FIFTH ANNUAL TOPANGA FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS AUGUST 6-9, 2009
New 4 day format promises biggest festival yet
TOPANGA CANYON, CA – April 1, 2009 - Celebrating it’s 5th year, the critically acclaimed Topanga Film Festival http://topangafilmfestival.com/
This open-air, boutique, festival receives entries from around the globe and showcases a broad range of short films from documentaries, animation, drama, comedy and experimental. The program reflects the international and eclectic taste of its founders who go to great lengths to create an inspiring atmosphere for filmmakers to present their work.
Filmmakers compete for “The Coveted Coyote Award” and sponsored prizes. Last year’s award, created by renowned Artist Lauren Bon, and the Panavision’s New Filmmaker Award ($60,000 in equipment rental toward a future project) went to Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O’Brien for “American Storage.”
The Topanga Film festival is unique in its appreciation of thoughtful content and design which represents the area's approach to the environment and community. This year's expanded format includes not only the main open air competition screening in the mountain setting of Topanga Canyon, but for the first time will include showcase screenings, workshops, panels and ample opportunities to meet the filmmakers and to network.
New this year is an action sports showcase. The Topanga community is celebrated by outdoor enthusiasts and the film festival will recognize film achievement in a broad range of mountain and action sports short film making. As in previous years, the festival will continue to feature the Youth Salon to engage the next generation of filmmakers.
"The Topanga Film Festival is fast establishing itself as a unique voice in the film festival landscape," said Urs Baur, Festival co-founder. “Just minutes from LA's most creative centers, Topanga offers a beautiful setting in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains that is historically and spiritually recognized as a true artist community.”
Because Topanga Canyon is the home to many world famous writers, actors, filmmakers, musicians and artists, the Festival attracts a sophisticated audience of renowned artists and entertainment industry veterans. Past jurors, many of which are Topanga residents, include entertainment industry pros from behind and in front of the camera including actors Kadeem Hardison and Wendy Malick and directors/cinematographers Dan Mindel, and Randall Einhorn.
Submit your short film for competition (1 min. to 25 min.)
Longer films (25 min. plus) can be entered for consideration for one of the few Showcase
Screenings.
Early Bird Deadline: April 10th (entry fee $25 / through withoutabox.com - $20
Regular Deadline: June 26th (entry fee $35 / through withoutabox.com - $30
Late Deadline: July 3rd (entry fee $40 / through withoutabox.com - $35
WAB extended deadline: July 10th (entry fee $55 / through withoutabox.com - $40
The Topanga Film Festival is now a project of the International Humanities Center, a 501[c]3 non-profit organization. (http://ihcenter.org)
