(CLINTON, NJ) --The inaugural River Town Film Festival in Clinton, New Jersey will showcase independent films that involve a theme of community. Clinton is a small town that embraces strong community spirit, and is a meeting point between cosmopolitan East Coast culture, home to artists, multi-generational farms and salt of the earth people. The festival will take place November 11-12.
The festival is currently accepting submissions online. The deadline is September 14.
The River Town Film Festival opens on Saturday, November 11 with screenings of short and feature-length films (narrative and documentary) throughout the day on Sunday, November 12. Opening day will feature a screening followed by a Q&A by the Academy Award/Golden Globe winning writer of On Golden Pond, Ernest Thompson, arguably the Godfather of community filmmaking. At the opening night party there will be food, beverage and mingling with the filmmakers. The Closing Ceremony will be capped off by a rock and roll performance by iconic musicians who are former members of Electric Light Orchestra, ELO Part II, and Styx, and have also performed with Billy Joel, John Lennon, Bonnie Tyler, James Taylor, KISS, Aerosmith, Celine Dion, Meatloaf, Carly Simon, and many more.
The festival will take place at the Red Mill, a historical landmark that dates back to 1810 and is now home to a museum village. An antique iron bridge, built in 1870 with a gorgeous view of a 200-foot wide waterfall, connects the Red Mill with downtown, which is where a related Art Expo as well as art events will take place throughout the weekend.
Filmmakers who are accepted into the festival will receive two VIP passes and two tickets to the closing ceremony and rock concert.
The festival is seeking films that enhance one's understanding of community, invite dialogue and encourage relationship. The films may have an abstract conceptual association to community; yet harness the potential to deepen awareness and insight.
Awards & Prizes
Custom crystal trophies and other prizes will be awarded at a closing ceremony (followed by a rock concert) for the following categories:
1. Best in Show. In addition to a trophy, the winner will receive one free attendance at the Winston/Baker 9th Annual TV and Film Finance Forum East in NYC in April, 2018 (value $995)
2. Audience Award. In addition to a trophy, the winner will receive one creative coaching session from Manager, Producer and Creative Consultant/Coach Joanne Zippel of Zip Creative (value $350)
3. Best Feature Length Film (Narrative or Documentary)
4. Best Short (Narrative or Documentary)
Rules & Terms
To be considered, films must fall under the broad theme of Community. This might be a theme within the film itself, or it could even be that your film was made by a certain community of people. No porn content.
Feature films must have a running time of 60 – 120 minutes. Shorts must have a running time 30 minutes or less.
Film submissions in a foreign language must have English subtitles.
Entry into River Town Film Festival constitutes permission and license to exhibit the film at the festival. By entering your film, you hereby grant River Town Film Festival the right to use the film submitted in promotion and marketing of the festival. You hereby warrant that you are authorized to enter the film for screening to the public, and you hereby grant River Town Film Festival the right to exhibit the film (and any related name, trademark, service mark, trade name, logo, copyrighted material, art and third party rights) and will indemnify and hold harmless River Town Film Festival, its officers, staff, volunteers and Board of Directors from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, attorney fees, damages and expenses which may be incurred as a result of including your film in the festival.
You are responsible for securing festival clearance rights for music, stock footage or any other material in your film, and must clear all copyrighted material in your film prior to public screening.
No Refunds.
River Town Film Festival reserves the right to change their programming and event party without notice.
About the Festival
The festival co-founders include Kee Kee Buckley (Program Director) and Janice Kovach. The co-founder of the Art Expo is Deborah Argryopoulos. The director of volunteers is Dorry Bless, Steven Chiocchi is CTO, and Lindsay Troyer is the director of marketing and sponsorship.
