San Diego Latino Film Festival

CALL FOR ENTRIES are now open for the 2010 San Diego Latino Film Festival.

Entry deadline next year's 2010 film festival: November 5, 2009

Late deadline for 2010 film festival: December 1, 2009 (a $25 late fee will be charged for any late entries)

Introduction

Media Arts Center San Diego is now seeking films and videos for 17th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival (March 2010).

Media Arts Center San Diego's prestigious and internationally recognized San Diego Latino Film Festival, soars into its' 17th year with impressive and exhilarating new activities, special events and initiatives. The 17th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF) is now accepting entries for the 2009 festival. SDLFF will take place March 2010 at the Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center located in beautiful San Diego, California. Last year's festival was attended by an audience of 18,000 actively-engaged film lovers, filmmakers, actors, programmers, distributors, industry representatives and journalists. The San Diego Latino Film Festival has used the unique geographical and cultural position of the San Diego Border Region to make the festival a premiere venue for the exhibition of international and U.S. Latino features, shorts and documentaries.

The 2010 San Diego Latino Film Festival will include expanded opportunities for participating filmmakers and their films/videos to take the spotlight. The following is just a taste of what filmmakers and attendees can experience by participating at the upcoming San Diego Latino Film Festival:

* 137 feature and short films to be screened;
* over 120 guest filmmakers and actors;
* SDLFF Awards Competition;
* Latino New Media & Entertainment Sidebar;
* Workshops/Seminars with industry representatives and filmmakers (i.e. "Financing", "Distribution");
* On-line Shorts Fest;
* Cine'mation showcase;
* SDLFF's "Top Ten to Watch";
* Celebrity Guest Curator;
* annual showcase of "Latinos in TV";
* "Tributes" to acclaimed filmmakers/actors;
* Concerts @ the Fest;
* Pre-Fest Launch Parties;
* "Best of Fest" showcase;
* Opening, Centerpiece, and Closing Night Gala Celebrations;
* the SDLFF Awards Ceremony;
* Free Student Outreach Screenings;
* "Meet the Filmmaker" Dialogues; and,
* SDLFF's Annual "Border Visions" Sidebar.

Selection Process

The festival is seeking innovative works that are 'by', 'about' or 'for' the Latino community, that have been produced between 2008-2010. Work previously exhibited in the San Diego / Tijuana Border Region - whether theatrically at another local festival or broadcast on television, - is not eligible to apply. A panel of distinguished curators from the San Diego and Tijuana community will select the films and videos to be screened during the "Official Selection" of the festival. All entries will be pre-screened for eligibility by curators, however, not all entries will be programmed.

An additional panel of distinguished filmmakers, film critics, and actors will sit on this year's Awards Jury. Awards are given for excellence in form and content.

Awards Categories include
´ Best Narrative Feature (40 min. and longer),
´ Best Documentary Feature (40 min. and longer),
´ Best Documentary Short (under 40 min.),
´ Best Narrative Short (under 40 min.),
´ Best Experimental Work,
´ Best Youth Work (For film and video works shot, directed and produced by youth under 18 years old),
´ Best Local Work (produced or directed by a current resident of San Diego / Tijuana Border Region),
´ Best Student Work,
´ "Audience Award" (popular ballot).