The Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) has partnered with Vanderbilt University to award the Golden Opportunity Award for the best college-student short-form film.
“The Nashville Film Festival has become one of the country’s premier events,” said Michael Schoenfeld, vice chancellor for public affairs at Vanderbilt. “Sponsoring this award will help increase interest among student producers and draw some attention to Vanderbilt’s exciting new programs in film and media studies while also supporting a vibrant community event."
Narrative shorts have been an important element since NaFF began as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration back in 1969. Out of the hundreds submitted for consideration every year, NaFF carefully selects the very best and screens nine programs of shorts.
Student-produced shorts comprise a significant number of these programs. As NaFF is an Oscar-qualifying festival, the best narrative short qualifies for the Academy Award for Best Short Subject. (As was the case for the 2006 winner West Bank Story, many student filmmakers have an Oscar trophy on their shelves.)
With the debut of the Golden Opportunity Award, NaFF now offers college-student filmmakers two opportunities to win at the 2008 Nashville Film Festival, April 17-28, 2008.
The Nashville Film Festival is a cultural institution that inspires, educates and entertains through an annual celebration of the art of motion pictures, year-round events and community outreach. The deadline to enter for the 2008 NaFF has been extended to Nov. 30, 2007.
One of the longest-running film festivals in the country, The Nashville Film Festival is hosted by the Regal Green Hills Stadium 16. This annual mid-Tennessee film event attracts enthusiastic film lovers from the region and has been praised by filmgoers and filmmakers alike for its unique combination of big city film festival atmosphere and southern hospitality.
With more than 240 films from 44 countries, numerous industry panels, music showcases and great parties every night, the 2007 NaFF drew over 20,000 attendees.
Media Contact: Missy Pankake, (615) 322-NEWS
Missy.pankake@vanderbilt.edu