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.
A happy 2010 winner!
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 – 17th, 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
Historic Old Main Theater, CU Campus
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
Moondance Star: Winners Award!
~ 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
"Prairie Sonata" winning short film, Moondance 2011
“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
"Put It In a Book", winning short film, Moondance 2011
“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
Photo by John Goyer, 2011 Moondance Official Photographer
“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
________________________________________________________________
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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
Photo by C. Anastasiadis
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
•
http://www.lnt.org/
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/
Bodhi Tree Leaf
•
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
•
National Geographic photo
“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!
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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!
Boulder's mountains & meadows
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-17th, 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
The Historic Old Main Theater
• 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!
“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
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!
Wild dolphin family, Bimini, photo by Atmo: www.wildquest.com
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
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.
Painting by American artist Lorna Kanter
“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.
Photo by Allison Carras
“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
Marble bas-relief
“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
Mermaid metal art by Charlotte Zink WEBSITE: www.zinkmetalart.com
“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
Diaghilev mini-stage macquette
“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
Lighthouse, Wales
“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
Lakshmi, by Raja Ravi Varma
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!
Bike Photo by William C. Raco
Please consider forwarding this blog to your friends and colleagues!
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
JULY 2011 NEWS BLOG
MOONDANCE 2011 JULY NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
JULY 4th
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 12th 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!
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/
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 12th annual Moondance in September!
SUBSCRIBE NOW TO THE MOONDANCE NEWS BLOG,
IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY!
http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com
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!
“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)
“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
Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter blog!
Scroll on down for news & other items of interest!
~ ~ ~ ~ REGULAR SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2011 ~ ~ ~ ~
SPECIAL EXTENDED POSTMARK DEADLINE: JUNE 30!
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:
• FEATURE FILMS
• SHORT FILMS
• DOCUMENTARY FILMS
• ANIMATION FILMS
• MUSIC VIDEOS
• FEATURE SCREENPLAYS
• SHORT SCREENPLAYS
• TV PILOT SCRIPTS
• FILMED TV PILOTS
• TV EPISODICS
• SHORT STORIES
• LIBRETTI
• ORIGINAL MUSIC & FILM SCORES
• STAGEPLAYS
• RADIO PLAYS
& more!
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TO MOONDANCE TODAY!
These Moondancers (that’s Elizabeth in the tiger suit) have committed to dance, 24/7, and without food or water until we make our goal of 1000+ submissions.
Save them from themselves! Submit your entry now!
Check out the Moondance website for official entry form & more info!
http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com
Or use our online submission service:
http://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240
Or go to our other submission service site:
http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011
~ ~ ~ ~ REGULAR SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2011 ~ ~ ~ ~
SPECIAL EXTENDED POSTMARK DEADLINE: JUNE 30!
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.
HANNA FRASER MERMAID VIDEO:
http://www.hannahfraser.com/mermaid/
Swimming with wild dolphins in Hawaii
______________________________________________________
THE AMAZING BRACO GAZE
http://www.braco.net/
A NEW POSSIBILITY OF TRANSFORMATION, HEALING & AWAKENING FOR HUMANITY HAS EMERGED . . .
Braco is able to convey a powerfully positive, loving energy to large groups of people at one time through his silent gaze. Braco’s gift pours through him and although he does not call himself a healer, over 10,000 people a day come to seek his gifts and acknowledge his amazing healing capacity through miraculous transformations and experiences. http://www.braco.net/
_____________________________________________
This cat & owl playing together video is so cool. It kind of reminds me of a screenwriter (the cat) trying to get Hollywood’s (the owl) attention: http://www.wimp.com/catowl/
And this video, of a cat and dolphins playing: http://www.wimp.com/catdolphins/
“Anxiety, hunger, fatigue, loneliness, thirst, anger and fear spur action to meet the competitive challenges we face. The anxiety we feel about whether we’ll succeed or not is evolution’s way of motivating us.” ~ Charles Darwin (from the “Why Worry? It’s Good for You” article in the New York Times, May 14, 2011, by Robert H. Frank)
Photo by Adrian Davis
“The method of the enterprising is to plan with audacity, and execute with vigor; to sketch out a map of possibilities; and then to treat them as probabilities.” ~ Christian Bovee, (mid-19th century author & a founding member of the Athenaeum Club in New York)
“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have too much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” ~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“Our wretched species is so made that those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing us a new road.” ~ Voltaire
Bodhi tree leaf
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today? Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.” ~ Babatunde Olatunji, who twice played at parties for Moondance in Boulder. (Famed African Yoruba drummer, known for his impassioned beliefs on social justice, film scores, and his close association with many American jazz greats, and Martin Luther King) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babatunde_Olatunji
“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced; live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” ~ Cherokee saying
Photo by Clark Little
“I’m glad to see Moondance is still dancing along! My film, which screened at Moondance, “My Mother Received a Wound”, is now on YouTube. Here’s the URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfl52Gk4fK4 Thanks for everything you did a decade or so ago. Screening this short movie at Moondance remains one of my favorite creative experiences.” ~ Eric Bosse
“We are especially excited to submit our short film to Moondance because two years ago the script for it won a 2009 Starfish Award at the Moondance festival. It would be very exciting to see this project go the full cycle from an entered script to an entered film. We sincerely hope you enjoy the finished project as much as you liked the screenplay.” ~ Louis Rosenberg, Screenwriter & Sam Washington, Director
$ REQUESTING MOONDANCE SUPPORT $
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 2011 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 festival print program!
Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter blog!
Scroll on down for news & other items of interest!
~ ~ ~ ~ SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2011 ~ ~ ~ ~
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:
- FEATURE FILMS
- SHORT FILMS
- DOCUMENTARY FILMS
- ANIMATION FILMS
- MUSIC VIDEOS
- FEATURE SCREENPLAYS
- SHORT SCREENPLAYS
- TV PILOT SCRIPTS
- FILMED TV PILOTS
- TV EPISODICS
- SHORT STORIES
- LIBRETTI
- ORIGINAL MUSIC & FILM SCORES
- STAGEPLAYS
- RADIO PLAYS
- & more!
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TO MOONDANCE TODAY!
Check out the Moondance website for official entry form & more info!
http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com
Or use our online submission service:
http://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240
Or go to our other submission service site:
http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011
~ ~ ~ ~ SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2011 ~ ~ ~ ~
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
CHECK OUT MOONDANCE AT WIKIPEDIA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondance_International_Film_Festival
Here’s what you’ll get by subscribing:
- The latest festival news, notifications and announcements
- Competition entrants will get regular news about their submission’s status
- Producers, directors, agents & others can see the list of winners & finalists
- Read what Moondancers write us about
- Moondance recommendations & tips for filmmakers, writers & composers
- Thoughts for the day
- Festival-attendees and friends of Moondance will learn all about the festival events, screenings, workshops & networking parties
- The annual call-for-entries information
*** Special note to Moondance’s 2011 competition entrants
Moondance communicates with all competition entrants via e-mail. To receive regular e-newsletters with updates and more information about your submission status and about the film festival, we strongly recommend that you stay connected! If you change your e-mail address, please let us know right away.
Thanks for your continued interest in the Moondance!
$ REQUESTING MOONDANCE SUPPORT $
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 2011 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 festival print program!
SPONSORSHIP INFO:
http://moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.info.html
SPONSORS, DONORS & FRIENDS OF MOONDANCE:
http://moondancefilmfestival.com/04_sponsors.list.html
MOONDANCE SUCCESSES & CELEBRITIES:
http://moondancefilmfestival.com/05_other.successes.html
WATCH THIS lovely “FREE HUGS” video from Italy!
Have a smile, virtual hugs to all!
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=hN8CKwdosjE
UNDER OUR SKIN, a fascinating 2009 Moondance winning documentary film on Lyme disease, will be seen on TV, and will be shown on select PBS stations across the country. Thanks to viewer calls and emails, more and more PBS affiliates are picking up the show. Broadcasts will continue throughout the summer and beyond. Check the current schedule of broadcasts; if you don’t see your local PBS station listed, feel free to contact them, urging that they program the film! UNDER OUR SKIN is also available nationwide as Video On Demand, in community screenings everywhere, and on DVD.
WEBSITE: http://www.underourskin.com/
WATCH THE TRAILER: http://www.underourskin.com/emvideo/modal/3021/853/510/field_video/youtube/z5u73ME4sVU
HILLARY CLINTON ENDORSES ARTISTS & WRITERS:
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton highlighted the importance of the arts and artists in her remarks at Georgetown University on the Human Rights Agenda for the 21st Century. During a question Q & A session, Secretary of State Clinton was asked about the importance of the arts and artists in helping to promote human rights. In her reply, Clinton stated:
“I think that artists both individually and through their works can illustrate better than any speech I can give or any government policy we can promulgate that the spirit that lives within each of us, the right to think and dream and expand our boundaries, is not confined, no matter how hard they try, by any regime anywhere in the world. There is no way that you can deprive people from feeling those stirrings inside their soul. And artists can give voice to that. They can give shape and movement to it. And it is so important, in places where people feel forgotten, marginalized and hopeless, to have that glimmer that there is a better future, that there is a better way that they just have to hold onto.”
TOXIC PLASTICS:
Not only are many plastics made with toxic chemicals, but we’re trashing the planet with plastic. Plastic doesn’t biodegrade. Most of it isn’t recycled. Tons of it ends up in the oceans, where it does great harm to wildlife–and returns to our bodies when we eat their flesh. Beth Terry, the creator of the blog Fake Plastic Fish, did an excellent video about cutting plastic consumption. To find out what you can do to let Congress know that you don’t want toxic chemicals in your stuff, visit the I Am Not a Guinea Pig Campaign, watch their video, and learn about how to support desperately-needed reform of the chemicals industry. (excerpted from the Slow Love blog, by Dominique Browning, March 10, 2011)
Whale Eye Photo: The New York Times
“Human dignity for others begins with loving and accepting yourself. You can’t treat people with tolerance if you don’t respect your own person. Be kind to YOU today, in your thoughts, and in the ways you treat your body & soul. Consider it an act of global peace.” ~ Yehuda Berg, Kabbala Centre International
Don Quixote & Sancho Panza, by Pablo Picasso
“Remember that everything in our life is not only supposed to happen but is indeed happening for our betterment. Remember that our personal peace is up to us – and not determined by someone outside of us. Our feelings are generated not by our situations but by what we believe about them.” ~ Lynne Forrest
“When it is darkest you can see the most stars.” ~ Ancient Persian proverb
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” ~Gandhi
“Spring – a time for planting new seeds and trusting they’ll grow, but a time to nurture and love ourself, have patience and trust that sometimes growth doesn’t always look like the seeds we’ve planted, and sometimes we just need to rest and rejuvenate.” ~ Alex Marcoux www.AlexMarcoux.com
Daffodils Photo by Dominique Browning
“I had nothing to do with any of the moments of beauty that caught my eye this morning. But here’s what I did right: I noticed them.” ~ Dominque Browning, Slow Love Life blog
Good friends are like stars.
You don’t always see them,
but you know they are there.
WORD FOR THE DAY:
logodaedalist defined in a 1727 dictionary as “an inventer or forger of new words, and strange terms” A logodaedalist may be said to be a weaver of words into a rich and varied verbal tapestry. An ancient Greek artificer, Daedalus, has also lent his name to “daedal”, which can refer to an inventive or skilful person, but which can also mean the diverse or fruitful earth. There’s also “logodaedaly”, the skill of putting across a speech or a fluent employment of verbal legerdemain, much as is accomplished by lawyers, politicians, poets, and, of course, by lyricists, screenwriters & playwrights.
APRIL 2011 NEWS BLOG
Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter blog!
Have a very happy and environmentally positive
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ EARTH DAY 2011 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Scroll on down for news & other items of interest!
2011 CALL FOR ENTRIES!
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:
• FEATURE FILMS
• SHORT FILMS
• DOCUMENTARY FILMS
• ANIMATION FILMS
• MUSIC VIDEOS
• FEATURE SCREENPLAYS
• SHORT SCREENPLAYS
• TV PILOT SCRIPTS
• FILMED TV PILOTS
• TV EPISODICS
• SHORT STORIES
• LIBRETTI
• ORIGINAL MUSIC & FILM SCORES
• STAGEPLAYS
• RADIO PLAYS
& more!
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TO MOONDANCE TODAY!
1. Check out the Moondance website for official entry form & more info!http://www.moondancefilmfestival.com
2. Or use our online submission service:
http://www.withoutabox.com/login/1240
3. Or go to our other submission service site:
http://www.acteva.com/go/moondance2011
~ ~ ~ ~ SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 31, 2011 ~ ~ ~ ~
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.
CHECK OUT MOONDANCE AT WIKIPEDIA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moondance_International_Film_Festival
MOONDANCE NEWS: Steve Wilhelm, winning film score composer at Moondance 2010, has learned that his winning song, “I Fell in Love With You”, will be played at the upcoming royal wedding in London! Kudos & congratulations, Steve!
MOONDANCERS WRITE US!
“Thank you Elizabeth, for the excellent Moondance E-zine articles. They are full of great advice and tips that will be invaluable to me.” ~Tracee Lee
“I can’t believe how many film festivals there are, but yours has the best networking of any film festival that I have attended. There are not always filmmakers attending these other festivals, and at one I attended the only networking was in the bar. I started to go in but the bar was absolutely all men, so I didn’t bother.” – Vicki Bartholomew, Moondance award-winning screenwriter
“I was the proud winner of “Best Foreign Feature Screenplay” award at Moondance 2007 with my script HANGMAN VIRUS. I came a long way since, and last year I had a project sold to Sony Pictures! Congratulations for making Moondance what it is today!” ~ Guillaume Tunzini (France)
“Just want to let you know that “One Summer,” my short story that was a semi-finalist at Moondance in 2009, has become a short stage play and a finalist the AZ Centennial Plays/ Phoenix Theatre’s New Plays Festival,” ~ Beverly Smith-Dawson
“I wanted to let you know my good news: I got an agent at a recent Moondance film festival event, and one of my winning screenplays was just optioned by Flat Rock Motion Pictures!” ~ Marty Cuny, (Lakota writer, artist & consultant who does the annual blessing ceremony at Moondance)
“Delighted to see that Moondance continues and thrives. I had a former Moondance winner in my Way of Story workshop this weekend, part of Ojai WordFest. I enjoyed my time teaching at Moondance!” ~ Catherine Ann Jones (The Art of Screenwriting, The Art of Pitching & Story Structure, and The Way of Story)
“What a wonderful world of creativity you have made possible. Best wishes for another great year in 2011.” ~ Ron Cox (LinkedIn.com)
“I’ll sign on. I love your newsletters!” ~ Alan Lock (Australia)
NOTIFICATION: SUBSCRIBE NOW TO THE MOONDANCE BLOG,IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY!
http://moondancefilmfestival.com/
Here’s what you’ll get by subscribing:
• The latest festival news, notifications and announcements
• Competition entrants will get regular news about their submission’s status
• Producers, directors, agents & others can see the list of winners & finalists• Read what Moondancers write us about
• Moondance recommendations & tips for filmmakers, writers & composers
• Thoughts for the day
• Festival-attendees and friends of Moondance will learn all about the festival events, screenings, workshops & networking parties
• The annual call-for-entries information
Special note to Moondance’s 2011 competition entrants: Moondance communicates with all competition entrants via e-mail. To receive regular e-newsletters with updates and more information about your submission status and about the film festival, we strongly recommend that you stay connected! If you change your e-mail address, please let us know right away.
Thanks for your continued interest in the Moondance!
ON THE JAPAN EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI & NUCLEAR PERIL:
TSUNAMI SURVIVOR!
Photo by Atmo/ http://www.wildquest.com
A baby dolphin washed a mile inland by the catastrophic March 11, 2011 Japanese tsunami was safely returned to the ocean by a pair of rescuers. A man passing by a flooded rice field spotted the 3-foot long finless porpoise near the coastal city of Sendai. He alerted pet shop owners Takashi Wagatsuma and Ryo Taira, who have been helping save stranded and abandoned animals since the giant waves hit. Together, they captured the stranded baby dolphin and gently transported it in wet towels back to the sea. But it’s still far from being out of danger. The marine mammal now faces the possibility of swimming into waters highly contaminated by radioactivity from the nearby damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. Distributed by: Universal Uclick / www.earthweek.com
ONE MILLION CHILDREN SINGING TO CHANGE THE WORLD!
WATCH THIS AMAZING VIDEO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4h-R9xDJDk
APARTMENT IN PARIS AVAILABLE TO MOONDANCERS!
Greetings from Paris, France! A lovely, well-located Paris apartment is available to rent at a very reasonable cost, May 31st to Aug. 31st, or part thereof. Website photos: http://thesmartmoney.wordpress.com/paris-apt/ Contact Moondancer/Paris apartment owner Al Herter, if you or someone you know would be interested in a fabulous summer living in Paris: alherter@gmail.com
MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS:
THE AMAZING BRACO GAZE
BRACO (pronounced Brahtzo), a mystical Croatian healer, has dedicated his life to awakening all those positive and beautiful feelings and energies, which we all carry in ourselves, and to helping people realize their full potential. Braco does not talk to his visitors, nor does he touch them, preach to them, or use any new-age techniques, or any other form of nonverbal suggestion: He simply stands before the audience and silently gazes at each one of them. His amazing successes and the reports from his visitors about their fascinating recoveries and positive changes in their lives attract more and more people from all over the world. And, during these silent sessions, people feel deeply touched, and changed. Hundreds of thousands all over the world have benefited immediately from being simply gazed at by Braco. WEBSITE: http://www.braco.net/
THE CLOUD APPRECIATION SOCIETY
http://cloudappreciationsociety.org/
PHOTO CREDIT: Sam LeBarron
MEN’S APOLOGY TO WOMEN:
You might like this powerful and poignant 8-minute video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_uRIMUBnvw
Conscious Men from around the world offer heartfelt apologies to girls and women for their thousands of years of disrespect, physical and sexual abuse, bias and discrimination, and imbalance between masculine and feminine energy, as well as offering a vision of a new era of co-creation.
“Beautiful! Very moving – it made me cry, as if the video was made with me (and all the other women I’ve known who struggle to make a difference in this men-driven world) in mind. If only there was a way to show this movie daily to men in th corporate/pharmaceutical and military world – perhaps that would soften their hearts and make them realize how much damage and grief they’re causing…”—(name withheld, Vancouver, Canada)
SAD NEWS / FILMMAKER ASSASSINATED:
Juliano Mer Khamis was an actor, director and filmmaker — but his greatest work lies in the creation of The Freedom Theatre (http://www.thefreedomtheatre.org/) in the Jenin Refugee Camp that provided a creative outlet for local youth in a dangerous and an emotionally-charged environment. The participants in The Freedom Theatre came from around the world; people with different backgrounds, faiths and political views, to join the children and young people of Jenin in their struggle against occupation and oppression, and for their right to a normal childhood and freedom. The Palestinian people needed to unite, and one step toward achieving that goal was to come together in communal work, irrespective of social status and political or religious beliefs. Sadly, Juliano Mer-Khamis, a great hero of our time, was assassinated by masked gunmen on April 4, 2011. View the video “No Child is Born a Terrorist” at: ://explore.org/videos/player/me-no-child-is-born-a-terrorist. The world loses, but heaven gains an angel of hope. (edited & excerpted from: http://explore.org/) More info on Juliano Mer Khamis is at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliano_Mer-Khamis
REQUESTING MOONDANCE SUPPORT
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 2011 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 festival print program!
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
Thanks a million for your valued support!
THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:
“The point of living and of being an optimist, is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come.” – Peter Ustinov (1921 – 2004)
“Problems are problems because you see them as problems. Today, look at your problems as obstacles. With obstacles, there’s challenge. With challenge, there’s purpose. With purpose, there’s fulfillment.” – Yehunda Berg, Kaballah Center
“Looking for the gifts in our life situation, no matter how trying times may seem to be, is a real key to finding inner peace. The ability to see life as an opportunity, rather than as a problem, is a characteristic of observer consciousness. When we are in observer consciousness, we question any mental state that leads us away from peace.” – Lynne Forrest
“One person can have a profound effect on another. And two people…well, two people can work miracles. They can change a whole town. They can change the world.” – Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, TV writers, “Northern Exposure”
“Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” – William James (1842 – 1910)
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
IN REFERENCE TO MAKING DECISIONS: A cowboy or cowgirl should always check his or her boots before putting them on, to make sure there’s not a snake hiding in them! –Old cowboy adage (updated)
Early feminist, Bella Abzug, wrote: “The test for whether or not you can do a job should not be based on the arrangement of your chromosomes.”
“We all participate in weaving the social fabric; we should therefore all participate in patching the fabric when it develops holes.” – Anne Weisberg, specialist in the field of diversity, gender and work/life integration
“After the sun sets on a clear evening, there is a long period when light continues to fill the sky…the afterglow. In the same way, when a creative endeavor comes to a close, memories of the shared experience continue to illuminate. Anecdotes are recalled, yarns are spun, and legend is born. This is especially true of filmmaking, that most collaborative of mediums.” – Kim Horning, writer/producer
“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it, as well.” – Diane Ackerman, American author, poet & naturalist.
“You see, if you don’t take money, they can’t tell you what to do, kid. Money’s the cheapest thing. Liberty, freedom is the most expensive.” – Bill Cunningham, NY Times freelance street-fashion photographer
THE MOONDANCE WEBSITE IN MARCH 2011 HAD 2,447 VISITS
FROM 84 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES & TERRITORIES!
“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’
“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 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.
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!
