IFP/Seattle Announces 2009 Spotlight Award Winners

IFP/Seattle announced the winner for this year's Spotlight Award, a production grant featuring thousands of dollars of in-kind goods and services from the leading Northwest production companies. This year's winning project is "Photo Booth" from Timothy Watkins and Charlie Forsgren. The team were finalists last year at the Spotlight Award for their script, "Dishonesty."

"This year's Spotlight Award finalists offered a great combination of unique vision and strong core teams. We're excited to see how Tim and Charlie bring everything together for 'Photo Booth,'" said Michel Hansmire, IFP board member and judge of this year's Spotlight Award.

"I'm so excited and honored to have won the IFP Spotlight Award, especially from amongst so many really talented and creative filmmaking teams. The award is an amazing and generous collection of sponsorship and support that will allow our very ambitious project become a reality," said director and co-writer Timothy Watkins. "I am extremely grateful to the IFP board for giving us this opportunity and for seeing in us the potential to make a truly amazing film that will take full advantage of the Spotlight Award support and sponsorship package. It's a tremendous opportunity to grow as filmmakers and we hope to make everyone very proud."

Co-writer and producer Charlie Forsgren echoed the sentiments, "It feels great to be awarded the IFP Spotlight Award for 'Photo Booth.' We have assembled a great team and are looking forward to making a great movie. IFP is a wonderful organization and I would like to thank everyone involved in putting the spotlight award together. It is an incredible opportunity to work with so many great sponsors and really good people."

Past award winners of the Spotlight Award include "Night Blind" from Robert Parks (starring Lenny von Dohlen), "Dry Rain" from Matthew Clark (starring James LeGros), Cheryl Slean's "Diggers," Dan Brown's animated "Pierre" and John Helde's "Hello" (starring Eric Stoltz).

This year's IFP/Seattle Spotlight Award is being sponsored by: Alpha Cine, Clatter & Din, Kodak, Lance Rosen Esq, Modern Digital, Oppenheimer Cine Rental and Seattle Grip & Lighting.

Spotlight Award Finalists and Spotlight Award Party Details

IFP/Seattle is proud to announce the finalist for IFP/Seattle's Spotlight Award. On November 11th there will be a party where we will announce the winner of the 2009/10 award. A unique program, the IFP/Seattle Spotlight Award grants one filmmaker with significant in-kind goods and services to produce a short film on 35mm or 16mm.

The finalists are:
"Going Home" - Justin McGowan
"While You Weren't Looking" - Jeremy Mackie
"Love in the Year 2000" - David Miller
"The Last Virgin" - Shawn Telford
"Photo Booth" - Timothy Watkins and Charlie Forsgren

Spotlight Award Winner Announcement & Party
November 11th
Doors 6:30pm, Event 7pm
Central Cinema
1411 21st Ave - Seattle
Free To The Public

IFP/Seattle is committed to fostering a strong base of Northwest filmmakers with education, programs and grants that fuel the careers of local talent.

Sponsors of the award include Alpha Cine, Clatter & Din, Kodak, Lance Rosen Esq, Modern Digital, Oppenheimer Cine Rental and Seattle Grip & Lighting.

Applications Available For 2009 Spotlight Award

IFP/Seattle is now accepting applications for our 2009 Spotlight Award program. The Spotlight Award grants a filmmaker thousands of dollars of in-kind goods and services (film, camera, post services, etc) to make a short film. The application is designed to challenge filmmakers to produce a comprehensive and compelling film package that includes a script, breakdown, budget and marketing strategy. Applications may be found here.

The goal of the Spotlight Award is to highlight up-and-coming local talent, giving them the tools to create a professional short film to act as a "calling card" to help jumpstart their filmmaking career. The winning project shall be selected based on strength of the script, artistic content and overall feasibility of completion. Please visit the Spotlight page for more details. Applications are due Aug. 5th.

Local Films at SIFF 2009

SIFF 2009 Centerpiece Gala
Humpday, directed by
Lynn Shelton (USA, 2009)
Two college buddies test the limits of heterosexual male bonding by agreeing to take part in an amateur porn contest, based on the real-life competition held by The Stranger. This smart satire from Seattle's Lynn Shelton about the contradictions of the male ego culminates in a hilariously uncomfortable finale.

SIFF 2009 Northwest Connections Features
Back to the Garden, Flower
Power Comes Full Circle, directed by
Kevin Tomlinson (USA, 2009) WORLD PREMIERE
Twenty years ago, local filmmaker Kevin Tomlinson interviewed hippies at a "healing gathering" in Eastern Washington. Now he tracks the same folks to see what became of their environmental utopias. Today, in the midst of global warming, the voices of these flower children are prophetic.

Dancing Across Borders, directed by Anne H. Bass
(USA, 2008) WORLD PREMIERE
Sokvannara "Sy" Sar was a dancer on the streets of Cambodia until he caught the eye of filmmaker Anne Bass, who helped him become a professional ballet dancer. In her debut feature film, Bass sympathetically chronicles Sy's ascent as ballet's newest rising star.

Finding Bliss, directed by Julie Davis
(USA, 2008)
Jody needs a place to shoot her movies but all she can find is a porn studio. She starts to secretly film there but is discovered and forced to collaborate with an adult film director. Filmed in Spokane, this fun romantic comedy borrows plot lines from director Julie Davis' own start in the industry.

Icons Among Us, directed by
Michael Rivoira, Lars Larson, Peter J. Vogt (USA, 2009)
Executive producer John Comerford interviewed 75 jazz artists with high-definition cameras, shot 25 hours of concerts on Super-16mm film, and blended them with archival footage. The result is a dynamic and engaging document of many of the greatest jazz musicians of today. Also part of SIFF Face the Music.

The Immaculate Conception
of Little Dizzle, directed by
David Russo (USA, 2009)
A group of janitorial slackers unwittingly becomes the subject of a very bizarre biochemical engineering experiment involving cookies that may help illuminate the meaning of existence. Full of imaginative animation sequences, this visually inventive
comedy from Seattle's David Russo is really a spiritual quest in sheep's clothing.

Independent America: Rising
From Ruins, directed by
Hanson Hosein (Canada, 2008)
Independent America: Rising From Ruins explores the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and how the Moms and Pop businesses provided hope where corporate America disappointed. Avoiding over-dramatization, Hanson Hosein educates
audiences about the empowered and hopeful in the New Orleans community.

It Takes a Cult, directed by Eric Johannsen
(USA, 2008)
The Israel Family (aka, The Love Family) was a communal religious movement born in Seattle that grew to a tribe of nearly 300 men, women, and children. Raised in the Israel Family, Johannsen brings an intimate portrait of communal life and what drew them all together.

Pirate for the Sea,directed by Ronald Colby
(USA, 2008)
Hero to conservationists and villain to hunters, marine environmentalist Paul Watson commits himself 100 percent to his cause. In this stirring profile, director and narrator Ron Colby explores Watson's beliefs, blunders, and triumphs. He makes a convincing case that the world's endangered oceans are better off due to Watson's dedicated and frequently controversial efforts.

The Spy and the Sparrow, directed by
Garrett Bennett (USA, 2009) WORLD PREMIERE
Shot in Seattle and produced by local shingle Eke Pictures, Bennett merges spy thriller with domestic drama to sly and surprising effect as retired agent Thomas Sparrow faces his greatest challenges in trying to reconnect with his troubled daughter, Josephine, in this sly and surprising film.

Sweet Crude, directed by Sandy Cioffi
(USA, 2008)
Ten percent of our oil supply comes from Nigeria, but few of us know the social and environmental devastation that the oil business wreaks there. Local filmmaker Sandy Cioffi brings her camera overseas to expose the corruption and the growing militant reaction to the politically irresponsible oil companies in the Niger Delta.

Trimpin: The Sound of
Invention, directed by Peter Esmonde (USA, 2009)
Trimpin is a wild ride through the kinetic universe of a creative genius. We watch Seattle-based artist/inventor/engineer/composer Trimpin design, scavenge, build, and investigate an outrageous range of materials. This will delight anyone interested in the mysteries, pitfalls, and sheer joy of creative experiment.
Also part of SIFF Face the Music program.

True Adolescents, directed by Craig Johnson
(USA, 2009)
Washington native Craig Johnson fills his directorial debut with the sights and sounds of the Pacific Northwest in this humorous and insightful tale of a down-on-his-luck indie rocker (Mark Duplass from Humpday and The Puffy Chair) who confronts his biggest doubts and fears when a camping trip goes awry.

The Whole Truth, directed by Colleen Patrick
(USA, 2009) WORLD PREMIERE
A greedy, high living acting coach transforms disgusting criminals to appeal to juries, until she overhears a client she helped set free plan a heinous crime - and becomes his target for murder. Escaping death and discovering who she really is becomes the most expensive - and rewarding - experience of her life.

World's Greatest Dad, directed by
Bobcat Goldthwait (USA, 2009)
Shot on location in Seattle, this wickedly funny dark comedy stars Robin Williams as a sad-sack poetry teacher who inadvertently finds his greatest opportunity from a freak accident. Bobcat Goldthwait has concocted a lusciously perverse and refreshingly original tale that tackles love, loss, and our curious quest for infamy.

ZMD: Zombies of Mass
Destruction, directed by
Kevin Hamedani (USA, 2009)
Things are rotten in the idyllic island town of Port Gamble, Washington, quite possibly because there's been a zombie virus outbreak. Now a small band of intrepid heroes must fight back and eradicate the undead invaders - it's the American way.

SIFF 2009 Northwest Connections Shorts
"Bedtime Story,"directed by
Sarah Jane Lapp (USA, 2009)
"CC 2010,"directed by
Travis Senger (USA, 2009)
"Endless Tunnel,"directed by
Tommy Thompson (USA, 2008)
"The Chronicles of Cleo and
Jack," directed by Karn Junkinsmith (USA, 2009)
"The Day My Parents Became
Cool,"directed by Steve Edmiston
(USA, 2008)
"Dark Material,"directed by
Maile Martinez (USA, 2009)
"Her Meds,"directed by
Matt Cibelli (USA, 2008)
"It's In The P-I,"directed by
Bradley Hutchinson (USA, 2009)
"November,"directed by
Benjamin Dobyns (USA, 2008)
"One Night,"directed by
Laura Jean Cronin (USA, 2009)
"Somewhere,"directed by
Salise Hughes (USA, 2009)
"Sophia + Anna,"directed by Joy
Andrews (USA, 2009)
"Thicker Than Water,"directed by
Sami Kubo (USA, 2008)

Northwest Screenplay Competition Call for Entries

The Northwest Screenplay Competition is accepting submissions for the 12th Annual Northwest Screenplay Competition (formerly called the Washington State Screenplay Competition). The Northwest Screenwriters Guild's focus is on providing support and insight to a dedicated group of screenwriters distant in geography from "Hollywood" but not in spirit or talent.

Submission Deadlines:

June 1 - Earlybird Deadline ($35)

June 27 - Regular Deadline ($40)

July 8 - Late Deadline ($50)

July 12 - Withoutabox Deadline ($50)

First and second round entries will be judged by trained and experienced readers who are screenwriters and producers dedicated to the craft. An added bonus this year is the separate SUNBREAK AWARD honoring writers who reside in Washington or Oregon.

The top three finalist scripts will be read by executives at established Hollywood production companies.

Other prizes include: Announcement as winner in Variety and the Hollywood Reporter, along with publicity releases to film industry and script-related publications; staged script reading with a cast of talented Seattle actors at the 12th annual Local Sightings Film Festival; one year membership to NWSG; one copy of the Final Draft; Michael Wiese Books Bundle; Yoneda Kathie Fong's "The Script Selling Game"; John Scott Lewinski's "Alone in A Room"; Save The Cat bundle; THE WEEKLY WORKBOOK: Twelve Weeks from Idea Through Rewrite by Pilar Alessandra.

Past finalists have been hired for writing assignments, secured representation, signed option agreements, and have had their work requested by film executives.

Details about the competition, including rules, deadlines and prizes, can be found at www.nwsg.org. For more information contact the competition coordinator at: competition@nwsg.org.

IFP Independent Filmmaker Labs - Call for Narrative Rough Cut Features

A National Program Connecting Mentors and Projects Before They Are Submitted to Festivals

Narrative Lab Submission Deadline: April 17

Led by experienced producers, the Labs assist filmmakers in tackling the creative challenges of completing their modestly-budgeted, independently produced films - getting a leg-up before industry exposure. The five-day mentorship program in NYC challenges filmmakers to realize the full potential of their footage and stories with ongoing dynamic feedback and advice on technical & creative issues and distribution methods. The Labs are for first-time, narrative feature directors in the late stages of post-production. For more information & application: http://labs.ifp.org
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This is from our NYC IFP chapter. I know several filmmakers who have been through the Narrative Lab program and had a great experience. I encourage all Seattle filmmakers who are in the late stages of post to apply!

-Lacey

April Film +

Be Gentle, It's My First Time
Where: NW Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave
When: April 21st, 6:30 Doors, 7 - 8:30 discussion
Free for IFP/Seattle and NWFF members, $5 general public

The Seattle film community produces many independent films helmed by first-time feature directors, both local and out-of-towners. And despite the huge variety in production size, budget and quality, certain problems arise again and again. We'll hear from a panel consisting of a producer, 1st AD (Megan Griffiths), cinematographer (Ben Kasulke), gaffer (Jeremy Mackie) and editor that have worked with first-time feature directors in the NW. Through their painful stories (names changed to protect the innocent!), we'll discuss the key elements we commonly see missing in multiple Seattle productions and what we can all do to improve our workflows. Whether you're a director (first time or not), producer or crew member, this discussion will be beneficial and one you won't want to miss.

Seattle Music Videos Win 1-2 at SXSW

Seattle's That Go--aka Noel Paul and Stefan Moore--won the Jury Award for Music Video at SXSW for Thunderheist's "Jerk It." Shot by Mike Ragan and starring (The Stranger's 2009 Sexiest Actress) Anna Huckabay.

Also from Seattle, Sean Pecknold won a Special Jury Award for the Fleet Foxes’ “White Winter Hymnal.”

Check out the Thunderheist video here.


And the Fleet Foxes video here

Lynn Shelton wins Indie Spirit Award!

From the Film Independent press release:

Lynn Shelton, director of My Effortless Brilliance, won the sixteenth annual Acura Someone To Watch Award, a $25,000 unrestricted grant created to honor a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award is funded by Acura.

*****

Lynn was nominated for her first two features (We Go Way Back and My Effortless Brilliance) before Humpday was accepted into Sundance (and subsequently sold to Magnolia). Clearly Film Independent has good intuition on who to watch for. We at IFP/Seattle are so proud of and happy for our local filmmaker's success!

More in the upcoming days but for a pick at "Power Women" Lynn Shelton, actress Melissa Leo and filmmaker/cinematographer Ellen Kuras, look

here

XO,
Lacey

NYT article on "Sweet Crude"

I didn't catch this until today but local documentarian Sandy Cioffi's documentary "Sweet Crude" was profiled on Jan. 18th.

Two Shots at One Target

-Lacey

Event this Wednesday

IFP/Seattle and the NW Film Forum present: Film +

Major Festivals: How to get in and what to do once you're there
Wednesday, January 28
NW Film Forum - 1515 12th Ave E
Doors @ 6:30pm, Event from 7-8:30pm
Free for IFP/Seattle & NWFF members, $5 gen public

Getting into festivals, both big and small, is the dream of most indie filmmakers. IFP and NWFF wil bring together NW filmmakers who have played at major festivals to share their tips for what they did and what they wish they would have done now that they've gone through the process. We'll also hear from festival/publicity experts to get the scoop from their side of the process.

Wise words from a great producer

One of my idols is Mary Jane Skalski, producer of The Station Agent, Mysterious Skin and The Visitor. She just had two films at Sundance: Dare and Against the Current. She's definitely an inspiration to me, as I've really respected her projects thus far and am looking forward to seeing her new ones.

Skalski spoke at the Sundance Institute Annual Producer's Lunch and Indiwire was kind enough to print the speech. I think it's a great call to arms for indie producers everywhere and is especially applicable to our smaller but talented independent film scene.

Producer Solidarity

-Lacey-

Letter from the new president

Dear Members,

I'm going to kick off this blog with a formal(ish) letter.

I’m so thrilled to be heading into 2009 as the President of the IFP/Seattle Board. The NW started the year off right, with three films in Sundance and a feature and music video at Slamdance. We congratulate local directors Lynn Shelton (Humpday) and David Russo (The Immaculate Conception of Little Dizzle), local producer/NW Film Forum Board President Jennifer Roth (World’s Greatest Dad), Spokane's NXNW Productions (Finding Bliss) and That Go—Noel Paul and Stefan Moore—(Thunderheist's “Jerk It”) continued success.

What first attracted me to IFP in 2002 as an intern is what keeps me interested now: the organization is dedicated to connecting local filmmakers to the national independent film industry and improving our individual business savvy. While there are other amazing organizations in town (NWFF, NW Screenwriters Guild, 911 Media, etc.) that help support the creation of film and video projects and are vital to our artists and community, I hope that through IFP we can help train ourselves to be more knowledgeable on the business side of things. Film has always been an odd hybrid of art and commerce and through elevating our industry knowledge and participation, we hope to get more local artists to be taken seriously by the national film industry and audiences. As an independent filmmaker who wants to stay in Seattle yet create films that resonate beyond our boundaries, I have a personal stake in seeing this happen.

So what does this mean specifically for the organization? We will continue to offer the Spotlight Award, which I think is a fantastic and vital program for our community. We will also continue to work with local organizations and festivals to bring programs that directly connect local and national members to industry professionals, such as the NW Production Summit did in 2008. Other initiatives I look forward to bringing to our members include quarterly Film + events (see details on our January 28^th event in the next post). These events will function more as professional discussions amongst filmmaking peers rather than intro and intermediate level workshops and my hope is that we will raise the level of discourse around issues that we—NW filmmakers—find to be pertinent. I look forward to working with the IFP Board and staff to continue this mission and increase our programming to reflect the specific needs we have in the NW for our independent filmmakers.

In this vein, I hope you will take the time to fill out our survey found here. We are interested in hearing what current members, former/expired members and not-yet members are interested from IFP. We have a lofty mission and the only way we can contribute to our community is to directly help professional local filmmakers.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or suggestions about IFP.

All the best,
Lacey Leavitt
Board President, IFP/Seattle
lacey(at)ifpseattle.org