Kevin Carpenter, the president of the Sutton-based WV Filmmakers Festival, has e-mailed me and others his press release concerning entries for the 2009 festival. In early spring 2001, Carpenter and his friends in Sutton at the Landmark Studio for the Arts created the only film festival dedicated to our state’s filmmakers. Since then many of the best films made by WV’s filmmakers or about WV have been shown. Just last year, David Novack’s multiple award-winning film, “Burning the Future - Coal in America, “ was chosen as “best film.”(20  Other films to win were chosen as “best feature documentary” in the past include WV filmmaker Terry Lively’s “Crossings - Bridge Building in WV,” (2006) and  Wayne Ewing’s “The Last Campaign”(2005) about Warren McGraw’s failed re-election campaign to the WV Supreme Court.

 See Ray Schmitt’s YouTube trailer promoting 2009 WVFF.

Below is the call for entries with a link to the posted form. I myself think that 2009 may be the best year yet for great WV films.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Call for entries 

DATE:               June 2, 2009CONTACT:    Kevin Carpenter, Festival Director                        WV Filmmakers Festival                        kevincarpenter1@gmail.com                        (304) 545-3043 

2009 WV FILMMAKERS FESTIVAL: 10^th Festival The 10th annual West Virginia Filmmakers Festival will be held October 2, 3, 4 in
Sutton, WV at the Landmark Studio for the Arts.  The festival is a juried showcase of works created by a variety of
West Virginia film and video artists.   

Starting in 2001, WV’s own filmmakers and filmmakers from around the country who made films about
West Virginia have been premiering their films in Sutton at the Landmark Studio for the Arts and the Elk Theater. This year, in honor of the festival’s 10^th anniversary, we have created a special category – 10-minute film.  Many of the films that have won honors were shown latter around the state and country. Last year’s “best film” winner, “Burning the Future: Coal in America” won many awards around the world including the international Pare Lorentz Award, given in honor of the work of West Virginia’s most famous filmmaker, Pare Lorentz of Clarksburg, WV. Each year, one filmmaker is selected as the “West Virginia Filmmaker of the Year.” This award, co-sponsored by the WV Film Office, is the most prestigious award given annually to a
West Virginia filmmaker.  FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONSIf you’re an interested filmmaker,  the call for entries for the 2009 festival is now open. Due date is August 1, 2009 with late submissions due by August 21, 2009. Submissions with WV themes (BY a West Virginia filmmaker, has a strong West Virginia connection in the key crew, about West Virginia or of interest to West Virginians) are given preference.  Films must be submitted on DVD (Region 1 or 0), VHS, or Mini-DV. 

  CATEGORIES:                      * Narrative Feature                                                    * Documentary Feature,                                    * Narrative Short                                                        * Documentary Short                                    * Animation                                                                * Student Film                                       * 10-minute film – in honor of the 10^th film festival                                       * Two Minute Horror Competition 

ENTRY FEES:                        Regular Films: August 1, 2009- $20   $25 late entry by August 21, 2009.                                       Student Fee: $10 by August 1, 1009, $15 late entry by August 21, 2009.                        Two-minute films: $10 by August 1, 2009, $15 late entry by September 1, 2009.   Entry Forms are available at:http://wvff.art.officelive.com/entryform.aspx We suggest that submissions be made as early as possible for consideration inclusion in publicity of the festival.  Mail form, film, and stills:WV Filmmakers FestivalC/O Kevin Carpenter92 South Stonewall St
Sutton WV
26601  Two single entry tickets are mailed to the submitter. We suggest Filmmakers or festival guests wishing to attend multiple screening events purchase aFestival
Pass. Festival Passes may be purchased in advance for $12 until Sept 1, 20009 or at the are available for all screening is for $15. Email for more info@wvfilmmakerfestival.org

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