The Feature Film Project announced that it will waive entry fees for films produced in Romania for its first annual project to take place in 100 cinemas across the USA in March next year.
On March 21, 2013, the winning feature film selected from a global call for entries will screen in over 100 cinemas across the USA. Audiences at each venue will receive a voting card at each cinema and be asked, “Should this film return to this cinema for a week’s theatrical release in six weeks?” If the majority of the audiences vote “yes”, then that film will receive a theatrical release in that cinema six weeks later. The Feature Film Project is presented by the organizers of the MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival, one of the largest short film festivals in the world taking place in over 300 cinemas across six continents during one week each year.
Superman, Spiderman or Batman, directed by Tudor Giurgiu, won the Gold Medal (Best Short Award) at the Manhattan Short Film Festival that took place between September 28 and October 7, 2012.
“The films I remember best are the films I saw in the cinema,” said MANHATTAN SHORT founding director Nicholas Mason. “I grew up in Sydney Australia. I remember going to this little indie-cinema and catching films such as ‘Sex, Lies, and Videotape’ and ‘Blood Simple.’ The reason those films came to Australia was because they did well at a film festival in the USA. Those films then made it into the indie-cinemas across the USA where they resonated with an audience and eventually made it to Australia, where they had an impact on people like me. These films had no major stars or million dollar marketing campaigns, it was the cinemas and the cinema-going public across the USA that elevated them to success. A trend has started in which films appear at major film festivals across this country and are then encouraged to go straight to Video-on-Demand. The thought of a theatrical release is not even entertained. The Feature Film Project is about getting indie films back into a cinema and letting the public decide what happens to them after that.”
“MANHATTAN SHORT’s ability to put together a quality short film festival is the reason why we’re excited about working with them on this new Feature Film Project. It’s exciting to see independent film get a break like this,” said Dawn Riordan of the Normal Theatre in Illinois.
“I'm ecstatic about this new concept! I truly believe in not only the power of film, but in the power of audience. Together they have helped to build the motion picture industry into an international force to be reckoned with. I know my patrons will be thrilled of the prospect of helping to usher a filmmaker into the limelight and, as a passionate film exhibitor, I couldn't be more proud of sharing this invaluable opportunity!” Said Loretta Miles of Cinema Salem in Salem Oregon.
The Feature Film Project is open to feature films of all genres including documentaries. Filmmakers have until December 31, 2012, to submit their films if they wish to be part of the Feature Film Project. For more information and entry forms, visit the Feature Film Project’s website at www.TheFeatureFilmProject.com.
Contact: Info@TheFeatureFilmProject.com & Nicholas Mason Nick@ManhattanShort.com.
