— from Shannon Borg for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau —

Orcas Island  Film Fest

Orcas Island Film Fest, Oct. 7-10, 2016

Films inspired by the San Juan Islands will be screened at the 3rd annual Orcas Island Film Festival, October 7 – 10, 2016. The Orcas Island Film Festival (OIFF), Orcas Open Arts and SIFF invites filmmakers to explore the San Juan Archipelago and use it as a canvas to create short films that inspire.

This year OIFF is giving away three $3,500 grants to independent filmmakers who will have the chance to film their vision in the San Juans, using the magic of the San Juan Archipelago as a canvas during the summer of 2016.

These three films will be featured in the Orcas Island Film Festival (www.orcasfilmfest.com), taking place from October 7th to 10th, 2016 in the village of Eastsound on Orcas Island, one of the beautiful San Juan Islands in northwestern Washington State. An impressive lineup of world-class films has established the Orcas Island Film Festival as a festival to watch for cutting edge cinema from around the world. With more than thirty films last year, including 5 films that won Academy Awards in 2015, the diversity and creativity of the work and the natural beauty of the location, this new festival is a unique experience worthy of an annual pilgrimage to the islands.

More information about OIFF film script submissions:

—All scripts or storyboards must be original work, submitted online at www.orcasfilmfest.com/submissions

—Deadline to receive scripts is May 13th, 2016.

—A panel of judges will select three winners. Winners will be announced on May 30th, 2016.

—The three winning filmmakers will each receive $3,500 to shoot and edit their film from June 1st – September 1st, 2016.

—Films may be anywhere from 30 seconds to 15 minutes long, in any genre from live action to documentary or even stop-motion and must include 75% of the film’s scenes shot anywhere in San Juan County.

—Completed films must be delivered by September 1st, 2016.

—The final 3 films will be shown online beginning September 5th ‑and during the Orcas Island Film Festival on October 7-10th, 2016.

—Online voting will be available on September 5th, 2016.

—The final winner will be selected by combined audience vote both online and in person at the Orcas Island Film Festival from October 7-10th, 2016.

—This year’s winner will have the honor of being featured in the Seattle International Film Festival in 2017.

Contest Rules: Submissions are accepted from April 5th to May 13th, 2016. There is no minimum age to enter the competition, however, minors (age 17 and younger) must acquire permission from a parent or guardian to participate. Each film must have 75% of its content shot anywhere in San Juan County. Films must be a minimum of 30 seconds long and may not exceed 15 minutes, including credits and introductory graphic.

About Orcas Open Arts
Orcas Open Arts is an Orcas Island-based non-profit focused on creating and supporting a variety of arts programs in the San Juan Archipelago for over a decade. OOA believes the arts play a vital role in creating and sustaining a healthy community, and their mission is to foster a more connected, thriving, and creative community by supporting the arts and arts education.

About SIFF
Founded in 1976, SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world with the Seattle International Film Festival, SIFF Cinema, and SIFF Education. Recognized as one of the top film festivals in North America, the Seattle International Film Festival is the largest, most highly attended film festival in the United States, reaching more than 150,000 annually. The 25-day festival is renowned for its wide-ranging and eclectic programming, presenting more than 250 features and 150 short films from over 70 countries each year.

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