“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!
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 clickHEREfor the form to request it & pay only the minimal postage & handling.
The final deadline for ordering is October 15th!
“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!
You may also submit your entry to Moondance via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:
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.
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:
“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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“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
ENVIRONMENTAL ALERTS
INDONESIA’S ORANGUTANS SUFFER AS FIRES RAGE
Excerpts from an article by: Joe Cochrane • April 5, 2016 • The New York Times
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
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.
FUN FACTS: THE BAGEL LEGEND
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
Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!
Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
You may also submit your entry to Moondance via Withoutabox or FilmFreeway:
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.
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.
Festival Founder, Executive Director & Creative Director
MICHEL ZGARKA
2016 Festival Executive Producer
GEORGES LECLERE
2016 Festival Executive Producer – USA/ International
ALAN ROGERS
2016 Festival Executive Producer – Sponsorships
YSÉ BRISSON
2016 Festival European Executive Producer
We look forward to meeting you in Montreal!
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
MOONDANCE RECOMMENDS & SUPPORTS:
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.
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:
The African Wildlife Foundation, together with the people of Africa, works to ensure the wildlife and wild lands of Africa will endure forever.
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:
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT TODAY:
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
“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
Thank you for your interest in the Moondance International Film Festival!
Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!
CALL-FOR-ENTRIES EXTENDED FINAL DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: JUNE 30TH
For your best chance, send in your entry RIGHT NOW!
FILMS, SCRIPTS & FILM SCORES may be submitted to Moondance by the director, producers,cinematographer, DP, film score composer, writer, editor or lead actor(s), with permission from the producer/director, as needed!
Our submission categories:
Feature, short, documentary, & animation films, music videos, screenplays, stageplays, radio plays, short stories, treatments, kids scripts & films, TV pilots, and more!
Moondance was recently listed by MovieMaker magazine as one of the top 50 film festival competitions worth the entry fee!
Moondance now also accepts scripts for judging in these languages: FRENCH, SPANISH, GERMAN, DUTCH & AFRICAANS.
Our foreign-language readers are published writers & an award-winning screenwriter!
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, composers and the world of top-quality filmed entertainment.
Withoutabox for Moondance International Film Festival is now fully active for this season’s call for entries: www.withoutabox.com/login/1240
The Moondance International Film Festival is always independent, uncensored, totally unfettered, often irreverent, sometimes controversial, always entertaining, and definitely not beholden to any special interests! We select films, written works and music with these criteria: a unique story, well-told.
Moondancers are part of an amazing worldwide entertainment community; a unique collaboration of multi-talented writers, filmmakers, and film score composers. 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.
In our continuing efforts to promote top-quality original filmmaking, writing and music composition by talented artists from around the world, the Moondance International Film Festival is very pleased to announce that our festival competitions have brought in great submissions, in all categories, from: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Grand Cayman, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Republic, the UK & US, Venezuela, and more!
WHY THE “TOMORROWLAND” LEAD CHANGED FROM MALE TO FEMALE:
Britt Robertson, “Tomorrowland”, Disney
“Tomorrowland” character Casey was originally written for a male actor, but a switch to a female lead was better for the script, according to co-writer Damon Lindelof. “There is a completely false perception of, ‘Well, our main character is interested in space travel, so it’s gotta be a boy,’ but the first time I said, ‘Well, what if it was a young girl’… It just felt like it was exactly right for us,” Lindelof said. “It’ll be nice in 10 or 15 years for this not to be a thing anymore,” he added. Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, working to create positive images of girls and women in media & entertainment:www.seejane.org
A MOONDANCER WRITES US:
“I love that you have a music portion as part of your festival. The composers and others who create original music for film get too little attention at festivals. I’m really proud of both the score and the original music in my film.” ~ Mikki Del Monico, award-winningfilmmaker, screenwriter, Venice Beach, CA, www.mikidel.com
SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER:
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel have read only one page.” ~St. Augustine
Photo: Dominique Browning “When we say, ‘This is the best I can do for now…’, there is nobility in the effort, courage in the the doggedness. It is a process of trying and perhaps failing. Of beginning again. And so it is with the search for meaning – like writing, its rewards spring not from the finished product but from the integrity of the process, from the act of holding up one’s own end…” ~ Dani Shapiro
The Moondance winners’ star award The Moondance Star Award “I am not what happened to me; I am what I choose to become!” ~ Carl Jung
Hopi Second Mesa, www.imgsoup.com “Silence can be fertilizing, it can bathe the imagination, it can, as in great open spaces – be the nimbus of a way of life, a condition of vision.” ~ Adrienne Rich
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY TODAY! DON’T BE A SNAIL!
Please forward this news-blog to your creative artist colleagues!
