THE CAPITOL HILL FILM FESTIVAL HAS MOVED TO FALL 2020.
The 3rd Capitol Hill Film Festival - FALL 2020 in Washington, D.C.
The Capitol Hill Film Festival is a community film competition in Washington D.C. and the only bracket style (think March Madness) short film festival in the nation! We have five star reviews from our sponsors, filmmakers, festival goers and film lovers. Last year our second iteration had over 150 competing filmmakers, over 15 community business sponsors, and a near sold out audience.
Currently in its third year, the Capitol Hill Film Festival is a unique short film knockout style competition where local entries compete against the best in the world. All submissions are divided into three geographical brackets -- American, International, Local DMV -- which will compete through knockout stages, with the final films being screened in front of a live audience at the historic Miracle Theater. Our jury composed of industry leaders crowning one short as the Best Picture, and a Best Director, whereas our live audience votes for their favorites in each of the three categories (America, International, Local DMV). The 3rd annual edition will take place in June 2020.
www.capitolhillfilm.com.
\\ The Best in Shorts Knockout Style Competition:
Celebrating Short Films and New Media worldwide. Based in our nation's capital- Washington, DC, the Capitol Hill Film Festival's slogan is “A, B, C, D, E, F--” because our mission is “About Building Community, Developing and Exhibiting Filmmakers and Films,” here in Washington, D.C.!
The Best in Shorts Knockout Style Competition is unique in the industry. A festival attracting both powerhouse companies as well as talented new filmmakers. Currently in its third year, the Best in Shorts is a live film competition that strives to give talented first-time directors, producers, actors, new media creators their teams a unique venue to show their work and receive the positive exposure they deserve. It discovers and honors the achievements of filmmakers who produce high quality shorts.
The Best in Shorts Knockout Style program promotes filmmakers through press releases to industry contacts and global media / distribution outlets. Additionally, we hope to host a networking event for exhibiting filmmakers.
Serving filmmakers is Capitol Hill Film Festival's primary goal!
\\ What is a "knockout style" competition?
FIRST - Every short filmed submitted to the Capitol Hill Film Festival is placed in one of three brackets divided by category. The three brackets include: American, International, and Local DMV. The onerous is on filmmakers to self-identify what category to associate your film with. This is an honor system.
SECOND - After a film is placed into a bracket, it will be evaluated by our screeners and scored against a rigorous rubric and ranked. From there, a team of judges will take the screeners notes, watch the films and produce finalists for each bracket. All finalists will be screened during the festival and compete in our live voting competition.
\\ What kind of shorts?
The Best in Shorts Knockout Style Competition is an excellent venue for films, documentaries, new and experimental media, and animation. As long as the entry is 23 minutes or less, it is eligible for submission.
\\ What region is my film?
The onerous is on you to self-identify what bracket you associate your film with. Use your geographic region you associate with. We rely on the Honor System.
\\ Benefits of Participating:
Live Screening - Premiere your film in the Nation's capital.
Promotional Laurels – Receive graphics to give promotional material that wow factor!
Peer Review – Our judges are filmmakers who understand the craft and what audiences want.
Publicity Enhancement – Winners are announced to industry professionals, press, and additional international media outlets.
Press Release - We provide a fill-in-the-blanks press release to help you promote your win. We've done the heavy lifting - just fill it in and send to media outlets of your choice!
Social Media Push – Facebook and Twitter announcements of winners and updates from our filmmaking community can be shared with your own lists.
CAPITOL HILL FILM FESTIVAL WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS:
Rekola Studios --> www.rekolastudios.com
Annandale Balancing Co --> www.annandalebalancing.com
The Yard: Eastern Market --> www.theyard.com
Capital Practice Consulting --> www.capitalpractice.com
Congressional Federal Credit Union --> www.congressionalfcu.org
\\ Judging and Award Levels:
It's important for us to ensure that entertainment industry leaders with a significant footprint in both DC and Hollywood are present as judges— so we've had trade association leaders (MPAA and RIAA) film production and distribution company representation (Sony Pictures and Showtime) as well as media personalities (Mark McKinnon and Louise Linton) are key for us. We also feel it is vital to have an award-winner from festivals, and a top-flight journalist who covers politics and DC arts, culture and the social scene.
Awards: Bestowed by Judges: Best Picture and Best Director. Bestowed by Audience: Favorite in: International, American, and Local DMV.
\\ Notification:
Each submission received will be confirmed by FilmFreeway and Capitol Hill Film Festival administrative offices via electronic mail.
After judging is completed, winners in all categories will be notified of their advancement to the finals and are provided additional information such as links to winner’s laurels etc.
Winning films are also announced by social media and a press release is sent to five international media distribution outlets.