Submissions sought for inaugural Block Island Film Festival

Just like the boy who won a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory, a student competing in the Block Island Film Festival’s student film competition has a shot at winning a ticket to study filmmaking and mix with industry professionals in Hollywood.

One selected winner of the film festival’s student short film competition will receive the award courtesy of the University of California at Los Angeles, Entertainment Studies extension program. The school is one of several participating entities involved with the student competition hosted by the Island Free Library at the first annual Block Island Film Festival.

“We’re very excited and grateful to have UCLA’s Entertainment Studies involvement in the educational component of the film festival,” said Cassius Shuman, the founder and executive director of the Block Island Film Festival. “It is an esteemed school, with a great and diverse film studies program curriculum that is located at the film industry’s doorstep. This is an opportunity for a student filmmaker to take a step closer to realizing their dream.”

The festival will be held June 11-15 in the ocean-side Water Street district on Block Island.

“The inaugural Block Island Film Festival highlights the talents of student filmmakers finding their voice in the cinematic arts,” said Pascale Cohen-Oliver, director, department of the arts, program director, entertainment studies. “UCLA Extension Entertainment Studies believes the festival collaboration fulfills our mission to support these artists in their lifelong learning of their craft.”

The Block Island Film Festival will boast student films screened on the big screen, and question-and-answer panel forums, where students will discuss the filmmaking process with the public, seasoned film producers, while having access to special networking opportunities. Students will be able to attend special programs where they can learn about the film industry and filmmaking.

“We’re hopeful that our student programming becomes a signature of the Block Island Film Festival for years to come,” said Shuman. “And we’re appreciative of Island Free Library Director Kristin Baumann, and actor/producer Henry LeBlanc, who have been supportive advocates, and instrumental in conceiving the festival’s educational program.”

The film festival’s overall programming will feature film and screenplay competitions, notable filmmaker screenings, question-and-answer forums, special film tributes, and award ceremonies at Ballard’s and The National Hotel. Each day the film festival will begin with “Coffee Time,” a question-and-answer forum held at The National Hotel. Filmmakers will assemble to discuss their projects and the nuances of filmmaking over coffee and breakfast.

The Block Island Film Festival is seeking student short films, as well as amateur or professional feature films, short films and feature-length screenplays for selection in its June 2019 competition lineup.

Submit your work to the Block Island Film Festival by going to: www.FilmFreeway.com/BlockIslandFilmFestival, or via BIFF’s website: www.BlockIslandFilmFestival.org.