Presenting the Best in Independent Short Film
On behalf of the Board of Directors, our Sponsors, Volunteers, Friends & Filmmakers, Welcome to our 4th Annual - 2008 West Chester International Short Film Festival!
I'm sure you have noticed that we changed our date. Why? After 3 successful and energetic years - we needed a short break!! Our chosen Columbus Day weekend was chock full of cultural events and many of our volunteers and film goers mentioned there was so much to do, and so much to see at the Festival. We took these comments to heart and did our research. We decided to offer the Festival in the Spring of 2008 and our Festival weekend is now scheduled for April 24-27th, 2008. Our Film Entry period will open soon and our primary submission partner will again be Without A Box (www.withoutabox.com). The Festival Committee expects continued success and another fantastic year for our burgeoning festival. We were so pleased with the television, newspaper and magazine coverage we received last year and we expect increased community and regional awareness and involvement.
For our 4th year, we are seeking to expand our venues and we have great ideas brewing for our Workshop series. The Workshops are hands on and tend to be just one highlight of Festival weekend. Increasing our community involvement, we are working with potential sponsors to help us support young filmmakers in our area high schools. Last Fall, 3 Board Members met with the Henderson High School Film Class and discussed the Festival as well as technical aspects of filmmaking. It was a great day and we expect to do more of the same in the future, in addition to screening film projects from young filmmakers at the Festival!
2006 was unprecedented in the number of 'Student' submissions from top notch film schools from the east and west coasts. The Films submitted from all over the world were exceptional. The 2006 WCFF Award winner for Best Short Film Drama, "Binta and the Great Idea" by Javier Fesser was nominated for a 2006 Oscar®. We expect to present more of the same in 2008.
Check our website for continuing updates, particularly our Fall Gala to be held on Saturday, November 10th at The Cultural Center at the Chester County Historical Society. Were keeping the event under wraps for now, but it is sure to be a Fantastic event and one that you will long remember. It will be a truly enjoyable evening and sure to sell out, so get your tickets early. A tremendous amount of work goes on throughout the year in order to present our Festival to you. We are a "grass roots" organization with exceptional community support. Our organization is completely reliant on volunteers. Thank you to all of our past volunteers who gave so much of their time to help make the 2006 WCFF a reality. We are counting on you for the Spring! If you are interested in volunteering, send us an email at info@westchesterfilmfestival.com.
Our Mission is "To Entertain, Enlighten and Educate the public through the vehicle of innovative film, by hosting an annual Short Film Festival". The WCFFs short-term goal to present a self-sustaining annual film festival. Our dream and long term goal is to permanently house our Festival at a Performing Arts Center in the borough, presenting independent film and giving a voice to up and coming artists. With your continued support, these goals will become reality!
We are proud to present some of the best work in Independent Short Film, so mark your calendars for April 24 - 28th, 2008! We'll see you at Film Festival Weekend!
Laura Barton - President/Chairwoman
John Cigler - Vice President & Communications Chair
Carol Quigley - Secretary & Fundraising Co-Chair
Vince Graham - Board Treasurer
Patrick McCoy - Board Member, Workshop Chair
Mike Norris - Board Member & Fundraising Co-Chair
Chris Beattie - Board Member & Industry Liaison
Caesar Augustus - Web Development
Joan Ford Goldschmidt - Marketing and Sponsorship Chair
Lisa Natalizio - Special Events Chair