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~ What’s up at the Moondance?

MOONDANCE IS THE

FILM FESTIVAL WITHOUT BORDERS!

Please visit the Moondance website to watch the winning & selected 2018 & 2017 indie films for free, and to order an award star, award certificate or download a laurel, if eligible!

WATCH WINNING 2018 & 2017 FILMS HERE

You can now  & comment on each film after you view them!

>>> Recent daily messages from vimeo:

“Hi, Moondance Film Festival!”

In the past 24 hours, your videos received 256 plays.

In the past 24 hours, your videos received 245 plays.

In the past 24 hours, your videos received 740 plays.

ORDER AWARD STAR HERE

(2018 winners only)

Deadline for ordering award star is October 31st

ORDER AWARD CERTIFICATE HERE

(2018 winners, finalists & semi-finalists eligible)

Deadline for ordering award certificate is October 31st

  • For those who have already ordered, it will be on the way soon! Wait for it!

DOWNLOAD LAURELS HERE

(2018 winners, finalists & semi-finalists eligible)

LEARN ABOUT OUR UNIQUE  MISSION HERE

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

“Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.” ~ Simone de Beauvior

 

“Give love and unconditional acceptance to those you encounter, and then notice what happens!” ~ Wayne Dyer

 

Photo by Erin Schaff, for the New York Times

“BELIEVE THE SURVIVORS!”

Remember to refresh the Moondance Home Page, when visiting!

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~ Visit the Film Festival Without Borders!

MOONDANCE IS THE FILM FESTIVAL WITHOUT BORDERS!

Please visit the Moondance website to watch the winning & selected 2018 & 2017 indie films for free, & to order an award star, award certificate or download a laurel.

WATCH WINNING FILMS HERE

ORDER AWARD STAR HERE (2018 winners only)

ORDER AWARD CERTIFICATE HERE

(2018 winners, finalists & semi-finalists eligible)

DOWNLOAD LAURELS HERE

(2018 winners, finalists & semi-finalists eligible)

LEARN ABOUT OUR MISSION HERE

A MESSAGE FROM MOONDANCE’S FOUNDER:

BELIEVE!

I read this article in the Huffington Post. You might be interested in reading it, too.

DR. CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD IS AN AMERICAN HERO

Read the article HERE

MORE HAPPY MOONDANCERS WRITE US!

“I was absolutely thrilled and over the moon (pun intended!) to hear that “The Paper Boat” was selected as a Semi-Finalist film at such a prestigious festival. Thank you so much for everything you do for upcoming filmmakers and the film industry.  You can’t imagine the emotion with which I received this news.” ~ Rachele Mare (Australia)

“I am so excited to have been chosen as a finalist! The film is my story as a teenager in 1959/60 which I wrote and produced.  Bringing this story to life was such a thrill. And now being included in your great festival as a finalist is amazing!! Thank everyone involved so much. You made an old guy in Vermont soooo happy. ~ Don Miller ,“If I Could Run” film

“As a writer, I am at a loss for adequate words  to express my gratitude.  ‘Wow!’ seems to come to mind most often. Please know I am honored and thank you.” ~ Alida Hilton, winning feature screenwriter

“Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I am honored and excited for the opportunity to share what I believe to be a meaningful story with others. “ ~ Wendy Britton Young, feature screenplay winner

“We are so happy that our film has been selected for this edition of your great festival.” ~ Majid Mohammad Doost

FILMFREEWAY 2018 REVIEWS & 5-STAR RATINGS:

“Thank you for putting together such a worthwhile film festival, and running it beyond and above the professional level that I have experienced in other festivals.” ~ Georgette Alfred    

“Thank you, Elizabeth and bless you for all your amazing and important work with this festival! So honored to be part of it!! I’m thrilled my narrative feature “Prince Harming” was selected as semi-finalist by this wonderful festival. When I had questions, Elizabeth English got back to me right away and was very helpful.. As a result of being chosen I’ve gotten some great industry connections already and can’t wait to see what’s next!” ~ Marianne Hettinger  

“Thank you so much for considering my film and my film went up to semifinalist. Truely amazing festival for independent film makers.” ~ AAA Productions UK

“My deepest heartfelt thank you to the Moondance Team. I am honored to be included in this great festival celebrating such stunning abilities in the art of expression.” ~ Renee Rubio   

“It was an honour to have The Paper Boat selected as a Semi Finalist for Film Score. Although my participation was only online, Elizabeth English was personable and the experience valuable.” ~ Rachel Wildmare

“Glad and proud to be part of it!” ~ Guido Giordano    

“Great festival, thank you for treating us so well!” ~ Russell Emanuel

“This is a wonderful festival I was proud to be part of it. Many thanks for everything!” ~ Michael Madden   

“Moondance honored me by choosing my movie. Communication was personal and extremely useful. All in all, I’m glad that I could participate in this special festival.” ~ Julia Deak   

“Thank you to the Moondance Festival for providing opportunities for women writers and filmmakers. We were honoured that our short film “Honestly Charlotte” achieved semi-finalist status!” ~ Stevie Jackson

“Founder/Director Elizabeth English is passionate, tireless and a great communicator!” ~ Jan Stanton     

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

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

”This is a wonderful festival I was proud to be part of it. Many thanks for everything.”~ Michael Madden    

Thank you for participating in the 2018 Moondance International Film Festival, and thanks a million for your kind reviews on Film Freeway. We look forward to your submissions for 2019, too!

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

“The purpose of life is not to just be happy – but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you have lived at all.” ~ Leo Rosten, screenwriter

 

“Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, they create courage and wisdom. It is often because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually.” ~ M. Scott PeckAmerican author & psychiatrist

Remember to refresh the Moondance Home Page, when visiting!

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Moondance 2018 Selected Films!

2018 MOONDANCE SELECTED FILMS

Congratulations to all 2018 Moondance winners, finalists and semi-finalists! 

WATCH THE WINNNING & SELECTED 2018 FILMS HERE!

2018 MOONDANCE LAURELS ARE HERE!

Download the laurel or laurels for which you are eligible in the above link.

If you are a 2018 winner & would like to receive a Moondance Star Award, please go HERE to order it.

If you are a 2018 winner, finalist or semi-finalist & would like to receive a Moondance certificate e-mailed to you, go HERE to order it.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: As first announced in March, then again in July & August, and due to circumstances beyond our control, the 2018 Moondance will not have a theatrical venue this season. All winning & selected films will be screened at our private viewing room site. 

SPECIAL PRIZE FOR 2018 SELECTED SCREENWRITERS:

Our long-time partner, InkTip.com, offers each year to give a prize of a free listing to a few selected Moondance winning screenplays. You will receive an email from InkTip.com, if your script is selected, about how to list your work on their site for producers to see.

HAPPY MOONDANCERS WRITE US:

“I am very happy to have received a finalist and semi-finalist award for my short stories. Thank you!” ~ Sharon Burtner

“Thank you so much for the film score award! I was wondering, would it be possible to change my country from USA to Brunei? When I submitted my piece for the film scoring competition, I used my US address because I currently work and live in Los Angeles. I am a citizen of Brunei and would love to be able to represent my country!” ~ Aisyah Zulkarnain

“I’m so excited to see that “Crisis Center” is one of TV Pilot Winners. THANK YOU! Please let me know if anyone requests the script. Thanks again for being so supportive of my work!” ~ Jan Stanton

“I saw on the festival site that THIS CLOSE had been selected as a winner in the feature script contest for 2018. Thank you for the honor. Thanks again for appreciation of this story…” ~Randy Steinberg

“I was thrilled to see we made it to finalist with “The Millionaire Monk”. Awesome! Anyway, glad you and your team liked it enough and we are pushing forward marketing the script.Thank you again and many blessings.” ~ Sky Canyon

“Thank you so much for selecting our feature film “1 1/2 Days” as a finalist for the 2018 Moondance Festival.  If selected to be screened, this will be our world premiere! Cheers from Juneau, Alaska,” ~ Greg Chaney 

“My huge thanks and appreciation;  to you and to Moondance for placing my script Mooncurser as one of the winners for the feature script competition! I’m so excited, happy and proud to have done well, especially in a festival that has such an uplifting ethos and spiritual message.” ~ Leia Vogelle

“We would love for our film to be hosted by Moondance online. Again, we are all so thrilled to win Best Short Film, The Great Escape. Many thanks from all of us!” ~ Shelagh McLeod

“I want to thank you so much for including my film, The Sleeping Beauty, in last year’s line up and for all your support. It’s just been such a pleasure to have people watch it and get in touch saying that they’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been making some more in the series and would love to enter them into next year’s festival once they are finished!” ~ Fabio D’Andrea

“I wanted to write to say how exciting it is to be a winner for my screenplay The Electric Virgin. I very much admire the mission of your festival and your passion.” ~ Bethany Jacobson

“Thank you for the great news. I do appreciate it.It would be a great honor to participate at the festival.” ~ Ali Ghiasvand

“Thanks so much for including Polly! That’s so exciting – I always aimed for the film to be a part of your festival, so thanks so much.” ~  Cassiah Joski-Jethi

“I’m honored and excited that my screenplay, The Superb Lyrebird and Other Creaturehas been chosen to receive the Spirit of Moondance screenplay award!” ~ Wendy Young

* A FREQUENT NOTE FROM VIMEO: Hi, Moondance Film Festival!In the past 24 hours, your videos received 77 plays!

WATCH THE WINNNING & SELECTED 2018 FILMS HERE!

• Please read & Subscribe to our popular Moondance news-blog for info, updates, insider tips, articles, creative inspiration, & announcements: www. moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

  • Remember to refresh the Moondance Home Page when visiting!

 

 

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~ 2018 Moondance Winners Announcements!

MOONDANCE IS THE FILM FESTIVAL WITHOUT BORDERS!

* CONGRATULATIONS *

to all the 2018 Moondance winners, finalists & semi-finalists!

HERE ARE THE MOONDANCE 2018 LISTINGS

~~~ Stay tuned for more info, coming soon! ~~~

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. 

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

* Thanks a million to all the talented people from around the world who submitted their best work to the 2018 Moondance International Film Festival!

Subscribe now to the Moondance news-blog!
 Our very popular news-blog has festival info, announcements, updates, news, & insider articles.

PLEASE WATCH ALL OUR 2017 WINNING FILMS HERE!

Thank you for watching our winning films & supporting the Moondance!

THREE THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

“The first to apologize is the bravest; the first to forgive is the strongest; the first to forget is the happiest.” ~ Source Unknown

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“The sun, with all those planets revolving around it, and dependent on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes, as if it has nothing else in the universe to do.”~ Galileo

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“Forget your perfect offering; there’s a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in!” ~ Leonard Cohen

 

  • Remember to refresh the Moondance Home Page when visiting!

 

 

 

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~ Big Hugs & a Thank You from the Moondance!

Moondance: The Film Festival Without Borders!

Thanks a million for all your super-talented submissions to the 2018 Moondance competition! 

Winners, finalists & semi-finalists will be announced soon, here & on the festival website…so stay tuned!

Winning & selected 2018 films will be screened in September!

PLEASE WATCH ALL OUR 2017 WINNING FILMS HERE!

Thank you for watching our winning films & supporting the Moondance!

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

www.mommyish.com

“If what Proust says it true, that ‘happiness is the absence of fever’, then I will never know happiness. For I am possessed of a fever for knowledge, experience, beauty and creation.” ~ Anais Nin

 

Andrew Wyeth 

“It is neither wealth nor splendor but tranquility and occupation which give true happiness.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

 

“There are only two days of the year in which nothing can be done. One is called yesterday, and the other is called tomorrow. Today is the right day to love, to believe, to do and to live.” ~ The Dalai Lama

 

 

 

 

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~ LAST CHANCE to Win the 2018 Moondance!

~ DON’T MISS THE BOAT THIS TIME! ~

2018 MOONDANCE FINAL

CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

Submissions closing date: July 31st

FEATURE, SHORT, DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION & DRONE FILMS, FEATURE & SHORT SCREENPLAYS, MUSIC VIDEOS, FILM SCORES & ORIGINAL MUSIC, STAGE PLAYS, SHORT STORIES, TV PILOTS, AND MORE!

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

We look forward to previewing your submissions!

  • THE WINNING SUBMISSIONS IN ALL CATEGORIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST
  • THE WINNING & SELECTED 2018 FILMS WILL BE SCREENED IN SEPTEMBER

PLEASE WATCH ALL OUR 2017 WINNING FILMS HERE!

Thank you for watching our winning films & supporting the Moondance!

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

“It is easier to go down a hill rather than up, but the best view is from the top.” ~ Arnold Bennett

 

“Now and then, it’s good to pause in your pursuit of happiness, and just be happy!” ~ Guillaume Apollinaire

REMEMBER:

2018 Submissions closing date: July 31st

 

 

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“SURRENDER, DOROTHY!”…

Wizard of Oz, MGM

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

…SUBMIT YOUR FILM, SCRIPT, MUSIC, & BEST WORK TO THE MOONDANCE NOW!

DON’T WAIT ANY LONGER!

WE HAVE EXTENDED THE SUBMISSIONS PERIOD TO JULY 31ST!

2018 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES! 

FEATURE, SHORT, DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION & DRONE FILMS, FEATURE & SHORT SCREENPLAYS, MUSIC VIDEOS, FILM SCORES & ORIGINAL MUSIC, STAGE PLAYS, SHORT STORIES, TV PILOTS, AND MORE!

We look forward to previewing your submissions!

MOONDANCE WINNING AND SELECTED FILMS FOR 2018 WILL BE SCREENED, SEPTEMBER 21 & 22, IN A BEAUTIFUL THEATRICAL VENUE: THE MAIN SANCTUARY AND FRIENDSHIP HALL OF THE HISTORIC UNITY CHURCH OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS! Oak Park has the distinction of being the former homes of Ernest Hemingway, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and other well-known creative people, such as Richard Bach, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and John Sturges, filmmaker (The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape), as well as the notorious Sam Giancana, mafia crime boss.

Oak Park is only 8 minutes by train to the great city of Chicago!

THE WINNING SUBMISSIONS IN ALL CATEGORIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MID-AUGUST AND WINNING & SELECTED FILMS WILL BE SCREENED ON SEPTEMBER 21st & 22nd.

PLAN TO ATTEND THE 2018 MOONDANCE TO SEE OUR WINNING FILMS!

PLEASE WATCH ALL OUR 2017 WINNING FILMS HERE!

Thank you for watching our winning films & supporting the Moondance!

“Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” ~ Dale Carnegie

“Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.” ~ Timothy Leary

REMEMBER:

2018 Submissions closing date: July 31st

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~ Some Really BIG NEWS for Moondancers!

Don’t delay! Send in your 2018 submissions to Moondance now! Beat the crowd!

  • THE REALLY BIG NEWS #1: MOONDANCE WINNING AND SELECTED FILMS FOR 2018 WILL BE SCREENED, SEPTEMBER 21 & 22, IN A BEAUTIFUL THEATRICAL VENUE: THE MAIN SANCTUARY OF THE HISTORIC UNITY CHURCH OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS! Oak Park has the distinction of being the former homes of Ernest Hemingway, Frank Lloyd Wright, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and other well-known creative people, such as Richard Bach, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and John Sturges, filmmaker (The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape), as well as the notorious Sam Giancana, mafia crime boss.

Oak Park is only 8 minutes by train to the great city of Chicago!

Download a FREE Visitors Guide here!

  • BIG NEWS #2: WE HAVE EXTENDED THE SUBMISSIONS PERIOD TO JULY 31ST! THE WINNING SUBMISSIONS IN ALL CATEGORIES WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MID-AUGUST AND WINNING & SELECTED FILMS WILL BE SCREENED SEPTEMBER 21st & 22nd. PLAN TO ATTEND THE 2018 MOONDANCE TO SEE THE FILMS!

 

2018 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

Submissions closing date: July 31st

CATEGORIES: FEATURE, SHORT, DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION & DRONE FILMS, FEATURE & SHORT SCREENPLAYS, MUSIC VIDEOS, FILM SCORES & ORIGINAL MUSIC, STAGE PLAYS, SHORT STORIES, TV PILOTS, WORKS BY & FOR KIDS, AND MORE!

We look forward to previewing your submissions!

PLEASE WATCH ALL OUR 2017 WINNING FILMS HERE!

Thank you for watching our winning films & supporting the Moondance!

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER:

Photo by Atmo, Wildquest.com

Swimming with the wild dolphins underwater is an unforgettable experience. It’s a moment where past meets future. The moment of Now. Being a guest in their world is a humbling experience and when they choose to connect with us our hearts are filled with unconditional love. Its a moment of bliss. Dolphin Bliss.

www.wildquest.com

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

REMEMBER:

2018 Submissions closing date: July 31st

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~ THE MOONDANCE BIG CHANGES IN JUNE!

The Film Festival Without Borders!

The June Full Moon is called the Full Strawberry Moon. This Full Moon got its name from the Algonquin tribes who knew it as a signal to gather the delicious ripening fruit of wild strawberries.

2018 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

Extended submissions closing date: July 31st

FEATURE, SHORT, DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION & DRONE FILMS, FEATURE & SHORT SCREENPLAYS, FILM SCORES & ORIGINAL MUSIC, SHORT STORIES, TV PILOTS, AND MORE!

WEBSITE: moondancefilmfestival.com

2018 ENTRY FORM

2018 FILMFREEWAY SUBMISSIONS

 

We look forward to previewing your submissions!

Big Change #1: Moondance winning and selected films for 2018 will be screened in a local theatrical venue. (We just weren’t happy with the films being online on Vimeo in 2017.)

Big Change #2: We have extended the submissions period a month to July 31st! The winning submissions in all categories will be announced in mid-August and winning & selected films will be screened in late September.

 

 

 

THE MOONDANCE E-ZINE ARTICLES!

Don’t miss reading all the great filmmaking & writing articles written by the pros exclusively for Moondance. 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!

MOONDANCE SUPPORTS:

GreenWave is an ocean farmer and fisherman-run organization dedicated to building a new blue-green economy that creates jobs, mitigates climate change and grows healthy food for local communities. GreenWave’s 3D Ocean Farming model was named as one of the 25 Best Inventions of 2017 by TIME Magazine, and GreenWave’s Founder, Bren Smith, was named one of 25 People Shaping the Future by Rolling Stone. “This is only the beginning. There are 10,000 edible plants in the ocean.” Underwater vertical farming may become the future of food, thanks to commercial fisherman Bren Smith, who invented a sustainable way to produce seafood. Learn more about the project in this VIDEO:

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PANGOLINS ARE THE MOST ILLEGALLY TRADED MAMMAL IN THE WORLD. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

Pangolins are the only mammals that are covered in scales. Pangolin scales are made of keratin, just like our finger nails, and make up 20 % of their body weight. When it is threatened, a pangolin will curl itself into a tight ball, which is impenetrable to predators. This unique mammal can consume up to 20,000 ants a day. That’s about 73 million ants a year! Pangolins can close their ears and nostrils using strong muscles to protect them from ant attacks. 

They have long, sticky tongues, which are often longer than their body and attached near its pelvis and last pair of ribs. If a pangolin fully extends its tongue, it is longer than the animal’s head and body! Pangolins are hunted for meat, for use in traditional medicine, as pets, and as fashion accessories. 

The large-scale illegal trade in pangolins is drastically driving down their numbers. It is estimated that since 2000, more than 1 million pangolins have been traded illegally at the international level, which makes them the most trafficked wild mammal in the world. All 8 species of pangolins are threatened with extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These protections will not stop the pangolin poaching crisis alone. Much more work needs to be done to stop the killing, trafficking, and demand for pangolins.

Pangolins are difficult to maintain without expert care and thus rarely survive in captivity. It is crucial that conservation efforts focus on the areas where pangolins are being hunted, to stop their removal from the wild.

DONATE!

Make a donation to help support pangolin conservation today.

PLEASE WATCH ALL OUR 2017 WINNING FILMS HERE!

THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

Thank you for watching our winning films & supporting the Moondance!

SOMETHING TO CONSIDER:

Waterhouse “Narcissus”

“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” ~ Khalil Gibran

REMEMBER:

Extended submissions closing date: July 31st!

 

 

ANTHONY BOURDAIN, Rest in Peace

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~ Join the Film Festival Without Borders!

The Film Festival Without Borders!

“No borders; just horizons!” ~ Amelia Earhart

2018 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES!

FEATURE, SHORT, DOCUMENTARY, ANIMATION & DRONE FILMS, FEATURE & SHORT SCREENPLAYS, FILM SCORES & ORIGINAL MUSIC, SHORT STORIES, TV PILOTS,  AND MORE!

2018 FILMFREEWAY SUBMISSIONS

https://filmfreeway.com/MoondanceInternationalFilmFestival

Being fearless, Moondance is where monotonous conformity is considered mediocrity, and extravagant individualism, innovation, uniqueness and experimentation is encouraged, awarded and applauded!

We look forward to previewing your submissions!

RULES FOR THE BLUES

Most Blues begin, “Woke up this mornin’…”

Iconic blues musician, Howlin’ Wolf

Blues cars: Chevys and Cadillacs and broken down trucks. Blues don’t travel in Volvos, BMWs, or Sport Utility Vehicles. Most Blues transportation is a Greyhound bus or a southbound train. Jet aircraft and state-sponsored motor pools ain’t even in the running. Walkin’ plays a major part in the blues lifestyle. So does fixin’ to die.

Teenagers can’t sing the Blues. They ain’t fixin’ to die yet. Adults sing the Blues. In Blues, adulthood means being old enough to get the electric chair if you shoot a man in Memphis.

Blues can take place in New York City, but not in Hawaii or any place in Canada. Hard times in St. Paul or Tucson is just depression. Chicago, St.Louis, and Kansas City still the best places to have the Blues. You cannot have the blues in any place that don’t get rain.

Breaking your leg ‘cuz you skiing is not the blues. Breaking your leg ‘cuz a’ alligator be chomping on it is. You cain’t have no Blues in a office or shopping mall. The lighting is wrong. Go outside in the back to sit by a dumpster.

Good places for the Blues: lonesome dirt road or highway, jailhouse, empty bed. Bad places: Ashrams, gallery openings, Ivy League institutions, golf courses

No one will believe it’s the Blues if you wear a suit, ‘less you happen to be a’ old black man, and you slept in it. Do you have the right to sing the Blues? Yes, if: you’re older than dirt, you’re blind, you shot a man in Memphis, you can’t be satisfied. NO if: you have all your teeth, you were once blind but now can see, the man in Memphis lived, you have a retirement plan or trust fund.

Acceptable Blues beverages are: bad wine, bad whiskey or bad bourbon, moonshine, swamp water, black coffee. The following are NOT Blues beverages: mixed drinks, wine coolers, Snapple, mimosas, sparkling water.

If it occurs in a cheap motel, behind a dumpster, in a shotgun shack, or next to the train tracks, it’s a Blues death. Stabbed in the back by a jealous lover is another Blues way to die. So is the electric chair, substance abuse, and dying lonely on a broken down cot. You can’t have a Blues death if you die during a tennis match, in a spa or hot-tub, or while getting liposuction.

Persons with names like Sierra, Sequoia, and Rainbow can’t sing the Blues no matter how many men they shoot in Memphis.

I don’t care how tragic your life: if you own a computer or cell-phone, you cannot sing the blues. You best destroy it – with fire, a spilled bottle of Mad Dog, or get out a shotgun. Maybe your big woman just done sat on it.

…and I don’t care!

Excerpted & edited from John Morrison’s Swing City website

PLEASE WATCH ALL OUR 2017 WINNING FILMS HERE!

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT:

Moondance congratulates the newlyweds!

Harry and Megan now have the titles of Duke of and Duchess of Sussex, a nod to the last Duke of Sussex, Prince Augustus Frederick, a son of King George III who supported the abolition of slavery and also backed civil rights for Jews and political dissidents.

 

“Barak and I have always believed in the power of storytelling to inspire us, to make us think differently about the world around us, and to help us open our minds and hearts to others.” ~ Michelle Obama

 

“Keep throwing those darts at the dartboard. Don’t listen to the critics…” ~ Will Ferrell

 

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