(NEWARK, NJ) -- The 2017 Newark International Film Festival (Newark IFF) has announced a new award category – the Newark International Film Festival presents the Lincoln Park Music Speaks Narrative Feature Music Video Award - celebrating the intersection of music and short narrative filmmaking. The City of Newark, with its long and storied history as the birthplace of celluloid film (invented by Hannibal Goodwin), is the backdrop for this annual film festival. In its inaugural year, Newark IFF attracted 10,000 attendees and garnered 800 submissions from 72 countries, screening 123 films from 65 countries. This year they are ahead of their own curve with 806 submissions from 66 countries on 6 continents. The film festival will be held September 7-10, 2017 in Newark, NJ.
Ken Gifford, Founder, Newark International Film Festival states "Partnering with Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District gave both organizations the opportunity to create a legacy category in the film festival; marrying the work of the two institutions was the easy part. Our teams working together to innovate an artistic category where film and music exists is where the excitement happened.”
Equally as rich, is the City of Newark’s history in Gospel, Jazz, Classical, R&B, Rock, Pop, Folk and Hip Hop music. Artists such as Dr. Cissy Houston, the late Whitney Houston, jazz musician James Moody, classical guitarist Manuel Barreuco, actress and singer Melba Moore, composer Jerome Kern, singer Faith Evans, rapper/actors Redman, Rah Digga, and Ice T, the legendary Sarah Vaughn, pop star Connie Francis, jazz trumpeter and composer Woody Shaw, Dana “Queen Latifah” Owens, jazz legend Wayne Shorter, multiple Grammy Award winner Paul Simon, and Nick Massi of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Four Seasons are all part of the city’s diverse musical tapestry.
Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD), is the non-profit created to revitalize the historic “The Coast” district in downtown, Newark and a keeper of Newark’s rich music legacy. The Newark IFF and LPCCD partnership began in March 2017 as LPCCD kicked of its 15th Anniversary Year in Newark, New Jersey. Inspired by Art Kane’s 1958 iconic “A Great Day In Harlem” gathering of jazz musicians, Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District and Newark IFF collaborated to recreate and update this historic photo shoot for the 21st Century, starring New Jersey Hip Hop forebears and the “new school” of New Jersey Hip Hop, some of whom have graced the equally iconic Lincoln Park Music Festival stage on Hip Hop Day over the past 12 years. Anthony Smith, Executive Director, LPCCD states “We are excited to partner with the Newark IFF to bring forth this special signature music category in the spirit of our arts and culture programs and annual Lincoln Park Music Festival. Our partnership leads the way to uniting our forces to rebrand Newark as a crown jewel and destination for arts and culture through all mediums and art forms.” Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District will also produce the official closing night event of the Newark International Film Festival on September 10, 2017.
With the Newark International Film Festival presents the Lincoln Park Music Speaks Narrative Feature Music Video Category, Newark IFF and LPCCD’s partnership continues to creates platforms to celebrate visual artists and musicians and publically acknowledge them for their contributions to visual arts, music and culture, while providing access to dealmakers, funders, distributors, “Hollywood Insiders”.
The Newark International Film Festival presents the Lincoln Park Music Speaks Narrative Feature Music Video Category is open to narrative music video content creators of any genre of music.
Submission Guidelines:
● Must be a narrative music video with beginning and end.
● Must be in short film format (e.g. Michael Jackson "Thriller"; Beyonce's "Lemonade")
● Open to all genres of music.
● Run Time: 5 minute minimum and 15 minute maximum.
● A video link must be sent to submissions@newarkiff.com
● Download the free NewarkIFF app in your app store and iTunes on all platforms to receive official rules, updates and notifications.
Deadline:
● Submissions must be received no later than August 24, 2017 at 11:59pm.
About Newark International Film Festival
As the birthplace of celluloid film, Newark, NJ seeks to revolutionize the creation, immersion, submission and viewing process of filmmaking with the Newark International Film Festival. Using a groundbreaking 365 strategic approach, we will empower diverse voices, create a unique space for emerging talent through fellowships and developmental mentoring and revolutionize the industry for generations to come
About Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (Non-Profit, 501c3)
The Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Inc. (LPCCD) is a non-profit organization actively engaged in the practice of creative place-making. Our mission to plan, design and develop a sustainable, vibrant and comprehensive cultural/arts district in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of downtown Newark. LPCCD’s two main arts & culture programs are the annual Lincoln Park Music Festival and Lincoln Park Music Speaks.
