Short Films

Thanks,
Eric Perley and Magnus Toren
Screening Series Directors

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Table of contents with links:

Call for short films

Attending and supporting the Screening Series

Related opportunities for Filmmakers

Selection process and awards

Submission Guidelines and Deadlines

Entry Forms

Suggested Donation

Check List/Bottom Line/Mail To Address

Questions

Short Film defined

The road up to Henry Miller's house on Partington Ridge. Photo: Magnus Toren

Call for short films

The Big Sur Short Film Screening Series showcases the best of short films from all over the world. We are interested in films that are bold and uncensored, films that invite us into your world, that will shock us, madden us, make us cry and laugh, films with moments that are especially lovely, serendipitous, interesting, candid or moving. There is no particular theme, but we are looking for very evolved relationships with the camera, moments of dependency, love, and naturalness. We like brilliantly crafted stories. We are not interested in work that is clever at the expense of substance. (Please don’t send us your “early experimental” work – you know the films we mean).

The Big Sur Short Film Screening Series is produced by the Henry Miller Memorial Library and since both Henry Miller and Anaïs Nin worked with erotic and sexual subjects, our series welcomes the presentation of frank sexuality as long as it is intrinsic to a film/story.

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Attending & Supporting The Screening Series

The 2008 year screenings takes place every Thursday night starting in June and ending with the "Grand Finale" on September 2. The films are screened outdoors under the redwoods at the venerable and inspiring Henry Miller Memorial Library. Screenings start at 8.30 PM in June-July and at 8 PM in August. (We like it dark; but moon and stars are OK).

It is easy to support the festival either as an advertising sponsor or with personal donations.
(upper right corner on this page)

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Related Opportunities for Film Makers

The goal of this screening series is primarily to get a chance to view good film in a great environment. We also hope to help form a network of filmmakers to ease the curation of future screening series. To that end, even if you do not submit this year, please e-mail to Magnus Toren and/or Eric Perley and let us know what kind of work you do.

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Selection Process and Awards

The Big Sur Short Film Series is curated by Library Director, Magnus Toren, and writer, poet and film enthusiast, Eric Perley. A festival programming committee will select and invite films at its discretion. Those selected will be contacted via email or telephone after May 15, 2008. Audience choice awards will be awarded at the conclusion of the series.

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Submission Guidelines and Deadlines: NOW CLOSED FOR 2008.

• Film must be postmarked by April 8, 2008
Please read the submission requirements carefully before you complete the entry form.

• All non-English films must have English sub-titles.

• Films must be submitted on DVD or VHS tape (NTSC/PAL, Region 1 or 2).

• DVD or cassettes should be labeled with the title, running-time, and contact information (name, address email and phone number).

• Publicity stills (optional), B&W or Color, digital files OK.

• All films selected for the screening series gives us the rights to use DVD/videotape and press materials from the film for promotional purposes.

• If you would like your VHS tape or DVD returned please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

• Please indicate if we will be permitted to retain videotape or DVD copies of your film as part of our film library and for educational use.

Films must be received by:

For 2008 screenings: April 8, 2008

Films should be under 40 minutes in lenghth

Film selection will be made by the "Miller Shorts" Committee.
The entrant will be responsible for ALL SHIPPING FEES.
All filmmakers will be notified via email when submission is received.

The Henry Miller Library cannot be held liable for print/video materials which may be lost or damaged.

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Entry Forms: pdf page 1 & pdf page 2 (note that there are two pages)

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Suggested Donation

• $10 suggested donation for films under 30 minutes

• $15 suggested donation for films over 30 minutes
(in no way is this a requirement, nor are we influenced by size or kind of contribution)

Make checks or money orders payable in US dollars to:
Henry Miller Memorial Library/Shorts
Or use the PayPal link “Make a Donation” upper right on this page.

Your donation is greatly appreciated. We are a not-for-profit arts organization, and your donation will go toward covering administrative costs, publicizing the series and promoting the short film as a medium.

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Photo: Magnus Toren

Check List/Bottom Line/Mailing Address

We need the following:

• Your film labeled with the title, director’s name, running time, and contact number
• Completed Submission form filled in and signed and included in envelope/package.
• Donation (optional).
• If you would like your VHS tape or DVD returned please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Please mail the above materials to:

Big Sur Shorts
Henry Miller Library
POB 25, Big Sur, CA 93920

Please mark : Big Sur Shorts

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Questions
If you have any questions regarding the submission process or the series, please email:
Magnus Toren and/or Eric Perley

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Definition of a short film:

A short film is defined as a motion picture that is not more than 40 minutes in running time (including all credits). (This info from AMPAS, http://www.oscars.org/ )

Photo: Magnus Toren

Festival 2006 - Winner and participants here.

Festival 2007 - Winner and participants here.