Submit— Listen up, New Mexico filmmakers: You’ve got some deadlines fast approaching. First up is the Friday, July 13, deadline to submit works to the 5 th Annual Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. All previews for features or short films must be submitted on 1/2” VHS tape or DVD. Title, name, address and phone number should be affixed to the label, of course. There is a $10 entry fee per title; make checks out to “Closet Cinema.” If your work is accepted, you will be notified by Aug. 10. The film festival itself will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 4. This year’s festival, taking place in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe, is expected to draw nearly 5,000 visitors, making it one of the largest film festivals in the state. To download an application, or to dig up further submission guidelines, log on to closetcinema.org/filmfestival.htm.
Reel World
Submit!— Silver City is looking for a few good filmmakers. The second Annual Silver City Short Film Festival is set for Sept. 21-23. Last year’s festival proved so popular organizers have expanded it to three days this year. Deadline for final submission is Monday, July 16. The festival is open to New Mexico residents only, and there is a $40 entry fee. All films must be under 40 minutes in length, they must be submitted on DVD and must be accompanied by a brief (50 words or less) synopsis. Categories include Narrative, Documentary and Animation. This year, a special category for student filmmakers (under 18) has also been added. For more information, e-mail organizers at info@silvercityfilmfest.com or go to www.silvercityfilmfest.com to download entry forms and rules.
Reel World
Submit!!!— Originally scheduled to take place Sept. 21-23 (a busy time of year, no doubt) was the Third Annual TromaDance New Mexico Film Festival. If you’ve been frantically editing your film, hoping to make the deadline, you can now relax. Due to scheduling concerns, the festival has been moved back to Nov. 16-18 at the Guild Cinema. It will be just as good as ever, with plenty of twisted genre film offerings to ogle. Lloyd Kaufman, president of Troma Films (and creator of The Toxic Avenger ), will be there to check out the local talent and share some great filmmaking stories. But now you’ve got until Oct. 13 to get your short or feature-length masterpiece finished and submitted. Log on to www.burningparadise.net for more information and the ever popular entry form.
