Freeky Creek Short Film Festival: Final Call for Submission

Freaky: \ˈfrē-kē\ (adj.); weird, somewhat frightening, strange or unusual; bizarre; conspicuously or grossly unconventional.

If you’re an amateur filmmaker with a “freeky” film, we want to see it!  Sleepy Creek Vineyards is holding its first annual Freeky Creek Film Festival on Halloween weekend (Oct. 29 through Oct. 31) of 2010.

We are seeking short films with running times no more than 20 min. (10 min. or less would be ideal) with freaky, frightening, and funny content in the spirit of the Halloween season.  Halloween is about scaring and being scared, but it’s also a time to mock the things that frighten us, so comedy is appreciated (but not required)!

The event will be held at our winery, just south of Oakwood, IL (directions found at www.sleepycreekvineyards.com).

Important Dates
Submission Deadline:  Monday, Sept. 20
Final Films Selected:  by Monday, Oct. 4
Screening of Films: 
- Friday, Oct. 29 @ 8 p.m. – voting
- Saturday, Oct. 30 @ 8 p.m. – voting & Awards Night
- Sunday, Oct. 31 @ 6 p.m. – encore screening


Submission Details
All submitted films must be original material (including soundtrack).  The act of submitting your film will serve as your verification that the work is original.  If a submission is deemed to include the copyrighted work of others, the submission will be rejected, and the submission fee will not be refunded.

All submitted materials MUST be mailed/shipped.  We will NOT accept ANY files sent via email.  Currently, we do not accept submissions through Withoutabox.

We are committed to completely screening every film submitted before the deadline.

Submission Fee: $5, non-refundable.  Make checks payable to Sleepy Creek Vineyards
 
Materials REQUIRED for Submission (DO NOT send via email):
- DVD or QuickTime file
- Synopsis of film
- $5 non-refundable submission fee
- Contact information:
EMAIL
Contact name
Phone
Address
- OPTIONAL:  JPEG (to represent film in printed material)
- OPTIONAL:  Trailer

Mail to:
Sleepy Creek Vineyards
ATTN: FCFF
8254 E. 1425 North Rd.
Fairmount, IL 61841
 

Awards & Prize Money
Awards will include the following categories:
    Best Film
    Special Jury Prize
    Best Actor
    Best Animated Short
    Funniest
    Freakiest
    Best F/X
Audience and Jury voting will determine winners.
Cash prizes will be awarded for some categories, including Best Film.


The Venue and Organizers
Sleepy Creek Vineyards (see www.sleepycreekvineyards.com) is an avid supporter of the arts, and prides itself on offering unique art exhibits, music, and film experiences.  The tasting room at Sleepy Creek will be set up to accommodate approx. 70 people per screening.  All films will be screened in high definition on a 12 ft. screen.  Most of the money from entry fees and ticket sales will go to the winning filmmakers.

Vineyard owner, Joe Taylor, and Festival Coordinator, Bill Kephart, began collaborating on film projects after meeting at a local film club, Champaign Movie Makers.  Inspired by the work of fellow group members and knowing there were other amateur filmmakers seeking a venue for their unusual short films, they established this festival


Miscellaneous Details
This is Sleepy Creek’s first film festival, so we’re still ironing out the details.   While we anticipate a 3 to 4 hr. program, 3 screening nights, and 2 nights of voting, these details are subject to change depending on the number of submissions and audience response.
 
Notifications of acceptance and details of the event will be communicated via email.

Questions may be submitted to:  Bill Kephart at filmfest@sleepycreekvineyards.com