independent filmmakers

~ Happy Moondancers & Big Announcements!

by Elizabeth English on October 16, 2019

THE FILM FESTIVAL WITHOUT BORDERS!

THE 2019 SELECTED FILMS PROGRAM IS HERE!

Pop up a big bowl of popcorn and

click the link above

to watch the 2019 winning films at home for free!

Order form for .pdf 2019 Award Certificates of Competition Status (Winner, Finalist or Semi-finalist), suitable for printing & framing, is available HERE, until October 31^st:

WINNER, FINALIST & SEMI-FINALIST

CERTIFICATE ORDER FORM

LAURELS: Congratulations to all the 2019 Moondance winners, finalists & semi-finalists!

You can find laurels to download for your status in the 2019 contest by clicking the laurel image above.

These 12 Selected 2019 winning writers have been selected to post their winning 2019 script on Moondance’s longtime sponsor inktip.com website for free:

Avenging Angels by Jennifer Phillips
Cottage for Rent: Body Optional by Sable Jak
DYLAN by Dianne Lynn Gardner
I Am Antigone by Saudamini Siegrist
Maria Isabella Silvalessa by Hunter Ridgway
Mustang by Gordon Phipps
Nina Karenina by Gordon Phipps
The Beneficials – Heroes of the Soil by Paul Piccirillo
The Goblins & the Gravedigger by Kenny Chumbley
The Mountains Girls & Master’s Daughter by Amridin Saidibrokhimov
The Night Witches by Steven Prowse
Tweet by Victoria Morris

If you missed the 2019 submission deadline, the 2020 competition call-for-entries will open in December 2019. Subscribe now to the popular MOONDANCE NEWS-BLOG for the latest announcements, updates, info, insider tips & inspiration.

HAPPY MOONDANCERS WRITE US!

“I love this fest. This is the second time we’ve been selected and won. They are so warm and hospitable and definitely have a wonderful purpose. I highly recommend Moondance.” ~ D. L. Gardner

“Moondance… does any other festival have a better name? I’m honored that you chose The Real Thing as a feature screenplay Finalist.” ~ Matthew Papadopoulos

“I wanted to thank Elizabeth English who runs this festival. She took the time to speak with me about my work and provided valuable feedback for improvements. That’s very rare to get a one-on-one.” ~ Jennifer Phillips

“Hello, Elizabeth and your wonderful team at the Moondance Intl. Film Festival, I’d like to take this initiative to thank you for giving us this amazing opportunity to bring our film, AFREEN, to your prestigious film festival. We are truly overwhelmed, obliged, thankful, and we could have not done this without your encouragement and support.” ~ Nicole

“We are very excited and deeply proud to be one of the winners of this year’s Moondance Film Festival. This festival is particularly important to me as a woman who believes in using my art for activism. I have done a significant amount of pro bonowork over the past three years in this extremely challenging political climate. Thank you so much for all you do and for recognizing our film, BEFORE IT WAS TRUE. We are honored!” ~ Dana Offenbach

“The Moondance Festival is special in many ways. A festival with a long history, it does not advertise itself too much, and yet it is creative and intimate.Thanks to Elizabeth and her staff.”~ Julia Deak

“I just reviewed all the award winners for the 2019 Moondance, and am writing to send you my gratitude and love to you for providing such a wonderful opportunity for nobodies like me to get noticed. I have been so touched by your kindness in every note you’ve sent me. Count me among your chief admirers; it is a privilege to know you. May nothing but goodness come your way.” ~ Kenneth L. Chumbly

“Congratulations on another successful year. Thank you kindly for allowing me to be a part of it. Three’s Company Two is my first stage play and I am thrilled to be one of the semi-finalist. Thank you again for everything. Until the next time.” ~ Robert J. Morgalo

“So thrilled! Thank you so much for the win with Cottage for Rent. Let’s hope it gets picked up for a real TV show!” ~ Sable Jak

“Yours is a lovely festival with the best name out there…” ~ Matthew Papadopoulos

“I feel so grateful, affirmed, and excited by the short story category recognition this year. “Remembrance” was also selected as a quarterfinalist in the Screencraft Cinematic Short Story category; I’m wondering if this isn’t a message from the universe, telling me to adapt it into a short screenplay. I’ve spread the word to fellow Zoetropers (and Facebook friends) to start polishing up their work to submit, once your next contest period opens.” ~ Helen Beer

“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. Sincerely” ~ Georgette Alfred

“Thank you so much for considering my film and my film went up to semifinalist. Truly 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.~ Rachele Wildmare

“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

“Glad and proud to be part of it.” ~ Guido Maria 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

“I was honored by having Moondance choose 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 Carrroll

“Very well organized and timely information.” ~ John McCarney

FILMFREEWAY MONDANCE 2019 OVERALL RATINGS BY REVIEWERS:

MOONDANCE 2019

WINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTS LISTING

WINNER, FINALIST & SEMI-FINALIST

CERTIFICATE ORDER FORM

A Moondance Hello & Some Reminders!

by Elizabeth English on September 30, 2016

“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. Kingsley

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

FOR INFO ON THE 2016 MOONDANCE,

PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINKS LOCATED ON THE WEBSITE:

FILM PROGRAM • FILM DESCRIPTIONS • FILMS SCREENED • KEYNOTE & MASTER CLASS • WORKSHOPS • WINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTS • NETWORKING EVENTS • AWARDS CEREMONY & RECEPTION • 2016 BEST ACTOR AWARDS • AUDIENCE FAVORITE FILMS • MOONDANCE SUCCESSES • MISSION STATEMENT

The 2016 Moondance Photo Album is coming soon!

Winners Anna & Adrian

ATTENTION: 2016 WINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTS:

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

ATTENTION 2016 SELECTED FILMMAKERS & WINNERS!

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.

The final deadline for ordering is October 15^th!

“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

Please subscribe to the blog & forward it to your creative artist colleagues!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

MOONDANCEFESTIVAL@GMAIL.COM

Get Ready: Moondance 2016 Is Coming Up!

by Elizabeth English on August 18, 2016

Come join us, in beautiful Boulder, Colorado!

SUNDAY & MONDAY ~ SEPTEMBER 4^th & 5^th

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

DON’T MISS THESE 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 THESE LINKS FOR MORE INFO & DETAILS:

• FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE • FILM PROGRAM • FILM DESCRIPTIONS • FILMS TO BE SCREENED • KEYNOTE & MASTER CLASS • WORKSHOP • PURCHASE TICKETS • WINNERS, FINALISTS & SEMI-FINALISTS • NETWORKING EVENTS • AWARDS CEREMONY & RECEPTION • TRAVEL TIPS • LODGING • MOONDANCE SUCCESSES • MISSION STATEMENT • 2016 BEST ACTOR AWARDS

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

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 4^th & 5^th, starting at 10:AM each day.

We are very pleased to have secured the best venue 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 stands at the forefront of special event spaces in the Rocky Mountain region.

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.

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.

SOME HAPPY 2014 MOONDANCE WINNERS!

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 17th 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.

WANT TO HELP OUT DURING THE 2016 FILM FESTIVAL?

See our list of volunteer & intern opportunities & sign-up form HERE:

Our dedicated volunteers & interns help make this event so successful!

Volunteers & interns can earn free tickets to films & workshops, based on volunteer hours!

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 Elizabeth English at: director@moondancefimfestival.com

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!

MOONDANCERS COME FROM AROUND THE WORLD!

A MOONDANCER WRITES US:

Thank you SO much for the wonderful news! I am looking into travel prices, and will most likely attend the festival. I am extremely impressed by how organized the festival seems, and how informative the website is. Thank you very much for selecting my film, “Square One”. ~ Ryan Slattery

www.moondancefilmfestival.com

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

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

EMAIL: moondancefestival@gmail.com

WEBSITE: www.moondancefilmfestival.com

BLOG: www.moondancefilmfestival.com/blog

June Moondance: Better Late Than Never!

by Elizabeth English on June 4, 2016

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

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

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

INSIDER TIPS:

WHY “GOOD ENOUGH” IS THE ENEMY TO SCREENWRITING GREATNESS

By Art Holcomb

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.

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:

ENDANGERED SPECIES MURAL PROJECT

Art takes nature as its model. ~ Aristotle

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

“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

Arctic grayling mural by Roger Peet in Butte, Montana

START A MURAL PROJECT IN YOUR TOWN!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT TODAY

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

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

MOONDANCE SUPPORTS & RECOMMENDS:

DRILLING FOR OIL OFF OUR COASTS PUTS US ALL AT RISK

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

Scientists have just announced that 93% of the Reef is now ‘bleaching’ due to warming waters – a 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?