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A Moondance Hello & Some Reminders!

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“You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do, except for the limitations of your own mind.” ~ Darwin P. KingsleySTARFISH

Thanks a million to all the many talented filmmakers, writers, composers, audiences, event staff and volunteers who participated in the 2016 Moondance International Film Festival & made it another memorable season!

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

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FOR INFO ON THE 2016 MOONDANCE,

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS LOCATED ON THE WEBSITE:

FILM PROGRAM FILM DESCRIPTIONS •  FILMS SCREENED •  KEYNOTE & MASTER CLASSWORKSHOPSWINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTSNETWORKING EVENTS  •  AWARDS CEREMONY & RECEPTION 2016 BEST ACTOR AWARDS • AUDIENCE FAVORITE FILMS • MOONDANCE SUCCESSESMISSION STATEMENT

The 2016 Moondance Photo Album is coming soon! 

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Winners Anna & Adrian

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ATTENTION: 2016 WINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTS:

You can download any laurels for which you are eligible HERE!

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ATTENTION 2016 SELECTED FILMMAKERS & WINNERS!

The Moondance winners’ star award

CLICK ON THE STAR IMAGE, FOR INFO ON AWARD CATEGORIES!

If you would like to have us send you back your Blu-ray screener, or if you were not able to attend the awards ceremony, & want us to send you your winner’s award star & certificate, please click HERE for the form to request it & pay only the minimal postage & handling.

RED MAILBOX

The final deadline for ordering is October 15th!

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HOLLYWOOD SIGN:BLUE SKY

“Movies are just another form of merchandising – we have our factory, which is called a stage; we make a product, we color it, we title it, and we ship it out in a can, and then try to convince people to buy it.” ~ Cary Grant

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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

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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!

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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:

D-3 MONK @ RIVER

“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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Moondance Marches On; Come Join Us!

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Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. ~ Henry Ford

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

MOONDANCE 2016 CALL-FOR-ENTRIES:

Accepting submissions

January 1 through June 30, 2016

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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Lights, Camera, Action! The Moondance International Film Festival invites all talented US & International filmmakers, writers and music composers to submit their films, written works and film scores to our annual season, to take place in September, at our fabulous & memorable festival event location venue.

Moondance is known as the “American Cannes” of film festivals, and features the very best of indie films, music & writing by talented artists from around the world, Plan now to participate in this unique competition and attend this major film festival! The annual Moondance International Film Festival has showcased many hundreds of top-quality award-winning indie films, and hosted filmmakers, writers, composers, actors, industry professionals, celebrities, and media, from around the world.

The secret to our international success and longevity can be directly attributed to upholding our founding principles, goals, values and mission. We continually strive to inspire talented filmmakers, writers, composers and audiences, locally and globally, for the benefit of the community and the world. Maintaining the Moondance reputation for top-quality indie films, professional workshops, and productive networking events, is always the first priority. Our valued sponsors, donors, supporters, friends of the Moondance, as well as our staff, volunteers, competition entrants, enthusiastic audiences and festival attendees, are an integral element of our long-term and continued success.

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

  • INDIE FILM SCREENINGS (documentaries, animation, music videos, drone films, feature & short films)

  • PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR FILMMAKERS, WRITERS & COMPOSERS
  • PRODUCTIVE NETORKING COCKTAIL PARTIES & EVENTS DAILY
  • CELEBRITY APPEARANCES & PHOTO-OPS

  • INDUSTRY KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
  • PRIVATE CONSULTATIONS WITH THE PROS

  • Q&As WITH THE FILM DIRECTORS

  • NETWORKING AFTER-PARTIES
 EACH EVENING
  • GALA AWARDS CEREMONY & RECEPTION!

EGG & SPROUT

People are the creators and the story-tellers. Not machinery, not conglomerates, but talented, inspiring, creative people. We want to put faces to all the stories you are telling in films, screenplays, short stories, music, and more! Plan to attend the 17th annual Moondance International Film Festival in September. We want to get to know you!

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TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE MOONDANCE PHOTO ALBUM!

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Click on album image!

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INSIDER TIPS FOR ACTORS:

YOU CAN ACT ON CAMERA!

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Insider Tips for Delivering a Great Performance, Every Time

By D. W. Brown 

Here’s another must-read title from Michael Wiese Productions. In this book, a companion piece to the author of the acclaimed book, You Can Act: A Complete Guide for Actors, states“…an actor and a camera have a special relationship and the conditions for recording a performance have their own unique challenges.” He fills this important and detailed book with 32 principles of Acting on Camera, An Actor’s Manifesto, and many other examples of the challenges a film actor may face during the shoot, and with well-thought out solutions and advice in this easy-to-follow book. It is an acting insider’s guide to getting the best performance from yourself, for the film’s director, as well as for the ultimate success of the film, and for your future career as an actor who can be trusted to be relied upon, no matter the character he or she plays, or the circumstances of a film production. READ MORE:

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WATCH THE VIDEO:

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~ History of the World in 2 Minutes ~

Hold on to your seat and don’t blink your eyes for a second!!  This is amazing. Seventeen year-old Joe Bush got a high school assignment to make a video reproduction. He chose history as a theme and tucked it all into a great 2 minute visual ride: http://marcbrecy.perso.neuf.fr/history.html

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MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS & SUPPORTS:

LOLITA DESERVES TO RETIRE IN PEACE AND DIGNITY!

ORCA LOLITA

Watch Ric O’Barry as he makes an impassioned plea to the owners of the Miami Seaquarium to allow Lolita, the solitary orca held in captivity for more than 46 years, to retire in peace and dignity. Photo credit: ScubaFilmFactory / VIMEO: https//vimeo.com/157166898

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Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project encompasses Ric’s work around the world as he saves dolphins from slaughter and exploitation. Visit DolphinProject.net for more details.

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OCEANIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY

SEA TURTLE & CORAL

The Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) is an Academy Award-winning team of filmmakers and activists, based in Boulder, Colorado, who are committed to sustainability and the preservation of our oceans and planet. OPS founder and director, Louie Psihoyos, takes us on a journey that illuminates the challenges facing species around the world. Join us in supporting Louie and his mission to save the planet.

WATCH THIS VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxi6ZdgqhOU

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PROTECT THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE GRIZZLY: STOP THE DE-LISTING!

GRIZ MOM & CUB

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has just released a proposal  to remove Endangered Species protections from grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone region. Grizzly bears are an essential piece of the American West, a wildlife icon that has been integral to the Yellowstone region for centuries. Each year, visitors spend millions in the region, hoping to catch a glimpse of a grizzly, this beautiful and powerful symbol of our wild heritage. And as an apex predator, their presence is crucial to the health of wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone region.

Thanks to Endangered Species protections, grizzly bears are making a remarkable recovery after being hunted to the brink of extinction — but they’re still vulnerable. The proposal to de-list the grizzly fails to preserve this progress — in fact,  it will reverse it. The bears’ naturally slow reproductive rate, loss of key food sources to climate change, and state plans to reduce numbers through methods like trophy hunts, all spell disaster. Get more details and take action HERE

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It’s critical that U.S. Fish and Wildlife gets this right, and this plan isn’t right. Speak out and demand a healthy future for Greater Yellowstone grizzlies today!

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IF OBAMA WASN’T “BLACK” BEFORE, HE IS NOW.

OBAMA & US FLAGartcreationforever.com

Article by Leonard Pitts, Jr.

Miami Herald, Feb. 29, 2016

Today’s column is for the benefit of one Dr. Benjamin Solomon Carson. He shouldn’t need what follows, but obviously does. No other conclusion is possible after his interview with Politico a few days ago.

The subject was Barack Obama and what the Republican presidential contender sees as the inferior quality of the president’s blackness. “He’s an ‘African’ American,” said Carson. “He was, you know, raised white. I mean, like most Americans, I was proud that we broke the color barrier when he was elected, but . . . he didn’t grow up like I grew up . . . ”

Want to know if you’re black? Try to rent a house in Miami. Try to hail a cab in Times Square. Try to win an Oscar in Hollywood. You’ll find out real quick. And there is something spectacularly absurd in the fact of Barack Obama being criticized as “not black” by a Republican.

Think about it: In the unlikely event he somehow managed to live the 47 years before his presidency without being insulted, bullied and oppressed by people who think they are white, Obama has sure made up for it since. Members of Carson’s party have called him “boy,” “uppity” and “ape” and have gone to extraordinary and unprecedented lengths to block him from doing . . . anything. So the good doctor can relax. If Obama wasn’t “black” before, he certainly is now. READ MORE:

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SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:

“Amelia”, photo by SK

Amelia”, photo by SKV

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement. ~ Golda Meir

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Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi

“The daring not only blaze new trails, the pave them for others.” ~ Source Unknown

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Candles-spiral

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of that candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~ Buddha

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Free hugs B&W

Love is the only force capable of transforming enemies into friends. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Image by pcwallart.com

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. ~ William Shakespeare

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BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

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