BIFF Calls for 2016 Festival Entries

The 2016 Big Island Film Festival is preparing for its 11^th annual event.

Early preparations include a call for film and screenplay entries.

The festival is scheduled for May 26 through May 30, 2016 at The Fairmont Orchid and offers the film community in Hawai’i an easygoing island environment for networking, movie-watching, food, and island music.

Narrative short film that are 30 minutes or less, as well as feature length films that are 60 minutes or more that were completed after Jan. 1, 2015, may be entered.

Deadlines for film submissions will occur in three waves. “Early Bird” entrants should turn their submissions in by Nov. 1 ($50 feature, $40 short, $30 student). “Regular” entries must be accepted by Jan. 2, 2016 ($60 feature, $50 short, $35 student) and “Late/Final” entries will be accepted until Feb. 1, 2016 ($70 feature, $60 short, $40 student).

Filmmakers who are Hawai’i residents receive a 25 percent discount on entry fees with a direction submission. BIFF alumni are included in the discount.

“Golden Honu Awards” will be presented to the Best Feature and Best Short in Family, Student, Animated, Foreign, Hawai’i, and Audience Choice categories. The awards are scheduled during an awards brunch to honor the filmmakers and their works.