UPCOMING DATES

> Genre Draft via Conference Call - April 27th
> SFC Principal Photography - May 1st through May 3rd
> Post-Production (Including limited Re-Shoots) - May 4th through May 11th
> Films Due - May 11th at 7PM

What is the STIFF Film Challenge? The STIFF Film Challenge is a collaborative film project where filmmaking teams compete to put together the best film over a 2 week period. It kicks off on April 27th, 2009 and ends on May 11th, 2009. The focus this year will be to short distinct movies resulting in one unified film, and as always will most likely receive some very limited distribution. Our Goal is to promote cooperation among film makers and bring together the local film making community.

Why did you change the name from Weekend Film Challenge to STIFF Film Challenge? As the film challenge has evolved it has become less about a weekend, and more about teams working together on something bigger. Last year we tried something new. We gave teams a week for preproduction, two days for principal photography and a week for post. The goal is to promote film making yet still challenge the film makers. Allowing extra time for planning and post is the key to making a project that teams can be proud of.

Isn’t this just a total 48 Hour Film Contest rip-off? When we first started doing the Weekend Film Challenge, there were some similarities between it and the 48 hour film contest (to be fair though, there was no 48 Hour Film Contest in Seattle back in those days). We have decided that we want to continue evolving the STIFF Film Challenge into something more unique, collaborative and unconstrained by format. We want film makers to have a project they can be proud of and possibly screen beyond STIFF 2009

How much does it cost to enter? This is the beauty! There is no cost to enter, but space is limited. We only ask that teams who sign up, are committed to putting together an entertaining film that they want an audience to see. Hurry though, the number of participating teams is capped at 15 and the sooner you enter, the higher your priority will be on genre draft day.

Who is going to see the movie? All films completed as part of the Weekend Film Challenge will be screened at STIFF 2009. Filmmakers, families and friends are invited to check out all of the films in front of an audience. Also, 10 of the films will be selected for a very limited pressing DVD.

Tell me more about this DVD ... The Top-10 films (selected by the STIFF Programming Committee) will be included on a compilation DVD. A limited pressing of the DVD will be replicated and used as giveaways at STIFF events throughout the year. Each filmmaking team included in the compilation will receive 15 copies (sell them, give them away, Do whatever you want with them) as compensation.