Blog-o-STIFF

STIFF 2013 All Access Passes Now Available

The STIFF All Access Pass gets you into all Parties, Film Screenings and Special Events. We only sell 100 of these passes each year and are keeping to price at only $50.00

I know it can be tough to purchase without knowing our schedule or seeing a list of the films we will be screening this year so I wanted to share some of the highlights to make the decision a little easier. 

Take a look at the films below and watch some trailers go to http://stiff2013allaccess.eventbrite.com/ to purchase.

 

Less Lost

Directed by Chase Conner

Less Lost, is the fictional story of a young man named Luke who is medically retired after serving in the US Army. Although his physical injuries are healing with time, the physiological effects associated with combat related PTSD only worsen. When his condition becomes a threat to his wife and child, he is faced with an ultimatum: get better or lose them. With the help of a new friendship with a fellow veteran named Darien, Luke faces an important crossroads where he must choose to remain in the past or move forward into the future.

 

 

 

Confine

Directed by Tobias Tobbell

A volatile thief breaks into the home of a reclusive former model and is forced to hold her hostage. Tense, claustrophobic thriller starring Daisy Lowe (Brit supermodel and cover girl), Eliza Bennett (Inkheart) and Alfie Allen (Game of Thrones).

Confine Trailer from Two Bells Productions on Vimeo.

 

 

 

Body Complete

Directed by Lukas Sturm

Nicole, a journalist, is on a harrowing journey across Bosnia to piece together the mysterious disappearance of a female victim of the ethnic cleansing during the Bosnian war in which thousands of Muslim civilians perished. The fanatic nationalism and open aggression all around her make Nicole’s search a life-threatening mission.

 

 

 

America's Most Haunted

Directed by Chris Randall

The popular ghost hunting show, “America’s Most Haunted”, has questionable methods, “proof” that doesn’t hold up to careful scrutiny, and a crew that doesn’t really believe in ghosts. However, on this assignment, the AMH crew is about to run into something unusual… A place that may actually be haunted.

 

 

 

Be Good

Directed by Todd Lobby

When Mary (Amy Seimetz) returns to work after her maternity leave, Paul (Thomas J. Madden) is in charge of their "spirited" baby, Pearl, as he struggles to write a screenplay. Mary misses Pearl terribly, but her benefits are the only security to family has. As Paul's disinterest in his work grows, money becomes tighter and his attachment to Pearl intensifies - Mary is left out in the cold. It all comes to a head one day when Paul's good nature gets the best of him and he quickly becomes the jerk he thought he'd never be.

 

 

 

Ofir

Directed by Mark McDanald

When Ofir Drori discovered that no one was fighting to disprove Jane Goodall's dark prophecy that apes in the wild would soon be extinct, he decided to step in. Ofir established The Last Great Ape, and he and his team began to orchestrate undercover investigations and sting operations in an effort to put traffickers of endangered species behind bars.

 

 

Withoutabox STIFF 2013 Email

SEATTLE TRUE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL Seattle, Washington - USA May 3 to 11, 2013

Dear Timothy, In the Spotlight this week is the 9th Annual Seattle True Independent Film Festival(STIFF), celebrating films that push boundaries and defy convention. The festival aims to discover the hidden gems of the indie film scene, so each film submitted to STIFF is guaranteed to be viewed by at least three members of the festival's programming team. STIFF's programmers are committed to finding the most unique voices and compelling stories regardless of style, format, genre, or length. STIFF does not allow its sponsors or theater owners to censor its lineup, nor will the festival allow runtime or premiere requirements to keep a great film out of the program. The festival boasts a passionate Seattle audience that appreciates a wide variety of films, including cause-oriented documentaries and international works. STIFF also enthusiastically supports local Washington films, which comprise approximately a quarter of the program each season. It is this diversity of offerings, coupled with wild parties, robust opportunities for distribution, and exciting discoveries from the alternative music scene, that led IndieWire to declare that STIFF "is more than a simple affront to the establishment," and that it "has solidified a more complicated identity." STIFF presents the coveted STIFFY Award as well as more than $2,500 USD combined in cash prizes to the winners of Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Animated Film, and Best Student Film. The festival also provides guest passes granting admission to screenings, parties, and events to all submitting filmmakers, whether or not their film is accepted as part of the festival's program.     UPCOMING DEADLINE November 1, 2012 - Regular Deadline MISSION AND OBJECTIVE The Seattle True Independent Film Festival is dedicated to the exhibition of independent, underground, experimental, and zero-budget films. The festival endeavors to provide cultural exchange and educational opportunities by bringing a diverse selection of films to the area and providing a place for discussion between local and visiting filmmakers and the public. MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL STIFF is pleased to offer many networking opportunities for local and visiting filmmakers. The festival's legendary opening night screening and after-party always extend late into the night, and is just one of the many opportunities where filmmakers can mingle with festival programmers from other regional events, online distributors, or other industry players interested in discovering new talents. Other notable events include "Cartoons and Bloody Marys," a Saturday morning celebration of weird animated films, and the closing night party - last year's was STIFF Prom, hosted in a former schoolhouse. If you think your film may be too outlandish, too bold, or too challenging for the traditional festival circuit, it will likely find a home at STIFF. Submit your film to the Seattle True Independent Film Festival today!

Submissions are open for STIFF 2013

We are really excited to open Submissions for the 9^th edition of STIFF. Last year we received a little over 500 submissions and selected 32 features and 100 short films for Screening in the Festival.  This year we are preparing to take a look at well over 500 films and put together a well rounded program for our Dedicated Seattle Audience. We would really like to take a look at your film and if you’re not sure if you should submit here are a few points to consider-

 

A Total of $2500.00 in Cash Prizes

 

No increase in Submission fees from last year

 

New Lower Submissions fees for Student Films and Indepenetration- Only $20.00 until Late Deadline

 

We Continue to Support Local Filmmakers with automatic Submission Fee Waivers for Current Washington State Resident Filmmakers or Films shot in Washington State (use INDIEWASH)

 

We include Short Films up to 45 Minutes in Length.

 

Last year 25% of our films selected for the festival were Documentaries. We would like to increase that to 40% this year.

 

We would love to see your film. If you have any questions about the process please email Will Chase our Program Director submissions@trueindependent.org

Here is the link to deadline and other submission info http://trueindependent.org/submit.html

 

Thanks from the STIFF Team

2012 STIFF Awards

 

Best Documentary Feature- Wild Bill’s Run Directed by Mike Schotlz 

 

Nominee- Out on a Limb Directed by Kevin Heutink

Nominee- Zooman Directed by Rolf Winters

 

Best Narrative Feature- The Caretaker Directed by Tom Conyers 

 

Nominee- Antihero Directed by Joseph Weindl

Nominee- QWERTY Directed by Bill Sebastian

 

 

Best Premiere- Rising Star Directed by Marty Lang

 

Nominee- Zinka Directed by Collin Joseph Neal

Nominee- This is How I Roll Directed by Katherine Vecchio

 

 

Best  Short Film- A Man Buried Directed by Jesse Watson

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=480225676158&set=vb.123235461054305&type=2&theater

Nominee- Reversal Directed by David Preston

Nominee- Method Actor Directed by Justin Stokes

 

 

Audience Award- The Search for Kenny Boy Directed by Justin Wood 

 

Nominee- Wild Bill’s Run Directed by Mike Schotlz

Nominee- Rising Star Directed by Marty Lang

 

 

Best  Student Film- Mother Directed by Laurel Parmet 

 

Nominee- A Strange day in July Directed by Shantal Reich

Nominee- Good Taste Directed by Greg Hanson

Honorable Mention- Impetuous Michael Tanner Cusumano

 

 

Indepenetration Award- American Juggalo Directed by Sean Dunne

 

Nominee- The Spit Show Direscted by Indus Alelia & Raquel Werner

Nominee-  Lady Bits Directed by Lauren Brown

 

 

Best Animated Film- The Reading Directed by Catya Plate

 

Nominee- Dan, Ann & The Magic Band Directed by Adrian James Dhalla

Nominee- Being Bradford Dillman Directed by Emma Burch

 

 

 

Look out Seattle! Here come the Clothespin Freaks

Brooklyn filmmaker's short stop-motion animated film "The Reading" produced and directed by visual artist Catya Plate and nominated for Best Animation screens at the 8th Seattle True Independent Film Festival with a mind-boggling display of unusual characters scrutinizing our human condition.

The film's stars in this darkly hilarious tale are Clothespin Freaks, two-headed characters made of clear clothespins, sewn pieces and doll's body parts. In 2003 Plate invented the Clothespin Freak characters in a series of drawings as "a serio-comic response to our angst-ridden times." In Plate's paintings, sculptures, artist's book and installations these Clothespin Freaks continued to evolve. In 2009, inspired by filmmakers like Jan Svankmajer and the Bolex Brothers,  Plate pushed her characters even further and brought them to life through animation. Based on Plate's "Clothespin Tarot" artist book from 2007 "The Reading" was born.

Plate's mentor, Heather Dell, (Art Historian and Director at the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, New York) says, ""The Reading" is an animated short film, a painting, a drawing and a sculpture. It is in fact a project that galvanizes the talents and career of Catya Plate into one brilliant package. I do hope that you will enjoy "The Reading" as much as I did." "Catya Plate enters the world of animation without unnecessary complexes or reservations, and presents us with a surprising and daring story as if taken from a somnambulist dream of Alice in Wonderland", states Piotr Kardas, Program Director at the Se-ma-for Film Festival 2010/2011, Poland and Alexander Campos, Executive Director at The Center of Book Arts, New York where "The Reading" world premiered in 2010 says: "Whimsically executed, the macabre-like adventure in "The Reading" is both witty and alluring. Referencing surrealist and romanticism notions, this short film, brilliantly brings out relevant social and psychological issues of existence, knowledge and value."

Born in Barcelona, Spain, and raised in Germany, Catya Plate attended the Werkkunstschule, Köln, before coming to New York on a Fulbright Scholarship for postgraduate studies at School of Visual Arts. 
Recently nominated for Best Animation at the Queens World Film Festival, Don Cato, Program Director QWFF, calls "The Reading" "a beautifully outlandish stop motion whose characterizations, costumes, set pieces and action complement a crazy bright nightmare. The sound and music enhance a Vaudevillian atmosphere that signals the joy of the work. Thoughts of a "Rarebit Fiend" come to mind in this very smart serious silliness."  
One can expect to see more of Plate's art as she is currently working on her second animated stop-motion short film where her characters, the Clothespin Freaks, continue to be featured in new and challenging adventures.

So, for those who enjoy an interesting and unusual gem of a film, check out "The Reading". Andie Agnew, co-director at Crossroads Film Festival says: "The Reading is a mesmerizing ride through a dream world populated by whimsical clothespin people. Some have two heads, or elaborate outfits, but all of them are on a quest to show our heroine a glimpse into her future. The stop-motion animation is captivating; together with humorous sound effects this film creates a fun and memorable sensory experience." 

Screening date, time and place:  Saturday, May 12th, Saturday Morning Cartoons and Bloody Marys, 2:00pm, Grand Illusion Cinema. 

For more information go to http://stiff2012animation-eorg.eventbrite.com/

image:http://www.catyaplate.com/gallery/devil-pr.jpg 

trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUVhXHLxLAg

 

STIFF 2012 Press Release

The Seattle True Independent Film Festival returns May 4-12th! STIFF
is dedicated to the exhibition of independent, underground,
experimental, and zero budget films. This festival is not only a lot
of fun but it also provides a unique cultural experience by bringing a
diverse selection of films to Seattle! Come network with local and
visiting filmmakers, observe a variety of short films and featured
screenings, and attend our parties where there is no VIP area for
“Important People!”

This year STIFF has 9 days of film blocks that you can see for as
little as $8 per person! Unless you are dressed as a Zombie – tickets
for Zombies are $4 per Zombie. If you are interested in attending all
9 days, purchase our All Access Badge for $50 and also get priority
seating to our sold out venues. Badge holders also gain entry to our 3
STIFF parties and the Grand Illusion: Red Carpet Gala, Opening Night
Party, & Closing Night Bash! Just want to come to the party? It’s $10
for entry with an OPEN BAR!

Note that our new locations are The Varsity Theatre, Wing-it
Productions, & Central Cinema. Check out http://trueindependent.org
for more details and be sure to follow us on Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/trueindependent) and Twitter @STIFFestival

Seattle Festival Redefines Quality of Student Films

Seattle, WA, April 17, 2012 -- The Emerald City upped its film game this week with the announcement by The Seattle True Independent Film Festival's Student Film Block that it has completed 16-film line-up for its 2012 Official Selections.

Short films from all across the world, including the UK and Australia, were selected to raise the bar and spotlight the high quality of student films.

The Student Film Block's Director, Daniel Hoyos, worked tirelessly to identify the best student films to include in the selection. “Requirements included 16mm film, high production value, and a large quantity of female helmed films as these are the rarities that set this fest apart from so many others,” Hoyos explained.

Student film genres are far-reaching and well represented. They include Mother, a hard-edged family drama directed by Laurel Parmet, the taunt thriller Tantamount to Treason, directed by British Filmmaker Andrew Hall, the castaway love story Alone together by local filmmaker Ben Kadie, and the dramedy Gone for the Day, by MJ Slide of South Carolina.

A $500 cash prize shall be awarded to the “Best of the Block” to support the filmmaker in funding his/or her next project.

Screening occurs in the Seattle University District at the historic Varsity Theater May 10, 2012 from 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Reserve your tickets for this popular event at STIFF's Everbrite page: http://stiffstudentfilms.eventbrite.com

Check out http://trueindependent.org

for more details and be sure to follow us on Facebook

(https://www.facebook.com/trueindependent) and Twitter @STIFFestival

 

Experience! STIFF 8

Every year we come up with a clever tag line to promote the festival. Classics such as ‘The 5^th year is wood’ & ‘Get Lucky! STIFF 7’ have served us well in the past but this year we wanted to take ourselves a bit more seriously. In the past seven years we have taken for granted that it was hard to find the types of films we feature in other places. There are quite a few film festivals in the area that are great at promoting their niches and we feel we have done justice to the true independent filmmaker.

STIFF was started after the founders made a feature film called ‘Swamper’. ‘Swamper’ was made by a group of friends without a lot money, industry connections, fancy equipment or access to established actors. The filmmakers also wanted to explore alternative subject matters such as drug use, graphic violence and the sex trade. I know the story goes that because the film was not accepted in SIFF the team decided to start their own film festival out of spite. The reality is that the other mainstream established film festivals were not interested in the film either. The filmmakers found other filmmakers creating films under similar circumstances and they were receiving the same lack of interest at the established festivals.

STIFF was started to embrace these films. True independent means the films are financed independently often from the filmmaker’s savings, credit cards, friends and family but also that the subject of the film is created independently without regards to fitting in to established genres or offending the mainstream audiences. These days with the proliferation of film festivals and the internet true independent films are much more available to the general public. Thousands of films are posted to the internet all throughout the year and can be watched in the comfort of your own home without charge.

This year we feel the need to give you more than just great True Independent Films. We still will be sifting through hundreds of submissions picking out the best examples. In addition we want to provide you with a real experience when you see a film at STIFF. An experience you just can’t get at home.

The first few years of STIFF the organizers were amazed that filmmakers from other parts of the country would pay their own way to travel to Seattle to attend STIFF and their screenings. In the last seven years we have hosted filmmakers from all over the US as well as Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. This year we expect 70% of the films to be represented by Directors, Writers, Cinematographers, Producers and Actors. We conduct Q&A sessions after the screenings giving the audience the opportunity to engage the filmmakers in a way impossible when you watch from home. Most of the filmmakers spend several days at the festival giving our audience opportunities for more in depth conversations.

 A lot of festivals have big name filmmakers in attendance but feel the need to keep the general public at a distance. STIFF is all about independent filmmakers networking and learning from each other and we invite the general public and fans of independent film to be part of the conversation. We offer no VIP access so everyone has a chance to mingle freely and meet the filmmakers whose films you admire. If you are the shy type and would like an introduction just let us know and we will be happy to make it happen.  New this year is our late night happy hours. Every night (Except opening and closing night because you are invited to STIFF parties) the STIFF staff will invite you to join us for a late night happy hour at our favorite spots for bargain price food and drinks. Seattle is famous for its happy hours and we will show you some of the best. Our hope is that film talk will go on late into the night.

As our festival has grown Clint out founding Director insisted on keeping the all access passes at  only $50.00. Even as we added days, additional venues, more films, bigger parties and special events Clint still kept the passes at $50.00. This year there is a lot of pressure from rising expenses and we have had to make a very tough decision. This year we will continue to offer the passes at $50.00 ($45 though our Kickstarter) but limit the quantity to only 100 so don’t wait until the last minute to get you pass.

9 Days of True Independent Film, Discussion, Networking, Parties, Food and More. May 4-12 2012

Experience !STIFF 8

 

Please Welcome Will Chase as STIFF 2012 Programming Director

When I found out the Spencer Fornaciari, due to his work schedule, would not be able to commit to the role of Programming Director I immediately thought of Will Chase as a replacement.  Will and I have worked together on several projects over the last four years and just this summer spent 20 days over in Eastern Washington working on Kris & Lindy Boustedt’s ‘This is Ours’. It was a bonding session for everyone involved but Will & I spent quite a bit of time together back set and we took on the role of Camp Counselors for the rest of the cast & crew setting up river tubing excursions and a camping trip for the entire cast & crew on our one day off.

Will is even more involved in the Film Community than I am and he recently made a full time commitment to the lifestyle leaving his day job and creating his production company MemeBlast Media. Will has been involved with STIFF as a filmmaker on a steady basis with multiple films in the festival for the last 3 years as an Actor and Producer so I am confident he understands our mission and will do everything possible to push it forward.

The Role of Programming Director sounds very glamorous but really requires a lot of coordination and hard work to make the process run smooth. We have put together a team of 30 programmers and screeners for him to manage and so far have received almost 250 submissions.  We still have some time to submit and expect at least 250 more films. If you are still thinking about submitting now is the time. Don’t forget local films submit free (Use waiver code INDIEWASH for films shot in Washington State). 

Spencer will continue to serve on the STIFF Board of Directors and help out as much as he is able with this year’s festival and hopefully into the future.

Also we are running a Kickstarter Fundraising Campaign to raise funds to get the festival up and running this year. We have opportunities for Sponsors Big and Small. Please take a look and help out if you can.  

 

Report from the 2011 American Film Festival

The 2nd Annual American Film Festival was held Nov 15th - 20th in Wroclaw Poland. Wroclaw was a German town before WWII and even though most of the buildings were destroyed during the war it was rebuilt to look like it did before the war and still retains its German architecture and charm.  AFF is the sister festival to the New Horizons International Film Festival that also takes place annually in Wroclaw in July and is in its 11th year.

Opening night featured Todd Solondz’s ‘Dark Horse’. Todd was scheduled to attend but due to the weather his flight was delayed and he did not arrive until the next day. AFF showed his almost complete retrospective (His first feature film ‘Fear, Anxiety & Depression’ is not available for public viewing.) Todd was available for Q&A sessions after most of his screening and I caught a few of them. His Q&As are very honest and gave me some excellent insight on this very accomplished filmmaker.

I really enjoyed getting to know Clay Jeter (Jess + Moss) and Matthew Lessner (The Woods) and hearing about there year since premiering their feature films at Sundance last January. Clay is the first filmmaker I have met that did not have a previous film in Sundance or any influential contacts to help him get in. He just made an interesting film and went through the standard submission process. Its is also interesting both CLay & Matthew are planning future projects but neither have sold their films for big money or been chased after by investors interested in financing their next films.

The festival also featured a new program called ‘Gotham in Progress’. The organizers selected 11 American films and screened rough cuts to European industry professionals with the goal to match European Sales agents and Finishing Houses with the American Filmmakers to provide funding to finish sound mastering, music rights, titles, color correction etc. I was able to sit on on several of the screenings. I am not allowed to write about them but I pretty much guarantee you will be hearing about them as they make their way through the festival circuit over the next year. A list of the films is available here- http://www.blackrabbitfilm.com/gotham-in-progress/2011-selection/. Next year they are planning on doing it again. If you have a film that can use the finishing funds it is well worth submitting (this year there was no submission fee).

The awards for best Narrative & Best Documentary were selected by the audience. 'Somewhere Tonight' Directed by Michael Di Jiacomo and featuring John Turturro won a $10,000 prize for Best Narrative. The film was made as a tribute to Director Theo Van Gogh and for a film where the two main characters never meet in person is able to keep the audience’s attention with its deep character development. ’Sing Your Song’ Directed by Susanne Rostock won the award for Best Documentary and a $5000.00 prize. The films is about the political and social activism of Harry Belafonte. The same day Susanne also received word the film had been short listed for the Academy Award.

My highlight was being able to be a part of the World Premiere for Joe Swanberg’s ‘Caitlin Plays Herself’. I was able to conduct the Q&A for the second showing of the film with Joe & Caitlin. The festival features a Retrospect of 10 of his films. Joe did Q&As for most of his screenings and he does some of the most entertaining Q&As I have ever seen. Joe will be teaching a Masterclass at the Northwest Film Forum on January 11th that I highly recommend http://nwfilmforum.org/live/page/workshops/85