Hoboken International Film Festival

June 5, 2011 - June 11, 2011

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

Hoboken International Film Festival ("HIFF") is dedicated to showcasing and promoting fine non-studio films, TV pilots, and screenplays from filmmakers throughout the United States and internationally. The best submissions will be rewarded with cash prizes in nearly ten categories. As will be discussed in the next section, HIFF has quickly become one of the top ten best film festivals in the world.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Now in its sixth year, the 2011 Hoboken International Film Festival ("HIFF") will be held June 5 to June 11, 2011. A Gold Coast/Hudson River event, HIFF will showcase numerous film and TV stars, and is now hosted by Jackie "The Jokeman" Martling (Sirius Radio Personality; formerly of The Howard Stern Show).

HIFF continues to grow – in 2010 HIFF had over 1,500 film submissions from all over the world, and accepted just 90 (the competition is fierce). And over 15,000 people attended the Festival. A star-filled event, HIFF has had several Academy Award and Emmy winners and nominees, and numerous other fan-favorite celebrities at screenings, award ceremonies and special events.

With a celebrity jury comprised of Academy Award and Emmy winners, and powerhouse partners that have included The New York Post, CBS, Anheuser-Busch and Stella Artois, 101.9 RXP, Boylan Soda, Lightyear Entertainment, the Marriott Hotel, Twisted Tea, Cedar Lane Cinemas, The Melting Pot, The W Hotel, Sailor Jerry Rum, Stoli Vodka, and TD Bank, HIFF is a worldwide renowned film festival. Showcasing the edgiest domestic and international movies and their filmmakers, HIFF will kick off on June 5, 2011 with The Filmmakers Reception and The Opening Night Screenings.

At this past year’s Gala Awards Ceremony, noted as one of the best in the country for its Oscar-like class and fanfare, legendary actor Robert Loggia (Academy Award and Emmy nominee; Scarface, Independence Day, Big, Jagged Edge) accepted the HIFF Lifetime Achievement Award. The 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to mega award winning actress Cloris Leachman (Academy Award and 19-time Emmy winner and nominee). The 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to star actor Billy Dee Williams (The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, Lady Sings the Blues) The 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Hollywood icon and WWII hero Charles Durning (2-time Academy Award/4-time Golden Globe/9-time Emmy winner and nominee). Following HIFF’s lead, The Screen Actors Guild presented Durning with the 2008 SAG Lifetime Achievement Award; in 2008, Durning was also honored with his Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

HIFF also offers unique, star -studded special events. Some past and present special events include: the "Star-Studded Workshop" where actors read with star film & TV actors - and leave with DVD copies of the scenes for presentation on their reels; the "Keg Party Blowout & Screening with Jackie Martling"; the "Keg Party Blowout & Screening with Artie Lange"; a series of films from Academy Award nominated actor Danny Aiello, as well as a live concert by Aiello and his band; a series of Charles Durning films and special screenings and parties with Durning.

HIFF awards the winning filmmakers with cash prizes in several categories. There are also awards given in several other categories, as well as a Grand Prize (for Best Narrative Feature Film), with a distribution deal offer from a top distributor, and then there is the very special New York Post Feature Film Trailer Competition held on NYPost.com!
Media has labeled HIFF as one of the top ten best film festivals in the world!

THE JURY

An elite jury of celebrities, industry leaders, and key festival personnel have determined the winners of several prizes awarded by Hoboken International Film Festival. The 2011 jury members are:

Charles Durning (2-time Academy Award/4-time Golden Globe/9-time Emmy Winners & Nominee)
Kenneth Del Vecchio (Critically Acclaimed Filmmaker, Bestselling Author, HIFF Chairman)
Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling (Sirius Radio Personality, formerly of The Howard Stern Show, HIFF Host)
Thomas G. Waites (And Justice For All, The Thing, The Warriors)
Justin Deas (6-time Emmy Winning actor)
John Stoerback (Talent Manager – Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling, Pat Cooper)
Michael Petolino (Network Casting Director, Manager – Jersey Shore Cast Member)
Dr. Francine Del Vecchio (Ivy League Professor, Screenwriter and Film Producer)
Jerry Juzdan (HIFF Executive Director, Film Producer)
Jeff Quinlan (Film Executive Producer, HIFF Vice Chairman)
Caitlin Kehoe (Film Producer, HIFF Vice Chairwoman)
Kristina Kasmin (Film Producer, HIFF Vice Chairwoman)

CASH PRIZES & AWARDS

HIFF will select films, and award cash prizes, in numerous categories. Cash prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Best Feature Film - $1000.00; Best Director (Feature Film) - $500.00; Best Screenplay (Feature Film) - $500.00; Best Actor (Feature Film) - $500.00; Best Actress (Feature Film) - $500.00; Best Short Film; Best Documentary- $500.00; Best TV Pilot- $250.00; Best Unproduced Screenplay- $500.00.

ORGANIZERS

Kenneth Del Vecchio, Founder & Chairman
Jackie "The Joke Man" Martling, Festival Host
Nace Naumoski, Executive Director
Kamilah Bayete, Vice Chairwoman
Natalie Romero, Vice Chairwoman
Jeff Quinlan, Vice Chairman
Andrew Gause, Director of Operations
Nelson Page, Director of Theatrical Services
Daniel Frier, Festival Legal Counsel
Penny Landau, Public Relations Director
Marcum Accountants, Festival Accountant
Justin LaMarca, Assistant Director
Dr. Francine Del Vecchio, Festival First Lady

GENERAL RULES

HIFF competition categories are open to United States and international entries. Feature films, short films, documentaries and TV pilots must be submitted on DVD or Blu-Ray for preview--NTSC only. Foreign language entries must have English language subtitles. Screenplays in the "Unproduced Screenplay" category must be submitted in English. Entries (excluding screenplays submitted in the "Unproduced Screenplay" category) must have been completed after January 1, 2006. Applicants may submit multiple entries.

Include contact information, with both an email address and phone number if possible, on all DVD, Blu-Ray and screenplay submissions. For DVD and Blu-Ray submissions, please submit in sturdy containers and/or bubble wrap to avoid damage. DVD, Blu-Ray and screenplay submissions will not be returned to the submitters.

HIFF has the absolute, unconditioned right to screen any film or project submitted to HIFF

Cash prizes are conditioned upon winners personal presence and acceptance at the festival's Gala Awards Ceremony. The winner of the jury awards for Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film, Best TV Pilot and the Audience Award Best of the Festival, must be personally accepted by the projects' producer, director or executive producer in order to be eligible for the cash prizes. In order to receive any cash prize, the winner's film must have been submitted with the appropriate submission fee; films submitted without their respective submission fees are not eligible for cash prizes, though they may win HIFF award(s) and are entitled to the trophies if they do win any HIFF award(s).
In the event that HIFF pays for airfare and/or hotel accommodations for any filmmakers and/or any individuals whatsoever, those said filmmakers/individuals shall forfeit the right to receive any cash prize(s) in a monetary value up to an amount equal to HIFF's payment of his/her airfare and/or hotel accommodations.

Officially selected films will not have their screening format (eg - DVD, Blu-Ray, Beta SP, DigiBeta, 35mm print) returned unless the fillmmaker pays for the shipping. In that event, the filmmaker must supply HIFF with pre-paid self-addressed packaging, or another form of payment agreed upon by HIFF.

Please see specific categories for more information.

PAYMENTS FOR SUBMISSIONS

Payments can be made through Withoutabox by credit card (see "Submit Films & Screenplays" page), or by check or money order. Checks and money orders should be made payable to "Hoboken International Film Festival" or "HIFF" and sent to 686 Lafayette Avenue, Hawthorne, New Jersey 07506. Submission fees are non-refundable.