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Screen Magazine - Index

Screen Magazine - Screen Magazine: Vol. 29, Issue 8 - Index

Doorpost Film Project Launches Online Voting
By Katie Willis
A brand new stepping block for unknown filmmakers is now
in full swing with its addition of online voting. The Doorpost
Film Project is a festival to jump-start the careers of new
aspiring filmmakers. The festival has been accepting short
eight- to 15-minute films since February.
In addition to the final films being judged by a panel of film
industry professionals, the top winners of the Doorpost Film
Project will get to meet with studios in Los Angeles to discuss
prospective future film deals.
With an extensive judging process, filmmakers have to
make it through several steps to secure a place in the finals.
The first step of online viewing and voting for the public is
part of the two-step judging process for the final results of
the festival. It involves the general public viewing the entries
online and voting. The second step will be the judgment of
a panel of film industry professionals in early June. The top
filmmakers will be granted $10,000 to shoot another eight-
to 15-minute short based on a given topic. Then, the final
decision comes from a viewing between September 10-13.
But not just any short can be submitted. The film has to
include specific content that is intended to make the film
more inspirational than functional.
“We wanted to make it easy for filmmakers, but not too easy.
We wanted to find a right balance to make the filmmakers
make a little effort,” said Al Letson. With the topics of love,
greed, redemption, pain, forgiveness, freedom or energy,
the challenge is far from effortless.
The Doorpost Film Project presents a very fresh perspective
with the online voting for the general public. “We want to
spark conversation,” Letson said. “We want to give people
a voice.” But this voice is not just limited to the primary
selection in June, but the online voting will also be open to
the public for the final judging in September.
The second part of the judging process is done by the panel
of film industry professionals. However, no names have been
officially announced for the panel as of yet. “It will be a
panel of people with lots of insight into films,” Letson stated.
Included in this list, another surprise, are film professors from
various film schools about the country.
After its first year is over in September, those behind the
scenes will draw together to figure out what worked and
what didn’t work. But it sounds like the online voting will
definitely be an aspect that will be staying for 2009.
With the media turning digital, Christie Brinson, director of
communications, stated, “In today’s computer-enhanced,
action-oriented blockbuster age, we are committed to
nurturing and rewarding the innovative minds devoted to
creating meaningful, substantive films.”
The festival films can be viewed and voted upon at
www.thedoorpost.com. The final screening takes place in
Nashville, Tennessee September 10-13, 2008.
//www.thedoorpost.com
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