5th International Disability Film Festival Breaking Down Barriers

Perspektiva, a Russian Disability NGO, is now accepting submissions for its Fifth International Disability Film Festival “Breaking Down Barriers.” This 2010 festival will be launched in October in Sochi, the site of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, as part of the Cultural Olympiad “Year of Film.” The Sochi festival will be followed by a Moscow festival to take place in November, 2010. During 2010 and 2011 festivals will be held in regions throughout Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union.

During the first four festivals more than 400 films from 30 countries were screened. More than 7,000 people attended Moscow’s festival and more than 15,000 people in 25 regions of Russia attended regional festivals. Festivals also took place in Armenia, the Kirgiz Republic, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Finally, Perspektiva and its partners continue to use these films to educate people in their communities about a wide variety of disability issues.

Eligibility requirements:

All works submitted for the Breaking Down Barriers Film Festival should portray a disability issue. We accept the following film categories: Feature Narrative, Short Narrative, Experimental, Documentary, Animation, Public Service Announcement, and encourage the submission of films that have been produced by and with the close participation of persons with disabilities. We also encourage films, made by Film School students, and will have a special prize for the best film by a student.

All works must have been produced after January 1, 2005.

All works must be postmarked by July 1, 2010 and submitted with the submission form that can be submitted separately by e-mail to BreakingDownBarriers2010@gmail.com.

All works that are not in Russian should be submitted with English sub-titles. Transcripts should also be included. The preferred format is PAL, but if this is a problem, films will be accepted in other formats. However, if a film is chosen for viewing at the festival, a DVD PAL version will be required. If selected for viewing, filmmakers will also be asked to submit photos. Shipping costs should be covered by the applicant.

Films should be sent to:

16 Timur Frunze, bldg 3

Moscow 119021

Film Festival

“Breaking Down Barriers”

Calendar:

June 1: final date of submission

July 1 - August 31: film makers are informed about selection for screening and must submit quality Pal versions.

September 15: photos and other materials must be submitted

Festival in Sochi: October 16-18

Festival in Moscow: November 27-29

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e-mail: BreakingDownBarriers2010@gmail.com