All hail the DIY Filmmakers!

We at the DIY film festival just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you... for choosing to make films. And for choosing our festival to show them.

Santa Monica Beach

We are beginning to plan our summer DIY film event - looking for a suitable venue - and we'll announce that when we're going to make that happen.

We usually take a sampling of films that have been submitted, sometimes shorts from previous year's fests, and invite everyone down to participate. In the past we had an outdoor screening at Umami in Hollywood, and one at the Flying Saucers in Santa Monica.


But in the meanwhile, as we look for a good spot, we just wanted to give a shout out to you DIY Filmmakers who've chosen to work in film to express yourselves.. There's an old saying "You don't always pick up a paintbrush to pay the rent." Meaning - sometimes it's just fun to create art.

Here's a sampling of the notes we've gotten from filmmakers along with their entries for the current season:

"Film is my passion. Upon entering College, I have realized that the art of visual media is what I want to dedicate my entire life to. My dream is to create films that have some sort of significant impact on somebody's life."  submitted by CM, student.

"This was the first film I ever directed and it is one of the most memorable experiences I've had on set. I wrote the story as well, which was inspired by my personal life... I hope this film has the opportunity to screen at your festival and reach a wide audience!"
submitted by TZ, student

"I was delighted to find your festival, and I hope to make it my next excuse to visit LA. I can't imagine it gets more DIY than this" RI Documentary filmmaker

"This is the most recent short from the Director who won Best Short Comedy two years ago at the DIY. Hope you like this mockumentary about filmmakers!" 
submitted by CW. 

Site of previous DIY galas, the Roosevelt

Having always dreamed of both making a film and hitting the highway for a year, we finally killed two birds with one road trip:   In 2011 the four of us traveled the US in an RV, home schooling the kids, while learning the ropes and shooting an original feature along the way...  John turned his talent with paint to the Canon 5D, using the lush mountains, craggy coastlines and dry landscapes of the American desert as his canvas.  He wrote a score to accompany the images; he learned Final Cut.  We act in it; we all worked the sound.  And we wrote a story that would work in tandem with our adventures on the road...
Feature film submitted by TP


"I'm submitting my first film for consideration in the DIY Festival. This self-financed, self-produced film, tells the story of the 2009 Winterover crew at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. I had the privilege of being a chef on station from October 2008 to November 2009 and I was able to take my camera and film for the entire year..." 
Documentary submitted by KR 

Pacific sunset

We look forward to seeing your films and good luck with all of them! Keep up the good work, and keep doing it yourself.  And thanks for letting us take a look at them!!!

GE Focus Film Festival Winners

GE has sponsored some great films for various film festivals.  We like to showcase the latest in great short story telling, if only to inspire our many DIY Filmmakers to enter into these festivals.  All that's required is an imagination.

We came across this film today, which may very well point to a revolution in technology.  It's worth looking into, but more importantly, the film tells a story, and it may change the lives of many who see it.  Worth noting, and keep up the good work DIY Filmmakers worldwide!!!

And here is the grand prize winner from the GE FOCUS FILMS WEBSITE.

CYBORG FOUNDATION | Rafel Duran Torrent from Focus Forward Films on Vimeo.

FOCUS FORWARD FILMS

Alumni News!

2011 Festival winner CODY BLUE SNIDER has made a new short film FOOL'S DAY that made it into the Tribeca Film Festival and into this year's Cannes Film Festival!!

Yay Cody!

Cody Blue Snider

For those who would like to view his winning entry from 2011, here's the trailer:

Local Filmmaker Premieres New Film at Tribeca Film Festival

Cody Blue Snider’s latest film is “Fool’s Day.”

By Christine Sampson (Editor), 2 weeks ago

Filmmaker Cody Blue Snider (Photo Credit: Nick Sambides Jr.)

Thugs jumped him, took his phone, and tried to take his wallet. But more importantly, they didn’t get his movie.

That’s what happened to local filmmaker Cody Blue Snider the night he wrapped up his new film, “Fool’s Day,” at a studio in New York City a couple of weeks ago. He had just finished the conversion of the final film into the digital format required for screenings and had the hard drive in his backpack. “Have you ever had anything that doesn’t feel real? You go into autopilot,” Snider said in an interview with Patch. “I was just glad I didn’t get stabbed.”

“Fool’s Day” is Snider’s second film, following “All That Remains” (2011), which the Three Village community saw at the Stony Brook Film Festival that year. “Fool’s Day” made its world premiere on April 18 at the TriBeCa Film Festival – and will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival later this year.

Snider said he is incredibly excited to be screening at both festivals, but hasn’t let the success go to his head.

“It’s the most satisfied I’ve ever been with a project of mine,” he said. “Still, there’s so much room for improvement. At this point I can look at it and I can be happy because the essence of it is there.”

“Fool’s Day” tells the story of a mischievous class of elementary school kids who play a trick on their teacher. We’ll just tell you the film’s tagline – “Murder. Mayhem. Recess.” – and not much more, lest we spoil the film for you. View the trailer here. The film is co-written by Cody Blue Snider and his brother Shane Snider, both sons of rock star Dee Snider.

Snider and his crew turned to Kickstarter.com to raise more than $10,000 needed to make the film, which they shot in one week with one camera before spending nearly a full year editing.

He said he is on his third draft for a feature-length version of “Fool’s Day.” Sometimes, he said, short films get made into features because they portray enough of the filmmaker’s vision to prove to studios and producers that they are worth it. “Sling Blade” (1996), the brainchild of Billy Bob Thornton, is one example.

“You can use that launch pad to make a feature,” Snider said, “because you can’t show them your passion. You can’t show them what’s in your head.”

and here's the trailer for "FOOLS DAY" from his successful Kickstarter campaign site:

Our New sponsor Pinnacle and Documentary "Fair Use" Laws

Tales from the Lonely Road of a Filmmaker.  There is some much needed help in the legal arena for documentary filmmakers!!!

The Lonely Road of a DIY Filmmaker. Fair Use up ahead.

DIY Film Festival attended the IDA (International Documentary Association) evening that defined "Fair Use" for filmmakers. (Lots of resources for documentary filmmakers on their web page).

For detailed information about Fair Use in copyright law please visit

www.centerforsocialmedia.org/fairuse.htm

In a nutshell, a consortium of law firms, and University law professors who help documentary filmmakers, have successfully got an exemption from the DMCA (Digital Media Copyright Act) for DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKERS to use certain items that used to be difficult to use.  As long as the clip falls under the "Fair Use" category (defined on their website) you can use any photograph that is obtained online in your documentary, and any film clip as long as it is being used for "commentary or criticism."

The last two are explained on their website

For those who need clips that they can only find on youtube, or by ripping it from a DVD (which is technically illegal, unless you follow their protocols as described on their website), it is now legal to use clips or photos, music, or other hard to obtain materials for your documentary if it falls under the "Fair Use" regulations ("for purposes of commentary or criticism").

Because boring would be bad filmmaking

DIY Film Fest is not dispensing legal advice, but this is a DIY documentary filmmaker's advice place, so please go to their website to understand clearly what the law says or consult an attorney well versed in it. (These folks helped filmmakers use the law with the recent hits "Room 237" and "Catfish.")  But it's good news for documentary filmmakers who want to use a clip they thought they'd get in trouble for under the "Fair Use" rules.  Worth checking into.

They'd like to hear your tales of woe

They're also asking for filmmakers to help them in their next exemption challenge, which happens every three years.  So if you can detail how and why it was difficult for you to get information for your documentary (in terms of being hard to rip the DVD, or use of a film clip was onerous) they'd like to hear from you.






And now.. a word from our new (old and new again) sponsor Pinnacle...

They're now part of the Corel Family of products, after spending some time under the AVID umbrella.

They're a "do it yourself" editing software, which has some excellent codecs, and can be used by the beginning filmmaker up to professionals who need a laptop PC based system.

The software is affordable, and for those who've used the Microsoft free software, this is a step up. Needless to say, the more you use it, the easier it becomes.  Onwards and upwards!!! Stay tuned!

DIY FILM FEST GALA 2013

Thomas Dolby scoring, narrating and playing "The Invisible Lighthouse"

The 11th Annual DIY Film Festival celebrated its winners and honorable mentions in the Academy Room of the Roosevelt Hotel on Friday night.

Site of the original Academy Awards, the room was treated to an unusual event; a live performance by Thomas Dolby while screening his award winning "The Invisible Lighthouse" film.

Bruce Haring announcing the winners of the Los Angeles Book Festival & DIY Film Festival

Winner of the Best Director and Best Short Documentary categories, Thomas Dolby performed live in front of a crowd that included the winning authors for the Los Angeles Book Festival.  It was an amazing performance, part reminiscence, part sound effects, part singing - the performance seamlessly went between the filmed on camera presence of Thomas Dolby and the performer playing keyboards and speaking in front of the audience.

An avant-garde foray into the original performance/visual event that films once were, with a live performance on a Wurlitzer or other instrumental while the film ran above the orchestra, this was a perfectly time masterful examination of the performer's life - the town in eastern england on the shore where he grew up, the lighthouse that became part of his memory, whether real or imagined, the history of his family who had been in Suffolk for centuries.

Thomas Dolby interacted with himself on the screen at various times.

Plus the inventive story telling, which included CGI, flying cameras, negative images, sunsets that evoked fires - the visuals complemented the story telling, and the story telling enhanced the visuals, while the music and sound effects tied it all together into one masterful, standing ovation receiving performance.

Watching the live performance

As Jean Cocteau, the avant-garde artist and filmmaker once comments; "When the cost of filmmaking is as much as a pencil and a piece of paper then you'll find true art."  We at the DIY Film Festival have adopted that as our motto, and probably never experienced a more pure form of it than in Dolby's "The Invisible Lighthouse" film/performance.

Dolby plans to tour with the film in live performance, so look for it in a theater near you.  He's planning two nights here at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, so there may be a chance to still get tickets.

We also honored some of the other films and filmmakers, some who could not be in attendance.  The audience was treated to a trailer of Daniel Schmidt's "Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds," and we screened Harrison Allen's "How Not To Rob A Bank" which had the audience roaring with laughter.  (Check the film on the panel to the right, there are clips from all of the films and honorable mentions).

Clip from Daniel Schmidt's Best Film, Best Doc "Inner Worlds, Outer Worlds"

  Also screened and honored were the filmmakers behind "Disconnection" - Writer/Producer/Star Kristine Gerolaga, and Director Steven Krimmel.  Also on hand was her co-star Ben Winston.

Ben Winston, Steven Krimmel & Kristine Gerolaga of "Disconnection"

Finally, Josh Wick from "Francis of Brooklyn" was on hand as well as some of the behind the scenes folks from his film, including his star Mig Feliciano.

Josh Wick and Mig Feliciano of "Francis of Brooklyn"

Josh explained that the film is actually a reworking of the "Francis of Assisi" story - revealing that Francis had returned from being in a war in Italy, had eschewed all money, taken the robes of a monk, and changed Christianity.

Josh Wick and pals from "Francis of Brooklyn"

In like form, Francis of Brooklyn is about an Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran who returns and has an apotheosis that forces him into the streets of New York, along with some of the many other veterans who are suffering from PTSD.  But is it stress related? or is it a religious conversion?  And what does that mean to the average person who wants to practice Christianity?

Steven Krimmel Director, Writer/Producer/Actress Kristine Gerolaga
from "Disconnection"

A good time was had by all

Josh and the other filmmakers were awarded software from our new sponsor Pinnacle, now a division of Corel.  The company graciously awarded each winning filmmaker with their latest in home editing software Studio 16, a state of the art editing system developed with Avid codecs and technology.

Here's a pice of some of the winning filmmakers and authors from the Los Angeles Book Festival and DIY Film Festival.  For clips from the winning films, please look to the panel to the right... ----------------------->

Congratulations to all the winners!!!!

The Results are in...

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FILMMAKERS!!!!

We at the DIY Film Festival are proud to announce the WINNING FILMS and HONORABLE MENTIONS for the DIY FILM FESTIVAL 2013

THE DIY FILM FESTIVAL GALA IS ON MARCH 8TH AT THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL.

The filmmakers will be notified by email how to get tickets for the Gala event where we will screen the films, the feature length films will show trailers, the shorts will be shown in full (and the features and some of the shorts will be seen during the year when we have our festival screenings)

DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FILMMAKERS!!!

BEST DIRECTOR:  THOMAS DOLBY FOR "THE INVISIBLE LIGHTHOUSE"

An elegiac film about a lighthouse that comforted the musician and filmmaker as a child; Thomas Dolby's debut film "The Invisible Lighthouse" is a haunting examination of a lighthouse on the coast of Suffolk in East Anglia, and the ancestral home to his family.  Part musical, part historical journey, a journey of the heart, done by a filmmaker who expands the boundariess of DIY filmmaking. 29 minutes.

BEST PICTURE - DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - "INNER WORLDS, OUTER WORLDS"

An elegiac look at the birth of the Universe, at the birth of consciousness, at why we’re on the planet, and how that came to be.  Stunning visuals from Director Daniel Schmidt from Canada, 118 minutes.

Documentary Feature

HONORABLE MENTION DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - "CARDBOARD BERNINI"

“Cardboard Bernini” is a fascinating portrait of an artist who has spent a lifetime creating art, including a woodcut print for an iconic Jethro Tull cover and recently has become a virtuoso working with cardboard.  "As an artist you're always on the precipice of disaster. It's how you get out of the pit that defines who you are." Directed by Olympia Stone.  76 minutes.

HONORABLE MENTION - DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - "WAR ON HEALTH"

Prolific filmmaker Gary Null takes on the FDA takes on the FDA with another incendiary documentary that exposes some horrific practices done in the name of our health.  Directed by Gary Null.

HONORABLE MENTION - DOCUMENTARY FEATURE.  “CALABRIA TO CALIFORNIA” 

Film tracks the journey to find the family roots – and follow an Italian family from Calabira, Italy wound up in California.  Also a graphic demonstration of how food is made at home and on the farm in Italy, and how we’ve lost touch with what it means to grow our own food and to honor great quality. Submitted by Jennifer Kendzior from France.  

Student Short film

BEST STUDENT SHORT - 'STRAY"  

Two best friends in high school, one goes to college, the other stay behind and gets involved in drugs and the thug life.  When the friend returns, he’s swallowed up by the events that follow in this well acted, well directed short.  Directed by Brendan Dean. 28 Minutes.

HONORABLE MENTION - STUDENT SHORT - “BOOKSTORE”

A funny look at a Bookstore in a high school, shots by students in that high school.  Like “The Office” the “Bookstore” is a place ripe for comic spins and romantic entanglements. Shot at LA's own Harvard-Westlake, 18 minutes. Submitted by Alexander Haney.

HONORABLE MENTION - STUDENT SHORT - "STATUE"

A mime who covers himself in silver paint is beset by revelers in New Orleans.  However, he strikes up a non verbal friendship with a guitarist on the same block.  10 minutues, Directed by Andrew Bryan.

HONORABLE MENTION - STUDENT SHORT - "BLACK"

A new take on an old genre – black and white journey into a detective’s world – there’s a dame and a murder and someone’s gotta fall – nicely done potboiler from our friends at LMU film school.   Mason Howard, 15 minutes.

Dramatic Short

BEST DRAMATIC SHORT - "DISCONNECTION"

“Disconnection” is a tale told through web cams.  Phone rings late at night, his girlfriend is missing him. Then she calls back after a dropped connection – it’s the middle of the day. Is he awake? Is he dreaming? A clever and surprising journey into an online relationship. Submitted by Kristine Gerolaga, Directed by Steven Krimmel 10 minutes long.

HONORABLE MENTION  - DRAMATIC SHORT - “THE DROP”

based on a true story.  A blind student trying to learn his way in a sighted world, he’s dropped off on one side of Philadelphia and he has to find his way home – on his own. Written by Marvelyne Engel. Co-Directors: Crystal Clear, Martha Minuzzi 7 minutes.

HONORABLE MENTION - DRAMATIC SHORT – "LONG DAYS AFTER"

Beautifully shot short film where a man goes out into the world as if it’s a typical day. But for some reason there’s no one else left on the planet, so he’s spending his last day on Earth trying to do the same things that he used to do.  Submitted by Noel Taylor, 28 minutes.

HONORABLE MENTION - DRAMATIC SHORT - "WELCOME"

Firmly in filmmaker David Ayer ("End of Watch") territory, this short film is shot in the barrio where a young latino has to decide to join a gang or not.  When he realizes it’s the gang who shot his mother, his fate (and their fate) is sealed.  Submitted by Max Loera, 11 minutes.

Comedy Short

BEST COMEDY SHORT - "2ND AVENUE"

Very clever story told through music and google maps – where two characters meet in NYC and use the tiny little yellow men of Google Maps to help them find each other. Submitted by Joe Gabriel, 3 minutes 15 seconds.

HONORABLE MENTION - COMEDY SHORT - “EVIL” 

"Evil" tells the tale of an elderly gent who is hunted by the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Turns out that he’s Mr. Evil himself. Only this old gent has mellowed with age, and he’s not entirely sure he wants to see the planet disappear as predicted in the Bible. Submitted by Director Brendan Dean, 26 minutes.

HONORABLE MENTION -COMEDY SHORT - "WE THINK NATE TORRENCE IS DEAD"  

Shot on his cell phone, this creepy yet funny film follows a comedian as he makes a fateful stop in the mountains.  Starring and directed by (and shot on his own cell phone cam) Nate Terrence. 23 mins.


Animated Short

BEST ANIMATION SHORT - "HOW NOT TO ROB A BANK"

Legos on the rampage wind up robbing a bank.  Hilarious caper film by Harrison Allen. 5 minutes 30.  This is one hilarious romp for anyone who has ever enjoyed Lego's - and a brilliant story, well told.  Destined to be viral.

HONORABLE MENTION - ANIMATED SHORT - "ROCK 01"

 In a world in the future, a robot trying to survive a cruel planet, winds up in a position to save his planet. Fun innovative animation as robots battle for the planet’s future. Submitted by Erdi Yao from Brooklyn. 7 minutes.


Documentary Short

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT: "THE INVISIBLE LIGHTHOUSE"

An elegiac film about a lighthouse that comforted this musician and filmmaker as a child; Thomas Dolby's debut film "The Invisible Lighthouse" is a haunting examination of a lighthouse on the coast of Suffolk in East Anglia, ancestral home to his family.  Part musical, part historical journey, a journey of the heart, done by a filmmaker who expands the bounds of filmmaking. 29 minutes.

HONORABLE MENTION - DOCUMENTARY SHORT - "I IS ANOTHER"

A filmmaker with agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) makes a film about it and forces herself into a new phase of life.  She's finally able to get out of her apartment, if only to make this film about her journey outside.  Kelly Donnellan, 40 minutes.

HONORABLE MENTION  - DOCUMENTARY SHORT - "TEAL DIVA"

Insightful look into women dealing with Ovarian cancer and how they learn to cope with it by learning to share their stories with each other. Directed by Brady Bigalke.

Feature Drama

BEST DRAMATIC FEATURE - "FRANCIS OF BROOKLYN"

Veteran returns from the war a damaged individual. Violent, angry, he has an apotheosis and becomes non violent and joins a Christian community. He has his own conversion in this well shot, well acted feature. Josh Wick. 107 minutes.


World Cinema


BEST WORLD CINEMA - "ELEGY FOR A REVOLUTIONARY"  

A couple of young men living in apartheid South Africa have to decide to join the revolution.  One is imprisoned and tortured until he gives up the name of his friend.  When he’s released, he avenges his friend and in so doing saves him. Submitted by Director Paul van Zyl of South Africa. 22 minutes.

Jury Prize


JURY PRIZE - CINEMATOGRAPHY - "NILE PERCH"

A film that feels like it was found from the earliest days of filmmaking.  An elegiac study of the life of a river perch, and how it goes from central Africa to markets in Europe. Directed by Duke University's Josh Gibson.  Shot on location in Lake Victoria, 17 minutes. Josh won an award at Slamdance this past year.

THE DIY FILM FESTIVAL GALA WILL BE AT THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL ON MARCH 8TH!!!
DETAILS TO FOLLOW....

DIY Film Festival Gala

We'll be celebrating the DIY Film Fest this year at our annual gala at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 8th in Hollywood.

Stay tuned for how to get tickets to the gala where we will be showing a smattering of short films and excerpts of the feature films.  We have a full slate and some terrific films and are just gathering together all the final elements that come into the festival..  The deadline for submissions has come to an end for this year's festival, however, if you've submitted your film after the deadline, never fear, it will roll into the following year's festival.

We here at the DIY Film Fest are grateful for your hard work and submitting your film to the festival, and encourage you all to continue to wave the flag of DIY Filmmaking - we are no longer limited by our ability to make films, only by our imagination.  "When the cost of making a film is as much as a piece of paper and a pencil, then we will find true art." Filmmaker Jean Cocteau

Finalists will be announced this weekend and thanks for stopping by!!!!