Video Contests, Film Festivals, and Awards

MIAMI-� The Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), presented by Miami Dade College (MDC), recently announced its call for Entries for the 2010 Miami International Film Festival. The 27th edition of the annual Festival, to be held March 5 -14, 2010, will be accepting film submissions beginning June 12, 2009 in the competition and non-competition categories. The early submission deadline is September 13, 2009 and the final submission deadline is October 18, 2009. All films must meet specific criteria for eligibility including having been completed no earlier than March 2009 while films eligible for competition must not have been publicly broadcast or exhibited commercially in the United States prior to MIFF 2010.

Awards include two Knight Grand Jury Prizes of $25,000 and an additional $25,000 prize along with a MIFF Audience Award to be granted to each of the winning filmmakers of the World Competition, Ibero-American Competition and Dox Competition. A Grand Jury Prize of $2,500 for the Shorts Competition will be awarded to the winning director of this category. Within the Ibero-American Competition category, the Jordan Alexander Ressler Award will be presented, for the second year running, to the winning screenwriter with a juried prize of $5,000 to be awarded. The winning submission for the Cutting the Edge Series will receive a Special Jury Mention.

Submissions for juried competition must meet the following criteria according to each of the following categories: -
-The Ibero-American Competition is open to first, second, and third time directors only. -
-The World Competition and the Dox Competition are open to all directors. -
-The Shorts Competition is open to all directors. -
-Cutting the Edge (CTE) is open to all experimental directors and artists. -
-Miami Minis is open to projects that originate from a Florida-based production team, or was shot in the state, or has a Florida theme. These films are highlighted in the Festival�s Florida Focus segment. -
-The non-competition category Cinema 360� is open to all directors.

Submission fees are as follows: -
-Early Submissions (June 12�Sept. 13): Feature films and documentaries $30; Shorts $20; Cutting the Edge $15; Miami Minis $15. -
-Final Submissions (Sept. 14�Oct. 18): Feature films and documentaries $50; Shorts $35; Cutting the Edge $25; Miami Minis $25.

*As part of Florida Focus, all Florida filmmakers pay the early submission fees through the final submissions deadline.

Competition Categories � Open to Submissions

World Competition � (minimum 70 minutes)
This high-profile category showcases dramatic features films from around the world in their U.S. Premiere at MIFF 2010 and is open to all directors. Films are eligible for a $25,000 Grand Jury Prize and a MIFF Audience Award. Last year�s World Competition award went to The Past is a Foreign Land by Daniele Vicari (Italy), while past winners include: Tricks, Andrzej Jakimowski (Poland); Burnt Out, Fabienne Godet (France), Accused, Jacob Thuesen (Denmark); A Way of Life, Amma Asante (UK); Evil, Mikael H�fstr�m (Sweden/Denmark); The Edukators, Hans Weingartner (Germany); A Thousand Months, Faouzi Bensaidi (Morocco); Red Dust, Tom Hooper, (South Africa/UK).

Ibero-American Competition � (minimum 70 minutes) This inspiring competition unveils dramatic features by first, second, and third time directors from Latin America, Spain and Portugal in their U.S. Premiere at MIFF 2010. Ibero-American films are eligible for a $25,000 Grand Jury Prize, a MIFF Audience Award, a $5,000 Jordan Alexander Ressler Award and for various prizes granted by the International Film Guide. The winning Ibero-American film last year was Historias Exrtraordinarias, Mariano Llin�s (Argentina). Past winners include: Eat for This is My Body, Michelange Quay, (Ha�ti); Cochochi, Laura Amelia Guzm�n & Israel C�rdenas, (Mexico); Vida y color, Santiago Tabernero (Spain); Days of Santiago, Josu� M�ndez (Per�); Nicotina, Hugo Rodriguez (Mexico); La espera, Aldo Garay (Uruguay); Caja Negra, Luis Ortega (Argentina); Nada m�s, Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti (Cuba).

Dox Competition � (minimum 50 minutes) Documentary feature films from around the world are screened in this prestigious competition category. Social issues, diversity, icons and inspiring individuals are an integral part of these poignant films. All filmmakers are eligible to submit their work for MIFF 2010 at a U.S Premiere status and are eligible for a $25,000 Grand Jury Prize and a MIFF Audience Award. Last year Shakespeare and Victor Hugo�s Intimacies, Yulene Olaizola (Mexico) won in this category while past winners include: Santiago, Jo�o Moreira Salles, (Brasil); En el hoyo, Juan Carlos Rulfo, (Mexico); La Sierra, Scott Dalton and Margarita Martinez (Colombia); The Story of the Weeping Camel, Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorni (Germany); Beah: A Black Woman Speaks, Lisa Gay Hamilton (USA); �nibus 174, Jose Padilha (Brazil); Balseros, Carlos Bosch and Josep Dom�nech (Spain).

Shorts Competition � (maximum 20 minutes total running time - TRT) All genres participate in this rich and exciting selection challenging ways of thought and showcasing brief and poignant films from the world over. Each short is eligible for a $2,500 cash prize.

Cutting the Edge Competition � (no time restriction)
For its second year running this competition features experimental works on video for installation, art gallery or museum from some of the world�s most innovative filmmakers and artists.

Miami Minis � (maximum 20 minutes TRT) As part of the Florida Focus segment this competition showcases short films linked in some way to the state of Florida, whether filmmaker, production team or theme. The category includes comedies, animation, thrillers, drama, vignettes and experimental works.

Non-Competition Category � Open to Submissions

Cinema 360� � Feature and documentary films from around the world
Amazing works from the masters and from up-and-coming filmmakers are featured in a vibrant array of films from all corners of the world. Compelling dramas, poignant biographies, innovative docudramas, neo westerns, comedies and groundbreaking documentaries offer a 360� perspective of our world.

Florida Focus � Opening of submissions to be announced

The Festival proudly celebrates the latest works from Floridian filmmakers and/or films that touch on themes relative to Florida. Feature films and documentaries are showcased in this special section devoted to the Sunshine State.

Student Social Short Film High School and College Competitions - (maximum 15 minutes TRT)
As part of Florida Focus, these two competitions are open to any student in Florida at the high school and at the college/university levels. Film submissions must include a socially relevant component and may be part of a class project or an independent piece. Submissions will be open October 2nd and for more information visit the MIFF website.

SUBMISSION FORM
The official submission form and additional information are available online at http://www.miamifilmfestival.com/or call 305-237-FILM (3456).

Miami International Film Festival Media Contact:
Daniella Sforza � 305-237-7879 or [email protected]

Miami Dade College Media Contacts:
Juan C. Mendieta � 305-237-7611 or [email protected]
Alejandro Rios � 305-237-7482 or [email protected]

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Miami International Film Festival, celebrating its 26th edition in 2009, has become a leading cultural destination event, and is considered the finest Ibero-American film festival in the U.S. The Festival, presented each year in March, attracts more than 75,000 audience members and over 400 filmmakers, producers, talent and industry professionals. In the last five years, the Festival has presented films from more than 60 countries, including 300 East Coast, U.S. and World Premieres. Because of MIFF programs such as Miami Encuentros and a special focus on Ibero-American cinema, the Miami International Film Festival has been a natural gateway for the discovery of Ibero-American talent. Additionally, the Festival offers unparalleled educational opportunities to filmmakers and the community at large, including the REEL Education Seminar Series, the World Issues World Film outreach program, and MIFF Abroad, a cross-cultural venture created to cultivate the next generation of Ibero-American filmmakers. For more information please visit our website http://www.miamifilmfestival.com/or call 305.237.MIFF (3456).

MIAMI DADE COLLEGE
Miami Dade College has a long and rich history of involvement in the cultural arts, providing South Florida with a vast array of artistic and literary offerings including The Miami Book Fair International, the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, the Cultura del Lobo performance series, The Cuban Cinema Series, nine visual arts galleries including The Freedom Tower at Miami Dade College and the School of Entertainment and Design Technology in addition to the renowned Miami International Film Festival. MDC is the largest institution of higher education in the country and is nationally recognized for many of its academic and cultural programs. With an enrollment of more than 170,000 students, MDC is the nation�s top producer of associate in arts and science degrees. The college�s eight campuses and outreach centers offer nearly 300 distinct degree programs including several baccalaureate degrees. For more information on Miami Dade College, please visit http://www.mdc.edu/main/.