POSTPONEMENT NOTICE:
Jacksonville Beach, FL — The First Coast Film Festival today announced that the upcoming First Coast Film Festival (scheduled for April 30 – May 3, 2020) is being postponed in response to the developing public health concerns around COVID-19 and its impact on presenting a safe, enjoyable experience for attendees, guests and organizers.
The First Coast Film Festival leadership evaluated the best course forward and has determined that it will be postponed to take place during the Labor Day Weekend, September 4, 5 & 6, 2020.
All films submitted for consideration will still be considered, while extending the deadline for additional entries.
Following the announcements by government leadership nationwide that included recommendations on significantly limiting community events, festival organizers acknowledge that hosting a weekend-long gathering in the midst of a developing situation such as this is not in the best interest of those involved or those who would attend. Film Festivals take months of preparation and planning, and while the major concerns around the novel coronavirus may have subsided by late April, organizers announce today’s decision out of an abundance of caution, a phrase widely used recently but nevertheless entirely accurate.
FCFF organizers are monitoring the situation closely and adjusting plans on a near-daily basis in order to balance both their desire to present the best event possible and the very real public health concerns around COVID-19. The team will provide ongoing updates to festival plans as they have them in the coming weeks.
Jesse Charbonier
Director: First Coast Film Festival
##########
With the Atlantic Ocean as its backdrop, the First Coast Film Festival is a vibrant annual event located in the northeast beaches of Florida dedicated to presenting the best of international and domestic cinema while creating transformational experiences for artists, families, filmmakers and film lovers. Taking place in Jacksonville area beaches in Florida, one can also enjoy all the activities the beahes has to offer, such as surfing, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, relaxing in the prestine sand or golf at the nearby World Golf Village in St. Augustine.
Florida's First Coast, or simply the First Coast, is a region of the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida. The First Coast refers to the same general area as the "directional" region of Northeast Florida. It roughly comprises the five counties surrounding Jacksonville: Duval, Baker,
Nassau, and St. Johns, largely corresponding to the Jacksonville metropolitan area, and may include other nearby areas such as Putnam and Flagler Counties in Florida and Camden County Georgia.
-New Directors Competition-
This selection of first and second feature films, celebrates the spirit of discovery and innovation.
-Documentary Competition-
Global in scope and representing a wide range of approaches to documentary form, this program offers a diverse cross-section of contemporary non-fiction filmmaking in both competitive and non-competitive sections.
-Out & About Competition-
From the edgy to the tender, these bold LGBTQ-themed films exhibit new artistic perspectives on sexuality and identity, and compete for the Coastal Espirit Award.
-Short Film Competitions-
Showcasing the best short films from around the globe, this competition highlights the work of both upcoming artists and masters of the short subject form. Programmed films are eligible for awards in the following categories: Animation, Documentary, and Live Action.
-Florida State Competition-
This program celebrates Florida’s rich filmmaking tradition, showcasing the best features, documentaries, and short films with their roots in Florida. Films in this section compete for the First Coast area Award, given to the year’s best Florida films.
-First Coast Award-
This program celebrates Florida’s First Coast diversity, showcasing the best features, documentaries, and short films with their roots in Jacksonville and its neighboring towns. Films in this section compete for the First Coast Award, given to the year’s best First Coast area films. (Jacksonville: Duval, Baker, Nassau, and St. Johns, largely corresponding to the Jacksonville metropolitan area, and other nearby areas such as Putnam and Flagler Counties in Florida and Camden County Georgia).
-Youth Awards-
The First Coast Film Festival will feature films produced by students 18 years and younger with a special presentation during the day for our local young audiences.
-First Coast Founder’s Award-
All films in the Festival are eligible for the Founder’s Award, presented to one film or performance that captures the spirit of the First Coast Film Festival for its unique and innovative approach to the art of the moving image.