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~ June & the Moondance

The Film Festival Without Borders!

https://moondancefilmfestival.com

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

2019 JUNE CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

FEATURE, SHORT, DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION & DRONE FILMS, FEATURE & SHORT SCREENPLAYS, STAGE PLAYS, FILM SCORES & ORIGINAL MUSIC, SHORT STORIES, TV PILOTS, TREATMENTS, and more!

CHECK OUT ALL THE SUBMISSION CATEGORIES HERE! 

FILMS    WRITTEN WORKS    ORIGINAL MUSIC

CLICK: 

OR CLICK:

JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH!

Moondance celebrates the stories shared from talented LGBTQ+ filmmakers, writers & music composers. The film festival & competition is a platform for anyone to share their stories with the world. The international LGBTQ+ community is vast, and whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or not, you can have a unique opportunity to represent the community at large when you share your story! For those of you sharing your own stories of being LGBTQ+, thank you, and thank you, too, for being supportive, being open, and seeking to expand your perspective.

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Your 2016 Moondance Film Festival Invitation!

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A 2016 MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL INVITATION JUST FOR YOU:

Come Join the Moondance!

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

Come join us, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado for the 17th annual Moondance!

SUNDAY & MONDAY ~ SEPTEMBER 4th & 5th

>> GET YOUR ADVANCE FILM FESTIVAL TICKETS HERE!<<<

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Tickets for all events are available in the lobby of the St. Julien Hotel venue, on September 4th & 5th, starting at 10:AM each day.

DON’T MISS THESE UNIQUE EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

  • INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, foreign, feature & short films)
  • TITLES & LOGLINES WORKSHOP FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
  • DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING IN CHINA WORKSHOP
  • PRODUCTIVE NETWORKING PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
  • CELEBRITY APPEARANCE & PHOTO-OPS
  • CELEBRITY KEYNOTE SPEAKER/MASTER CLASS: VIC SARIN ON MAKING FILMS YOU BELIEVE IN!
  • PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS
  • Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS
  • AFTER-PARTIES EACH EVENING
  • LINKEDIN, STAGE 32 & FILMFREEWAY GET-TOGETHERS
  • GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & BANQUET RECEPTION!

CHECK OUT THESE LINKS FOR MORE INFO & DETAILS:

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The Moondance International Film Festival, now celebrating its 17th successful anniversary, and featuring its distinct cinematic visions and bold film selections, has distinguished itself around the world as much more than an annual film festival! The Moondance is a unique community, a supportive, productive, and creative year-round collaboration between independent filmmakers and movie audiences, between writers, music composers and the world of top-quality filmed entertainment.

We are very pleased to have secured the best venue for screening Moondance films in historic, beautiful downtown Boulder. The world-class St. Julien Hotel & Spa in downtown Boulder is one of the West’s most prestigious luxury hotels, and stands at the forefront of special event spaces in the Rocky Mountain region.

GET YOUR ADVANCE FILM FESTIVAL TICKETS HERE:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-moondance-international-film-festival-tickets-26988150284

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FilmFestivalSurvivalGuide

Volunteer-Signup

 2016 MOONDANCE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

 Dear Friends, Moondancers, Supporters, Donors & Sponsors,

If you’d like to consider a unique sponsorship at Moondance, to further promote your company or product to our international audiences & event attendees, please take a look at our Sponsorship Categories, and contact our sponsorships coordinator, Alan Rogers, at: [email protected]

SPONSORSHIP CATEGORIES

SPONSORSHIP FAQ

BECOME A MOONDANCE PARTNER

FESTIVAL LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

FILM FESTIVALS ARE GOOD BUSINESS!

Thanks a million for your interest in a mutually-beneficial working relationship with the 2016 Moondance International Film Festival!

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A MOONDANCER WRITES US:

“I wanted to let you know that I was contacted by a sales company, Circus Road Films, and by a distribution company named Silverline Entertainment. Both found my film on the Moondance roster and requested a screener, which I sent them. One of the things I liked reading about Moondance is your investment not only in the festival itself, but in helping filmmakers get through industry doors – which has been tough, to say the least. Thanks for curating an important and much-needed festival. As a woman director, the added hurdles I face daily can feel insurmountable, and your work keeps women like me going.” ~ Ela Their, director, “Tomorrow Ever After”,  film screening at Moondance 2016

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www.moondancefilmfestival.com

• MEET THE 2016 MOONDANCE TEAM!

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 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

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EMAIL: [email protected]

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Moondance Announces 2016 Film Program & Winners List!

You Can Make a Big Splash at the 2016 Moondance!

Photo by Clark Little

Photo by Clark Little

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Come join us, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado!

SUNDAY & MONDAY ~ SEPTEMBER 4th & 5th

DON’T MISS THESE PLANNED EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

  • INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, foreign, feature & short films)
  • PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
  • PRODUCTIVE NETWORKING PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
  • CELEBRITY APPEARANCE & PHOTO-OPS
  • CELEBRITY KEYNOTE SPEAKER/MASTER CLASS: VIC SARIN ON MAKING FILMS YOU BELIEVE IN!
  • PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS
  • Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS
  • AFTER-PARTIES EACH EVENING
  • LINKEDIN & STAGE 32 GET-TOGETHERS
  • GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & BANQUET RECEPTION!

CLICK ON THESE LINKS FOR DETAILS & MORE INFO:

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>>> GET YOUR ADVANCE FILM FESTIVAL TICKETS HERE!<<<

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Tickets for all events will also be available at the registrations & ticket sales table in the lobby of the St. Julien Hotel venue, on September 4th & 5th, starting at 10:AM each day.

We are very pleased to have secured the very best venue for the 2016 film festival and for screening Moondance films in historic, beautiful Boulder. The world-class St. Julien Hotel & Spa in downtown Boulder is one of the West’s most prestigious luxury hotels, and it stands at the forefront of special event spaces in the Rocky Mountain region.

Gazebo St. Julien

  • The 17th annual Moondance International Film Festival, featuring its distinct cinematic visions and bold film selections, has distinguished itself around the world as much more than a popular annual film festival! The Moondance is a unique community, a supportive, productive, and creative year-round collaboration between independent filmmakers and movie audiences, between writers, music composers and the world of top-quality filmed entertainment.
  • True to the spirit of the best of important and meaningful films, professional workshops, networking events, and so on, Moondance is supported and attended by those people who value the best in quality indie films, as well as the Moondance mission, and share a passion for the power of great films to entertain, inspire, encourage, educate and challenge peoples’ perceptions.
  • Moondancers are part of an amazing worldwide community; a unique collaboration of multi-talented writers, film score composers and filmmakers. The Moondance mission is to entertain, inform, inspire, encourage and educate. We honor those artists who, through their creative work, actively increase awareness, provide multiple viewpoints, address complex social issues, and strengthen ties between international audiences At Moondance, you can come together with other writers, directors and producers to create new opportunities, develop tools for success and forge new alliances within the international film and entertainment industry.
  • The uniqueness and integrity of The Moondance International Film Festival brand, its global reputation for the highest quality, as well as its important mission and goals, and now celebrating our 15th season, is a rare and unmatchable asset. Talented filmmakers, writers and composers from around the world submit their work to the annual Moondance competition; enthusiastic audiences attend the film festival’s screenings of the best indie films, its professional workshops and popular networking events.
  • Being fearless & bold, Moondance is a film festival where monotonous conformity is considered mediocrity, and extravagant individualism, innovation, uniqueness and experimentation is encouraged, awarded and applauded!

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Volunteer-Signup

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

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2016 MOONDANCE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

Dear Friends, Moondancers, Supporters, Donors & Sponsors, If you’d like to consider a unique sponsorship at Moondance, to further promote your company or product to our international audiences & event attendees, please take a look at our Sponsorship Categories, and contact our sponsorships coordinator, Alan Rogers, at: [email protected]

SPONSORSHIP CATEGORIES

SPONSORSHIP FAQ

BECOME A MOONDANCE PARTNER

FESTIVAL LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

FILM FESTIVALS ARE GOOD BUSINESS!

MIFF TEXT BANNER

Thanks a million for your interest in a mutually-beneficial working relationship with the 2016 Moondance International Film Festival!

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A MOONDANCER WRITES US:

“I found your critique of my screenplay valuable, personal and sincere. My imagination has already devised ways to incorporate some of your suggestions into thrilling and humorous ways, creating greater conflict for more nail-biting angst. Let the rewrite begin! I appreciate the time and consideration your have given this work. I received so much more value than I anticipated.“ Gratefully, Meredith Schatz, Germany

CLICK HERE FOR FEEDBACK SUBMISSIONS  

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MOONDANCER NEWS

ROME LITTLE THEATRE ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR FRED PERRY’S THE ASCENSION OF TWYLA POTTS! RLT announces auditions for Fred Perry’s two act comedy The Ascension of Twyla Potts. This show has won widespread acclaim, including 1st place in the stageplay category at the 2015 Moondance International Film Festival, the 2013 London Film Awards and The Special Marquee Award at the 2013 American Movie Awards. The play is being produced and presented by special arrangement with Heartland Plays, Inc. (CoosaValleyNews.com, Rome, Georgia)

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SOMETHING TO CONSIDER:

By Lou Hamilton

DANCING BY THE OCEAN

Life is ebb and flow, there’s time for speed and a time to slow down. Think of a garden; you don’t plant a seed and expect to see a tree the next day. The art of patience allows for a natural pace, the need for speed forces artificial pressure on a creative process. Think of Genetically Modified Foods. They grow quick and taste of nothing. In the film industry we use the three pronged model: quick, cheap, good. You can only have two of the three. Quick and cheap, but not good. Quick and good, but not cheap. Cheap and good but not quick. “Even instant gratification takes too long” Carrie Fisher is quoted as saying. When you slow down you simply do things better. Eating, sleeping, making love, creating, inventing, designing all become better when slowness is your modus operandi. READ MORE:

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www.moondancefilmfestival.com

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 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

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EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

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The Moondance Summertime News & Festival Guide!

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Come join us, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado!

 SUNDAY & MONDAY ~ SEPTEMBER 4th & 5th

DON’T MISS THESE PLANNED EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

  • INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, foreign, feature & short films)
  • PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
  • PRODUCTIVE NETWORKING PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
  • CELEBRITY APPEARANCE & PHOTO-OPS
  • CELEBRITY KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Director Vic Sarin
  • PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS
  • Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS
  • AFTER-PARTIES EACH EVENING
  • LINKEDIN & STAGE 32 GET-TOGETHERS
  • GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & BANQUET RECEPTION!

Gazebo St. Julien

Awards ceremony & reception in the gardens.

Click here for 

 TRAVEL TIPS LODGING INFO

FilmFestivalSurvivalGuide

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>>> FESTIVAL TICKETS GO ON SALE SOON! <<<

Volunteer Signup

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

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2016 MOONDANCE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES!

Dear Friends, Moondancers, Supporters, Donors & Sponsors,

If you’d like to consider a unique sponsorship at Moondance, to further promote your company or product to our international audiences & event attendees, please take a look at our Sponsorship Categories, and contact our sponsorships coordinator, Alan Rogers, at: [email protected]

 SPONSORSHIP CATEGORIES

SPONSORSHIP FAQ

BECOME A MOONDANCE PARTNER

FESTIVAL LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

FILM FESTIVALS ARE GOOD BUSINESS!

MoondanceFilmFest

Thanks a million for your interest in a mutually-beneficial working relationship with the 2016 Moondance International Film Festival!

 

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MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

  • “How nice to get your note that you’ve received my screenplay. So often, nothing comes back, and we submitters are like tourists tossing pennies at a fountain… Your greeting was immediate, buoyant and gratefully taken in. Thanks for the “voice back”. I’ll subscribe to the blog and keep up-to-date, and look forward to meeting you at the 17th Moondance. Very glad you consider screenplays.” ~ Stephen Keep Mills
  • Thank you for considering us! We love your festival and your free-spirited theme.” ~ Carlos Antonio León

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Gromit, Aardman animation, UK

Gromit, Aardman animation

MOONDANCE E-ZINE

  • Don’t miss reading great filmmaking, writing & music articles written by the pros exclusively for Moondancers. Read about: how to win a screenplay competition; how to win a film festival competition; winning titles & loglines for films & scripts; screenplay submissions; movie script writing; writing character, dialog & action; how to get an agent; what Hollywood wants to see; directing indie films, documentaries, short films, animation; film scores; stage plays; short stories; TV MOW; TV pilots; kids films; music videos; radio plays, and more!

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MALE DIRECTORS ON RAMPANT SEXISM & GENDER BIAS IN HOLLYWOOD

http://girltalkhq.com

Female director

Directors Pedro Almodovar, Paul Feig and Duncan Jones are just a few of the male directors who have been fighting against the Hollywood establishment and its attitude toward women in film. Feig recently addressed the backlash against his all-female remake of “Ghostbusters,” while Almodovar talked about the importance of casting women of all ages to fight against the industry’s “diabolical sexism” at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this summer. Taking a stand and creating change in an industry that should be the standard-bearer for creative liberalism, but sadly isn’t just yet. But with all this important activism comes the realization that change isn’t going to happen with just half of the industry population working to create it. Men also have to join the fight and recognize what a benefit it is to filmmaking when everyone gets the same kinds of opportunities based on talent and merit, not skin color or gender. READ MORE:

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SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

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“The unexamined life is not worth living.” ~ Socrates

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Ernest Heminngway writing in Cuba

Ernest Hemingway writing in Cuba

“The world breaks almost everyone, and afterwards, many are stronger at the broken places.” ~ Ernest Hemingway

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“Blessed is the person who sees a need, recognizes the responsibility, and actively becomes the answer.” ~ William Arthur Ward

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SAILING SHIP-HIGH SEAS

“They are indolent discoverers who, upon seeing nothing but sea and sky, absolutely deny that there can be any land at all beyond them.” ~ Sir Francis Bacon

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMPATHY AND COMPASSION IS EVERYTHING

by Lori Chandler     •      www.bigthink.com

Elena Shumilova, photographer, Russia

Elena Shumilova, photographer, Russia

Compassion and mindfulness are two wings of the same bird, and we need both in order to live in a wise way. But what about compassion? What is compassion? How is it different from empathy? Empathy is a gateway to compassion. It’s understanding how someone feels, and trying to imagine how that might feel for you — it’s a mode of relating. Compassion takes it further. It’s feeling what that person is feeling, holding it, accepting it, and taking some kind of action.

Compassion is empathy in action. Compassion is all about realizing that we ultimately all want the same things out of life (love, safety, health, happiness), and responding in an appropriate way. With a little practice, we can all become more compassionate toward ourselves and others. It’s a bold, brilliant, and radical choice to go against the stream of self-interest and self-centeredness. READ MORE:

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MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

EU DECLINES TO BAN IVORY TRADE

BABY ELEPHANT RUNNING

In April, over $105 million worth of poached elephant tusks were set on fire in Kenya, calling for an end to international ivory sales. In May, France, announced a complete ban on ivory trade in the country. But the European commission REFUSED to support a global ban on the ivory trade. And without their support, we could lose the elephant forever. The facts say it all: In 2014, 20,000 African elephants were killed by poachers. Between 2009 and 2015, Tanzania and Mozambique lost over HALF of their elephant populations.

Now, the African Elephant Coalition is warning of a mass extinction of elephants on the continent within 25 years. By not taking action, the EU is endangering tens of thousands of elephants each year. Time is running out. We need the EU to act now.

Tell the EU to support a global ban on the ivory trade:

http://go.saveanimalsfacingextinction.org/EU-Ivory-Ban

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A mother and child rhino pause briefly before crossing the track.

Rhinos are one of the world’s most distinctive and beloved animals, but they are rapidly disappearing from the wild. Why? Demand for rhino horns as a status symbol and fake cure for cancer has skyrocketed. Coupled with a dramatic loss of habitat, all five species of rhinos are threatened with extinction. The public outcry over rhino poaching is growing. With your support, we can keep these species alive and thriving. If we don’t take action now, these precious animals could be lost forever. It’s up to us to step up and do something to protect these majestic animals.

Help us protect the rhinos today:

http://go.saveanimalsfacingextinction.org/Save-Rhinos

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Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

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EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

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Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

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June Moondance: Better Late Than Never!

BE THE GIRL ON THE RIGHT

MOONDANCE ENCOURAGES, INSPIRES AND AWARDS INDEPENDENCE, INNOVATION AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!

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MOONDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

~ June 15th DEADLINE FOR LATE ENTRIES! ~

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

 See our Submission Categories HERE!

See our Awards Categories HERE!

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Moondance now offers feedback & professional critiques on screenplays, stage plays, and TV pilots that are submitted for the 2016 competition, for only $50!  Select the FEEDBACK option on the FilmFreeway entry form, or the Moondance entry form. Meet our professional reader, Jasmine Sahu, at: https://moondancefilmfestival.com/meetouradvisoryboard/

JASMINE SAHU PIC

Jasmine Sahu

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

DON’T MISS THESE PLANNED EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

~September 4th & 5th, Boulder, Colorado, USA~

  • INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, foreign, feature & short films)
  • PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
  • PRODUCTIVE NETORKING PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
  • CELEBRITY APPEARANCE & PHOTO-OPS
  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER
  • PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS
  • Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS
  • AFTER-PARTIES EACH EVENING
  • GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & BANQUET RECEPTION!

SUBSCRIBE to the popular Moondance news-blog for info, updates, articles, creative inspiration,  & announcements:

www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

If you’ve already submitted your project to the 2016 competition, & have subscribed to the news-blog, thanks a million!

Check out the website for more info:

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

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INSIDER TIPS:

WHY “GOOD ENOUGH” IS THE ENEMY TO SCREENWRITING GREATNESS

By Art Holcomb

STARFISH

You must be great. Your first script must be great in order to sell. Why? Because it has two challenges that it must meet. First, it must be better than the mass of other submissions from first-timers. Luckily, this may not be so difficult if you do a good job. Second, your work must be strong enough to shoulder its way through the ranks of established writers to find a place in the production budget. If the producer or agent who has just read it doesn’t want to give you a contract to purchase the piece, then your work, as it stands at that moment, simply isn’t good enough. In the end, you have to wow them. Anything less leads to a failure.

Screenplays-pile

You must understand this. There is no middle ground, for there are only two types of scripts. A work is either: 1. Great-and-wonderful and anyone who reads it wants to buy it, or 2. Not good enough and it gets rejected. It sounds like a near impossible task, but time and time again, I have seen new writers embrace what is necessary to succeed. So I know it is inside each one of you to make your script great. READ MORE:

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ENDANGERED SPECIES MURAL PROJECT

Art takes nature as its model. ~ Aristotle

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Monarch butterfly mural in Minneapolis, Minn., by Roger Peet and Barry Newman

Just as nature inspires art, art inspires actions to defend wild places and the wild creatures that live in them. With this in mind, the Center for Biological Diversity is launching an Endangered Species Mural Project, teaming up with local artists to bring endangered wildlife onto the streets through art in cities and towns around the country. Spearheaded by Portland artist Roger Peet, the mural project will feature wildlife species that are special to their regions, promoting an affinity for the natural world and the diverse species that help define it.

• “Everywhere on Earth is unique, with qualities that distinguish it from other places both near and far. One of those qualities is the biodiversity of a place — the plants and animals that call it home and may not be found anywhere else. Those species embody an area’s natural history and contribute to what makes it irreplaceable. They also have something to say about the future, as many are in danger of going extinct. And when we lose species, the places and lives we live become poorer and shallower places as a result. To help bring these species into the light, we decided to paint them on the walls.

Mountain caribou mural in Sandpoint, Idaho, by Mazatl & Joy Mallari

Mountain caribou mural in Sandpoint, Idaho, by Mazatl & Joy Mallari

“The goal of this project is to create murals in towns and cities around the United States that focus on endangered species, fostering connections between people and the other forms of life that surround them. Whether that’s a fish in a river, a butterfly flitting from plant to plant, or a caribou chewing lichen off a tree trunk, we’re bringing together artists and communities to create big, bold images that will become part of the neighborhoods where they’re created, making it a little easier for people to care about the native species struggling to survive in their midst.” ~ Roger Peet

ArcticGraylingMural

Arctic grayling mural by Roger Peet in Butte, Montana

START A MURAL PROJECT IN YOUR TOWN!
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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT TODAY

Stepping-Stones-With Kids

“Good or bad, each of life’s events is a steppingstone to a greater tomorrow.” ~ Juanita Foster

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Boulder has been named the official “TREE CITY USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation, for the 32nd year, and is often called The Emerald City, due to all the green trees and vistas of our town’s surrounding green open-spaces & natural riparian habitat!

Boulder Creek

Boulder Creek

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MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

DRILLING FOR OIL OFF OUR COASTS PUTS US ALL AT RISK

Offshore Drilling RIg

When Shell Oil dumped nearly 90,000 gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico a few weeks ago, it was just the latest in a long line of reminders of what happens when we allow Big Oil to drill for oil off our coasts. Everywhere you look, oil companies are spilling crude wherever they operate. Meanwhile, month after month and year after year, we’re experiencing record high temperatures, which will bring the devastating impacts of climate disruption to our doorsteps, no matter where we live.

Scientists are warning us that up to 80 % of fossil fuel reserves must be kept in the ground, unburned, to prevent the worst effects of climate disruption, so ending offshore drilling is critical to protecting current and future generations. And given the greater difficulty of cleaning crude oil from coastal ecosystems — and the serious harm that pollution causes — ending risky offshore drilling is a no-brainer.

If you agree it’s time to move beyond dirty fuels, and keep them safely in the ground, take action today to make sure we start by putting an end to dangerous offshore drilling!

We all know the problems caused by dirty energy: Air and water pollution undermine our quality of life. Yet we have the solution. Clean energy saves money, creates good-paying jobs, and protects our health and climate.

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THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY

coral bleached

Scientists have just announced that 93% of the Reef is now ‘bleaching’ due to warming watersa direct result of carbon pollution from mining and burning fossil fuels. And coal is the most polluting of them all. Together, we can bring an end to dirty coal. The evidence is black and white. Coal pollution destroys the things we love. So we will build a world without it. Clean air and water, free from coal pollution. Protected natural wonders and a thriving Reef. Clean politics, free from fossil-fuelled corruption. And a fair deal for the coal workers who deserve a just transition.

That’s why we’re building an unstoppable wave of global citizens who are willing to stand up for a world that puts people first, instead of coal. Now the world has promised to move on from toxic energy – and it’s up to us to hold leaders to their word. Will you take the next step with me and join the Coal Free movement?

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Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

CONTACT US TYPEWRITER

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

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Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

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Moondance April Call-for-Entries (May Deadline!)


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“It’s finally Spring. C’mon in & join us!

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MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

Accepting regular submissions through May 31, 2016

For your best chance to win, enter right now!

PLEASE VISIT THESE PAGES ON THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO:

LINK TO SUBMISSION CATEGORIES LIST

LINK TO AWARDS CATEGORIES LIST

LINK TO SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

LINK TO AWARDS BENEFITS

LINK TO MOONDANCE SUCCESSES

LINK TO THE MOONDANCE MISSION STATEMENT

You may also submit your entry to Moondance via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:

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DON’T MISS THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

Top-quality Indie film screenings (documentaries, animation, music videos, drone films, feature & short films); professional workshops for filmmakers, writers & composers; productive networking cocktail parties & events daily; celebrity appearances & photo-ops; private consultations with the pros; industry keynote speakers; Q&As with the film directors; after-parties each evening; gala awards ceremony & reception, and more.

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SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:

Photo by C. Anastasiadis

“Charlie”, photo  by C. Anastasiadis

“Know yourself. Don’t accept your dog’s non-judgmental admiration of you as conclusive evidence that you are simply wonderful.” ~ Ann Landers

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DOG ON DOCK, WAITING

“Let your hook always be cast in the stream where you expect a fish.” ~ Ovid

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“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.” ~ Goethe

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ENVIRONMENTAL ALERTS

INDONESIA’S ORANGUTANS SUFFER AS FIRES RAGE

Excerpts from an article by: Joe Cochrane • April 5, 2016 • The New York Times

ORANGUTANS BORNEO BLOG

Photo by Kemal Jufri

The blazes in the Indonesian regions of Borneo and Sumatra are an annual occurrence, when farmers clear land by burning it, often for palm oil plantations. The blazes have recently destroyed more than 10,000 square miles of forests, blanketing large parts of Southeast Asia in a toxic haze for weeks, sickening hundreds of thousands of people and, according to the World Bank, causing $16 billion in economic losses.

Multinational palm oil companies, giant pulp and paper businesses, the huge plantations that sell to them, local farmers and even day laborers all contribute to the problem. While it is against Indonesian law to clear plantations by burning, enforcement is lax.

The fires also killed at least nine orangutans, the endangered apes native to the rain forests of Borneo and Sumatra. More than 100, trapped by the loss of habitat or found wandering near villages, had to be relocated. Seven orphans, including five infants, were rescued and taken to rehabilitation centers here. The suffering of the wildlife is part of a larger story of corporate expansion in a developing economy crashing into environmental issues in an era of climate change.

CLIMATE-RELATED DEATH OF CORAL AROUND WORLD

Excerpts from an article By Michelle Innis, April 9, 2016, New York Times

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Photo credit XL Catlin Seaview Survey

SYDNEY, Australia — Reports of damaged or dying coral reefs around the world have become a major concern. Reefs that take centuries to form can be destroyed in weeks. The damage off Kiritimati is part of a mass bleaching of coral reefs around the world, only the third on record and possibly the worst ever. Scientists believe that heat stress from multiple weather events including the latest, severe El Niño, compounded by climate change has threatened more than a third of Earth’s coral reefs. Many may never recover.

Coral reefs are the crucial incubators of the ocean’s ecosystem, providing food and shelter to a quarter of all marine species, and they support fish stocks that feed more than one billion people. They are made up of millions of tiny animals, called polyps, that form symbiotic relationships with algae, which in turn capture sunlight and carbon dioxide to make sugars that feed the polyps. In Indonesia, fish supported by the reefs provide the primary source of protein. Rising temperatures due to climate change have pushed corals beyond their tolerance levels.STARFISH-SMALL-copy

FUN FACTS: THE BAGEL LEGEND

BAGEL BAKERY

It is said that, in 1683, a Jewish baker in Vienna, Austria, was looking for a way to thank the king of Poland for having protected his compatriots from the invading Turks. He created a small bread in the form of a stirrup (‘beugel’, in Austrian German), which pleasantly reminded the king, who loved riding, of his favorite hobby.

Adopted by the Polish, bagels became the official gifts offered to new mothers upon the birth of a child. They are even mentioned in the civil registers of communities of that era. Bagels were also used as nutritious teething rings that babies could easily chew and manipulate.

When bagels arrived in Russia, they were given the name “bubliki” They were sold at market stands and on city streets. Because of their circular form, they were said to bring happiness, and were believed to have magical powers. There even seems to have been songs about bagels! “The Bagels’ Bagel Book” by Marilyn and Tom Bagel

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Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!

 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

CONTACT US TYPEWRITER

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

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Moondance has always been, and continues to be, a “Green” event!

No trees or natural habitats were harmed in the creation of this news-blog!

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2016 Moondance Venue & Event Dates Announced!

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The beautiful, historic city of Montréal, Canada, has welcomed Moondance to make its home there, and all are cordially invited to attend this very special 3-day weekend cultural event, September 23, 24, & 25.

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Montréal, c’est si bon! This French-speaking city is considered the cultural capital of Canada, is a cosmopolitan celebration of Québécois style, and one of the world’s top waterfront cities. Canada’s most diverse metropolis, Montréal, is an historic city that favors classic style and elegance.

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The second largest city in Canada, Montréal, was named North America’s leading host city for international events. French is the city’s official language, and Montréal is considered to be the historic heart of French Canada. The city is on the Island of Montréal. The port of Montréal, (the largest inland port on Earth), lies at one end of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the river gateway that stretches from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.

MONTRÉAL INFOCANADA INFO

DON’T MISS THESE EVENTS AT THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL:

Top-quality Indie film screenings (documentaries, animation, music videos, drone films, feature & short films); professional workshops for filmmakers, writers & composers; productive networking cocktail parties & events daily; celebrity appearances & photo-ops; private consultations with the pros; industry keynote speakers; Q&As with the film directors; after-parties each evening; gala awards ceremony & reception, and more!

Our Valued Sponsors :

XII Tribes Entertainment • Red Carpet International • 7Seas Productions • LGMA • BMW CANBEC Official Festival Car • NARAT official Festival Travel Agency

To read the French version, click here.

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

CUISINE FRANÇAISE!

Here are just some examples of the delicious French cuisine you can enjoy during the 2016 Moondance in Montreal: escargots, croque monsieur, pot au feu, bouillabaisse, quiches, vichyssoise, croissants, cassoulet, crème brulèe, ratatouille, coq au vin, mousse au chocolat, profiteroles, and more!

 

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MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Accepting submissions through June 30, 2016

LINK TO OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

You may also submit your entry to Moondance via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:

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Have Short Films About Colorado?

COLORADO REVEALED VIDEO CONTEST

Sponsored by The Colorado Film Office and The Audience Awards

We are accepting 1-minute videos about what makes Colorado great and giving away a share of $15,000, commemorative Hateful 8 film strips and the opportunity for films to reach a new, global audience. There is no submission fee. Here is the link to the contest for more information. Here is an article about the contest.

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www.moondancefilmfestival.com

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Our thoughts and prayers are with those who grieve for those lost & injured in Brussels.
Nos pensées et nos prières vont à tous qui pleurent pour les disparus et blessés à Bruxelles.
Onze gedachten en gebed zijn met een ieder die rouwt voor de verloren en gewonden in Brussel.

Through top-quality indie films, writings and music, the Moondance International Film Festival promotes non-violent conflict resolution and equality for women and girls, as well as encouraging awareness and action to resolve vital environmental issues and humanitarian crises.

PLEASE READ THE FULL MISSION STATEMENT:

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INTRODUCING THE 2016 MOONDANCE TEAM!

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ELIZABETH ENGLISH

Festival Founder, Executive Director & Creative Director

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MICHEL ZGARKA

2016 Festival Executive Producer

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GEORGES LECLERE

2016 Festival Executive Producer – USA/ International

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ALAN ROGERS

2016 Festival Executive Producer – Sponsorships

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YSÉ BRISSON

2016 Festival European Executive Producer

We look forward to meeting you in Montreal!

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A MOONDANCER WRITES US:

Bravo pour aller en Canada. How did this move happen?–that must be quite a story. We plan to submit a new feature doc soon.  BTW — Walking in Two Worlds will air on PBS nationally on Earth Day!  We’re excited & pleased. Salut et avec beaucoup d’esprit!” ~ Bo Boudart & Aline

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MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS & SUPPORTS:

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WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN

Around the world, women hold the key to overcoming poverty and making change happen for themselves. The potential of women to transform their lives is unlimited – if they are given the opportunity to shine. This is what drives us forward and powers our passion for a more just and equal world. Our mission toward achieving our vision is to inspire and connect women, to harness their skills, creativity and influence, thereby becoming catalysts of change in order to transform the challenges and injustices faced by the most disempowered women and girls in the world. We believe that empowered women and girls can make a positive difference not only to their own lives, but also those of the wider community.

Annie Lennox & African Women

After a meeting with Nelson Mandela in 2003, “I was shocked and appalled by the fact that so few people seemed to be aware of what was happening, let alone taking effective action. As a woman and mother, I resolved to contribute to supporting the cause and amplifying the virtually silent voice of women and children. It was a life-changing experience, and I became resolved to do whatever I could to make a difference. The concept of The Circle came from the notion of women supporting, connecting and inspiring each other to become advocates and change agents, through our passion, skills and ideas.” ~ Annie Lennox

Together, as contributors to the global women’s movement, we bring attention to important issues, amplifying the voices of vulnerable women. Working with respected partners, we seek out and support impactful projects, such as through its partnership with Oxfam, The Circle, founded by Annie Lennox, one of the most successful female British artists in pop music history, and highly respected political and social activist, has funded the creation of community protection groups within 28 communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and to raise awareness about International Women’s Day, we were involved in supporting a short film directed by Sam Taylor-Wood (Fifty Shades of Grey) and featuring actors Daniel Craig & Judi Dench. The film has been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube. We support a broad range of projects that help women to become independent and confident – able to stand up for their rights, and influence change. We need volunteers to support the work of our members, and help us to grow and reach more women who are want to turn their lives around. READ MORE:

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OUR MISSION:

The African Wildlife Foundation, together with the people of Africa, works to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa will endure forever. 

LION'S HEAD

In Africa, deforestation and climate change give real cause for concern. The African continent is anticipated to experience more than its fair share of climate change’s negative impacts. From extreme weather patterns to losses in crop productivity to an overall decrease in the quality of life for both the people and wildlife that call Africa “home,” the effects of a changing climate are only continuing to accelerate. Deforestation throughout Africa is also troubling—while the continent is home to 17% of the world’s forests, it is losing them at four times the rate of the global average. A key component of AWF’s climate change mitigation efforts are Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation projects. Your financial support will help us end poaching and wildlife trafficking. Your partnership is vital to our mission to protect Africa’s most precious – and imperiled – creatures. READ MORE:

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SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:

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CHOOSE…

“…to live by choice, not by chance; to make improvements, not excuses; to be motivated, not manipulated; to be useful, not used; to excel, not compete. Choose self-esteem, not self-pity. Choose to listen to your inner voice, not the random opinions of others.” ~ Author Unknown

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

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“Without passion, one is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the strike of the iron before it can give forth its spark.” ~ Henri F. Amiel

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Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!

Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues! 

 QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

CONTACT US TYPEWRITER

EMAIL: [email protected]

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

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