NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2003 – The Independent Film Channel's (IFC) mission to provide up-and-coming filmmakers with a national voice will soon provide a major opportunity to local talent.
IFC announced today that Texarkana-area film and video artists submitting entries to the fourth annual fest?EYE?ful film festival in April will be in the running to have their projects shown nationally on the cable network. IFC, a sponsor of the fourth annual event, will air the festival's winning entry on May 1 and May 8, 2004. IFC is sponsoring the festival as part of its commitment to support community events that boost awareness of independent film and provide opportunities for filmmakers. The network reaches approximately 30 million homes nationwide and is the first and largest programming service dedicated to independent film.
Adam Weinstein, Director of Corporate Marketing, IFC, said: "Our mission at IFC is to provide a voice and an outlet for the creative visions of both experienced and unknown filmmakers. Our sponsorship of fest?EYE?ful reflects our support of independent filmmakers, and our commitment to give national exposure to the 'Best of Festival' winner is something that we hope will stimulate entries while providing a talented filmmaker with a chance to be 'discovered' by a national audience."
Kirk Lohse, Director of fest?EYE?ful, added: "IFC's announcement adds an exciting new element to our festival. The lure of possibly having a film shown on national television, which could conceivably launch a filmmaker's career, will contribute to what we believe will be the largest number of festival entries we have ever had. This festival is one of the biggest and most highly anticipated events in the community each year, and IFC's involvement in 2004 makes it that much more exciting."
Local filmmakers can obtain submission and other festival information by visiting www.festeyeful.org, or by contacting Lohse at klohse@cableone.net. The festival will hold a kick-off party at 6 p.m. on October 30 at Broad Street Pocket Park. Presented in conjunction with BOND (Business Organizations for a New Downtown), the party will announce festival sponsors and a call for entries, and feature live music and a costume contest.
fest?EYE?ful is Texarkana's annual video festival and is held each spring as part of the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council's "Jump, Jive & Jam Fest." fest?EYE?ful is designed as a showcase for works by local, regional, national and international independent film and video artists and features a variety of hands-on, interactive workshops led by professionals in the fields of digital video production and independent filmmaking, as well as manufacturer displays of some of the latest in digital video hardware and software.
Launched in September 1994, The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and largest network dedicated to presenting independent film. Its programming is unedited and commercially uninterrupted 24 hours a day. IFC's exclusive live coverage of special events including the Independent Spirit Awards and Cannes Film Festival, its creative on-air film festivals, and one-of-a-kind original series and specials provides viewers with a unique perspective on independent filmmaking. Dinner for Five is the signature series of IFC, created and hosted by Jon Favreau. The program features Favreau and four guests from the entertainment industry sharing an evening of dining and unscripted dialogue. Completely uncut and uncensored guests feel free to be themselves, swapping stories on a wide range of topics. Most importantly, the network builds on the public's growing interest and the recent successes of independent films like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Y Tu Mama Tambien" and empowers viewers with the ability to access these and other critically acclaimed films. IFC Television is currently viewed in nearly 30 million homes, and is one of the fastest growing digital cable networks available nationwide.
ABOUT IFC TELEVISION
IFC is a part of IFC Companies, which has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.