MISSION & OBJECTIVE
To encourage the production of media in both the independent and professional market that portray the human race in a positive light, and to applaud original works that redefine media through innovation, creativity and sensitivity that both enlightens and educates audiences from around the world.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Red Rock Film Festival of Zion Canyon was formed in 2007 in Southern Utah, and quickly became a internationally recognized festival with 6,000 attendees in 2008. It made MovieMaker Magazine's list of "Top Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" in both 2009 and 2013. By 2010, the festival received 701 entries with the included Red Film Market. All genres are considered including animation, documentary, experimental, fiction, music video and student-made films. The festival has several categories of competition, including unique subcategories of Documentary Featurette, Fiction Featurette, Short-Short and its exclusive Aglet Award for outstanding micro-cinema films that are made for less than a shoe-string budget.
INTRODUCTION
The festival accepts entries of ALL GENRES from shorts to full-length features, and is held in Southern Utah and Nevada, including venues beneath the majestic red mountains of Zion National Park. The location is ideal for the vacation-seeking filmmaker. It is an artist's retreat for film, cuisine, parties, and workshops with approachable professional people. This emerging festival is held in Festival City this year in the Early Spring.
DEMOGRAPHIC
The demographic is well educated, consisting mostly of empty-nesters, college students and seniors. The festival also aims to find new films for seniors as well as quality films for youth, sports films and films with a message.
GENRE
All genres are considered. Although documentaries have been a predominate focus at the Red Rock Film Festival, festival audience often compliment the variety and diversity of films selected for the festival in Utah. Animation, arts, children, comedy, documentary, drama, experimental, fiction, narrative, romance, sports, student, horror, suspense, mystery, musical, music videos, war themes, women's issues, family, and humanitarian films are all taken into consideration. Cultural diversity is also a highlight at the festival; American, Indian, African, Islander, European, Asian, Latino, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Spiritual, Yogi, Hindu, and other philosophical, governmental, historical, and artistic cultures are to be explored.
COMPETITION:
The festival has several categories as well as student categories. To enter as a college student simply select the category of competition and choose the student discount.
Categories of Competition include:
Feature Documentary
Feature Fiction
Featurettes (30 - 59 minutes)
Short Animation (5.1 - 59 minutes)
Short Documentary (5.1 - 29 minutes)
Short Experimental (5.1 - 29 minutes)
Short Fiction (5.1 - 29 minutes)
Short-Shorts (1 - 5.0 minutes)
Music Video
Collegiate Short
Young Filmmaker Short
We also have Aglet Awards for the best micro-cinema films with ultra-modest budgets that have gone through extreme measures to get made.
The Program Directors may also select additional categories at their own discretion, depending on how many qualified entries are received.
DEMOCRATIC FILM SELECTION
The competition is not selected with a "thumbs up" - "thumbs down" mentality, and we really detest that word "rejected." All films are watched by a previewing committee and scored in Directing, Screenplay, Acting/Talent, Production Values and Post-Production Values.
It's not just about what films we like, it's how much and where do we place them? We do not care about who made the film, who's in it, or how traditional or "edgy" they are. We just want good, original film that showcases our mission. We expect some films would be great to release to the theaters, others for television, some for the classroom, for our film series, and others are great for just being… bad. Of course, we also look for films that would make a great premiere at our festival.
ALL FILM DESERVES A HOME
To encourage the independent spirit, Red Rock strives to find a home for all films that qualify in competition. This gives the filmmaker a chance to give their work exposure even if they may not make the festival finals. The festival also hosts a mini-film market, special screenings throughout the year plus we make recommendations to other festivals.
FILM MARKET
The Red Film Market is a small section at the festival where filmmakers and other industry professionals can view films on their own in the festival library or in special industry screenings given to select finalists and other favorites from the festival.
IMPORTANT: All submissions must be postmarked for the Red Rock Film Festival within one week of their respective deadline.
