for choosing ‘Skew’ as a semi-finalist at your fest in 2011 and for being an integral part of the film’s success in gaining distribution in the US. We’ve recently made a sale to Netflix USA, and will be having our premiere in October. I hope your recent festival went off with a bang and I look forward to submitting my future projects your way!!” ~ Sevé Schelenz, Canada, writer/director

“You are truly an innovative inspiration to entrepreneurs within the industry.” ~ Britany Madrid

“Good news: HALFWAY HOME, CURB YOUR ENTHSIASM (both 2011 Moondance winners), and my comedy THE BIG IDEA were Finalists in the Hollywood Screenplay Contest!” ~ David Schroeder, award-winning screenwriter

“Thanks for another incredible Moondance, and thanks for your work supporting screenwriters.

Here’s a link to the New Mexico Film Office. They’ve put up a news release about my script. Sorry to say the reporter messed up and put Moondance in Durango, Colorado! There was also an article that ran in the Albuquerque Journal (see article copy below). Thanks for your help in making this happen! I couldn’t have done it without you.” ~ Pamela Stovall, 2011 feature screenplay Spirit Award winner, “The Perfect Cut”

“I’ve just been reading your news blog, re: the 2011 Moondance Film festival. It does sound wonderful. I want to congratulate you on your hard work and perseverance, and your excellent taste. I am full of admiration for what you are doing in Colorado. I want to make every effort to be there next year. ~ Naomi Lazard, USA, author, screenwriter & co-founder: Hamptons International Film Festival

MOONDANCE IS SEEKING DONORS, SPONSORS & FRIENDS!

Dear Friends of Moondance International Film Festival: Please seriously consider helping support Moondance’s on-going efforts to promote, inspire and encourage the world’s independent filmmakers, writers and composers, with a financial donation to start off the new year right! Your contribution makes it possible for us to enlighten, inspire, enrich, educate, and entertain through film, writing & music. Any donation amount is greatly appreciated.

A donation of $1000 or more, to help fund our 2012 film festival, will put your name, or your company’s name, in the Moondance credits as a co-producer: on our website, in the newsletters, and in the 2012 festival print program!

Thanks a million!

TO DONATE NOW, GO TO: http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

TO SEE OUR SPONSOR PAGES, GO TO: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.info.html

SPECIAL LIMITED-TIME OFFER*! Anyone who donates $1000 (or more) in 2011 to support Moondance’s continuing efforts to help make the world a better place through film, writing & music, will receive this brand-new, beautiful custom-made Luna Guitar with Victorian-era Mermaid art on both sides as a gift for your generous, much-appreciated financial support!

www.lunaguitars.com

DONATE AT: http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

(* Includes shipping within the US. Extra shipping fee if shipped to a foreign address)

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

I invented this rule for myself, to be applied to every decision I might have to make in the future. I would sort out all the arguments and see which belonged to fear and which to creativeness, and other things being equal, I would make the decision which had the larger number of creative reasons on its side. I think it must be a rule something like this that makes jonquils and crocuses come pushing through the cold mud in the early spring.” ~ Katharine Butler Hathaway, American writer

“The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon one’s self to one’s destiny.” ~ Napoleon I

“Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.” ~ Horace Mann, social activist, American educator

“In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called upon to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other. That time is now.” ~ Wangari Maathai, 1940-2011, Kenyan environmental and political activist, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, 2004

Seek beauty, truth, harmony…the promise of the future and the blessings of today. Live well, laugh often, love much, gain the respect & the love of children; fill your niche, accomplish your tasks; leave the world better than you found it. Appreciate Earth’s beauties & express it. Look for the best in others and give the best you have. ~ The Moondance motto

ARTICLE FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL:

‘Perfect Cut’ Is Award Winner

By Adrian Gomez / Asst. Arts Editor, Reel NM on Sun, Sep 18, 2011 ABQJournal.com

A purse hangs on the hook of a stall door. As it sits in place, a hand slowly creeps over the stall door to quickly snatch the purse. With this climatic scene, Pamela Stovall’s vision starts to become a reality. “I had this image in my mind for many years,” she explains during a recent phone interview. “I started to play around with the idea and with some work, I wrote a screenplay.”

Stovall spent nearly two years – and seven rewrites – to get her feature screenplay, “The Perfect Cut,” finished. “The process was long, but I see it as making me a better writer,” she says. “With each rewrite, the story became stronger and went down avenues that I’ve never thought of.” Stovall’s screenplay recently took top honors at the Moondance International Film Festival in Durango, Colo. This year’s awards presentation will take place today in Durango, and Stovall will be in attendance.

“The Perfect Cut” was awarded the Moondance Spirit Award in the feature screenplays category. “You spend so much time alone writing that it’s always nice to get feedback,” she says. “Now there’s an outside entity that says ‘keep going.’ It’s such an honor.”

The Moondance International Film Festival is an independent annual film festival and awards competition that honors filmmakers, writers and composers who actively increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints, address complex social issues, and strengthen ties between international audiences.

Stovall says the festival’s selections are based on having a well-told, unique story. The first festival was held in 2000 and has become a premiere festival for independent filmmakers and writers. Stovall says she submitted the screenplay because Moondance is known for helping writers get their story from paper to big screen. “The program is very prestigious and successful on that front,” she says. “I’m just beginning this process, and I feel like it’s a pretty good start.”

Stovall says “The Perfect Cut” is about a street-smart teenage girl who inserts herself into the path of a lifelong jewel thief who is on the run after her diamond heist goes mysteriously wrong. The two find themselves on a journey that is a race against their shared past, the law and a ruthless bounty hunter closing in for the kill. “It’s a thrilling story of survival,” she says. Stovall says the success of “The Perfect Cut” is due to the changes in her writing process.

“About three years ago, I decided to get serious about writing, and I’ve had some short stories published,” she explains. “With the screenplay, I decided to get up at 6 a.m. and write for four hours before I had to go teach. That’s when things started happening. The story became clearer, and I devoted that time just for writing.”

Stovall says she is looking for a director or producer who can appreciate the script and become excited about the project. “The script is based in the Southwest,” she says. “It would be fantastic to find someone in the state interested in working together with me to help make this a successful movie.”

In addition to being a screenwriter, Stovall is also a professor of communication and journalism at the University of New Mexico Gallup. She’s been teaching for 11 years and lives in Jamestown, N.M. “Eighty percent of my kids are Native American,” she says. “With writing the screenplay, I’m trying to show them that there are no boundaries. We can each do everything we want to do as long as we take the steps.”

________________________________________________________________

Please consider forwarding this news blog to friends & colleagues!

Please DO reply to this email!  We love your feedback! Send questions, comments, suggestions, news, photos and updates to:

moondancefestival@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to reply to this email, with a question or comment, please remember to change the subject line! Otherwise, your email will be received stacked all together in one email, with every other email response, if using this subject line unchanged, and we may miss seeing your email!

________________________________________________________________

---

---

2011 MOONDANCE POST-FEST BLOG & AUDIENCE FAVORITES ANNOUNCEMENT!

2011 MOONDANCE POST-FEST BLOG & AUDIENCE FAVORITES ANNOUNCEMENT!

The 12th annual Moondance International Film Festival, also known as “The American Cannes”, took place in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, on the lovely and historic University of Colorado campus, and in downtown Boulder’s most popular restaurants, on September 16, 17, & 18, 2011, with original indie film screenings, professional writing and filmmaking workshops, private consultations with the pros, celebrity Q & A sessions, popular networking cocktail parties, and a gala awards ceremony & reception. Talented filmmakers, writers and composers, as well as enthusiastic audiences, attended from the US and from around the world!

• Read feature screenplay winner Eilis Mernagh’s fun & insightful article, titled “Winning Big at Moondance – Eilis Mernagh’s Festival Diary” at the IFTN (Irish Film & Television Network) online about her experiences during Moondance: http://www.iftn.ie/news/act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4284279&tpl=archnews&force=1

A GREAT BIG “THANK YOU!” TO ALL OUR 2011 VOLUNTEERS & STAFF!

The success of the 2011 Moondance event absolutely could not have happened without the 3 days and evenings of dedicated work of these truly fabulous staff, volunteers and friends of Moondance: Mark Schweisow, Festival Events Director & Screenings Coordinator; Kandice Martellaro, hard-working Volunteers Coordinator; Jody Handerson, Screenings Coordinator Assistant;  Susan Harvey, Awards Coordinator; Ted Harvey, Security; plus Prema Rose, Cheryl Michel, Miguel Carson (who was always available for one & all, as needed), Cedric Peebles, Kevin Lundeen, James Quon, Richard & Helen Love, JoAnn LaBella (who deserves a huge thanks, she worked so hard), Debbie LaBella, Eric Schwarz, Rev. Julie Mercer and Craig Lambert.

And many, many thanks to our long-time, diligent webster for keeping the Moondance website user-friendly and always up-to-date, Stephanie Vidergar.

Much appreciation to Paula Zimmerman, our tireless festival videographer! More info on the 2011 Moondance video, now in post-production, when it’s ready!

A big thanks also goes out to Candace Kearns Read, our favorite Moondance workshops presenter & consultant!

2011 MOONDANCE AUDIENCE FAVORITES ANNOUNCED!

AUDIENCE FAVORITE FEATURE FILM:

“SIBERIA, MONAMOUR”, Slava Ross, director (Russia)

AUDIENCE FAVORITE FEATURE DOCUMENTARY:

“JOURNEY ON THE WILD COAST”, Greg Chaney, director (USA)

AUDIENCE FAVORITE FEATURE FILM FOR KIDS:

“SHENEY DEGALIM”  (Two Flags), Lior Molcho, director (Israel)

AUDIENCE FAVORITE SHORT FILM:

“PRAIRIE SONATA”, Deborah LeVine, director (USA)

AUDIENCE FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO:

“I WANNA BE A PIRATE”, Ed Waters, director (USA)

AUDIENCE FAVORITE ANIMATION:

“THE DUST MACHINE”, Damon Mohl, director (Colorado)

Scroll on down for lots more festival news & info:

INKTIP.COM OPPORTUNITY FOR 2011 MOONDANCE WINNERS!

Inktip.com, a long-time sponsor, annually offers Moondance feature screenplay winners a free listing on their popular website! This is a very valuable opportunity to have your winning screenplay listed on a great site where top agents and producers regularly search for their next projects to represent, option and/or produce! We will send InkTip our 2011 list of feature screenplay winners, and they will contact you right away with this fantastic free offer!

REQUEST FOR 2011 MOONDANCE FESTIVAL PHOTOS

Special, urgent request to all Moondancers who attended the 2011 festival: Please send us several of your favorite photos from your days at the film festival! To help identify people in the photos, please remember to add the names and/or some description to the digital pix titles, rather than just long numbers. We will add the best photos to the 2011 Moondance website photo album, and to the next festival blog! Please do it now! E-mail them as .jpg attachments to: moondancefestival@gmail.com, with MIFF PHOTOS in the subject line.

2011 MOONDANCE FESTIVAL AWARDS WANTED?

Couldn’t attend the awards ceremony & reception?

Do you want your star award and certificate sent to you?

Final date to request awards sent is: October 15, 2011

Please go now to: http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

GET YOUR MOONDANCE 2011 LAURELS:

To get your Moondance 2011 winner, finalist, semi-finalist, selected film, and/or audience favorite laurels image for promoting your project, go to: http://moondancefilmfestival.com/06_other.laurels.html

2011 MOONDANCE  POSTERS AND TOTE BAGS AVAILABLE!

For a limited time only, 2011 Moondance posters and mermaid logo tote bags are now available at: http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

MOONDANCE 2012 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

The 2012 Moondance early-bird call-for-entries will open for submissions on December 1, 2011.  We look forward to receiving your next film, screenplay, film score, TV script, stageplay, radio show, music video, and  more! See the 2012 Moondance submission categories: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/03_submission.categories.html

2011 MOONDANCERS WRITE US!

• “It was such an honor to meet you and be part of your festival! I had a great time and met amazing people and watched riveting films!”~ Miglena Sandmeier, Bulagria & Atlanta, GA, film PR representative, award-winning “Dilli”

• “We had a great time at the festival, and it was so great to meet you!  Thank you so much for your support of our script, and we want you to know that we will continue to support Moondance and your efforts.  It really was a wonderful experience, and your support has encouraged us and motivated us. As a novice, my gut reaction to winning an award is that this is the END of the process, but what I’m quickly learning, is that it’s only the very beginning of this particular process. Thank you, again, for believing in us.” ~ Echo and Myrton Running Wolf, award winners, with Jasheika James & Crystal English, for their feature screenplay, “Black Warrior of Pyramid Lake”

• “Thank you once again for selecting “Spirit of the Everglades”. I appreciate your kind remarks and belief in this screenplay. Moondance is a wonderful film festival and to receive the Calypso award from such an amazing person as Elizabeth English is such an honor to me. It gives me the courage to keep pushing to get this feature screenplay out into the world for all to enjoy.” ~ Michael Bavota, Calypso Award winner

• “Thank you for the completely enjoyable time Sandy and I had at the festival. It was wonderful meeting you, as well as the new friends we spoke with that share this passion for excellence.” ~ John Fanta, semi-finalist,  music for a film score

• “Thank you for your help in improving my “The Song and the Land” screenplay during your First Impressions, Titles & Loglines workshop last Friday. I also found Candace Kearns Read’s How to Get an Agent workshop Saturday morning extremely helpful and interesting. I am now ready to improve the script and, yes, begin to market it. The Moondance Film Festival has been a great springboard for this next step. Thank you.” ~ Anne Campbell

• “I just wanted to thank you for putting on a fantastic film festival and allowing me, along with so many others, to experience it. I’d also like to thank you for all your help in the Titles & Loglines workshop, I really appreciate your critiques, and know that because of taking your class I’m already better off than I was before I walked in. On behalf of the cast and crew of The Drama, I’d like to express my gratitude to you for picking our pilot as the winner for two very special awards; it means a lot to me and to the people who invested their time into making the final product.” ~ Matt Grodsky, with Joe Flowers, co-director, Dolphin Awards for best TV  pilot script & best filmed TV pilot winner

• “I just wanted to say Thank You for supporting and including my work in the 2011 Festival!  Also Thank You for the award!  It really meant a lot to me to have my work included in the festival. It was great to talk to some of the audience members afterwards.” ~ Damon Mohl, winner, best animation, “The Dust Machine”

• “I was impressed by the quality of the films and flattered to be included in that group of very talented folks. I hope you like our new song, I’d Be Lyin’, a demo that we’ll be shopping very soon.” ~ Ed Waters, composer, “I Wanna Be a Pirate” & co-director with David Berrey, winning music video.

• “Thank you so much for the fun festival, and you executed it with a flair!  I enjoyed my time there and enjoyed meeting some wonderful people! I will certainly pass the word that it is one worth applying to and attending.” ~ Dawn Young, USA, winner music video “Who I Am”

• “Again, many thanks to Moondance for my Atlantis Award…my writer friend and winner, Eilis Mernagh, (winner, feature screenplay, “Star On the Run”, title changed at MIFF workshop to “Searching For Summer”) collected it for me, and I am thrilled to have it! Wish I could have been there…I do hope that such a prestigious win will raise some interest from producers. Well done on a very worthwhile and fabulous festival! ~ Carolin Farrell, Ireland, winner, “Pixer Knows”, feature screenplay for kids

• “Back from Boulder and apart from the ongoing jet lag, I have only positive things to say about Moondance. I had a great time, and the time and money spent getting there was well worth it. I’ve written a full report on the trip for the Irish Film and Television Network. Boulder is a really friendly place. Everyone I met made me feel so welcome, and the festival participants were a fantastic bunch. I want to particularly thank Moondance festival director Elizabeth English for putting on such a great festival. And obviously for giving me a cool award!” ~ Eilis Mernagh, Ireland, winner, “Star on the Run/ Searching For Summer” feature screenplay

• “Our whole family enjoyed the matinee line-up at Old Main Sunday. It was a wonderful time, and fun to be on CU’s beautiful campus, thanks.” ~ Charlotte & Ben Zink, (www.zinkmetalart.com fabricators of the Moondance star awards)

• “I just wanted you to know how very pleased I am to have been given an honor for my short story, “The Funeral,” as all awards received from the prestigious Moondance International Film Festival are important honors, indeed. ~ Lorna Kanter

• “I must tell you, we are just proud of winning two Moondance awards (best foreign feature film, and best foreign film score), and particularly, the significant statement of the GAIA award makes “Meherjaan” very special. I wish you the best success and warm greetings for your entire team.” ~Ashique Mostafa, executive producer, Bangladesh

• “Sheri Mann Stewart also commented on Moondance International Film Festival’s Facebook link.  Sheri wrote: “I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there tonight to accept the award on behalf of The Way of Justice in which I play Martha. I hope you all enjoyed it!”

• “I want to thank you again for the wonderful festival and for the honor of participating and winning.” Lior Molcho, director, Shney Degalim  (Two Flags), Israel

• “I am totally honored by you guys – you have no idea. I will be there in spirit in the town that I love so much.” ~ Cyndi Lenz, director, winner best documentary film, “The Garbage of Jupiter Beach”, 2011 Calypso Award for environmental activism

READ ABOUT ALL THE MOONDANCE AWARDS CATEGORIES HERE: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/02_festival.awards.html

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“I admired the movement of the water, so graceful, elegant, nimble, simply parting its way around the obstacle, the rock, and moving on. Two completely opposite states, rock and water. And yet, together….they create a third, ineffable, yet highly desirable, condition. What is it? Fluid solidity. That’s what we need to keep moving through a world full of obstacles, and to stay grounded when things get in our way.” ~ Dominique Browning, Slow Love blog

“And this our life, exempt from public haunt,

Finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks,

Sermons in stones, and good in everything.

(William Shakespeare)

“One of the best things about paintings is their silence –which prompts reflection and random reverie.” ~ Mark Stevens, author

Knowing others is intelligence;

knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength;

mastering yourself is true power.

(Lao-Tzu, 5th century BCE)

“Loving involves commitment. Love is a conversion to humanity—a willingness to participate with others in the healing of a broken world and broken lives.” ~ Isabel Carter Heyward, feminist theologian

Please forward this blog to all your friends & colleagues!

---

---

COME JOIN THE 2011 MOONDANCE!

DON’T MISS THE 12th ANNUAL

SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18, 2011

IN BEAUTIFUL BOULDER, COLORADO

DATES, TIMES AND LOCATION:

September 16, 17, 18, 2011

11:AM – Midnight (& beyond)

CU campus: Old Main Theater & Fiske Planetarium, Boulder, CO.

TICKET SALES & BOX OFFICE:

Rapid Refill Ink, 2525 Arapahoe, The Village Center, Boulder

(south of McGuckin’s Hardware, north of Great Harvest Bread)

Ticket sale dates: September 10^th – 17^th, 10:AM-6:PM

ONLINE WILL-CALL ADVANCE TICKET SALES:

http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

Now, through September 15th

Tickets also available at the Old Main Theater door:

September 16-18, 11:AM-11:PM

*** We cordially invite everyone to participate in this truly independent international film festival. Moondance offers everyone a unique opportunity to be entertained, see great films you may not see elsewhere, attend our workshops & networking parties, and to come together with talented filmmakers, writers and composers. Our mission is to present a vibrant and growing collection of the best-of-the-best films, music, and writings, which are an ideal means for communication across perceived boundaries of race, culture, age and gender.

MORE INFO ON THE WEBSITE:

2011 MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INFO:

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

2011 FESTIVAL EVENTS SCHEDULE

2011 FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE

FILM DESCRIPTIONS

ALPHABETICAL FILM DESCRIPTIONS

2011 NETWORKING PARTIES & AWARDS VENUES

WORKSHOPS & CONSULTATIONS INFO

2011 WINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTS

2011 TRAVEL & LODGING INFO

Come Join Us at The American Cannes!

MOONDANCERS WRITE US!

“I woke up one morning with this festival on my mind. It’s been a life-changing experience for me!” ~ Lee Nicholson, festival volunteer

“It is with great appreciation that I thank MIFF for selecting Spirit of the Everglades as a Feature Screenplay winner and Calypso Award. I am thrilled beyond belief! I thought when I first submitted my screenplay to various contests this year, “of all the contests this year, if I could just win Moondance–even be a semi or finalist, I would so happy.”  Thank you! You have made a dream come true.” ~ Michael F. Bavota

“Both Stelios and I are thrilled about winning; it’s truly an honor for us. I wish we could be there, but we’ll be there in spirit, through our film.” ~ Nick Dimitriadis, director, Stelios Koupetoris, film score composer, “Dawn”, Greece, Moondance 2011 winner of 2 awards

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

So comes to us at times, from the unknown

And inaccessible solitudes of being,

The rushing of the sea-tides of the soul;

And inspirations, that we deem our own,

Are some divine foreshadowing and foreseeing

Of things beyond our reason or control.

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite objective in life outside of themselves and their personal happiness.” ~ Leo Tolstoy

“We tell ourselves, this is where high tide reaches. As if there were an agreement, a contract; here and no further. We are like the ants. The sea crushes our nests. We build them back. We believe we belong here. We believe we can tame nature.” ~ Dominique Browning, Slow Love Blog

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” ~ John Buchan, Scottish novelist, “The Thirty-nine Steps”)

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace…

You may say that I’m a dreamer,

But I’m not the only one;

I hope someday you’ll join us,

And the world will be as one.

---

---

Moondance 2011 Film Festival news!

SEPTEMBER 2011 NEWS BLOG

THE 12th ANNUAL

MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

IS SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 17, 18, 2011

IN BEAUTIFUL BOULDER, COLORADO!

The 12th annual Moondance International Film Festival is scheduled to take place in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, on the University of Colorado campus, on September 16, 17, & 18, 2011. There will be original indie film screenings, industry workshops, pitch panels, networking parties, private consultations with the pros, and a gala awards ceremony and reception. Festival events info and ticket sales will be posted on the Moondance website very soon.

Plan now to attend this most important event!

We cordially invite all indie film buffs, screenwriters and filmmakers, playwrights, short story writers, TV writers, radio play writers & producers, librettists, composers, children’s filmmakers & writers, and young (18 & under), plus seniors (75 & over), and distributors to participate in this truly independent international film festival. Moondance offers everyone a unique opportunity to be entertained, see great films you may not see elsewhere, attend our workshops & networking parties, and to come together with appreciative audiences, other writers, directors and producers to be entertained, to create new opportunities, develop tools for success and forge new alliances within the international film and entertainment industry.

2011 MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INFO:

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

~ OUR VISION: The long-term vision of the Moondance International Film Festival is to preserve and revitalize our intangible heritage, cultivate creative diversity, develop an intercultural dialogue, promote non-violent conflict resolution, to raise awareness of the invaluable contributions of women to the entertainment community, and to encourage environmental conservation & protection. We wish to actively participate in creating a bridge of understanding to another person’s or culture’s experience, and to stimulate this creative resource in writing, film and music. Our mission is to present a vibrant and growing collection of films, music, writings, which are an ideal means for communication across perceived boundaries of race, culture, age and gender.

Boulder’s very best international film festival is open to the public for 3 fabulous days and nights! You’ll have the unique opportunity to see the absolute best of indie features and shorts, documentaries, animation, local, foreign & art films screened each evening at the historic Old Main Theater and inside the dome of the Fiske Planetarium, on the CU campus. We also offer professional writing and filmmaking workshops, private consultations with the pros, celebrity Q & A sessions, popular networking cocktail parties, and a gala awards ceremony & reception. Come join us!

DATES, TIMES AND LOCATION:

September 16, 17, 18, 2011

11:AM – Midnight (& beyond)

CU campus: Old Main Theater & Fiske Planetarium, Boulder, CO.

TICKET SALES & BOX OFFICE:

Rapid Refill Ink, 2525 Arapahoe, The Village Center, Boulder

south of McGuckin’s Hardware, north of Great Harvest Bread

Ticket sale dates: September 3rd – 17^th, 10:AM-6:PM

ONLINE WILL-CALL ADVANCE TICKET SALES:

Now, through September 15th

Tickets also available at the Old Main Theater door:

September 16-18, 11:AM-11:PM

Films screened at Moondance are entertaining and uniquely distinguished by our cinematic focus on the relations between media and social justice, and how media is inextricably linked to questions of power, rights, human development, peace, national and international social and environmental issues, creative expression, collaboration, self-determination and powerful calls for action. Come join us!

2011 GENERAL FESTIVAL INFO

http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/02_festival.info.html

2011 FESTIVAL EVENTS SCHEDULE

http://moondancefilmfestival.com/02_festival.schedule.full.html

2011 FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE

http://moondancefilmfestival.com/02_festival.screen_sched.html

2011 TRAVEL & LODGING INFO

http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/02_festival.travel.html

~ MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! ~

We always welcome dedicated volunteers to help make the film festival happen!

Volunteers can earn free film screening and/or workshop tickets!

Contact Elizabeth at: moondancefestival@gmail.com

With MIFF VOLUNTEER in the subject line, today!

~ MANY HAPPY 2011 MOONDANCERS WRITE US! ~

“Many thanks for organizing this fabulous festival that supports women in film.” ~ Sara Shelley

“I have been feeling a very deep involvement with your boutique film festival that has a very particular and positive motto to change the world to be a united and healthy society by promoting non-violence conflict resolution in the arts & film, promoting women in art, etc. I am very fond of your intention to reach the global community through the medium of cinema art and music. Honestly, nowadays, not many festivals give such positive vibes; they rather promote darkness and negativity.” ~ Ashique Mostafa, Bangladesh, Producer, “Meherjaan”, winner & to be screened at Moondance 2011

“Thank you so much for your support, your understanding, and all the efforts you are making for all of us. Festivals like Moondance are a relief, and the most precious payback we can have. This is really wonderful. I am also watching the news blog of Moondance. It is so fresh, different, and so obvious that all these endeavors are made with care, effort and self-motivation. If everyone would put such an effort into the world-wide film making process, things would be widely different right now.” ~ Stelios Koupetoris, Greece, 2011 winning film score composer, for the animated short film, “Dawn”

“I wanted to reach out and let you know how much I love the Moondance Festival. I have attended the festival twice while a student in Colorado. Your blog is expertly written, clear in its intention, and easy to understand.”~ Holly Watson

“I’ve booked my flights and a hotel in Boulder. Just to check: by sheer coincidence, Caroline Farrell, who won the Atlantis Award for (her feature screenplay for kids) PIXER KNOWS, is in the same screenwriting group as me, in Dublin!” ~ Eilis Mernagh, Ireland, 2011 winner, feature screenplay, STAR ON THE RUN

“I just saw in the Moondance website that my stage play ‘Nuclear Family’ is the winner (co-winner) of the Stageplay category of the competition! I can’t tell you how excited and grateful I am, thank you!! We just ended our run of the play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is why I hadn’t had a chance to check the Moondance announcement list, so winning this now is just fantastic! It means so much to receive acknowledgment for this script that was written from my heart, about a subject that is so meaningful not only to my family, but to so many people of different cultures and walks of life.” ~ Desiree Gezentsvey, playwright, New Zealand

“Thank you so much for including our music video “Who I Am” in your lineup! Our co-writer and performer Jaime Kyle is the beautiful blond in the video!. Jaime and I both lost our mothers at the same time to Alzheimer’s, so this subject matter struck a note in both of us and propelled us to write the song in their honor, along with my husband, Jon Pousette-Dart.” ~ Dawn Young, director

“Our island-grown Marshallese feature film, “Lañinbwil’s Gift”, continues to gain acclaim. The film was named a “Finalist” at the prestigious Moondance International Film Festival, in Colorado!” ~ Jack Niedenthal, director, Marshall Islands

“The folks at Happy Trails Animation are extremely happy to be part of this year’s festival. This short film was created in part for a non-profit foundation, and it is wonderful when a film can speak to folks and create such an attachment.  Thanks for the support from the Moondance team.” ~ Andy Collen, Producer/ Director, ‘Seeds Of Opportunity’

“I’m inspired by spirituality, and if there’s a purpose in it, and for me it means to contribute toward creating a better world. To make a step forward. And certainly, in this direction, Moondance is the perfect Festival for me, and the most important reason for that is the spirit of Moondance. It’s not about awards only, or recognition, its about wonderful people.” ~ Alexander Haythen, Greece, 2011 semi-finalist, short screenplay for kids

“I want to let you know how thrilled I am to learn that my feature screenplay “Dance Without Music” is a 2011 Moondance Finalist. This was the first screenplay I ever wrote, and I have believed in it from the start. It means more to me than I can say that it has made the Moondance finals. Thank you for your dedication to the art of screenwriting.” ~ Muri McCage

“All of us here at “Women In the Dirt” would like to thank you for accepting our film into the Moondance International Film festival. We hope the audience enjoys it as much as we enjoyed making it. We are thrilled to be able to participate and at least two of us (myself for one) will be in attendance.” ~ Carolann Stoney, director

“I am barely containing my exultation at the MIFF results.  Especially since my short story is written in Australian, the language of Shakespeare, Chaucer and Milton. Not only does your short-screenplay-and-short-story judge possess the wisdom of Portia, but must be a distinguished scholar and an accomplished translator. I expect that within one week in Wall Street, Budweiser, Schlitz and Pabst shares will be languishing, replaced by a bull market in VB (Victoria Bitter), the great Oz lager. And the gaming rooms of Las Vegas will revert from that vulgar Texas Hold’em, to the traditional favorite of the Mississippi paddle steamers, Five Card Draw (due to the Moondance status of my short story).” ~ Gordon Phipps, (written a bit tongue-in-cheek, from Australia)

“I am delighted that my script, PIXER KNOWS, has won an Atlantis Award in the feature scripts for kids category! Many, many thanks to all at Moondance! Unfortunately, I will not be able to travel from Ireland for the festival, but will be there in spirit, and wish you all every success with your wonderful festival.” ~ Caroline Farrell, Ireland

“You did one heck of a job on your recent August blog, and news, and announcements, and pictures, and thoughts, and quotes. Honestly, I don’t know where you get the time, energy, and ideas, but you really did a wonderful job. Congratulations! It is beautiful. You deserve all the accolades I’m sure you will be getting.” ~ Lorna Kanter

“I want to wish you the best of luck with Moondance this year and I hope to be able to submit my new projects in years to come.” ~ Sevé Schelenz, Canada, director, “Skew”

“I have no words except for: Thank you for everything! Thank you for the tribute you’ll do for Luciano by showing “Stabat” as conclusion-film at the Moondance Film Festival ! I think …..,I know that Luciano  is so happy for this and for sure, for your friendship !” ~ Michela Maeiello, DeFraia estate coordinator, Naples, Italy. Note: Luciano DeFraia won the Columbine award for best animation. Sadly, he passed away suddenly in June.

“Two of my screenplays, The Earth Cantor and My Last Breath, placed in the semi-finals of this year’s Moondance International Film Festival contest.  This is the first semifinal placement that I have had since I started writing screenplays five years ago. What a pleasant surprise it was to get the news. What a delight to be able to send out queries now with the dazzling Moondance Film Festival logo on them. Thank you for acknowledging my work, as an up-and-coming screenwriter.” ~ Kim M. Brantley

~ MOOONDANCER NEWS: ~

Kiwi film “Insatiable Moon” wins Moondance prize

WED, 24 AUG 2011 3NEWS, NEW ZEALAND:

Low budget Kiwi film The Insatiable Moon has taken out one of the top prizes at the Moondance International Film Festival. The American film festival has awarded The Insatiable Moon the Atlantis Award for feature films made outside the US. In announcing the award, festival director Elizabeth English said the film received a high rating from the Moondance jury, and reminded her of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.  For director Rosemary Riddell, it’s not her first success at the Moondance festival. In 2006 she took out the Sandcastle Award for her short film Cake Tin. Riddell is unique in being the first ever feature film director with a day job as a District Court judge. Read more!

“We just discovered that Under Our Skin is one of the top 20 Most Popular films on Hulu as of today! Watch it there for FREE! Rate it, review it, and share with everyone you know. Let’s keep Under Our Skin on this list and on everyone’s radar, so we can continue to make a difference.” Watch, review & rate on the Hulu website”~ Open Eye Pictures, “Under Our Skin”, a fascinating and eye-opening film revealing the stunning truth about Lyme Disease, was a Moondance winner in 2010 and was screened to a full house.

~ THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY: ~

“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.” ~ Bruce Lee

“You can shut the doors and windows, lock the garden gate, tuck yourself into an exquisitely-appointed bed–but no matter what you do, you live in a big, booming, buzzing world that is going to touch you wherever you hide. It is a world that urgently, more than ever, needs intelligent attention, and the generous care of our hearts and souls.” ~ Dominique Browning, Slow Love blog

“…the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity and intermittency….perhaps this is the most important thing: simply the memory that each cycle of the tide is valid; each cycle of the wave is valid…. one must accept the security of ebb and flow, of intermittency.” ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh, 1906 – 2001, poet, author

“When you need to tell the truth, find the courage to open your heart, as well as your mouth. When you need to hear the truth, gather the strength to open your ears, and close your mouth.” ~ Yehuda Berg, www.kabbalah.com

“We have been given free will. We ourselves decide whether to make ourselves learned or ignorant, compassionate or cruel, generous or miserly. No one forces us, no one decides for us, no one drags us along one path or the other; we ourselves, by our own volition, choose our own way.” ~ Maimonides, preeminent medieval Jewish philosopher

“Life is like a field of newly fallen snow. Where I choose to walk, every step will show.” ~ Denis Waitley, American motivational speaker and writer

“This is the day we are given. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” ~ Rev. Galen Guengerich, Senior Minister, All Souls Unitarian Church, New York City www.allsoulsnyc.org

~ YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR TODAY: ~

Do your work with your whole heart, and you will succeed! ~ Elbert Hubbard

________________________________________________________________

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to reply to this blog email, with a question or comment, please remember to change the subject line! Otherwise, your email will be received stacked all together with every other email response if using this subject line unchanged, and we may miss seeing your email!

---

---

Moondance Announces 2011 Winners & Film Schedule!

M O O N D A N C E  2 0 1 1

WINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST ONLINE!

http://moondancefilmfestival.com/02_festival.winners_film.html

http://moondancefilmfestival.com/02_festival.winners_worksandscores.html

Congratulations,

2011 Moondance winners, finalists & semi-finalists!

And thanks a million to all those many filmmakers, writers & composers

who submitted such fine entries to the competition!

MOONDANCE 2011 LAURELS IMAGES

The Moondance International Film Festival, also known as “The American Cannes”, and one of the world’s most important international film festivals, is open to the public, filmmakers, writers, composers, producers, distributors, and actors, for 3 fabulous days and nights! We feature film premieres, indie features and shorts, documentaries, animation, local, experimental, multi-media, music videos, foreign & art films, screened each evening at the historic Old Main Theater and inside the dome of the Fiske Planetarium, both on the lovely University of Colorado campus. We also offer professional writing and filmmaking workshops, private consultations with the pros, pitch panels, celebrity Q & A sessions, networking cocktail parties, and a gala awards ceremony & reception. September 16, 17, 18, 2011, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, USA!  WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWS BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

Click on the following links for more info on the

Moondance Film Festival event 2011:

MOONDANCE 2011 ADVANCE TICKET SALES & FESTIVAL INFO

Buy tickets online early to guarantee your seats!

MOONDANCE FESTIVAL EVENTS SCHEDULE

2011 MOONDANCE FILM SCREENING SCHEDULE

2011 TRAVEL & LODGING INFO

2011 SELECTED MOONDANCE FILMS DESCRIPTIONS (coming soon!)

2011 WORKSHOPS DESCRIPTIONS (coming soon!)

* Note to selected filmmakers:

You will shortly receive an email from

Mark, our 2011 Screenings Coordinator

Moondancefest.mark@gmail.com

with more info and instructions.

Please look for it, read it, and respond!

•

CALLING ALL MEDIA REPS, AGENTS,  ACTORS,

FILM DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS, & DISTRIBUTORS!

Plan to attend the world-famous Moondance 2011, to network with the best of US and international filmmakers, writers and composers, and to see all the top films screened, in two fabulous venues, and for 3 great days and nights, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, September 16-18, 2011.

MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We always welcome dedicated volunteers to help make the film festival happen! Let us know if you’d like to be a:

• VOLUNTEERS COORDINATOR
• ASSISTANT TO THE SCREENINGS COORDINATOR
• ASSISTANT TO THE EVENTS COORDINATOR
• GENERAL EVENTS VOLUNTEER, AS NEEDED
• EMCEE AT THE FILM SCREENINGS
• EMCEE AT THE Q & A SESSIONS WITH FILMMAKERS
• EMCEE AT THE WORKSHOPS
• SIGNAGE COORDINATOR
• ASSISTANT TO THE TICKET SELLERS
• TICKET-TAKER AT THE VENUE DOORS
• HOSPITALITY LIAISON
• AWARDS CEREMONY VOLUNTEER
• OR…MAKE A SUGGESTION!

Volunteers can earn free film screening or workshop tickets!

Moondance takes place on September 16, 17 & 18, 2011

On the University of Colorado (CU) campus, Boulder, CO

Please check out the festival events schedule online!

Contact Elizabeth at: moondancefestival@gmail.com

With VOLUNTEER in the subject line, today!

CALLING ALL SPONSORS, DONORS & FRIENDS OF MOONDANCE!

Special promotional opportunities available
 for Partners, Donors, Sponsors & Friends of Moondance! Moondance International Film Festival is proud to acknowledge the cooperation and generous financial sponsors, whose enthusiastic partnerships make this popular film festival possible. Each of the sponsorship levels in which a corporation or individual participates will include their name and/or logo promoted through the end of the year following the current festival. Moondance International Film Festival provides its sponsoring partners with a full spectrum of marketing visibility. Since your company’s sponsorship is promoted for a full year, your marketing dollar receives maximum return and exposure. We love local Boulder sponsors, too!

Some suggested important elements of the event you may wish to sponsor or co-sponsor:

• 2011 FESTIVAL PRINT PROGRAM: $2500

• 2011 AWARDS CEREMONY & RECEPTION: $2000

• 2011 NETWORKING PARTY (FRIDAY AND/OR SATURDAY): $1500 EACH

• 2011 MOONDANCE STAR AWARDS: $1000

• 2011 SPECIAL INVITED FEATURE FILM SCREENING, “THE TREE”: $1000

• 2011 AD IN THE PRINT PROGRAM: $100, $250, $500 (depending on size & placement)

• 2011 FILMS BY & FOR KIDS PROGRAMS: $500

• 2011 “GREEN” ENVIRONMENTAL FILMS PROGRAMS: $500

• A DONATION TOWARD THE FESTIVAL’S 2011 EVENTS & PROGRAM

SPONSOR INFO: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.info.html

LIST OF SPONSORS, DONORS & FRIENDS OF MOONDANCE: http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.list.html

Charlie says, “Thanks a million! Arf! Arf!”

MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“Moondance seems truly wonderful…given the life-affirming feeling emanating from the festival (and from you!). Jennifer and I are glad to have made your acquaintance and look forward to crossing paths with you soon.” ~ Dana Packard, director/producer

“I hope to join you at this powerful gathering of creative people in the film industry this year, either as a workshop facilitator and/or participant.” ~ Candace Kearns Read, story analyst, screenwriter and screenwriting instructor

“Moondance is very special to me because of its goal to strengthen ties between International audiences and the mission to inspire, encourage, etc., overall gives a very positive vibe. We look forward for your support in bringing this South Asian anti war-narrative film to broader attention to promote world-peace and love, and against war & violence.” ~ Ashique Mostafa, Film Producer, Bangladesh

“I was so pleased to receive that beautiful MOONDANCE news blog you sent out the other day. My painting looked beautiful and was in such good company. The sayings and the artwork, photos, and illustrations were very inspiring. Thank you so very much for making me a part of it.” ~ Lorna Kanter, artist, writer

“I follow religiously the doings of Moondance and am happy to see you’re still in there, making waves.” ~ Fran Handman, Moondance writing winner

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

MAGIC LAMP RELEASING: Filmmakers: if you want the best in international film marketing, publicity and releasing for your indie film, and the best, most effective PR on the film festival circuit, you can’t go wrong by choosing Magic Lamp Releasing. Marc Halperin has worked at Miramax, Fineline, Universal, Warner Bros, as an executive for over 30 years with films as sex, lies, videotape; Cinema Paradiso, My Left Foot, Shine, Dancer in the Dark, Scratch, Sex and Lucia, the Hitchock rereleases, Repo Man and over 250 films you have seen or heard of. Marla has worked for Palm Pictures, Regent Entertainment, and for many directors and producers, authors; Donna Cross won two awards at Moondance last year; Nick Lyon won the DGA special award at Moondance and went on to direct a film for Frank Capra Jr.  Marc Rosenbush won at Moondance for Zen Noir, and Magic Lamp released that film in theatres.

Most recently Magic Lamp Releasing has done PR & marketing for Moondance and several Moondance filmmakers, “Pope Joan” (author and movie), Golden Globe/academy award campaign for Little Rose, and other films at Cannes, and other film festivals. In the past we have offered workshops on distribution, marketing and pitching.  We are also available as consultants to filmmakers. Anyone can send a DVD screener for consideration to:

MAGIC LAMP RELEASING

9530 Haines Canyon Avenue,

Tujunga, California, 91042

EMAIL: Marla Halperin: marla_magiclamp@me.com

WEBSITE: www.magiclampreleasing.com

PHONE: 818-951-7914

•

http://www.uffo.camp7.org/

The Universal Film & Festival Organisation was founded to support and implement

an ethical code of conduct for film festivals throughout the world.

•

First Place: The Possible Futures Award

2011 WINNER: SUPERHERO By Nitin Das (India)

Can a 7 year old girl from the Himalayas save our planet?

http://possiblefuturesfilmcontest.org/watch-vote/film-detail/?film_id=22032032

•

The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, based in Boulder, Colorado, is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide. Founded on outdoor ethics whereby a sense of stewardship is gained through understanding and connecting with the natural world; believes that practicing the Leave No Trace principles is the most relevant and effective long-term solution to maintaining the beauty, health of, and access to natural lands. http://www.lnt.org/

•

THE AURORA

YouTube video by Tesophotography

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBWPCvdv8Bk

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

Peace be with you

A paz seja com você

Мир с вами

La pace è con voi

Η ειρηνη ειναι με σασ

Frieden ist mit ihnen

La paz esté con usted

La paix soit avec vous

평화는 당신과 있다

平和はあなたとある

和平是与您

وعليكم السلام

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center • “Blue Marble” Image by Reto Stöckli

•

“Use what talents you possess; the forest would be very silent if no birds sang except for those that sang the best.” ~ Henry Van Dyke, professor of English literature at Princeton and an American lecturer at the University of Paris

•

Photo by N. Anastasiadis

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” ~ Kahlil Gibran

•

“It all boils down to scratching your name in the bark of a tree…’I was here’”. ~ Mel Brooks

•

“Reality is a mirror. Smile into a mirror and the image smiles back. Curse into the mirror – the image curses back. It’s your own actions that rebound into your life, as reflections bouncing back from the cosmic mirror.” ~ Yehuda Berg kabbalah.com

•

“If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put some foundations under them.” ~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden

•

“Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through trying to save.”  Will Rogers, American humorist

•

“Instead of always looking outside yourself to see what the world can give you, look inside yourself to see what is there.” ~ Source Unknown

YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR TODAY:

The Three C’s: Actively connect to an inner energy of Confidence, Certainty and Courage that will empower you to meet any challenges. Every time you push through your self-imposed barriers (laziness, doubt, insecurity, anger, fear, apathy, & etc.) you will gain power. This is a truly wonderful gift, and a great opportunity!

---

---

Moondance Film Festival’s August News

Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter blog!

Scroll on down for lots more inspiring good stuff to discover!

The 12th annual Moondance International Film Festival is scheduled to take place in beautiful Boulder, Colorado, on the University of Colorado campus, on September 16, 17, & 18, 2011. There will be original indie film screenings, industry workshops, pitch panels, networking parties, private consultations & pitch sessions with the pros, and a gala awards ceremony and reception. Festival events info and ticket sales will be posted on the Moondance website very soon.

Plan now to attend this most important event!

View of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains from Boulder, Colorado

2011 MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INFO

Boulder’s very best international film festival is open to the public for 3 fabulous days and nights! You’ll have the unique opportunity to see the absolute best of indie features and shorts, documentaries, animation, local, foreign & art films screened each evening at the historic Old Main Theater and inside the dome of the Fiske Planetarium, on the CU campus. We also offer professional writing and filmmaking workshops, private consultations & pitch sessions with the pros, celebrity Q & A sessions, VERY popular networking cocktail parties, and a gala awards ceremony & reception. Come join us!

DATES, TIMES AND LOCATION:

September 16, 17, 18, 2011
11:AM – Midnight (& beyond)

CU campus: Old Main Theater & Fiske Planetarium, Boulder, CO.

TICKET SALES & BOX OFFICE:

Rapid Refill Ink, 2525 Arapahoe, The Village Center,
south of McGuckin’s Hardware, north of Great Harvest Bread

Ticket sale dates: September 1st-17^th, 10:AM-6:PM

Online will-call ticket sales:

http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

Now, through September 15th

Tickets also available at the Old Main Theater & Fiske Planetarium doors:
September 16-18, 11:AM-11:PM

• In our continuing successful promotion of absolutely top-quality original filmmaking, writing and music composition by talented artists from around the world, the Moondance International Film Festival, also known as “The American Cannes”, is very pleased to announce that our 2011 festival competition has brought in great submissions, in all genres and categories, from Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Malta, Marshall Island, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Serbia/Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, the UK, the US, and Venezuela!

2011 SEMI-FINALISTS, FINALISTS & WINNERS
ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING VERY SOON!

MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“This newsletter is loaded with inspiring quotes, messages and photos. I’m going to re-read it. Thank you for creating it and sending it!” ~ Donna Lisa, Moondance winning screenwriter, short story writer, composer and lyricist,  for kids

“I’m always happy to connect with people in the film business, like you, who are out there working to make the world better through showing more great films.” ~ Terri Marie, CEO, White Wing Entertainment, Media Production Specialist, Author, Composer

“As a screenwriter, I feel it’s very important to support film festivals! Moondance is the one to watch and participate in. It’s events like this that allow true talent to shine through.” ~ Stacey Arcangel, LinkedIn.com recommendation

“I very much care about Moondance, which I believe is a great opportunity for writers, and I truly admire your work.” ~ Rita Charbonnier, Rome, Italy, author of the historical novel,  “Mozart’s Sister”

“This festival was always the first festival I wanted to submit to, since I attended your festival a few years back as a spectator, before I started making films, and knew I wanted to go back with a film. So far, my film has been accepted in several major festivals, (but) I really have my heart set on this specific festival!” ~ Dalia Schlesinger, Israel

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

info@makeaflmfoundation.org

Tamika Lamison, Founder/Producer

Make A Film Foundation is a non-proft organization that teams children who have serious or life-threatening medical conditions with film industry professionals, who help them create short film legacies. We grant children their wishes of writing and starring in their own movies.

Some of the Hollywood celebrities who have enthusiastically participated include: Sean Astin (“Lord of the Rings”), Elijah Wood (“Lord of the Rings”), Miguel Sandoval (“Medium”), Natasha Gregson Wagner (“High Fidelity”, Natalie Wood’s daughter), Ernie Hudson (“GhostBusters” 1, 2 and upcoming 3), and Neil LaBute (playwright, director). Sponsors include: SONY Studios, HBO, Warner Bros., and the Annenberg Foundation.

In our unique ‘Vidz 4 Kidz’ Program, we go to hospitals where children are teamed with hand-held video cameras and with film industry mentors, who help them create short documentaries about their lives and illnesses. These films not only impact the children who make them, but all those involved, including their families, student mentors, the Hollywood community, inner-city filmmakers, cast, crew and volunteers.

These children have touched all our lives in ways they’ll never know. Their films empower them by giving them a voice and the opportunity for self-expression and creativity, which, in turn, is cathartic and therapeutic. It also helps fulfill their dreams, gives them hope, and makes them feel special and loved.

Watch a YouTube video about Make a Film Foundation

http://possiblefuturesfilmcontest.org/

Storytellers of the world
 share their inspiring visions of a possible future. Watch the many short indie films on peace & freedom, fair societies, sustainability & beyond, and human fulfillment.

* MOONDANCE VOTED FOR: “My Country is the World” film, directed by Arthur Kanegis, a favorite Moondance winner!

Oceanic Preservation Society

http://www.opsociety.org/

Experts contend that captive dolphins offer little information about their true behaviors in the wild.
 Dr Lori Marino, Ph.D, a neuroscientist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology and faculty affiliate of the Center for Ethics at Emory University says, 
“What we have learned about who these dolphins are tells us unequivocally that they do not belong in captivity.
 I think that field studies are and can be a replacement for some captive studies. In the past few years, almost nothing has been learned about dolphins from captive studies.

Likewise, some of the most exciting things we’re learning about dolphins and whales are coming from studies of wild individuals. In other words, field studies. For instance, we now know that dolphins and whales have complex cultural traditions. This was learned from field studies, field observations, and actually could never be ascertained in captivity where they’re deprived of their normal social relations. So all of the cutting edge research on dolphin and whale lives and behavior and psychology is coming from the wild, not from captive labs.” Excerpted from the July 2011 newsletter of the Oceanic Preservation Society, Boulder, Colorado, creators of the Academy Award-winning film “The Cove”.

Enough is dedicated to ending genocide and crimes against humanity, and preventing them from occurring in the future http://www.enoughproject.org/

John Prendergast is a human rights activist and best-selling author who has worked for peace in Africa for over 25 years. He is the co-founder of the Enough Project, an initiative to end genocide and crimes against humanity. John is the author of The Enough Moment: Fighting to End Africa’s Worst Human Rights Crimes. Under the Enough Project umbrella, John has helped create a number of initiatives and campaigns.  With George Clooney, he helped launch the Satellite Sentinel Project, which aims to prevent conflict and human rights abuses through satellite imagery. John has helped create African characters and stories for two episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, one focusing on the recruitment of child soldiers and the other on rape as a war strategy. He serves as Strategic Advisor to Not On Our Watch, the organization founded by George Clooney, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, and Brad Pitt.

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Lamed Vav Zaddikim”

Derived from the Yiddish, a theory that the fate of the world rests, at any given time, in the hands of 36 righteous people. They are put on Earth to perform the healing of the world. They do not know they are one of the 36, nor does anyone else. They will always be among us.

“Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” ~ Lou Holtz, retired American football coach, active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker

“By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.” ~ Rabindranath Tagore, Indian writer, artist, poet & philosopher, Nobel prize for literature, 1913

“Women will never be equal to men until they can swagger down the street with a shiny bald head, reeking of cigar smoke, with a big beer gut, and yet still think they’re attractive and desirable.” ~ Source Unknown

“The machines that once gave money veto power over originality are becoming obsolete, and (creative) freedom grows.” ~ Michael Parfit, documentary filmmaker, on the current film business, cited from an article in the Smithsonian magazine, July-August 2011

“If you would have a faithful servant, and one whom you like, you must serve yourself.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

“We do not see things as they are; we see them as we are.” ~ the Talmud

“There are five things you cannot recover in life: a stone, after it’s thrown; a word, after it’s said; an occasion, after it’s missed; time, after it’s passed; and a person, after he or she dies.” ~ Anonymous

“It takes great courage to stand up for something, because the moment you decide you want to do good in this world…(you need to) be brave in the face of criticism and opposition. Follow your heart, you’ll never get lost, and you will prevail.” ~ Yehuda Berg, Kabbalah

OF INTEREST:

ANNAPURNA, The Divine Mother who is worshipped as the manifestation of all material things, is the Hindu Goddess of nourishment. Also described as She Who is the Grantor of Knowledge, She Who Takes Away All Fear, She Who Gives  Wealth and Nourishment, She Who Represents Learning and Arts/Cultural Fulfillment, and She Who Manifests Truth and Efficiency. Also known as Lakshmi, she is said to bring good luck, and is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.

GANESHA is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshipped in the Hindu pantheon. Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles (though traditionally he also places obstacles in the path of those who need to be checked), and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and as a patron of arts and sciences, as the deva of intellect and wisdom, and invoked as patron of letters, learning and writing. Ganesha is identified with the Hindu mantra, Om, and refers to the notion that he personifies the primal sound. The written manifestation of this divine Om symbol when inverted gives the perfect profile of the god with the elephant head:

The image of Ganesha represents man’s eternal striving towards integration with nature. Ganesha, is almost always depicted dancing, signifying his ability to rise above Earthly concerns and sorrows; has the head of an elephant, symbolic of auspiciousness, strength and intellectual prowess. He holds a goad, to prod man to the path of righteousness and truth, and a noose, to convey that worldly attachments and desires are a noose. Ganesha is often shown riding on a mouse, which symbolizes those who wish to overcome or subdue destructive desires and be less selfish, a most important quality necessary for spiritual progress.

FAVORITE PHOTO OF THE MONTH WINNER:

“I noticed the way a spider had knitted two chairs together. So much social networking goes on in nature, the original Twitter kingdom.” ~ Text & photo by Dominique Browning, Slow Love Life blog

YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR TODAY:

Drivers: When sharing the road with someone riding on a bicycle, please be kind to those chicks on their bikes, for that duck might be somebody’s mother…or kid!

Please consider forwarding this blog to your friends and colleagues!

---

---

MOONDANCE JULY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please go to the July news blog at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog to see the latest film festival news and announcements blog now! The newsletter that went out to you yesterday was accidentally sent without a subject line, so…if you discarded it, unread, please do take a look now.

My apologies, and thanks a million for your continued interest in the Moondance!

~ Elizabeth

---

---

MOONDANCE 2011 JULY NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS

JULY 2011 NEWS BLOG

MOONDANCE 2011 JULY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

JULY 4^th

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

TO ALL OUR AMERICAN MOONDANCERS!

Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter blog!

Scroll on down for news & other items of interest!

MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

SEMI-FINALISTS, FINALISTS & WINNERS:

ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON!

The 2011 submission deadline for Moondance has passed. Thanks a million for all the very fine entries in all categories & genres! We will make the announcements when all submissions for the 2011 competition have arrived, and have been read, previewed and judged. Announcements will be on the Moondance website, and in this news blog.  Sign up for it now, at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

The Moondance Award Star, Fabricated by Zink Metal Art

In our continuing effort to promote 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 2011 festival competition has brought in great submissions, in all categories, from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Russia, Serbia/Montenegro, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania,  Turkey,  the UK and the US!

• The annual competition and film festival event furthers our long-term mission of entertaining and inspiring audiences, as well as actively contributing to the professional development and success of local, national and international writers, composers, and filmmakers whose work exhibits artistic excellence, authentic self-expression and accomplished storytelling.

• We make a concentrated effort to place winning scripts in front of production companies, literary managers and agents; to screen the winning films to producers and distributors; and to promote the winning music to buyers and agents.

• Moondance strongly believes in supporting, awarding, encouraging and inspiring narrative storytelling traditions, via stories, scripts, features and short films, original music, animation and documentary films from around the world, as well as locally and from around the US.

• Moondance films, writings and music all promote cross-cultural understanding through the language of cinema, while offering our audiences a wide variety of entertaining cultural perspectives. This special initiative is our ongoing priority.

• Together, we can make the world a better place; one entertaining indie film, one inspiring script, one fascinating story, one beautiful tune at a time!

The 12^th annual Moondance International Film Festival is scheduled to take place in beautiful Boulder, Colorado on September 16, 17, & 18, 2011. There will be original indie film screenings, industry workshops, pitch panels, networking parties, private consultations with the pros, and a gala awards reception. Festival events info and ticket sales will be posted on the Moondance website soon. Plan now to attend this most important event!

MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“It will be such a privilege to have our music video as part of Moondance, not least because of the Festival’s (and your) ethical outlook and compassionate mission…it will mean so much to the cause.” ~ Lou Hamilton (UK) Director/producer: “Can You See Me?” music video to help stop child sex trafficking. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NME1-ZiJPXY

““I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending Elizabeth – she is a consummate professional, whose passion and unique vision inspires others to excel.” ~ Marina Albert, Freelance screenwriter, Melbourne, Australia (LinkedIn.com recommendation)

“I have never met anyone so encouraging as you! I will never forget all of your help. You have been so incredibly giving of your time and talent to me! Okay, okay, I will get to work on it. Forget my day job, right?” ~ Deborah Lehman, screenwriter: “The Art of Horsemanship”

SAD NEWS:

I am very sorry to learn that an esteemed Moondance Columbine Award winner for his animated film, “Stabat”, talented film director/animator, Luciano De Fraia, of Naples, Italy, has passed away suddenly, just after finishing his documentary film about his beloved city of Naples. His film, “Stabat’ remains one of my favorite Moondance anti-war films of all, a cinematic message of peace and brotherhood. I plan to screen the film again at Moondance 2011, as a tribute to him. The narrative journey of Stabat is dedicated to the memory of all pacifists who have fought to change the world. The incredibly beautiful and haunting music score by Christof Unterberger, of Vienna, made it all the more special and memorable.

“STABAT” TRAILER: http://www.imdb.com/video/wab/vi2271739929/

Luciano De Fraia

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“The US Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”~ Patrick Henry One of the most influential promoters of the American Revolution and Independence, and remembered for his “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” speech.

Photo by Hahn Nature Photography

“My desire to commune with the universe…opens heights unknown to my feet… (and) is perennial and constant.” ~ Henry David Thoreau, American author, poet, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, philosopher, and leading transcendentalist. He is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings.

“A slave is one who waits for someone else to free him.” ~ Ezra Pound, poet

“Create the intention to have the strength, intuition and courage to remember, recognize and embrace all the challenges that you came into this world to conquer.  Ask to receive an awareness of your mission in life.” ~ Yehuda Berg (Kaballah Centre)

Photo by Mary Deal, Kauai, HI

“Success seems to be a matter of hanging on after others have let go.” ~ William Feather, American publisher & author

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position one has reached in life, but by the obstacles which one has overcome.” ~ Booker T. Washington, American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915. Representative of the last generation of black leaders born in slavery

Ancient Greek silver coin

“Hold on to what is individual about you; don’t allow your ambition for success make you try to imitate the success of others. You’ve got to find it on your own terms.” ~ Harrison Ford, actor

“There are many causes that I am prepared to die for, but no causes that I am prepared to kill for.” ~ Mohandas Gandhi, pioneered resistance to tyranny through peaceful, non-violent, mass civil resistance & social protest. He led nationwide campaigns to ease poverty, expand women’s rights, build religious and ethnic amity, end untouchability, and increase economic self-reliance

“The condition of women affords, in all countries, the best criterion by which to judge the character of (that country).” ~ Frances Wright, Scottish lecturer, writer, freethinker, early feminist, abolitionist, and social reformer (1795-1852)

“To dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are.” ~ Source Unknown

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

Or anything chocolate; it’s what keeps us going, here at Moondance!

YOUR ASSIGNMENT FOR TODAY:

Seek beauty, truth, harmony…the promise of the future and the blessings of today. Live well, laugh often, love much, gain the respect & the love of children; fill your niche, accomplish your tasks; leave the world better than you found it. Appreciate Earth’s beauties & express it. Look for the best in others and give the best you have.

Lunar Eclipse photographer Akira Fujii

NOTE: The Moondance website stats for May 2011: Pages on this site were viewed a total of 5,734 times, 4,947 unique views & site visits came from 80 countries & territories!

---

---

Moondance Recommends: InkTip Pitch Summit for Screenwriters!

Deadline for Pitch Summit: July 8th (price increase thereafter)

Register here: http://www.inktippitchsummit.com/?page_id=5

Dear Screenwriter,

What is probably the most effective thing you can do for your writing career right now?

What can you do to help give it the jump start is deserves?

Online, there’s only so much you or I can do for your career, but now we have some of the biggest producers in Hollywood attending our Pitch & Networking Summit in July. And I’ve made sure that each and every one of them will be looking for new scripts or writers.

I’m not sure if you’ve attended any pitching or screenwriting events before, but I want to let you know what I’ve found.

In the 10+ years since I founded InkTip, and with hundreds of produced films and writer hired, it’s become very easy for me to see what actually get writers sold and gets their movies made and what doesn’t. The bottom line is that getting you and/or your script to as many people as possible IS what will help get it sold.

The trick is to be able to pitch as many producers, who are actually looking for scripts, as possible, and that is why I started the Pitch & Networking Summit.

I want your movies to get made. So, I’m bringing 300 actual buyers, filmmakers, development people and shot callers to the table to help get your career off the ground. It is time to start turning your words on the page into dollars in the bank and your name in lights.

You can see them here: http://www.inktippitchsummit.com/?page_id=11

In just a few more weeks, you have a chance to pitch dozens of legitimate producers (both studio level and indies) all in a single day. When will you have that chance again?

I really think you should give the Summit on July 23rd a chance; come pitch some producers, have lunch with them, mingle with them at the wrap party… it’s without a doubt, one of the best moves you can make for your career.

Register here: http://www.inktippitchsummit.com/?page_id=5

Remember, InkTip guarantees a 100% refund if you’re not completely satisfied with the experience.

Best,
Jerrol LeBaron

CEO, InkTip

____________________________________________________

INKTIP.COM offers Moondance 2011 feature screenplay winners the fabulous opportunity to post their titles, loglines, synopses, and/or scripts for free on the popular and successful InkTip.com website for agents, film & TV producers to search! This is the real deal. www.inktip.com

____________________________________________________

M O O N D A N C E • INTERNATIONAL • FILM • FESTIVAL

LAST CHANCE: FINAL 2011 CALL FOR ENTRIES!

POSTMARK DEADLINE: JUNE 30

Check out the Moondance website for more info!

http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com

Or go to our other submission service site to pay by credit card:

http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

0r use our online submission service:

http://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240

SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TO MOONDANCE NOW!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MOONDANCE BLOG! http://moondancefilmfestival.com/

---

---

Last Chance: 2011 Moondance: Submit Your Entry Now!

June garden flowers photo by Dominique Brown

Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter blog!

Scroll on down for news & other items of interest!

2011 FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES!

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:
•   FEATURE FILMS
•   SHORT FILMS
•   DOCUMENTARY FILMS
•   ANIMATION FILMS
•   MUSIC VIDEOS
•   FEATURE SCREENPLAYS
•   SHORT SCREENPLAYS
•   TV PILOT SCRIPTS
•   TV PILOT SCRIPTS FOR KIDS
•   FILMED TV PILOTS
•   TV EPISODICS
•   SHORT STORIES
•   LIBRETTI
•   ORIGINAL MUSIC & FILM SCORES
•   STAGEPLAYS
•   RADIO PLAYS
& more!

3 EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TO MOONDANCE TODAY:

(1) Check out the Moondance website for official entry form & more info!

http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com

(2) Or go to WAB to pay by credit card:

http://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240

(3) Or go to our other submission service site:

http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011

EXTENDED POSTMARK SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2011

Moondance 2011 has received submissions from these countries, so far:

The US, of course, and Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Egypt, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Marshall Island, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, & the UK! Send in your submission now to represent your country for Moondance 2011!

SEMI-FINALISTS, FINALISTS & WINNERS: ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING SOON!

We can’t announce, of course, until all submissions for the 2011 competition have arrived, and been read, previewed and judged. Many high-scoring scripts need to be re-read for final decisions on winners. And for films, we need to take a look at the top scorers again, and also program the selected films into the screening schedule, so…all that takes some time. We’re hoping for mid-August, or sooner, of possible. Announcements will be on the Moondance website, and in this news blog. Sign up for it now, at: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

ABOUT THE FILM FESTIVAL EVENT:

This truly independent MOONDANCE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL was founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1999, and continues to entertain and inspire attendees and audiences locally and from around the world, annually. The screenings of the best-of-the-best local, national and international indie films, art films, foreign films, documentaries, animation, and music videos, the many informative screenwriting and filmmaking workshops and pitch-panels, private consultations with the pros, as well as the fabulous networking parties, with music by local musicians, in Boulder’s best restaurants, draw enthusiastic, sold-out crowds at this popular 3-day event. We look forward to seeing you at the 12^th annual Moondance in September!

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO THE MOONDANCE NEWS BLOG,
IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY!

http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com

MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:

GIANT KINETIC BEACH-WALKING SCULPTURE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=HSKyHmjyrkA&feature=email

THE SINGING, RINGING TREE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=HSKyHmjyrkA&feature=email

A GREAT DEAL FOR SCREENWRITERS:

INKTIP.COM offers Moondance 2011 feature screenplay winners the fabulous opportunity to post their titles, loglines, synopses, and/or scripts for free on the popular and successful InkTip.com website for agents, film & TV producers to search! This is the real deal.  www.inktip.com

MOVIEBYTES.COM Lists Moondance as “one of the top ten film festival competitions worth the entry fee!”

MOONDANCE SCRIPT CRITIQUES:

Cynthia Butler, Moondance’s very popular reader, will write a one-page critique and assessment of your submitted screenplay, stageplay, teleplay or up to 3 short stories. Check off the box for critiques on the Moondance entry form or at Withoutabox.com. The fee is a nominal $55 for each critique requested.

WINNING SCREENWRITING RECOMMENDATIONS:

There are many very necessary elements to help your script win a competition, and reasons why an agent, or a producer will want to read, and then maybe buy or represent your winning screenplay, in this super-competitive market. Here are a few, for your consideration:

• It’s got a great title, logline and one-page synopsis that SELLS the story

• It’s a brilliant concept, brilliantly written

• It’s carefully written, and  in a unique voice

• It’s got good structure and story arc, with clear Acts I, II, III

• It has a variety of very good, recognizable characters

• It gives all the characters wonderful dialog

• It has a likeable  protagonist (lead character) the reader & audience can relate to

• It has a memorable antagonist (the bad character ) the reader & audience can hate

• It’s got good, fast pacing, action, and depicts interesting cinematic visuals

• It’s got the necessary transitions and fascinating subtext throughout

• It’s an absolutely unique story, memorable, and well-told

• It makes the reader cry, smile, or laugh. (Never underestimate the power of evoking real emotion in your readers & audiences)

• You’ve written a 120-130 page readers script, not a production script

• You’ve kept in mind that you’re the screenwriter here, not the film’s director, editor, cinematographer, actors, costumer, set designer, foley, & etc.

• It’s been thoroughly edited, and edited again, for potential errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and proper screenplay formatting

Go to the Moondance E-Zine for more advice & tips on winning!

WINNING FILMMAKING RECOMMENDATIONS:

There are many very necessary elements to help your indie film win a competition, and reasons why a distributor or studio will want to preview, and then maybe buy your winning film, in this super-competitive market. Here are a few, for your consideration:

• It’s got a great title, logline, and one-page synopsis, and short trailer that SELLS the story and your talents as a director

• It’s a brilliant concept, brilliantly made

• It’s carefully directed, and  has a unique voice

• It’s got good structure and story arc, with clear Acts I, II, III

• It has a variety of very good, recognizable characters

• The characters have wonderful, believable dialog

• It has a likeable  protagonist (lead character) the audience can relate to

• It has a memorable antagonist (the bad character ) the audience can hate

• It’s got good, fast pacing, action, and depicts interesting cinematic visuals

• It’s got the necessary transitions and fascinating subtext throughout

• It’s an absolutely unique story, memorable, and well-told

• It makes the audience cry, smile, or laugh. (Never underestimate the power of evoking real emotion in your audiences)

• It’s not over-long (if the gist of the story can be told in 30 minutes, instead of 60 – 90 minutes, cut it!)

• Remember, everything, all elements, count: Great story, directing, editing, cinematography, acting, costuming, film score, locations, set design, framing, sound, lighting, & etc.

• It’s been thoroughly edited, and edited again to tell the story in a way that the audience can experience that illusive “suspension of disbelief”

Go to the Moondance E-Zine for more advice & tips on winning!

MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“I am very impressed and excited to see your festival presentation, including the website, the look and feel, attitude, style…and that is what enticed me to enter my film in your festival.” ~ Rohit Gupta (India)

“NPR’S popular Morning Edition radio show has been featuring music by Austin artists Booka and The Flaming Geckos from their album “Baghdad Texas” (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture) for the last three months on their breaks and segues during their national broadcasts. This is in addition to Baghdad TX receiving airplay and charting in the Top Twenty while receiving an Album of the Year award from the Boston Herald (among others) the previous year. Meanwhile, Booka & The Flaming Geckos are recording a soundtrack for the up and coming feature film: Jeremy Fink & The Meaning of Life, starring:  Mira Sorvino, Joey ’Pants’ Pantoliano, and Michael Urie ( Ugly Betty)  that is slated for release in the Fall of this year.” ~ Loudhouse Productions (The film, “Baghdad Texas”, was screened at Moondance 2009 & 2010 and won Moondance’s  Best Film Score Award, too.)

“Back in 2007, I submitted a little screenplay called ‘Take Too Long’.  The story was set in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The work won a Moondance Seahorse Award.  We finally finished the film, and I’ve just mailed you a copy. I really appreciate your support early in the process.” ~ Kwesi Davis

“Elizabeth English is executive director for one of the best film festivals around, the Moondance International Film Festival. Since she’s been at the helm, this festival has grown tremendously. She makes herself readily accessible to all, and disseminates information thoroughly and in a timely fashion. She’s great at coordinating, and a team leader.”  ~ Sonya Alexander (LinkedIn.com recommendation)

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Don’t bother to just be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ~ William Faulkner

“If you can’t write your idea on the back of my business card, you don’t have a clear idea.” ~ David Belasco, (wrote, directed, or produced more than 100 Broadway plays, & was known for bringing a new standard of naturalism to the American stage)

“The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in this business. You’ve got to keep working that talent.” ~ Irving Berlin

“Of all the enemies of literature, success is the most insidious.” ~ Cyril Connelly, (English literary critic & writer)

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” ~ Aristotle

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work.”

~ Emile Zola

Ganesha, Lord of removing obstacles

Your assignment for today is to take something insignificant and make it significant. Make the seemingly small things important.

REMINDER: SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TO MOONDANCE TODAY!

EXTENDED POSTMARK SUBMISSION DEADLINE: JUNE 30, 2011

---

---