The Mirage Academy Program

Everyone at some point has been touched by the power of film. It reminds us of the wonderment that imagination can bring; the awe inspiring amazement of incredible visuals; and the emotional joy that only brilliant storytelling can achieve. These feelings reside at the core of the MIRAGE ACADEMY's mission, to offer deserving filmmakers of all ages and walks of life, an opportunity to learn from and work with the best our industry has to offer.

The MIRAGE ACADEMY program will bring filmmakers to Las Vegas, NV for an intensive educational program, to be held each year during the 3 weeks prior to the Mirage International Film Festival. The focus of the program is to give filmmakers the chance to develop and establish their careers.

Film Is Universal

The MIRAGE ACADEMY believes that giving deserving filmmakers the opportunity to learn and network with the best minds in our industry will not only help them, but helps us all. We all stand to gain from what these outstanding filmmakers will do given the opportunity. Along with the annual intensive workshop, the Academy seeks to offer financial support, in the form of development funds, completion funds and other financial instruments to help give filmmakers the means to make their projects a reality.

The creative team behind the MIRAGE ACADEMY is comprised of former production executives, independent producers and industry professionals who have all achieved varying levels of success. Many of us owe some measure of our success to getting the right break. Collectively we believe that the MIRAGE ACADEMY will provide countless passionate filmmakers their "break" through financial assistance, educational support and career guidance. The greatest gift you could ever give another person is the ability and means to help them pursue their dreams.

What We Need / Our Vision

To provide the needed support and positive impact for these up and coming filmmakers, we need your support and help in raising the funds! Please visit our Indiegogo page to learn more about our campaign, as well as the perks being offered in exchange for your gift of hope and opportunity for your fellow filmmakers.

The MIRAGE ACADEMY is seeking to raise $180,000 during this fund raising campaign. The funds will allow us to:

• Host 100+ filmmakers at the annual MIRAGE ACADEMY; covering their travel, lodging and meals during the 3 week program. (72.5% of funding)
• Provide deserving filmmakers with development, post production and festival attendance grants to support their creative vision, provide a forum to showcase their work and alleviate some of the financial burden most emerging independent filmmakers face. (7.5% of funding)
• Host additional fundraising and networking events for Academy contributors, members and filmmakers to support the expansion of the Academy and our ability to positively impact thousands of careers. (10% of funding)
• Staff, run and attract veteran filmmakers and industry titans to support and operate the Academy (10% of funding)

The MIRAGE ACADEMY is the educational arm of the Mirage International Film Festival. In addition to the educational programs and events held by the Academy, the festival will also offer incentives and perks to Academy contributors and serve as an annual venue for Academy graduates to showcase their work and expand their professional networks.

The Impact Of Your Support

The impact of the Academy will be immediate and prevalent. Contributions will go directly to help aspiring filmmakers reach their dreams. The world we live in is full of individuals that have the ambition and drive to succeed, but lack the access and means to achieve them. The goal of the Academy is not only to arm aspiring filmmakers with acumen and experience, but give them a platform to showcase their remarkable talents to industry titans and professionals that could nurture their budding careers.

Beyond the immediate impact, your contribution will serve as the catalyst for a filmmaker who in the future could produce a film that becomes the next great classic or serves as a means to invigorate other aspiring filmmakers to pursue their dreams. A contribution to this program is one that will ripple through the future of the film industry and live for generations to come.

Please visit our Indiegogo page to donate and learn more about the perks being offered in exchange for your gift of hope and opportunity for your fellow filmmakers.

For more information about the Mirage International Film Festival or the MIRAGE ACADEMY, please contact us at info@miragefilmfest.com or you can visit or website www.miragefilmfest.com.