The third year of the rapidly growing Chattanooga Film Festival (CFF) is set for March 31-April 3. CFF badges will go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 15. Patrons will be able to purchase either a VIP badge, which grants first in line access to every film, panel, party, and workshop, or a simple day pass, which provides unlimited access to events on the day the patron selects. Individual film and event tickets will also be available closer to the festival.
The Chattanooga Film Festival was first held in 2014, and is quickly making a name for itself. The festival’s second year, which was held this past spring, drew more than 7,000 people to its films, parties, workshops, and special events. In gearing up for year three, CFF is hoping to increase film exhibition, education, and production in Tennessee.
With regard to production, submissions for year three are open. To submit for CFF 2016, head to FilmFreeway via the official CFF website at www.ChattanoogaFilmFest.com.
All submissions should be received by Jan. 1. There is an early bird deadline of Dec. 4, and for procrastinators, CFF offers an extended deadline of Jan. 29. Special discounts are being offered for student filmmakers, and as per the last two years, the festival will highlight local and regional filmmakers with its yearly Tennessee Filmmaker Showcase.
Up for grabs are awards in three categories: Best Feature, Best Short and an Audience Award. Best Feature winners will go home with $1,000 and receive 5.1 theatrical sound mixing for the film (or the filmmaker’s next project), donated by Awen Audio Design. The winners of Best Short with be awarded $500. All winners will walk away with trophies from local Chattanooga artist Matt Dutton.
Festival executive director, lead film programmer, and lifelong cinephile Chris Dortch II said the start of CFF submissions is one of the highlights of his year. “The incredible talent from around the region, and the world, that’s starting to discover CFF illustrates that Chattanooga is on the path toward becoming a signature city for filmmaking and film appreciation in the Southeast,” he said. “As we prepare for a third year that will melt the faces off of all who gaze upon it, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ style, it’s encouraging to get a sense of just how much talent there is out there.”
Source: Chattanooga Film Festival