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National Film Festival for Talented Youth

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"NFFTY" redirects here. For The North American Federation of Temple Youth, see NFTY.
National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY)
GenreFilm festival
FrequencyAnnual
Inaugurated2007
Next eventApril 23–26, 2015
Participantsc. 248 films (2015)
Attendancec. 12,000 (2014)
Websitenffty.org

The National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY- pronounced nifty), held annually in Seattle, Washington, showcases work by filmmakers 24 and under from across the U.S. and the world. It was created in 2007 with the goal of becoming the most influential youth-oriented film festival in North America. The festival includes film screenings, filmmaking workshops and panels, concerts by youth bands, and a gala opening night.[1]

NFFTY provides young filmmakers a full feature, multi-day festival experience with state-of-the-art venues, access to industry professionals, and broad public exposure. NFFTY brings very young (elementary age) through college age filmmakers together for cross mentoring and networking with industry professionals. It provides access for youth-made films to a diverse, all-ages audience.

History

2007

The National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) and its non-profit parent organization, The Talented Youth, were founded by Jesse Harris, Jocelyn R.C., and Kyle Seago. Harris wrote and directed the feature film "Living Life" when he was 17, which obtained theatrical and television distribution. This resulted in young filmmakers around the globe seeking his advice including R.C., who expressed her interest in helping to form a creative youth organization. Harris and R.C. teamed up with Seago, establishing the non-profit and holding a one night “Kick Off” festival April 26, 2007.[2]

2008

NFFTY was expanded to a three-day festival. NFFTY Earth, a campaign to promote the power of film to bring positive changes to the environment and support social justice and encourage peace and partnership with other countries, was added to festival programming. Year round young artist and community education activities were added through the program NFFTY 365.[3]

NFFTY 2008 included 73 film screenings, 9 industry panels and workshops over a three-day period. There were 1,800 attendees.[4] At least one film screened at the event, “March Point”, received wider distribution through PBS.[5]

2009

NFFTY continued as a three-day festival, increasing its screenings from 73 to 113, including international entries for the first time. As part of its NFFTY Earth Campaign, NFFTY 2009 was certified as a carbon neutral event by carbonfund.org. A NFFTY Earth Benefit CD was produced, featuring 13 new songs from contemporary youth bands.

NFFTY 2009 increased its screenings from 73 to 113, including international entries for the first time. More than 4,000 people attended.

2010

The organization agreed to add an additional day to the festival schedule, due to the higher than expected volume of entries. The 2010 festival featured 190 films from 33 states and 16 countries, and with over 6,000 people in attendance. A 48-hour film contest and industry speed networking were added as events.

NFFTY 2010 added an extra day to the festival due to the increase in submissions and attendees. Nearly 7,000 people attended.

2011

With more than 700 film submissions (almost double the number from the previous year), the festival screened 225 entries from more than 20 countries and 40 US states. Once again Nike sponsored a 48-hour student filmmaking competition, and the keynote panel, moderated by Nicholas de Wolff, featured "Social Network" Producer Dana Brunetti, Web series pioneer Hayden Black, Studio marketing leader Valerie van Galder, Microsoft head of Global Community Affairs Tim Dubel, and documentary filmmaker Stan Emert. Oscar-winning filmmaker, Martin Strange-Hansen led a masterclass workshop in story structure.

NFFTY 2011 took place April 28 - May 1 and, with submissions from more than 20 countries and 40 US states, this year's festival screened 225 films, before an audience of about 10,000.

2012

NFFTY 2012 took place April 26 - April 30 with submissions from 60+ countries and 40 US states, this year's festival screened 300+ films, before an audience of about 10,000.

2013

NFFTY 2013 was held from April 25–28, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. Out of nearly 700 entries worldwide, programmers selected 215 films to screen during the 4-day festival. The films of NFFTY 2013 represented 30 U.S. States and 20 Countries.[6]

2014

NFFTY 2012 took place April 24 - April 27 with 214 films from around the world. The youngest filmmaker in 2014 was seven years old. 2014's festival included the launch of a Young Women in Film initiative to address the issue of gender inequality in film. “In an industry where only 9% of directors and 25% of producers are women, NFFTY wants to provide opportunities where emerging female filmmakers can feel supported to pursue their passions,” Stefanie Malone said, upon launching this initiative. In 2014, 40% of films coming from female directors as well as the launch of the “Best Emerging Female Filmmaker” award on Closing Night, which was presented to Morgana McKenzie. Highlights from the festival included an animation panel that featured animators Daniel Lund (Frozen), Wilbert Plijnaar (Despicable Me, Ice Age), Connie Thomspon (Frankenweenie) and Amos Sussigan (Swan Cake) to talk about story in animation.[7]

2015

In the last year, NFFTY has continued to build a NFFTY Creative brand, working with companies to produce original content with NFFTY Filmmakers. In spring of 2015, NFFTY has was awarded the ADDY Gold Award and the AVA Platinum Award for the production of the NFFTY Original Documentary - A Supporting Role.

NFFTY 2015 took place April 23–26, featuring 248 films from 30 states and 25 countries. The festival increased the age limit to 24 years in an effort to better support emerging filmmakers. With the continuing commitment to combating gender inequity in the industry, 48% of the 2015 festival lineup included female directors. NFFTY also presented Femme Finale - a special Closing Night screening with some of the best films by NFFTY female filmmakers, presented by Cornish College of the Arts.[8] A scholarship to Cornish College of the Arts was awarded to Kira Bursky for “Best Emerging Female Filmmaker”, and Barry Briggs for "Best Emerging Northwest Filmmaker".

2016

NFFTY celebrates its tenth year in 2016, taking place April 28 - May 1. The festival program includes 227 films from 24 countries, the youngest filmmaker is five years old, and 40% of the films are directed by women.[9]

Staff and Leadership

Executive Director

  • Stefanie Malone

Festival Manager

  • Lindsey Johnson
  • Kaleigh Ward

Programmers

  • Kyle Seago
  • Todd Kaumans

Board of Directors

  • Bryan Roth – President – Co-Founder, Groundspeak
  • Audrey Fan - Vice President - Producer
  • Dave Siegfried - Treasurer - CFO, Audiosocket
  • Bud Harrington – Secretary - Principal, Harrington Video Productions
  • Donna Brown - Architect
  • Jesse Harris – Co-Founder of NFFTY
  • Melissa Jurcan - Director of Sales, Seafair
  • Rob Sands - WW Business Development, Amazon
  • Eddie Rehfeldt - Executive Creative Director, Waggoner Edstrom
  • Vic Walia - Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Expedia

Alumni Advisory Board

The NFFTY Alumni Advisory Board consists of past NFFTY filmmakers whose primary role is to advise the NFFTY staff and Board of Directors on best serving and supporting young filmmakers. The Alumni Advisory Board was announced in Fall 2014.

  • Ben Kadie – President – Student, University of Southern California
  • Laura Holliday – Vice President – Intern, PRMRY / Student, Art Center College of Design
  • Dom Fera – YouTube Partner, DFear Studios
  • Elena Gaby – Researcher, Warrior Poets
  • Pranay Patwardhan – Co-founder/Director, Ekabhuya
  • Erica Sterne – Director of Post-Production, The Weinstein Company
  • Amos Sussigan – Production Assistant, Paramount Pictures
  • Noah Wagner – Associate Producer, HBO

Board Emeritus

  • Jim Wilgus, Past President
  • Jocelyn R.C., Co-Founder
  • Kyle Seago, Co-Founder
  • P. Scott Cummins, Founding Board Member

References

  1. ^ "Young Filmmaker Festival Coming to Seattle March 28–30" (PDF). NFFTY. March 1, 2008. Retrieved 2009-01-08. [dead link‍]
  2. ^ Chansanchai, Athima (March 27, 2008). "'Nifty' youth film fest sees phenomenal growth". The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  3. ^ "Other Programs". NFFTY. Archived from the original on January 20, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "NFFTY 2008 Festival". NFFTY. Archived from the original on January 20, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-05. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Svete, Irene (April 18, 2008). "Tomorrow's Spielbergs get a film festival of their own". The Christian Science Monitor.
  6. ^ http://www.nffty.org/press/largest-film-festival-featuring-the-next-generation-of-filmmakers-announces-2013-lineup
  7. ^ http://www.nffty.org/press/worlds-largest-film-festival-for-emerging-filmmakers-announces-2014-lineup
  8. ^ http://www.nffty.org/press/worlds-largest-film-festival-for-emerging-filmmakers-announces-complete-2015-program
  9. ^ Erbland, Kate. "National Festival for Talented Youth Announces Tenth Anniversary Lineup". Indiewire. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
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