THE FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED!!!!

We are pleased to announce the finalists for the 2018 DIY Film Festival. 

Please take a look at these titles as they represent the finest in Do It Yourself filmmaking.  

The winners will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

FEATURE FILM FINALISTS

"LITTLE STAR." DIRECTED BY TAMIR RAWLINGS

SERIOUS LAUNDRYDIRECTED BY KEN WEBB

COMEDY FILM FINALISTS

THE BIGGEST GAME INTOWN. DIRECTED BY JOHN NAVA

HANDS FREE: “HOW MAY I HELP YOU?” DIRECTED BY AMY SCHLOERB

DOCUMENTARY FINALISTS

KWANXWALA – THUNDER  DIRECTED BY SARAH SHAMASH

VOICES IN THE DARK. DIRECTED BY REBECCA HOWLAND (Article)

Director Rebecca Howland

A FORCE IN NATURE – JOHANN EYFELLS DIRECTED BY HAYDEN DE MAISONEUVE YATES

A Force in Nature: Jóhann Eyfells from Alien Spaceman on Vimeo.

MIRAGE DIRECTED BY ELI HAYES (WEBSITE)

STUDENT FILM FINALISTS

FAITH THROUGH THE STORMS DIRECTED BY DINA SIX 

THE DANCE DIRECTED BY JASON RHODES

FIXIT FABLES DIRECTED BY OAN LINDBLAD

AFTER THE RAYNE DIRECTED BY WASLY CASTILLO

JUST LAST YEAR DIRECTED BY MIKAL EWING, ALLA BAVEA

DON’T HIDE THEMADNESS DIRECTED BY KIMBERLEY RAI

WORLD CINEMA FINALISTS

EL HOMBRE QUE SIEMPRE HIZO SU PARTE - THE MAN WHO ALWAYS DID HIS PART – ECUADOR - DIRECTED BY ORISEL CASTRO AND YORK NEUDEL

VISMIT: FORGOTTEN – NEPAL - DIRECTED BY ANIMESH SAPKOTA

BRIDE PRICE VS.DEMOCRACY – SWEDEN - DIRECTED BY REZA RAHIMI

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE FINALISTS!!! 

LONG LIVE THE DIY FILM SPIRIT!!!

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN A COUPLE OF DAYS OR WEEKS.

The List of Finalists for the 2017 Film Festival!

First we'd like to thank all the filmmakers who have submitted their films to the DIY Film Fest!

Looking for the right shot.

We do our best at the DIY Film Fest to honor films from across the globe that embody the spirit of the festival - just picking up a camera and filming something that moves them.

Each year, we get submissions from across the globe, and this year was no different.  We have entries from Lebanon, Iran, India, Bulgaria, Guatemala and Nepal - from New York to California and all points between. It's thrilling to see the depth and breadth of the stories submitted.

High fins all around.

2017 DIY FILM FINALISTS

FEATURE FILM:

"Waiting on Mary" - Comedy
Directed by Corey Horton. “An actor in denial of his recent divorce retreats into the persona of a colonial scout and explores his new futuristic landscape.” 

"Come to the Show" - Comedy
Directed by Jigmae Baer “A couple of bored punks decide to go on a crime spree in New York's underground art scene and accidentally summon a demon.” 

"Confidence of a Tall Man" - Drama
Directed by Michael McCallum. "On the 50th Anniversary of his father's failing business, Tommy has a lot on the line. He's hoping to get interested parties to take it off of his hands."

SHORT FILM:

"Monster Monster"
Directed by Kuan-Fu Lin. "While building models, a nerd, Gary, accidentally spills toxic glue on his favorite T-Rex with disastrous results.”  

"Cooties!"
Directed by Lizze Gordon. "Circle, circle. Dot, dot. Don't forget your Cooties shot."

"Greetings from Tinseltown"
Directed by Joe Warren. "In Hollywood, a junkie looking for his next fix and a stoner Uber driver explore the grimy underbelly of the iconic American neighborhood."

"Thirst"
Directed by James Durham. "In a post-apocalyptic world where every drop of water could be their last, a young girl and her uncle struggle to survive against all odds."

"Thank you Lisa"
Directed by Roy Arwas. "Lisa follows her terminally ill mother through her last day and has to come to terms with her decision to help her mother end her life by physician's assisted suicide."

DOCUMENTARY

"Cycle of Change" 
Directed by Sarah Frei. "Moved by the lack of opportunity for women and youth in her community Reina, a young woman from El Salvador ventures to Guatemala to study pedal-power technology in hopes of finding her life purpose and changing the lives of the people in her community."

"Save Gangamaya" 
Directed by Gopal Shivakoti   "A mother and father in Nepal go on a hunger strike to get justice for the murder of their son.  The authorities don’t want to investigate, but the death of his father forces them to investigate.  When their efforts flag, Ms. Gangamaya Adhikari goes back on hunger stike, determined to follow her husband as local media and leaders try to talk her out of her protest.

"Rami"
Directed by Hassan Fouad. Documentary shot in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon. "A handicapped refugee establishes a sports club in the Buss Refugee camp where he trains three generations of footballers, some of them who have become stars in the Lebanese football league." 


ANIMATED FILM

"2 Guineas"
Directed by Brett Guida, Albert Oppedisano
"Two skinny guinea pigs prove they have what it takes to climb up the ranks of the mafia underworld." 

"Birdman" 
Directed by Yixing Li, Yixuan Luo (Maisie)   
"A young man dreams of flying with his own wings. He builds a cottage, studies birds, repeatedly jumps off a cliff with artificial wings. But his last jump brings an unexpected result.


"The Grid: Zombie Outlet Maul"
Directed by Linda Andersson. "Electrical devices come to life after a nuclear power plant explosion." 

STUDENT FILMS

"A New Promise" 
Directed by Christina Dodge. "A young woman makes a innocent mistake while trying to navigate the process of figuring out what is best for her."

"An Ancient Problem and a Young Man" 
Directed by Yixing Li.  "A young man confronts with the old question 'Why and how should one live?' He struggles to find the answer.  

"Human Sexuality" 
Directed by Vivian Zingleman  "An infatuated college student recounts his awkward love story to his best friend."   

"Zaar" 
Directed by Ibrahim Nada "A suicide bomber enters a diner to blow himself up but as he listens and interacts with the innocent people around him, he begins to question his decision."

WORLD CINEMA

"Ants" 
Directed by Stoyan Nikolaev (Bulgaria) "He is 64-year-old gipsy, she is 74. In a Black sea village they met at old age for a long and happy life."

"Phantasmagaoria"
Directed by Baha Jamali (Iran)  "A man breaks up with his girlfriend, then experiences what might have happened had he spoken differently."

"Day Off" 
Directed by Aidin Pedari (Iran). "A young pizza delivery man takes a day off to go out with his dying dog, then he faces surrealistic and poetic moments around him."

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE FINALISTS!

This year, our 14th year as a festival, we've made the decision to go entirely online with submissions and honoring the filmmakers. In lieu of a year-end-party that was difficult, if not impossible to gather filmmakers from across the globe, all winning entries will be featured online, and if possible, the trailer or winning films itself (if the filmmaker desires) will be posted. We will also explore the story of how their winning film came into being. (Their "acceptance speech" will be excerpted in the online description of the films.)  

We will be asking winning filmmakers who should be thanked in public, but also the story of how their film came into being - as sometimes that story can be as fascinating as the film itself.  By having the filmmakers share their story - the way they would at any podium - gives everyone a chance to experience and share in the thanks and credit of those who helped make the film. It's an unusual solution to the age old question of how to honor do-it-yourself filmmakers in a do-it-yourself fashion. 

Prize winners will be announced soon or by the end of the month. Their individual replies (acceptance speeches/stories) will be edited and posted along with the results as well. (Depending on the editing process).

As in previous fests, the prize winners will be awarded editing software from Pinnacle Editing Systems (an excellent beginning editing software that is easy to use, and if the filmmakers want to donate their software to a school or another filmmaker, they have the option to do so). (As noted below, Pinnacle is not a "sponsor" of the festival, and is not involved with the choice of finalists. However, they generously donate their software for us to distribute to the winning entries.) All Winning films are eligible for distribution through our sponsor KinoNation and all winning films will receive a suitable-for-framing winner's certificate.  

Again, thanks for submitting to the festival, and we wish you the best of luck with your film and your career. If you're film didn't make the finalists, it's likely because of the crowded entry in its field, but there are many outlets, many festivals, and we encourage filmmakers to seek them out as well. We encourage everyone to take up their camera and begin to document/tell a story that moves you, that comes from the heart, that can move other hearts and minds as well.

The Finalists Are Announced!!!!

The DIY Film Fest is pleased to announce this year's FINALISTS for the 2015

DIY FILM FESTIVAL

THE FINALISTS....

BUFFALO Directed by Michael McCallum

Moving story about an elderly Cab driver who has demons of his own that he must come to terms with while training a new cab driver.  Disarmingly simple, with the Director's Father in the title role, this story weaves a tale of heartbreak from the point of view of an old cab driver who doesn't have much reason to get up every day.  Role is reminiscent of Robert Duvall's work in its simplicity and honesty. Directed by Michael McCallum Trailer: 

 

"Saturdays or Sundays" by Ethan Knecht

Improvised feature film about a filmmaker and a teacher. His complaint is that “during the week she turns into this educational monster” but it just so happens that she cares deeply about her students, and those scenes are directed and shot in a way that we can't tell if these amazing children are acting or not.  Directed by Ethan Knecht:  Film Trailer. 

"BLACK AND BLUE" by Vincenzo Bertillo. 

A close up R rated look at a complex relationship between two young adults. A chat with filmmaker Bertillo. 

"LAST CALL" Directed by Camille Delamarre Trailer: 

  

Young French film director uses the latest techniques in digital filmmaking to help tell this powerful short story that's shot in the vein of "American Sniper."

"RAIN" by Shimon Machida

What if in the future our memories were place in the Internet Cloud? How would it affect who we are? Bio for Shimon Machida


"STASHBOX" by Isaac Burns & Simon Lansberg-Rodriguez

Two friends out in the desert looking for a box.  Why? Brings memories of Breaking Bad and includes a surprise ending.
Stashbox Film
 
 

"VALIANT" by Shyam Sundar Sengupta

An epic adventure helped with the use of miniatures.
 Trailer:
  

 


"KITTENS IN A CAGE" from Stoic Entertainment

Hilarious comedic sendup of the B Movie "Girls in Prison" films. Trailer: 

  15. 



"KEVIN, TAKE TWO" by Alex Wroten

What if you met yourself walking on the street?
 Film: 

  


"Die Gstettensaga: The Rise of Echsenfriedl" by Johannes Grenzfurthner 

Off beat world cinema comedy that takes place in the future, with "The Prisoner" meets "Sleeper"


  


"SWEET DREAMS" from Mattoid Entertainment

Two ice cream makers attempt to break a world's record. Documentary Feature.  Trailer:


    


"Hope For Our Own : An LA Story" by Riley Beres and Jimmy Deschler 

Two students take a trip with their cameras into homelessness in L.A. trailer  
 

  39. 


"White Rock Boxing" by Laura Voltorta

Documentary feature about a boxing gym and its affect on all of those who train within it. Trailer


  


"THE EDGE OF THE WILD" by Gail Mallimson

A local community fights on behalf of a tiny butterfly in the San Bruno Mountains.  Trailer 

 


"Among The Discarded" by Trent Dion Soto

An artist decides to film his experience living 30 days in downtown LA's skid row among the homeless. Trailer



AMONG THE DISCARDED - Trailer from Among The Discarded on Vimeo.



"Dukha in Summer" by Cameo Wood

Filmmaker travels to Tuva to document every day life among the Tuvan people. Trailer:


"Expect Resistance" by Shane Burley

A journey into one man's battle with the bank over losing his home, expanded to the wider picture of the "Occupy WallStreet" movement that swept the nation. 


Expect Resistance Trailer from Shane Burley on Vimeo.



"Basta" by Gary Bergeron

Powerful indictment of the Catholic Church in Boston by one of its abuse victims. Trailer:

    6123 


"THE LAST LEAF" by Gwyneth Christofell

Ah, to be the last leaf of summer. A short animated film.  Here is GC's "thank you."

  5. 6096 

"FIXATION" – by Jak Kerley

The trials and tribulations of love that borders on fixation. The ten minute film.

   
Fixation - Short Film from ShibbyPictures on Vimeo.


"THE STAR FISHING BOY" by Chuanshu Shi

Animated fairy tale about a boy who falls to Earth. Trailer

   
The Star Fishing Boy trailer from Chuanshu Shi on Vimeo.


"MONSTER" by Patrick Fatica

Animated short film about a creature in the woods. Trailer

   
Trailer for MONSTER from Patrick Fatica on Vimeo.

Congratulations to all you DIY Filmmakers!!!!  We salute you and appreciate your entering our festival.  The Finalists have been notified, and the Winners will be announced on the night of March 6th.  Good luck to all of you filmmakers with your films, and keep the DIY Flag waving high!

This year's finalists!

Drum roll please....

Ladies and gentlemen, we at the DIY Film Fest are pleased to announce this year's finalists in the DIY Film Festival... (click on the titles to watch a trailer or view a link)

FINALISTS

DOCUMENTARY

NO HORIZON ANYMORE; A YEAR LONG JOURNEY AT THE BOTTOM OF THEWORLD

Director Keith Reimink

GAMERS

Director Christine Farina

THE SILENT EPIDEMIC – THE UNTOLD STORY OF VACCINES

Directed by Gary Null

DOCUMENTARY SHORT

NOT ANYMORE: A STORY OF REVOLUTION

Directed by Matthew VanDyke

REAL CHANGE

Directed by Adam Becker

SECONDHAND ROSE

Directed by Chad Withers

DRAMATIC FILM FEATURE

KNUCKLE JACK

Directed by John Adams and Toby Poser

RUMBLESTRIPS

Directed by John Adams and Toby Poser

CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTS

Directed by Casey Puccini

BROKEN SIDE OF TIME

Directed by Gorman Bechard

DRAMATIC FILM SHORT

CATCH

Directed by Jennifer Sheridan and Matthew Markham

BURIED TREASURE

Directed by Leslie Hope

FOR ANABELA

Directed by Tyler Bodamer

IF I WERE A BELL

Directed by Sherese Robinson Lee

WORLD CINEMA FEATURE

MY STREET – MY LIFE

Directed by Jeremy Etienne and Julienne Rathore (India/Norway)

WHERE WE BELONG

Directed by Krista Imbesi (Uganda)

WORLD CINEMA SHORT

MAYBE LATER

Directed by Adi Navon (Israel)

LEFT

Directed by Elham Sepehrjou (Iran)

ICE CREAM
Directed by Mariia Ponomarova (Ukraine)

COMEDY FILM

MASQUE ROUGE

Directed by Godefroy Ryckewaert

MIEDO A LAS ALTURAS

Directed by H.J. Leonard

THRONG

Directed by Chris R. Wilson and Zacharia Persson

STUDENT FILM

MIDNIGHT CRASH

Directed by Dan Siegelman

A MORNING CALL

Directed by Vasily Chuprina

IN THE GRIP

Directed by Eric Hayes

STRONG HOLD

Directed by Benjamin Warhit

ANIMATION

SUNSHINE FOR BREAKFAST

Directed by Parker Winans

THERE’S AN OCTOPUS IN YOUR HEAD

Directed by Ari Grabb

Congratulations to all of you!!! If your film is not listed, it only reflects the amount of amazing films that come in from across the globe.  It's a victory to finish your film, and we wish all of our entrants the best of luck at getting their films into the marketplace and to be seen around the planet.  These films were absolute standouts in their categories, and we congratulate them all on a job well down.

Our annual gala will be in late March, details to be determined, where the Winning films are announced along with the Honorable Mentions.  Congratulations to all of you!!!!

The DIY Film Fest Team