Wyoming Short Film Contest Features First Place Prize of $25,000
A Wyoming short film contest was introduced at the Sundance Film Festival.
A $25,000 first prize is being awarded to the winning entry with a storyline that takes place in Wyoming, features Wyoming, or presents the state as a major character. Prize money will go toward production of the winner’s next film shot in Wyoming. “We’re trying to build a buzz. If you can get more independent, smaller filmmakers interested in Wyoming first that will help us bring in bigger projects down the line. It’s a sort of trickle up effect,” said Colin Stricklin of the Wyoming Film Office.
The ‘Film the West’ reception at Sundance in Park City, Utah on January 24th allowed filmmakers the chance to lean more about the contest and invite their participation. “A lot of people seemed interested. We spoke with both domestic and foreign producers during a four-hour concentrated effort,” Stricklin said.
Films are due before May 9 and entries must be 15 minutes or less in length. “The short film format allows for all levels of experience and expertise. Our format is wide open and the possibilities are limitless,” Stricklin noted. There is no entry fee and submissions are being accepted at: http://www.withoutabox.com The winning effort is to premier at the Jackson Hole Film Festival, June 5-9, 2008 in Jackson, Wyoming.
“This is a first-time project designed to foster film production in the state while simultaneously giving filmmakers an opportunity they might otherwise overlook. We’re very excited at the early response,” said Michell Howard, Wyoming Film Office Manager. Howard also used the Sundance setting to promote the state’s new Film Industry Financial Incentive Program which allows production companies to be reimbursed up to 15 percent on dollars spent on a Wyoming film shoot.
More information about the incentive program and the short film contest is obtainable online at: http://www.wyomingfilm.org/
