The 2014 Isle of Man Film Festival is shaping up to be one of the most exciting dates in the Island of Culture calendar and, with submissions open for the International Short Film Competition, there is an opportunity for film makers around the world to be a part of it.
The festival is set to take place from Wednesday 10th through to Sunday 14th September, with a variety of events happening around the Island. Confirmed events include "An Audience With..." night at the Gaiety Theatre with Observer and BBC film critic Mark Kermode interviewing two very special guests, plus two opportunities over the festival weekend to see Mark perform with his acclaimed band 'The Dodge Brothers'; there will also be an exclusive preview screening of Davy Knowles' feature documentary 'Island Bound', previews of films made by the MannIN Shorts scheme and the return of the extremely popular Future Shorts Fringe nights.
The festival will close with a red carpet prize giving event, with winners from the 2014 International Short Film Competition screened and announced. Although organisers have opened this year's competition up to International entries, it remains free to enter. Submissions have already been received from around the world, so filmmakers are urged to get their films in as soon as possible.
The deadline for entries is July 21st and categories include:
• Short Fiction (15 mins max)
• Short Documentary (15mins max)
• Animation (10 mins max)
• and the special 'Island Life' award (15mins max)
As with IOMFF2013, there will also be a prize for the best MannIN Shorts film, an award for Most Promising New Filmmaker and the 'Best of the Fest' Award.
The 'Island Life' award was created last year as a way to celebrate the unique aspects of living on an Island and is also intended to inspire and encourage Isle of Man based filmmakers to create and enter something original. Films could be a profile of one of the interesting characters that reside here, an exploration of the Island's folklore and history, a narrative film inspired by the emotions and psychology specific to living on an Island, a music video showcasing the dramatic landscape - whatever inspires! Last year's winning entry 'Wandering Rocks' by Ed Crompton has been successful on the international film circuit since then, having it's UK premiere at Sheffield DocFest earlier this year.
And 'Wandering Rocks' is not the only film from the festival to do well off Island..
Former Young Filmmaker of Mann Rory Dorling film's 'Paper Journey', which won last year's Best of the Fest , was chosen as an Official Selection of CineYouth 2014, presented by the Chicago International Film Festival. Meanwhile MannIN Shorts film 'Closet' was shortlisted for Oscar qualifying film festival Seattle International and received it's American premiere at the highly respected Boston LGBT Festival, while 'Most Promising..' winner Georgia Quilliam, who trained through the MannIN Shorts scheme, has been working regularly both on and off Island in the camera department of a variety of film crews.
All of these successes are helping to promote the Island's filmmaking talent considerably further afield, whilst also proving that homegrown creative talent is of a high enough standard to compete - and win - on the international stage.
If you have a film you would like to enter, to be in with the chance of following these success stories, visit isleofmanfilmfestival.com and complete the simple Submissions form. The organisers would like to thank Island of Culture, Isle of Man Post Office, Conister, Royal London 360 and Chrystals for their support.
Photo - IOMFF2014 poster (original artwork by Bruno Cavellec)
