Seventh Annual Topanga Film Festival Goes Interactive

The Topanga Film Institute (TFI) announces the Seventh Annual Topanga Film Festival (TFF), July 28-31, 2011 and is seeking submissions.

The TFF, known for showcasing the possibilities of filmmaking at all levels and expanding awareness of the intricacies of the new paradigm of global, trans-format content creation and distribution, is going interactive in 2011.

“We’ve always been a unique film festival,” says Urs Baur, Co-Founder of the TFF. “We’ve gone from one screen in my backyard eight years ago to four locations and more than five screens throughout the Canyon, and this year we’re introducing an interactive element.”

Attendees of the 2011 Topanga Film Festival will have the opportunity to interact with the art of filmmaking via various installations, some of which include cause-based initiatives like global education and relief efforts. Festival-goers will be transported from their current environments into a number of other worlds. More details will be released soon.

The festival also announces the creation of the feature-length Documentary category, focusing on work that expands social, environmental, and cultural awareness with a strong artistic point of view and a message intended to transform audiences of every shape and size.

Submissions

TFF is now accepting submissions in the following categories:

• Short films, 2-25 minutes in length (average is 10 minutes)

• Drama

• Documentary

• Comedy

• Experimental

• Feature-length Documentaries, 45-100 minutes in length

• Dance Short Films Showcase

• Online Smartphone Competition

• Short films shot entirely on Smartphones

• Youth Salon Showcase

• Category dedicated to filmmakers up to age 17

The regular deadline is May 31; the late dealine is June 15, 2011.

Known as “the smallest festival with the biggest prize” the TFF traditionally awards prizes that exceed $70,000. It consists of four days of screenings, panels, networking and festivities in various locations throughout the Canyon.

3-D Day provides screenings of 3-D content with panels and workshops exploring the ins and outs of 3-D production.

TFF’s Mobile Interactive Experience is a mobile interactive adventure where participants become the protagonist in a variety of stories and experiences.

Big Things come from Small Festivals – Like an Academy Award Winner

Last year’s winner of the Short Film Competition, “God of Love,” by Luke Matheny went on to win the 2010 Academy Award in the same category. The previous year’s winner of the Short Film Competition, won by Kim Spurlock with her film, “Down In Number 5,” went on to win the Oscar for Student Film of The Year.