Toronto Palestine Film Festival seeking entries

The Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) is now accepting entries for the first annual festival to be held in October 2008.

Conceived by Palestine House, the festival is an important component of the year-long activities commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Nakba. Cinema represents a powerful means for visually interpreting the collective identity and historic struggle of the Palestinian people. The festival will present in film the extraordinary narrative of a dispossessed people living in exile or under Israeli occupation and will introduce Canadian audiences to the rich variety of Palestinian cinema.

While highlighting the work of Palestinian filmmakers the festival will showcase the diverse and creative work of all filmmakers (any nationality) exploring both historic and contemporary themes related to Palestinian culture, experience, and narrative.

Eligibility

TPFF will showcase the diverse and creative work of all Palestinian filmmakers wherever they live, exploring both historic and contemporary themes related to Palestinian culture, experience and narrative.

The TPFF Selection Committee accepts films, videos and digital media in the following categories: feature films, documentaries, shorts (including animated or experimental works) and youth work (created by filmmakers under the age of 18).

Entries can be of any length. All foreign language entries must be subtitled in English. Entries should be produced between 2003 and 2008. Any works currently in production may be submitted as rough cuts but, if selected, must be provided in final form with English subtitles by 30 August 2008.

Formats accepted for submission (for the selection process only): DVD/VHS (PAL or NTSC) or QuickTime movies on CD (for shorts or youth work only).

Formats accepted for exhibition (for presentation at the festival): film, 35mm and 16mm; video, DigiBeta or BetaSP (NTSC preferred); digital, DV and Mini DV (DVDs are not acceptable unless they are for short films of under 15 minutes).

Deadlines

Early submission deadline: 30 March 2008; extended submission deadline: 30 April 2008.

Filmmakers will be notified of selections via email by 30 July 2008. This will be followed by letters of acceptance mailed to all filmmakers whose works have been selected for inclusion in the festival. Film selections will be publicly

Instructions for Submission

Entries submitted for screening must include the following:

1. Completed entry
2. Two copies of each entry in DVD/VHS format (PAL or NTSC) or CD (QuickTime movie)
3. Brief description or synopsis of entry (40-50 words) in English or Arabic
4. Brief biography of filmmaker and any previous screenings, awards or promotional materials on the entry submitted
5. Two or more digital still photos from your film (300 dpi) for use in promotional materials

Entries must be postmarked by the submission deadline date. The entry form may be submitted by mail or fax prior to media and other materials being shipped.

All other documents (in Microsoft Word, RTF or plain ASCII text format) or photos (in JPEG or TIFF format) may be submitted via email (if overall file size is less than 5 MB). For larger file sizes submit via CD mailed to the address below.

To avoid damage to any materials shipped, please use bubble wrap mailers or boxes when mailing submissions. Please label all media with the title and date of the work.

Preview copies of all entries submitted will not be returned; they will be retained by TPFF and added to our library of submissions for future review.

Note: The shipping cost is the sole responsibility of the owner/distributor. TPFF is only responsible for the return shipping of the exhibited film/video to its owner/distributor. Our staff will take every precaution in handling all films and videos. However, TPFF cannot accept or assume responsibility for damage to, or loss of, materials submitted.

TPFF will consider paying for the cost of shipping materials for international or youth entries. Please contact us via email to make your request.

Submit Entries To:
TPFF Selection Committee Toronto Palestine Film Festival
102A-1075 Bay Street Suite 148
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2B2 Canada
Fax: 905-270-3628
Email: submissions@tpff.ca
Web: http:www.tpff.ca

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