The Backlot Film Festival - April 1 to April 4, 2009 - Los Angeles

The Fourth Backlot Film Festival returns to the historic Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City, California beginning on Wednesday, April 1, and concluding on Saturday, April 4, 2009, with the presentation of the prestigious “Thomas H. Ince Award.”

The Backlot Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the 2009 festival. All festival submissions that are accepted for consideration as finalists will be screened at a local theatre in the Culver City/West Los Angeles area one week prior to the festival opening. Finalists in all categories will have their films screened in the Veterans Memorial 900-seat theatre/auditorium located at 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES & FEES
- Fiction Feature Films (55 to 180 minutes): $50.00
- Fiction Short Films (40 minutes or less): $30.00
- Documentary Feature Films (65 to 180 minutes): $40.00
- Documentary Short Films (40 minutes or less): $25.00
- Student Film (30 minutes or less): $20.00

We are reviving a popular film category that was first introduced in 2007: “The Next ‘Midnight Madness’ Movie Classic.” Films that follow in the tradition of The Rocky Horror Show, Pink Flamingos and Eraserhead will be screened at midnight at a local Culver City/West Los Angeles Theatre. Entrance Fee: $35.00.

Submission forms must be filled out completely to have a film officially entered into competition. Films submitted for competition must be independent films without current distribution. It is the goal of The Backlot Film Festival to actively seek out films that have not been shown at other festivals. There will be no refunds on films submitted.

The winners of the Best Fiction Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature Film will be screened for one week in New York and Los Angeles in order to qualify for Academy Awards consideration.

Over 40 films were screened at the 2008 Backlot Film Festival. The BFF has been a launching pad for several of these entries, garnering attention throughout the film world from critics and distributors alike. Here are a few examples:

- Chekov & Maria, a John Stark Production, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and picked up for foreign distribution.

- The 2007 Best Fiction Feature Film, The Adventures of Johnny Tao, was picked up for DVD distribution by Lionsgate Films.

- Chianti Pictures' La Cucina is currently being reviewed by two major distribution companies.

- Dan Frank's production of Medicinal is being submitted for Academy Award consideration in the Best Documentary category.

The 2008 Backlot Film Festival was a wonderful success. The prestigious “Thomas H. Ince Award” for outstanding work in the film industry was presented to acclaimed actor/director/producer Carl Reiner at the Gala Awards Ceremony on closing night. Many stars and celebrities attended as did the entertainment press corps.

The first “Arthur Freed Award for Best Student Film” was presented as a tribute to the filmmaker whose legacy helps define “movies” as we know them: producer/writer Arthur Freed – the genius behind countless MGM musicals, including the Academy Award-winning Gigi which screened, celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The award will again be presented this year to the Best Student Film by Steven Saltzman, Arthur Freed's grandson and President of Arthur Freed Productions.

The fourth Ince Award honoree will be announced on January 5, 2009. Check back at our website for regular updates.

It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that the Backlot Film Festival thanks all of our sponsors and vendors, along with the many filmmakers, all of whom helped to make the 2008 Backlot Film Festival a great event! With their continued support and encouragement, the 2009 Backlot Film Festival will be the best yet!

Ross Hawkins
President
The Backlot Film Festival



2009 Backlot FILM Festival April 1st.-4th. Veterans Memorial Building 4117 Overland Avenue Culver City	Promote your business and/or product on the Big Screen at The Backlot Film Festival! Discover Our Sponsorship Opportunities WE'VE MOVED! Our new address is: The Backlot Film Festival, 4244 Revere Place Culver City, CA 90232 Tel: 310.204.6920 Email:	SUBMIT NOW TO ENTER The Fourth 2009 Backlot FILM Festival Accepting Submission from October 15 through February 1, 2009 Submit Your Entry NOW Features, Shorts, Fiction, Documentary, Student Film and Midnight Madness....

4th BACKLOT FILM FESTIVAL OPENS APRIL 1, 2009 NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
The Fourth Backlot Film Festival returns to the historic Veterans Memorial Building in Culver City, California beginning on Wednesday, April 1, and concluding on Saturday, April 4, 2009, with the presentation of the prestigious “Thomas H. Ince Award.” The Backlot Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the 2009 festival. All festival submissions that are accepted for consideration as finalists will be screened at a local theatre in the Culver City/West Los Angeles area one week prior to the festival opening. Finalists in all categories will have their films screened in the Veterans Memorial 900-seat theatre/auditorium located at 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES & FEES - Fiction Feature Films (55 to 180 minutes): $50.00 - Fiction Short Films (40 minutes or less): $30.00 - Documentary Feature Films (65 to 180 minutes): $40.00 - Documentary Short Films (40 minutes or less): $25.00 - Student Film (30 minutes or less): $20.00 We are reviving a popular film category that was first introduced in 2007: “The Next ‘Midnight Madness’ Movie Classic.” Films that follow in the tradition of The Rocky Horror Show, Pink Flamingos and Eraserhead will be screened at midnight at a local Culver City/West Los Angeles Theatre. Entrance Fee: $35.00. Submission forms must be filled out completely to have a film officially entered into competition. Films submitted for competition must be independent films without current distribution. It is the goal of The Backlot Film Festival to actively seek out films that have not been shown at other festivals. There will be no refunds on films submitted. The winners of the Best Fiction Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature Film will be screened for one week in New York and Los Angeles in order to qualify for Academy Awards consideration. Over 40 films were screened at the 2008 Backlot Film Festival. The BFF has been a launching pad for several of these entries, garnering attention throughout the film world from critics and distributors alike. Here are a few examples: - Chekov & Maria, a John Stark Production, was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and picked up for foreign distribution. - The 2007 Best Fiction Feature Film, The Adventures of Johnny Tao, was picked up for DVD distribution by Lionsgate Films. - Chianti Pictures' La Cucina is currently being reviewed by two major distribution companies. - Dan Frank's production of Medicinal is being submitted for Academy Award consideration in the Best Documentary category. The 2008 Backlot Film Festival was a wonderful success. The prestigious “Thomas H. Ince Award” for outstanding work in the film industry was presented to acclaimed actor/director/producer Carl Reiner at the Gala Awards Ceremony on closing night. Many stars and celebrities attended as did the entertainment press corps. The first “Arthur Freed Award for Best Student Film” was presented as a tribute to the filmmaker whose legacy helps define “movies” as we know them: producer/writer Arthur Freed – the genius behind countless MGM musicals, including the Academy Award-winning Gigi which screened, celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The award will again be presented this year to the Best Student Film by Steven Saltzman, Arthur Freed's grandson and President of Arthur Freed Productions. The fourth Ince Award honoree will be announced on January 5, 2009. Check back at our website for regular updates. It is with sincere gratitude and appreciation that the Backlot Film Festival thanks all of our sponsors and vendors, along with the many filmmakers, all of whom helped to make the 2008 Backlot Film Festival a great event! With their continued support and encouragement, the 2009 Backlot Film Festival will be the best yet! Ross Hawkins President The Backlot Film Festival

Please sign-up to receive our Festival updates

THOMAS INCE AWARD HONOREE 2008 CARL REINER Read more >>>	TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR FREED OPENED THE 2008 BACKLOT FILM FESTIVAL Read more >>>	6 Classic Movies 8 New Independent Feature Films 4 New Documentaries 21 New short Films 6 student films Discover our Program

The 2008 Backlot Film Festival Awards Winners
Best Feature *"La Cucina"* Click to View the trailer Executive produced by Starolette Smith. Produced by Zack Kahn, Jackie Olsen. Directed by Allison Hebble, Zed Starkovich. Written by A.W. Gryphon *"Yesterday Was a Lie"* Click to View the trailer Executive produced, written and directed by James Kerwin. Produced by Chase Masterson. Starring Chase Masterson.	Best Documentary "OJ is Guilty – But Not of Murder (The Overlooked Suspect)” Click to View the trailer A film by William C. Dear. Directed by Phil Smith. Assistant Directors: Chad Smith, Phil Thompson. Produced by John McCready Best Short Film *“Pencil Fighting”* Executive produced by Andrew Negrin, Franco Interian and Paula Jimenez Directed by Fro Rojas	Best Student Short Film *"Dandelion" By Jackie Liao, School of Visual Arts, New York 2008 HONOREES* Thomas Ince Award Carl Reiner Read more -------------------------- Founders Award Zev Yaroslavsky, LA County Supervisor

THE BACKLOT FILM FESTIVAL 4244 Revere Place - Culver City, CA, 90232 Phone (310) 204-6920 - Email:
Site managed by Not Maurice