Congratulations to the winners of the 2021 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2021 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition.

We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

First Place

Petrov by Ryan Patch of Sun Valley, CA

In 1983, a Soviet Air Watch officer must make the most important decision of his life when he learns that the USA has launched five nuclear missiles at the USSR. A true story based on declassified Russian documents.

Second Place

Ella by Rodgers Wilson of Phoenix, AZ

Based on a true story, The first Black female physician in Louisiana faces misogyny, and racism in the early 20th Century as she embarks on a new career in the segregated south.

Third Place

MIJO by John McCarney of Goodyear, AZ  

As the Second American Civil War rages, an American father risks his life to get his son across the border to safety in Mexico.

Finalists

What's Wrong With Me? by Shawna Baca of Los Angeles, AZ

A young Indigenous woman must battle to escape the mental purgatory that she is trapped in before it consumes her.

The Basement by James Burns of Phoenix, AZ

Trapped in a cage in his father’s basement, a young boy fights to escape with his life; but when he discovers his father’s dark secret, things become a little more complicated than he imagined.

CHAT by Kim Hornsby of Seattle, WA

When a plain accountant attracts the online attention of a handsome man quarantined in a London Hotel room, she plays out the escalating and creepy relationship to the end just like she planned.

Divorce By Combat! by Carl Huebner of Brooklyn, NY

A novice attorney must defend an adulterous queen against the king's champion in an unconventional legal proceeding where the courtroom is a gladiatorial arena.

Jessie by John McCarney of Goodyear, AZ  

An elderly passenger confronts a mysterious young stranger on a city bus in 1955 Alabama.

Graveyard Girl by Sixa Monmarché of Gilbert, AZ

A deaf cemetery groundskeeper falls for an abused teen with supernatural powers and plots a robbery to help her escape her tortured life.

Heroes and Villains by Collin O'Brien of Scottsdale, AZ

A young superfan finds out that he's fighting for the wrong side and tries to become the hero he wants to be.

Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2020 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition.

We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

First Place

Zap! by Philip Sedgwick of Tucson, AZ

An astronomer sharing backyard observations of the center of our galaxy has a run-in with mosquitoes, and a not so trusty bug zapper.

Second Place

One Afternoon In Purgatory by Timothy Kissel of Downingtown, PA

Imagine Purgatory as just another large, impersonal, retail store. One that has seen its better days, with all the panache of a rundown Walmart or aged super market. It's the story of three recently deceased individuals, and the interactions they have with the three cashiers who wait on them.

Third Place

MIJO by John McCarney of Goodyear, AZ  

As the Second American Civil War rages, an American father risks his life to get his son across the border to safety in Mexico.

Finalists

Continental Breakfast by Butterfly Cherry of Chandler, AZ

An overly imaginative girl finds creative ways to escape the mundane, desolate life of working and living in an old roadside motel in the middle of nowhere.

Downballot by John Goshorn of Statesboro, GA

A small-town Georgia politician tries to claw his way back to power by any means necessary.

Confession by Max La Caria of Peoria, AZ

A man makes his confessions for his past sins.

Mullarkey's Ghosts by Lesley Lillywhite of Tucson, AZ

As an urban couple celebrates an anniversary in Arizona, ghosts from the old west conspire to unravel their secrets.

Safe by Walter Long of Phoenix, AZ

A grieving young boy finds a way to remember his lost mother using his love of baseball.

An Unfinished Agenda by Philip Sedgwick of Tucson, AZ

Two journalists, previously separated in a war zone, reunite in the Arizona desert to document vigilante activities and catch up with their incomplete personal agenda.

The Eulogist by Peter Strupp of Carefree, AZ

A cynical eulogist receives a postmortem visit from one of his "clients," in a conversation that forever changes his outlook on life and death.

Punked by Kate Whitehead of Toronto, Ontario Canada

Punk rocker Daryl attempts to save his marriage in the divorce court parking lot, but his wife Renee proves resistant to his well-hidden charm.

Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Search

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2018 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition. We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

First Place

The Siberian Trap by Jeffrey Howe

An FBI agent investigating the death of a gay Chechen refugee masters chess to extract what she needs from an informant -- and learns the true meaning of "pawn sacrifice."

Second Place

Stranger by Shervin Kermani

An old, deep, nonchalant voice resounds throughout a papier maché mock up of the universe, filled with planets and stars. Far from serious, this is a quirky, rough voiced but sentimental “God” here to tell his most upsetting tale: a great love story that never happens.

Third Place

Saline County, Illinois by Jeffrey Howe  

A meticulous 1890s stationmaster finds a widow and her young children abandoned on his station platform.

Finalists

Ozzy by Chris Hoshnic

A disobedient dachshund attempts to train himself for his new owner when a dog-shaped gift is placed under the Christmas tree.

Costume Drama by Ben Gruner and Tyler Garn 

A young girl gets more than she bargains for on Halloween when things get a little too real.

The High Dive by Brian Patterson

Four generations of Soliz men take in the sun at the water park. Two of them, Eddie and his great-grandfather, Naldo, each face an important rite of passage.

The Rental by L. P. Lee

A London tenant must find a new place to live or be forced to make a life-changing sacrifice.

The Confectionery Prince by Jeffrey Howe

When the Queen's Steward tries to kill the newborn heir to the throne, the Royal Confectioner finds herself entangled in a plan to stop him -- but destiny comes in more than one flavor.

Going Back by Rebecca Semik

Bobbi faces the choice between her past first love and her present fiance. Her future depends on whether she can find closure with her past.

Here to stay by John Kestner and Bill Pierce

The sad final ending to one of America's first rockers: Danny Rapp abruptly ends a tour and takes his own life in a Quartzsite, Arizona motel room. Based on a true story.

Contact information for winning screenplays is available for producers by emailing submissions@phxfilm.com.

Here they are... the posters for the 2017 Phoenix Film Festival

Thanks to the hard work and talents of Phoenix Film Festival Art Director Marty Freetage and Designers Lisa Maria Lara, Alex Patrick Merrill, Amy Borenstein, and Brittney Rislund we are proud to unveil the official posters for the 2017 Phoenix Film Festival!

Pulp Fiction
Designer: Marty Freetage
Photographer: NBMA Photography

 

Toy Story
Designer: Alex Patrick Merrill

 

North By Northwest
Designer: Amy Borenstein
Photographer: NBMA Photography

 

Say Anything
Designer: Brittney Rislund
Photographer: NBMA Photography

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International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Festival
TRON
Designer: Lisa Maria Lara

Presenting De Palma Week!

See some of your favorite movies back on the big screen as the Phoenix Film Festival presents De Palma Week.

You know Brian De Palma from his amazing slate of movies from over the last forty years including iconic films like Carrie and Scarface. In June, we’ll be celebrating this legendary filmmaker with a retrospective of his career and a screening of the new documentary, De Palma -- all at the Harkins 101 in North Phoenix. But the coolest part about it is you helped us choose one of the films!

On June 13th, we’ll be screening Carrie on the big screen at the Harkins 101

On June 14th, we’ll say hello to Scarface.

For the June 15th screening, as our Audience Choice screening, you chose... Dressed to Kill !

So here's our lineup for De Palma week:

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2016

CARRIE

Directed by Brian De Palma Starring: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving

Synopsis: In this chilling adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel, withdrawn and sensitive teen Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) faces taunting from classmates at school and abuse from her fanatically pious mother (Piper Laurie) at home. When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she has supernatural powers. Invited to the prom by the empathetic Tommy Ross (William Katt), Carrie tries to let her guard down, but things eventually take a dark and violent turn.

A discussion will follow the film.

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR CARRIE

TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2016

SCARFACE

Directed by Brian De Palma Starring: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer

Synopsis: After getting a green card in exchange for assassinating a Cuban government official, Tony Montana (Al Pacino) stakes a claim on the drug trade in Miami. Viciously murdering anyone who stands in his way, Tony eventually becomes the biggest drug lord in the state, controlling nearly all the cocaine that comes through Miami. But increased pressure from the police, wars with Colombian drug cartels and his own drug-fueled paranoia serve to fuel the flames of his eventual downfall.

A discussion will follow the film.

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR SCARFACE

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2016

DRESSED TO KILL

Directed by Brian De Palma Starring: Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, Nancy Allen

Synopsis: When Liz Blake (Nancy Allen), a prostitute, sees a mysterious woman brutally slay homemaker Kate Miller (Angie Dickinson), she finds herself trapped in a dangerous situation. While the police think Liz is the murderer, the real killer wants to silence the crime's only witness. Only Kate's inventor son, Peter (Keith Gordon), believes Liz. Peter and Liz team up to find the real culprit, who has an unexpected means of hiding her identity and an even more surprising motivation to kill.

A discussion will follow the film.

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR DRESSED TO KILL

THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 2016

DE PALMA

Directed by Noah Baumbach, Jake Paltrow

Synopsis: One of the most talented, influential, and iconoclastic filmmakers of all time, Brian De Palma's career started in the 60s and has included such acclaimed and diverse films as Carrie, Dressed to Kill, Blow Out, Scarface, The Untouchables, Carlito's Way, and Mission: Impossible. In this lively, illuminating and unexpectedly moving documentary, directors Noah Baumbach and Jake Paltrow engage in a personal and candid discussion with De Palma, exploring not only his life and work but also his singular approach to the craft of filmmaking and his remarkable experiences navigating the film business, from his early days as the bad boy of New Hollywood to his more recent years as a respected veteran of the field. In the end, what emerges is a funny, honest, and incisive portrait of a truly one-of-a-kind artist, and an exhilarating behind-the-scenes look at the last 50 years of the film industry through the eyes of someone who has truly seen it all.

A discussion will follow the film.

Click here to check out the trailer for De Palma - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97XoMjwoZ5w

Tickets are not available for purchase for this film. Stay tuned to learn how you can win tickets to see De Palma!

Tickets to Carrie, Scarface and Dressed to Kill are on sale now and are just $5.00 each. We will also have a special advanced screening of the new documentary De Palma on June 16th, but that's not a ticket you can buy! You have to win them. Not to worry. We’ll have several opportunities for you to win tickets leading up to De Palma Week and of course at the screenings of Carrie, Scarface and Dressed to Kill. All screenings will be held at the Harkins Scottsdale 101 with a post-film discussion following each.

Join us as the Phoenix Film Festival celebrates Brian De Palma!

Click here to get your tickets - http://www.brownpapertickets.com/profile/2093

SILENT AUCTION EXTENDED!

It's become one of your favorite events at the Phoenix Film Festival and this year's Silent Auction HAS BEEN EXTENDED! Continue the excitement of the 2016 Phoenix Film Festival Silent Auction!  We have opened the Auction for "Part Deux".  Starting today, April 12th through Sunday, April 17th at 6pm, you have the opportunity to bid on a very limited list of items.  Opening bids as low as $5 on some items valued at over $100 and more.

All auction proceeds go to Phoenix Film Foundation, a 501c3 Non-profit Organization, whose purpose is to support and develop the growth of independent filmmaking in Arizona.

All you need to do is click on our auction site HERE to see all of the amazing items!

Can't make it to the festival? No problem. This year, we will be online with many of our auction items, so everyone can join in on the fun.

All you need to do is click on our auction site HERE.

WE HAVE SOME AMAZING AUCTION ITEMS THIS YEAR!

Check back soon to see some of the cool items you could be bringing home!

WANT TO BE A BIDDER?

If you were a bidder with us last year, your login information still works for this year. If you are a new bidder this year, WELCOME!

[button link="https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/user/register.action?auctionId=256893164&showingBilling=true" type="big" color="red" newwindow="yes"] BECOME A BIDDER[/button]

Be ready to bid on items the moment our auction goes live by registering early for your bidder number.

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HAVE AN ITEM TO DONATE?

The Phoenix Film Foundation is a 501c3 and depends on the kindness of donations from the community. Do you have something that you would like to donate to the Foundation for our Silent Auction? If so, contact Brenda at Brenda@phxfilm.com. [/box]

Get to Know Your PFF 2016 Filmmakers - Valerie Weiss

It's that time of the year again! PFF 2016 is just around the corner and we want to introduce you to some of our newest filmmakers.  This week we chatted with the team from A Light Beneath Their Feet, and the film's director Valerie Weiss. 

What should festival goers know about your film? 

A Light Beneath Their Feet is a commanding performance, Taryn Manning (Orange Is The New Black) plays Gloria, an Evanston mother wrestling with bipolar disorder and an imminent empty nest. Her dedicated daughter Beth (Madison Davenport) has a bright future ahead, but must decide if she will stay near home to care for her unpredictable mom or follow her own path.

How did you first learn about the Phoenix Film Festival, and what made it the right fit for your film?

We produced a movie called Bread and Butter directed by Liz Manashil that screened at the Phoenix Film Festival. Liz raved about the festival so we decided we couldn’t miss it this year!

What are you most looking forward to at the festival?

Our writer, Moira McMahon Leeper, will be attending and representing the film. I know she is very excited about the whole idea of the festival and sharing our film with the amazing audiences of Phoenix.

What do you most enjoy about the independent film world?

Being able to tackle topics that can have a profound affect on our society and help change the world we live in.

What projects are you currently working on?

Valerie Weiss, our director, is directing a feminist coming-of-age action film called The Archer that shoots in April 2016.  PhD Productions has several other films and television shows in development. Feel free to get in touch for more info!

Tickets and Passes are on sale NOW!

Passes and tickets are available now for the 2016 Phoenix Film Festival! We have a great line up of films for you this year. Check out our SCHEDULE! The schedule is arranged by venue and gives you a great visual of when everything is happening.

And, of course, if you don't have your passes or tickets yet, CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.

Purchasing your passes online through Brown Paper Tickets will allow you to choose what films you would like to see right on the web. Then when you come to the Phoenix Film Festival Ticket office, you can get your passes and tickets all at once! It couldn't be easier.

We are also available to help you purchase tickets at the Festival office by calling 480-513-3195.

See you at the Festival!

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