Seattle Office of Film + Music

NFFTY 2013

NFFTY 2013 is finally here and tickets are selling fast. This year brings with it another outstanding lineup of films from the world’s most promising young filmmakers, including the work of many talented young Seattle artists. A notable number of international young filmmakers will be joining the festival this year as well representing countries including Egypt, Denmark, Greece, South Africa, United Kingdom, Norway, India, and more.

The four day festival is jam-packed with films but also includes opportunities to meet and mingle with the filmmakers, attend panel discussions with experts in the industry, and vote for your favorite high school competitors in the 48 hour film-off, just to name a few of the festival’s events. Below are some of the ways to engage with the inspiring opportunities that this festival brings to Seattle’s film scene.

Highlighted Events of NFFTY 2013:

NFFTY 2013 begins this Thursday, April 25 with their opening night gala. This red carpeted event includes an outstanding lineup of short films and is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with Seattle’s finest, Hollywood industry and the young filmmakers of NFFTY 2013.

Here is just a sampling of some of the local talent highlighted in this year’s festival. Check out all screenings here.

• Leo Pfeifer, 14:  This local filmmaker as 2 films in the festival this year, both great documentaries.  This year his film “74” deals with Referendum 74 and it’s passing.  His films are featured in the Be Yourself screening on April 28.

• Chase Crittenden, 16: Chase’s film, “Lost and Found” is in the Centerpiece screening. This professional young filmmaker has had great success and is negotiating big deals for his next feature film.

• Andrew Mitrack, 22: A UW Student, his dark romantic comedy “One Way Single” is in the Closing Night screening.

In addition to the many films, the festival also includes a competition of films that participated in the 48 hour film-off. Participants included nine local high schools who are competing for $1500 in cash for their school’s film program. This Saturday, you can watch all the films  and cheer on your choice school.

This year’s festival includes three filmmaking panel discussions:

A Web of Content: Filmmaking in the Digital Age

Create A Career: Life After NFFTY

Masterclass: Documentaries The Danish Way

These panels offer young filmmakers a chance to engage with experts in the filmmaking field, including filmmakers, corporate brand leaders, digital distribution expert, as well as NFFTY alumni who are now editors, cinematographers, writers, production designers, and costume designers. Discussions will help any young person looking to go into a career in the filmmaking industry a sense for how to navigate their own path to success.  You can find more information on these panels here.

Our condolences go out to the victims of the terrifying attacks that unfolded on Monday in Boston.

First responders, emergency personnel, and fellow spectators acted heroically by aiding those injured in the blasts, exhibiting courage and p
reparedness in the face of disaster.

While we can’t always prevent tragedies that put people in serious danger, what we can do is be prepared and know how to respond to emergencies, whether they are natural disasters or the work of people who seek to cause harm. Please take some time to make sure you have the knowledge to respond to crisis.

Seattle Police Department – Safety and Prevention

Office of Emergency Management – Preparedness

Office of Emergency Management – Emergency Resources

Fire Marshal, State of Maryland – Crowd Manager Training Program

International Code Council – Crowd Manager Training/ Fire Safety

The Examiner – How to Help in Times of Disaster Without Making it Worse

FEMA – Information on CERT’s (Community Emergency Response Teams)