It’s gonna be damn hot…good thing Palm Springs is supplying the shorts. The Palm Springs International Film Festival of Short Films will take place August 6-12 at the Camelot Theaters and this time they have a major award to give out.
The Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films and the Eastman Kodak Company have announced the creation of the new Kodak Award for Best Student Cinematography. The first-place winner will receive an invitation to attend the 2003 Cannes International Film Festival to showcase a clip of their film, presented by the Kodak Student Filmmaker Program. By attending the Cannes Film Festival, the winner will have the opportunity to meet industry professionals from around the world through participation in panels, showcases and other events. All of the participants in the annual Kodak Showcase have won prestigious student competitions within the United States.
The criteria for consideration of the Kodak Award for Best Student Cinematography will include unique uses of the camera, use of lighting or creative lighting techniques, unique looks or creative processing of the film, how well the camera is used to tell the story, and frame composition.
So, in other words, if your film looks great, you’re golden.
A total of $38,500 worth of prizes will be presented at this year’s Festival, which will present a total of 20 awards in 11 individual categories decided by a jury of nine members. Returning for a second year, the $15,000 Palm Springs International Future Filmmaker Award will be awarded at the end of the festival as well as the $2,000 Best of the Festival Award. All filmmakers whose films are entered in competition are eligible for these two awards.
First and second place prizes will be awarded in the following categories Best Animation, Best Live Action (15 minutes and under), Best Live Action (over 15 minutes), Best Documentary, Best Student Animation, Best Student Live Action (15 minutes and under), Best Student Live Action (over 15 minutes) and Best Student Documentary. All first place winners in these categories will receive a cash award of $2,000 and will be eligible to be entered for consideration to receive an Academy Award* nomination.
Second place winners will receive a cash award of $500. Festival sponsor Kodak will also award winners in the student categories with $1,000 in film stock to first place winners and $500 in film stock to second place winners.
“Our goal is to encourage and inspire the next generation of filmmakers to pursue their dreams,” said Gayle Barnes, marketing manager of the Kodak Student Filmmaker Program. “We believe this festival provides a wonderful opportunity for student filmmakers to showcase their work and meet with their peers and other great artists from around the world.”
Visit the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films website for more information.
