We welcome work of any age from active narrative filmmakers-- the best and shortest work to serve as an "introduction" and glimpse of their film voice for whatever features, television or other media they may also work on. Revitalize your best work of all time, not just your best of the past 5 minutes. Connect with other filmmakers through your best work.
A narrative short film festival, networking celebration, and awards ceremony, Connect is a *filmmaker's festival* that focuses on engaging every member of cast and crew.
In addition to the annual festival we hold a screening series in Los Angeles, Austin Texas and other locations (www.filmfreeway.com/festival/connectscreenings). Films accepted to the annual festival are automatically considered for the screening series and eligible to screen in multiple locations.
Awards include a rare focus on technical and theatrical achievement (in addition to Best Picture categories), with several Best Actor awards and crew awards such as Cinematography, Post-Production, and Sound. Special awards also additionally highlight female achievement in film.
CFF focuses on "connecting" creatives and celebrating achievement, with a judging panel of active filmmakers and events conducive to filmmaker collaboration.
Connect focuses on direct community building with multiple locations and events: A large annual festival for LA-based filmmakers with ongoing screenings in Melbourne, Australia and a new series starting in Austin, Texas in 2016. International filmmakers and those unable to attend are integrated into the community with video intros, encouraging inter-connectivity.
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IMPORTANT FOR NON- LA, Melbourne, or Texas based applicants:
If selected to screen, either an in person or video introduction is required for one member of the filmmaking team.
At least one of the award-eligible filmmakers (director, producer, two lead actors, cinematographer, sound, post-production) must be currently residing within driving distance of either Los Angeles, Austin, or Melbourne, Australia, *or* available for an interview or recorded introduction to share with the community.
Narrative films 2 - 20 minutes made by Los Angeles filmmakers, Texan filmmakers, and Australian filmmakers; filmmakers from other regions are also welcome to apply, however please review guidelines to make sure the festival suits your focus-- as a community-building event, involvement via Skype interview or Los Angeles "filmmaker representative" who was involved in shooting or post-production on the film is mandatory. This is a filmmaker's festival as well as a film festival.
2014 and 2015 Connect films screened at Cannes and won awards in festivals in Toronto, Melbourne, Los Angeles, Houston, and Berlin. Connect is an IMDB-listed event and awards are IMDB listed.
An idea born in a pub and raised in an art space, Connect celebrates superb short films and encourages a vibrant filmmaker community.
Revitalising what can be an exhausting “festival circuit,” Connect strives to inspire filmmakers to “connect with other creatives, and find future collaborators.”
Connect a great audience, great filmmakers, and great energy!
• Watch the best short films, not the best of the last 5 minutes:
Connect shows older work as well as current festival hits.
• Connect with superb filmmakers:
Focused on local filmmakers (Los Angeles, Melbourne, Austin), Connect also includes international submissions. Wherever they originate, every film must have a filmmaker representative either in Los Angeles or available for a Skype interview/video intro. "Filmmaker representative" can be any member of cast or crew who worked on the actual production of the film.
• Value crew as well as director and cast:
Awards at Connect honour achievement from both sides of the lens. Current spotlights include Acting, Cinematography, Film Editing, and Sound.
• Celebrate:
Connect celebrates socialising as integral to creative process. Non-filmmakers and aspiring filmmakers are welcome to come celebrate. Cheers! ☺
For a sample of the creative community Connect Film Festival encourages, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6o9eywXPbQ
Many IMDb listed awards! Straight up cash prize for Best Picture, no "valued at" promotional stuff; trophies for all other categories, official selection awards, laurels.
Connect is run by filmmakers. We respect your films and it is an honor to share the celebration and awards, we love helping to promote the careers and visibility of our filmmakers.
13 IMDB listed awards including two Best Actor awards, technical/crew categories, and special recognition for women in film and Australian films. Cash award for Best Picture. Official selection laurels granted for all films to screen. Short list notification.
IMDB-approved awards currently include the following categories:
• Best Cinematographer
• Best Actor/Actress (2 awards)
• Best Picture/Director/Producer (Shared award),
• Best Drama
• Best Comedy "Golden Horse"
• Best Sound & Music
• Best Post-Production
Additional awards recognizing women in film include:
• Writing: Bechdel award for storytelling (open to men as well, 2015 winner was male)
• Directing: Best Female Director, an award endorsed by The Director List
Two Australian-Focused awards:
• "Straight to the Poolroom!" Best Aussie comedy
• Best Australian Drama
Please note: All films selected to screen are "official selections" and receive laurels from Connect Film Festival. Our awards ceremony is a boisterous and surprisingly supportive affair-- as much about pushing each other to achieve as recognizing excellence. IMDB-listed awards directly link to filmmaker's IMDB profiles and are managed by IMDB.