It's almost time to submit to the 2015 PFF!

Even though memories of the Party Pavilion and sold-out crowds are still fresh in our minds, we can't help but get excited about the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival.

Notice anything about the year? That's right! 2015 marks the 15th Annual Phoenix Film Festival happening from March 26 - April 2, 2015 and we want YOU to be there as a filmmaker.

Ok, we are not open for submissions YET, but submissions will open in August. So get those finishing touches on your film. Color correct away! Balance that audio! CUT! Because with only 150 films throughout the week, we want to see the best you have to offer.

Check back in August for the official call for submissions and we hope to see you in 2015!

2015 Phoenix Film Festival Call for Entries!

THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR THE 2015 PHOENIX FILM FESTIVAL HAS ENDED.

We will notify all filmmakers in February 2015.

The Phoenix Film Festival, fresh off its best year yet, is planning for another big year and we want you to be a part of this great filmmaker event.

The PFF has been named one of The 25 Coolest Film Festivals and a Top 50 Worth the Entry Fee by MovieMaker Magazine and has been called the most filmmaker-friendly festival out there.

The Phoenix Film Festival annually screens over 150 films, holds amazing parties and provided filmmaking seminars to capacity audiences. Over 23,000 attendees enjoy the 8 day festival.  The Festival takes place all in one convenient location and is held on 7 screens at the state of the art Harkins Scottsdale 101. All parties and workshops are held in the Party Pavilion just outside the theatre. Which means everything you need is right on site.

But don't just take our word for it. Check out what some of our past filmmakers had to say about the Phoenix Film Festival:

"Of all the film festivals I've been to Phoenix was by far the most relaxed and fun, with great enthusiastic audiences and interesting engaging films.  I love the Phoenix Film Festival and can't wait to go back." - Matt Rabinowitz, Director of "The Frontier"

"The people of the Phoenix Film Festival seem to instinctively know what filmmakers need: Encouragement, fun and so often overlooked in the film world- kinship. I don't know how, but PFF understands. All the filmmakers felt pampered, not just by the amazing screening facility or the cool parties but by the warmth and real friendship extended. Never have I been to a film festival where camaraderie, instead of competition between filmmakers was fostered, where fun and imagination was extended from the film making process and into the film screening experience. PFF wasn't just a place to screen to the filmmakers there, but the time of their lives." - Eddie Jemison, Director of "King of Herrings

"From the minute you land, they scoop you up and make you a part of their family. They've carefully created an itinerary designed to bring you closer with your filmmaker brethren, and these are friendships I will have a lifetime. The film selection is varied and strong, the venue is top notch, but most importantly, the people working the festival are warm, helpful, and just plain fun, from those running the show to the volunteers helping seat 

people. I very much look forward to returning with all my future films, and will be singing this festival's praises to whomever will listen." - Mark Stolaroff, Producer of "The House that Jack Built"

"Can I coin a phrase to talk about the Phoenix Film Festival? Let's call it the "ultimate fest experience" or maybe "fest quest achieved!" Ok, so maybe I can't coin a phrase that's catchy. But regardless, all indie filmmakers go to festivals with goals in mind whether it's audience feedback or networking. The Phoenix Film Festival exceeded all my expectations and raised the bar for what a festival experience should be. The audiences the PFF attracted were the biggest and best I have seen anywhere. Not to mention they were excited, engaged and intelligent film-goers - the exact people you want at your screenings! I enjoyed a sold-out show for my film 45RPM and received thoughtful feedback and encouragement from viewers and filmmakers alike." - Juli Jackson, Director of "45 RPM"

"I don’t need to tell you that filmmakers often exist in a vacuum as they toil to make their films come to life. The fact that I was invited to screen my film, not once but 3 times, was really great. The Phoenix Film Festival is pure heaven for any filmmaker. I highly recommend it." - Whitney Ransick, Director of "Misfire:The Rise and Fall of the Shooting Gallery"

Thank you to all of the hard-working filmmakers who entered! Good luck and we hope to see you at the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival!

2015 Phoenix Film Festival Award Winners

On Sunday night, the Copper Wing Award Winners were announced at the Sunday Night Award Party in the Party Pavilion. It was a big night for so many of our filmmakers and we look forward to having encore screenings of many of the winners this week. Below are the winners....

 Click here to see the schedule for the festival

Feature Film Awards

Best Arizona Feature: Unsound

Best Acting Ensemble: Wildlike

Best Screenplay:Frank Hall Green, Wildlike

Best Director: Khalil Sullins, Listening

Best Documentary: Angel of Nanjing

Best Picture:Wildlike

Cox Audience Award: Far from Home

World Cinema Awards

Best World Cinema Short: In the Clouds

Best World Cinema Documentary: Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyong Yang

Best World Cinema Director: Zdenek Jirasky, In Silence

Best World Cinema Picture: In Silence

World Cinema Audience Award Winner: Glories of Tango

International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Fest Awards

Best Sci-Fi  Short: Air

Best Sci-Fi Feature: Clew

Best Horror Short: Dead Hearts

Best Horror Feature: Blood Punch

Short Film Awards

Best College Short: Drone

Best Arizona Short: Ouroboros

Best Short Documentary: Anna

Best Animated Short: The Ocean Maker

Best Live Action Short: Contrapelo

Foundation Awards

Arizona Filmmaker of the Year: Randy Murray

Volunteer of the Year: Dan Gluck

Dr Sydney K Shapiro Humanitarian Award: Angel of Nanjng

Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition!

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival Short Screenplay Competition. We are very excited to announce this year's winners!

First Place: Tattoo by R. Wayne Gray from Welles River, Vermont.

The wife of an old man is less-than-thrilled when he tells her he wants to get a tattoo..

• $300 from the Phoenix Film Foundation
• One InkTip.com Script Listing on InkTip.com. InkTip Script Listings provide writers with the opportunity to get their scripts read by InkTip’s extensive network of producers, reps, manager, agents, and other qualified industry professionals.
• Script review and consultation from the Director of Development at Script Pipeline
• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• One free entry to any Script Pipeline writing or idea competition
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Second Place: The Loop by Matthew Himlin from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Two scientists successfully test a time machine, but are they prepared for the implications of time travel?

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Third Place: Ghost in the Gun: Vintner's Folly by Andrew Chen from Mountain View, California.

A man left for dead in the desert comes across a possessed gun and transforms into a gunslinger bent on avenging his murdered family, but unbeknownst to him the gun has a vendetta of its own.

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2015 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Top Ten Finalists:

A Challenge To the Dark by Anna Imhof from Los Angeles, CA

No matter what anybody else says; Frankie, a 9-year-old tomboy, is convinced that in due time John Wayne will appear in her sleepy Midwestern hometown, pick her up on his horse and take her to the Wild West to fulfill her destiny.

Away From the Slough by Danielle Barcena from Concord, CA.

An abused woman struggles to free herself from her brother's web of control when a grocery store clerk offers her the chance to escape.

Crank by Matthew Himlin from Scottsdale, AZ.

Lou is such a cranky son of a b!tch that he's going to a wake to settle a score with a corpse.

Golddigger by Phil Yuhas from Orange, CA.

A couple's anniversary celebration is spoiled by the antics of a pretentious young blonde and her very elderly date.

Haunted House Hunters -- LA by Heidi Willis from Montgomery, AL.

Watch Jeff and Laura, a ghost couple, shop for a new home to haunt when Haunted House Hunters hits Los Angeles.

John Mott by Suzy Stein from Phoenix, AZ.

No one asks the Devil for happiness. Sell your soul to the Devil and he takes it away immediately and puts it in a box until you die. You can't be happy without your soul, no matter how much money you have. But John Mott can get that box back. For a price, John Mott can set you free. Unless the Devil stops him first.

True Blue by Phil Yuhas from Orange, CA.

The virtue of loyalty is explored through the eyes of an aging shelter dog.

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

 

 

2014 Award Winners Announced!

2014 Phoenix Film Festival Award Winners

International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Fest Awards

Best Sci-Fi  Short: The Developer

Best Sci-Fi Feature: S.O.S: Save Our Skins

Best Horror Short: The Carriage or Dracula and My Mother

Best Horror Feature: Billy Club

Short Film Awards

Best Grade/High School Short: As Always (Come al Solito) - Rodolfo Lissia --  Liceo Luigi Galvani  Bologna, Italy

Best College Short:  Til Death - Connor Gaston   --  University of Victoria, BC Canada

Best Arizona Short: Long Way

Best Arizona Short Documentary: For the Love of Dogs

Best Short Documentary: Eugene

Best Animated Short Film: Estefan

Best Live Action Short Film: Ice

World Cinema Awards

Best World Cinema Short: Mr. Invisible

Best World Cinema Documentary: The Aryans

Best World Cinema Director: Petr Nikolaev, Godfather’s Story

World Cinema Best Picture: When I Saw You

World Cinema Audience Award Winner: The Aryans

Foundation Awards

Arizona Filmmakers of the Year: Josh Kasselman and Stephanie Lucas

Volunteer of the Year: Marty Freetage

Feature Film Awards

Dan Harkins Breakthrough Filmmaker Award: Eddie Jemison and Sean Richardson for King of Herrings

Special Achievement in Acting: Elias Koteas in Jake Squared

Best Ensemble: Teddy Bears

Best Director: Henry Barrial – The House That Jack Built

Best Screenplay: Joseph Vasquez – The House That Jack Built

Best Documentary: The Joe Show

Best Picture: The House That Jack Built

Cox Audience Award: Life Inside Out

Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competition

Thank you to all who submitted their screenplays to the Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competition. We are very excited to announce the winners of the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival Screenplay Competiton!

First Place: Sardis the Merciful by Christian Thomas from California

When a king wakes up to the sound of assassins creeping into his bedchamber, he knows his past has caught up with him. He must escape and make his way through mysterious caves, erotic brothels, and savage battlefields...to get one last chance at redemption, and bloody revenge.

• $300 cash from the Phoenix Film Foundation
• Script review and consultation from the Director of Development at Script Pipeline
• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• One free entry to any Script Pipeline writing or idea competition
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Second Place: Bob Dooley by Margina Sisson from Torrance, CA

When Emily, a sixth-grader with a bad reputation for lying is suddenly required to write a TRUE STORY about an ancestor, she struggles for ideas because she thinks true stories are boring, until Grandmother shares the amazing story of Bob Dooley, the Capuchin Monkey and the Kennedy Fair. But will anyone believe her? 

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• A Phoenix Film Festival prize pack
• Listing on Phoenix Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Third Place: Wish You Were Here by Austin Kase

Harvard valedictorian Adam Getz is unexpectedly forced to move back in with his parents after his high-paying Wall St. employer is revealed to be a Madoff-esque con artist. With no choice but to take on a minimum wage job at a local fast food joint,  Adam reconnects with some old friends from the high school orchestra. Together, they embark on a series of misadventures that help Adam realize just how much of life he's missed out on.

• A 5-year membership to Writers Database provided by Script Pipeline
• Listing on Phoenix Film Festival website
• Two VIP Passes to the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival (accommodation and air fare not included).

Top Ten Finalists:

Generations by Jack Bennett from Glenwood City, WI.

Running from every government agency imaginable, an exiled US Marshall and a special woman search for her brother who holds the secret to how she became the most wanted person in the world.

Gone Monkey Gone by Marc Ketchem from Los Angeles, CA

David Thompson is a struggling magician with a monkey for an assistant. After his monkey is kidnapped, David must travel the country to retrieve his monkey before a televised magician's talent show.

Hooligan by Tony Cammarata from California

After his placement in child protection, Chico bounces between foster care and juvenile corrections due to his behavior and inability to complete a trial adoption. Tempted by the excitement and acceptance of a street gang, Chico begins the gang initiation process when he commits an act of violence, causing his victim to take an active interest in his life.

Jenna’s Gone by Russ Meyer from New Prague, MN

An untried deputy and a hunting guide find their lifelong friendship turning lethal as they track after the kidnappers of the waitress they both love, each suspecting the other of a role in her disappearance. 

Murmansk Run by Wendy Joseph & Sam Hakam from Mt Vernon, WA

May, 1942. After getting separated from their convoy and naval escort, American merchant seamen, with Russian men and women sailors rescued from a torpedoed Soviet ship, attempt to bring an American Liberty ship, her holds filled with supplies and munitions for the Red Army, into Murmansk alone.

Waterloo by Brian Samuel Davis from Phoenix, AZ

After 45 years in prison, Chuck 'Daddy' Dobbins is released. With the haunting memories of his crimes still fresh in his mind, he chooses to atone for his sins by helping Lacy, an AIDS infected heroin addict. The journey to redemption isn't always a righteous path.

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

 

 

The Movie Guys talk about the Phoenix Film Festival!

The Movie Guys are going to be producing lots of cool highlights during this year's festival and much more.  

Click here to see their first batch of interviews from the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival

Click here to see their second batch of interviews from the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival

Check out The Movie Guys' Showcast filmed at the Phoenix Film Festival

Here's Day Two

The Festival has started and The Movie Guys are here!

The festival gets closer and here's #6

They're back with video #5

Video number 4 talks about Opening Night....

Here's video #3....

Here's video #2 from them.....

In case you missed it, here was their first PFF video....

Weekday Schedule Announced

  The winners have been announced and we are excited to announce the schedule for the rest of the week.

Click here to view a printable PDF of the schedule

Click here to see the Award Winners 

We look forward to seeing you this week as we close out the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival!