May 2006 Birthday Film Fest

I have a birthday this year. It doesn't end in zero, there's no category of Hallmark cards designed specifically for it, but it feels special.

It would be fun to have a small film festival for my birthday. Even better would be a film festival with films made by my friends. Projected on a big screen in some actual theater.

So... want to use my birthday as an excuse/deadline for that short video art project you've always wanted to make?

Any type of film/video project is welcome, such as:

I'm limiting films to four minutes or less to keep the barrier to entry low (and because I like films that reduce a story to its essential elements-- simplify!).

If you're interested, drop me an email now to let me know. Even if you don't live in San Francisco, I'd love to see (and show) your film. If you send me a film, I'll send you a DVD with all of the films on it (or at least all of the digital films) so you can see the other submissions.


Screening Date: mid-May, 2006 (TBD)
Submissions Due: May 7th, 2006 Attention: The deadline has passed! If you need a few more days, let me know
Film length: Four minutes or less.
Format: We can probably figure out how to show (or convert) almost anything. Digital, VHS, 8mm, etc. For non-digital formats, let me know early so I can make plans.
Digital Format Notes: Preferred format is a single data file: MPEG-2, NTSC DVD format (720x480). I suggest you export to an MPEG-2 video file and then burn that file (probably 300MB-1GB, depending on length) as a data file to a CD or DVD. I also have a 2GB thumb drive that I will make a habit of carrying around, we could use it if I drop by your house or you bring your laptop to my house. I'll be at "newfriday" May 9th, for example-- let me know if you want to swap there.
Don't make a fancy DVD with menus, etc.-- I won't use them. I'll be compiling all the .mpg movie files onto one (or two) big DVDs.
If you're remote, I can give you an FTP login and password for somewhere to upload your file, though that may be tricky if it's very large. Drop me an email or call me to sort out the details. A priority-mailed data CD or DVD is another option.
Annotation: Let me know: Your name or that of your "production company", as you want it to appear in the program, the Title, the Format, and the Running Length. I recommended you include a few seconds at the beginning that displays the title, so people watching it know what it is.
Multiple submissions allowed? Yes.
Previously-made films allowed? Yes! If there's a film you made (or acted in, or were associated with) in the past, feel free to submit it.
Criteria for selection: At the whim of the birthday boy. I'll show most but maybe not all, depending on time and number of submissions.
Screening Location: Some screening room in San Francisco, TBD

(even if making a video isn't something you have time for, i hope to see you at the screening. if you drop me a note with your address, maybe you'll get a printed invitation in the mail. cheers. -m)

(return to main page)