Zsigmond Vilmos Film Festival call for application

Venue: Szeged, Hungary

Date: 28 May – 1 June 2019

Vilmos Zsigmond, the world-famous, Academy Award-winning cinematographer was born in Szeged and was also named honorary citizen of the town. The largest auditorium with 500+ seats in Belvárosi Cinema in Szeged, which is one of the biggest, oldest and most beautiful cinemas in Hungary, was named after him in 2005, and he was very proud of it. Besides focussing on cinematography, the Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival also wishes to keep his memory and his art alive.

Festival goals:

The Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival focuses on drawing attention to the work of cinematographers, one of the most important co-creators of a film, together with giving an opportunity to young artists to show their art. The festival jury will evaluate the films submitted to the festival primarily on the basis of the cinematography, but will of course also look at the overall artistic quality. Film submissions should, first of all, show unique and creative cinematography, which also characterised Vilmos Zsigmond’s work.

In addition to showing a selection of new films, we also wish to create a platform for young artists to meet and share their experience.

Applicants:

The call is open to individual filmmakers and artistic communities without age restriction, but the festival organisers especially look forward to receiving films made by students majoring in film studies, directing or cinematography.

New feature films, short films and experimental films, completed after 1 January 2016, can be submitted to the festival. This year animation and documentaries are not included in our call. One filmmaker can submit more than one film. The festival pays no rental fees or copyright fees for the films screened within the festival programme.

There is no entry fee.

Technical conditions:

For viewing purposes, we can only accept online screeners, with a password if applicable that will expire only after the festival. All films have to be subtitled in English.

Submissions selected for the competition programme later on will have to be sent to the festival organisers on DCP.

Application form

Application deadline: 31 January 2019, midnight (CET)

The Application rules and regulations are an integral part of the present call.

The festival provides accommodation and meals for filmmakers (1-2 people per film) whose films are selected to participate in the competition programme.

Evaluation:

Depending on the number of submissions, the films will be pre-selected by a jury of six to ten film professionals, including cinematographers and directors.

The competition programme of the festival will be announced on 18 March 2019.

After pre-selection, an international jury will choose the best films from the competition programme. The chair of the jury is Gábor Szabó (HSC), Béla Balázs Award-winning cinematographer, university teacher, director of photography of The Long Shadow by Vilmos Zsigmond.

The honorary patron of the festival is Susan Zsigmond.