7th Annual New Media Film Festival. Honors Stories Worth Telling in all media that are innovative, imaginative & inspirational. Submit Now Attend June 7-9, 2016

They accept submissions through April 25^th and notify by May 5^th.  You can use promo code twitter10 good in any category at www.NewMediaFilmFestival.com

Susan Johnston founded the critically acclaimed New Media Film Festival ® in 2009 to honor stories worth telling in the ever changing landscape of media, New Media. Legendary judges cull over the content for the annual festival in Los Angeles that offers screening, competition ($45k in awards) and distribution opportunities. Currently there are over 600 titles in their library.

Interview with Susan Johnston:

Matthew Toffolo: What is your Film Festival succeeding at doing for filmmakers?

Susan Johnston: We are proud to say, we advance stories and the people that make them. We have category winners and a Grand Prize winner. For some of our category winners, here is what we have learned:

Snipler®-30 second pitch category, the filmmaker received full funding for his feature while his Snipler®-30 second pitch

3D category winner filmmaker told us Discovery made him an offer after he notified them of his win at our festival

Our recent Grand Prize Winner, What Lives Inside said: “Thanks so much for this prize. ‘What Lives Inside’ made its debut at New Media Film Festival and, after winning the Grand Prize(!!), it went on to win 6 Lions at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity the following week. We’re honored with all this recognition.”
– Molly Parsley – What Lives Inside

The Grand Prize Winner before that, Curio Shop, also a world premiere, had an amazing festival winner streak that included airing on a network!

In addition, we archive all of the submissions, so, if someone reaches out for something specific, we can search and connect. That has resulted in content being interviewed in Press, screening participation at expos and conventions when we speak (NATPE, AFM, NAB and more) and many other opportunities which are at no cost or obligation to the content creator.

Matthew: What would you expect to experience if you attend the festival this year (2016)?

Susan: In January, we do early selections to start press and newsletter and website for a select few submissions. We are excited to announce that we have Artificial Intelligence (yes, AI), Virtual Reality and Drone as new screenings this year, most of them premieres.

Matthew: What are the qualifications for the selected films?

Susan: Our Mandate is Honoring Stories Worth Telling, our categories cover the tech aspect (even a New Media category for when you create something that you do not know where it fits, it fits here)

Matthew: What motivates you and your team to do this festival?

Susan: Making a difference. Knowing that stories have the power to change our now and our future and remind us of our past so we can keep learning. For me, I often say, What would you like your future to be? Make, write, create, be that story now. You are part of the collective, share wisely.

Matthew: How has the festival changed since its inception?

Susan: Constant change, we are tech and media, always news, always challenging, always exciting.

Matthew: Where do you see the festival by 2020?

Susan: Beaming content to Humans in Space whether on a planet or the very least the International Space Station.

Matthew: What film have you seen the most times in your life?

Susan: Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, Gene Wilder Version Only – So shine a good deed in a weary world (I have an everlasting gobstopper)

Matthew: In one sentence, what makes a great film?

Susan: Story, implementation.

Matthew: How is the film scene in your city?

Susan: Global
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Interviewer Matthew Toffolo is currently the CEO of the WILDsound FEEDBACK Film & Writing Festival. The festival that showcases 10-20 screenplay and story readings performed by professional actors every month. And the FEEDBACK Monthly Festival held in downtown Toronto on the last Thursday of every single month. Go to http://www.wildsound.ca for more information and to submit your work to the festival.