Coming to the Rio 7-Kingsville on Oct. 9 and 10 is the Blazing Suns Independent Short Film Festival.
The event is presented by Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Film Society, in association with the College of Arts and Sciences, The Art, Communication and Theater Department and the Radio, Television and Film Program.
The mission, as stated on the official website of the festival, “is to discover and celebrate independent films, and, in doing so, promote excellence and innovation in film storytelling.”
Accepting any and all types of films of any genre, as well as documentaries about any topic, the deadline for submissions is June 15 with a $25 entrance fee for students and $35 for independents.
The latest you can submit the film is the extended deadline of Aug. 5 with a $45 entry fee for students and $55 for independents.
Filmmakers, not just in Kingsville, but around the world are submitting films and making efforts to participate in this first-time event.
“We have one entry from New Zealand, one from Canada, one from Iran, from New York, and we haven’t even promoted it yet,” said Festival Director Armando Ibanez.
There is nothing but excitement from the organizing committee, which includes Film Society President Laurie Guajardo and TAMUK Film Society Treasurer Jesse Ochoa.
“The organizing committee is thrilled to be part of TAMUK History. Hopefully this event will start a new yearly tradition for the Javelina Nation,” Ochoa said.
Films can range between three and 20 minutes, and judges will be selecting films to win a variety of awards such as an Award of Excellence, an Award of Merit, and the highest honor, The Poetic Pearl Award.
While awards will be given, the festival director and the website make it clear this event is not a competition.
“They’re not competing with one another, if we had 100 films and they all had an excellent poetic moment, they would all get the Pearl Award, but it’s also possible none of them will get it,” Ibanez said.
Still accepting films via submission at FilmFreeway.com, the organizing committee hopes to open people’s minds, and bring people together through the power of film.
“Film is a beautiful way to connect with others and create dimensions of your own. Make connections, take risks, and learn to unlearn,” Ochoa said.
The director claims the next step of action is to begin truly promoting the event, making sure that people know that there is a film scene in Kingsville and that anyone can create something if they want.
“Most importantly, I hope people fully embrace that filmmaking is ours, and is a powerful means of storytelling,” Ibanez said. “I hope the students step up; we have the talent, all that’s left is to provide the venue.”