Online submission platforms have done a lot to make the whole submitting process easier. But there’s much more to it. That’s why we got in touch with some of the our favorite filmmakers on FFL at this year’s Berlinale, all of whom are killing it on the festival circuit. 5 tips from each filmmaker, all […]
Oscars

The Oscar Shorts Semi-Finalists Have Been Announced, Including Many FFL Filmmakers
The Academy have whittled down the short film categories for Live Action, Animation and Documentary to a select 10 Shortlist each. It’s not without some notable omissions – former winner Don Hertzfeld’s WORLD OF TOMORROW: PART TWO is surprisingly absent in the animation list – but includes some of the most hyped shorts of the […]

The Oscar Qualifying List for Animated Shorts is Packed With FFL Filmmakers
Ah, awards season. The next few months will see a glut of ceremonies, from the PGA’s, SAG’s and DGA’s, to the Golden Globes, BAFTAS and of course the biggie at the end of the whole marathon – the Academy Awards. Whilst the autumn festival season has separated the runners and riders in the feature categories – […]

Here are the newbie film festivals on the Oscar qualifying list
The ballots have been sent out and the Academy are casting their votes. Now it’s time to start thinking about your route to the Oscars. Take a look at the latest list of Academy Award Qualifying Festivals for inspiration. From our official media partner – Ismael Martin’s Blog: In total there are 9 new festivals […]

Meet Benjamin Cleary, director of STUTTERER
We talked to Benjamin about his intention to make a film about stuttering, why he joined the FFL Agency and how he feels about potentially becoming an Academy Award winner… ‘It’s been a damn good month,’ Benjamin Cleary smiles. The Irish filmmaker is absolutely right. The great news for STUTTERER keeps on rolling in. Most notably, STUTTERER, his […]

FLICKERFEST, Sensational Shorts, Surfing and A Unique Vibe
Filmmakers dream of seeing their films screened in OMG-I-CAN’T-BELIEVE-I’M-HERE settings. And settings don’t get much cooler than Flickerfest. Situated smack-bang on the Bondi Beach in the middle of the Australian Summer, Flickerfest really offers up that dreamy Summer in Oz vibe. Particularly for us Europeans in the middle of rainy January. The Academy-qualifying festival has gone […]

Australia has a strong culture of cinema going’ Sydney Film Festival on Australian cinema, Documentary Filmmaking and the Importance of Festivals
With the Dendy Award and the Yoram Gross Animation Award, the 62th Sydney Film Festival has two awards that can bring your short film to the Oscar party. As an Academy-qualifying festival with an 156,000-strong audience, the Australian festival is a FFL partner festival you shouldn’t miss out on. Last year we met Festival Director […]

Meet Réka Bucsi, from SUNDANCE to OSCAR shortlist
SYMPHONY NO. 42 sends you on an unexpected surreal and emotional journey. Réka Bucsi‘s graduation film from the MOME (Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design) has definitely left a mark on the festival circuit. After premiering at the Berlinale last year, the unconventional animation begun a long festival run and it looks like it will not […]

Deadlines on FilmFestivalLife – Sep 2014
Grab your handkerchiefs, summer is coming to a close here at FFL HQ in Berlin. The upside? More deadlines. Autumn’s a busy time for film submissions and September is no exception! One to watch is undeniably Flickerfest International Short Film Festival, another one with an Academy-Award qualifying award. Festival Director Bronwyn Kidd says she wants films […]

6 Ways To The Oscars For Short Filmmakers With FLICKERFEST
Four Academy-qualifying awards and also a BAFTA recognised festival – Flickerfest, Australia’s premier international short film festival, is one of the hot new open calls for short filmmakers at FilmFestivalLife. Besides the traditional Best Australian Short Film, Best Short Film and Animation awards for international filmmakers, the festival at the famous Bondi Beach acts also as a […]

3 Big Reasons for choosing the Australian Film Market and SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
Even though it is in its 61st year, the Sydney Film Festival is still far away from being an old lady. From an online archive to the HUB – the festival exhibits a youthful vibe and energetic appearance. Nashen Moodley, Sydney’s Festival Director, personifies the festival spirit. We met him for a coffee at the […]