24FPSINTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

2012 FESTIVALNOVEMBER 2- 3

THE LANDMARK PARAMOUNT THEATRE, ABILENE TEXAS

ABOUT 24FPS

Some of the 2011 Official Selection Films

2011 Jury Prize Winning DirectorsChristopher Radcliff Lauren Wolkstein David Lowery Daniel Mulloy Peter McDonald Domhnall Gleeson Damian Nenow Till Nowak Orlando Von Einseidel

www.24fpsfest .com

Since its inception in 1999, the 24fps International Film Festival has presented dynamic programs of films by aspiring and established artists from around the world. The juried competition is open to any work made outside the major worldwide studio system, and provides cash awards to the festival’s top films in six major categories. From 1999 to 2005, the festival was known as WESTfest. In 2001, the scope of the submission field was expanded to include international entries, and in 2006 the festival was officially renamed 24fps with the “International Short Film Festival” title officially attached. Designed to showcase both independent and student filmmakers, the competition is open to anyone, with no entry fee required. Thirty Official Jury Selection films are chosen from the entry field, and then screened for the public over the course of the festival weekend. Submitted projects must have been completed after January 1, 2009. The film’s running time must not exceed 20 minutes. 24fps is not a traditional short film festival. The Official Selection Films are screened only once for the public, as a part of three curated exhibition programs. These unique programs highlight the filmmaker as well as the film itself, and each project is introduced by a festival official. Filmmakers in attendance are given the opportunity to speak to the audience after their film’s screening. Festival Director Barry Smoot, who also serves as the Paramount Theatre’s Artistic Director, says 24fps “was created to encourage aspiring filmmakers, and give them a unique, landmark theatrical setting to showcase their work. As a nationally recognized historic theatre, we are dedicated to preserving and celebrating the cinematic art form. It seems only fitting that we have a hand in developing its future as well.” Entries are encouraged at every level of experience. Smoot says, “We charge the Official Jury to consider only how the artist has used whatever tools available to communicate their vision and serve the source material and story/concept.”

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2012 COMPETITION AND EXHIBITIONS

Submissions are now being accepted for the 2012 24fps International Short Film Festival and public exhibition competition. Entries are accepted from filmmakers worldwide, with no restrictions placed on method of production, genre, or content. The film must have been completed after January 1, 2009, and be of a maximum running time of 20 minutes or less. There is no entry fee. We begin announcing our 2012 Official Selection Films in August.

24fps is a juried competition. From the field of submitted projects, thirty are named as Official Selections, which are then screened first for the Official Jury privately and then publicly for the festival audiences. The 2012 public exhibitions are scheduled for November 2-3.

The competition and exhibition includes films from all genres, including but not limited to narrative fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, and new media. Cash prizes are awarded by the jury for the Grand Jury Prize ($1000), Silver Medal ($600), Bronze Medal ($400), and the Horizon Award for Outstanding Student Film ($400). The competition also includes an Audience Award ($400) voted on by those in attendance at the public exhibitions.

The 24fps International Short Film Festival is in its 14th year. Past festival winners include Lauren Wolkstein and Christopher Radcliffe (2011--”The Strange Ones), Daniel Mulloy (2011--”Baby), Jamie Travis (2010-- “The Armoire”), Louis Sutherland and Mark Albiston (2010-- “The Six Dollar Fifty Man”), Joshua Weigel (2010-- “The Butterfly Circus”), Destin Daniel Cretton (2009-- “Short Term 12”), Coley Sohn (2009-- “Boutonniere”), Nash Edgerton (2009-- “Spider”), Lucas Figueroa (2008-- “Because There Are Things You Never Forget”). and Valtentin Potier (2008-- “Tony Zoreil”).

The Official Jury, made up of industry professionals, screens the Official Selection Films privately, prior to the public exhibition weekend. 2011’s jury included Sarah Harris, Senior Programmer for the Dallas Film Society, Ryan Long, director and founder of the Texas Independent Film Network, Sohini Sengupta, a producer at Mark Wollen and Associates, and Dean Nolen, professional actor and editor of The Film Encyclopedia.

The 2012 competition has already received a record number of submissions from all over the world, including the films indicated by their posters below. They represent Official Selections from Sundance, Cannes, Berlin and Tribeca, among others.

For Festival Guidelines, Rules and Entry Forms, visit the official site:

www.24fpsfest.com

In 2011, 24fps received over 900 submitted projects from around the world. Thirty of these films were named Official Selections. The submission pace for 2012 already exceeds the previous year. We

celebrate this new work by the worldwide film community, and encourage more filmmakers to become involved in this exciting new showcase.

THE EXHIBITION THEATRE

Built in 1930 as an atmospheric movie palace, the historic Paramount Theatre in Abilene, Texas was designed by architect David Castle. Its unique design blend of Spanish, Moorish, and Art Deco influences have distinguished it as a nationally recognized treasure, landing it on the National Register of Historic Places.

The theatre’s grand auditorium is atmospheric, utilizing neon banks of light, vintage effects projectors from the 1920s, and recessed pin lighting to give the appearance of being in a Moorish courtyard at night, complete with twinkling stars and passing clouds layered over a moonlit sky.

Originally a first-run movie house, and part of the Paramount Publix chain, the theatre closed in 1976, leaving the building in disrepair and without a future in the community. In 1985, the Paramount was purchased by an anonymous local patron, who also financed the building’s grand

restoration and renovation, which was completed in 1987. Restored to its original architectural design, the building was also renovated to accommodate live theatre, dance, concerts, corporate functions, and intimate private events.

The perfect venue for film, the Paramount has both 35mm and digital projection capabilities, allowing for the widest variety of presentation formats. The 24fps International Short Film Festival brings exciting work by independent and student filmmakers from around the world to the theatre’s elegant atmosphere, furthering the theatre’s mission to celebrate both the past and the future of filmmaking.

The 2012 public exhibitions for 24fps will be held November 2-3. The First Night Program, which will feature ten films, is presented Friday, November 2nd at 7:00 pm. The Matinee Program, which features ten films (and is family friendly) is presented Saturday, November 3rd, at 2:00 pm. The Second Night Program, which features the ten remaining competition films, is presented that same evening at 7:00 pm. The Official Jury Awards and the Audience Award are presented at the close of the Second Night Program. For more information on the Paramount Theatre and its unique programming, visit the official website:

www.paramount-abilene.org

THE LANDMARK PARAMOUNT

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The 2011 Grand Jury Prize-Winning Films* The Strange Ones (Grand Jury Prize) *Pioneer (Silver Medal) *Baby (Bronze Medal) *Noreen (Audience Award) *Paths of Hate (Horizon Award)

The 24FPS FestivalFESTIVAL WEBSITE: www.24fpsfest.com

FESTIVAL ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/24fpsfest

THEATRE WEBSITE: www.paramount-abilene.org

FESTIVAL CONTACT: Festival Director, Barry Smoot! ! [bsmoot@paramount-abilene.org]

MEDIA CONTACT: Robert Erin Leeper, Robert Leeper Media! ! [robleeper@me.com]

SUBMISSIONS: The 24fps International Short Film Festival is now accepting submissions for our 2012 competition. Films must have a maximum running time of 20 minutes, and have been completed after January 1, 2009. There is no entry fee. Entry forms and rules can be obtained on fest website.

WHEN: Public Exhibitions are November 2-3, 2012: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2--First Night Program, 7:00 pm SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3--Matinee Program, 2:00 pm SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3--Second Night Program, 7:00 pm

WHERE: The Landmark Paramount Theatre! 352 Cypress Street, Abilene, Texas 79601! Phone: (325) 676-9620! Fax: (325) 676-0642

TICKETS: $8.00 per program, general admission. A Festival Pass is available for $15, which admits the holder to all three programs. Tickets are available online now: http://paramount-abilene.thundertix.com. You can also reserve tickets by phone by calling the Paramount Business Office weekdays from 9 am to5 pm at (325) 676-9620.

SUPPORT: 24fps is presented with the support of the following:The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council

The Paramount Fund for Excellence at the Community Foundation

ADDITIONAL PRESS INFORMATIONAll images in this press kit are available in digital format. Requests for digital images, festival programs, and official selection film trailers should be made to the following:

Barry SmootFestival Director, 24fps Paramount Theatre (325) 676-9620

bsmoot@paramount-abilene.org

Jury Award winners of this yearʼs competition will be placed in a special exhibition at the Center for Contemporary Arts, located a block from the theatre in Abileneʼs downtown cultural district. The CCA is a progressive gallery and performance space. By offering free admission to all exhibits, the Center serves a broad cross-section of the community, reaching individuals of a variety of ages, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds. For more information, visit the CCA online at: http://www.center-arts.com.

The following articles are available for reference and publication:

Meet the 2011 Winning DirectorsInterviews and information on the Official Jury Award filmmakers from the 2011 24fps competition.

24fps Begins Year 14A brief overview of the festival, with information about the competition, including the Official Selection announcement schedule.

The 2011 Festival AwardsAn in-depth look at the 2011 24fps competition and the results of the Official Jury.

The Bloody Brit: 24fps Talks to Dan GitshamAn interview with director Dan Gitsham, the maverick British filmmaker whose short films continue to push the envelope of the

horror genre.

The Private WarAn interview with Lauren Wolkstein, director of the film “Cigarette Candy,” the 2009 24fps Red Citation Humanitarian Award, and

winner of the 2010 SXSW Short Film Award.

Beware the Boyadjians24fps Festival Director Barry Smoot fields a rare interview with Franceʼs notorious Boyadjian brothers, whose short film

“Sta Volta” has gained them worldwide notoriety for the filmʼs controversial message.

24fps Talks to Director Will CannonOn Mamet, hoops, and trusting your vision.

24fps Talks to Director Eli Akira KaufmanOn the human side of war, the science of falling in love, and gravedigging.

24fps Talks to Director Jamin WinansOn badass angel DJs, following your dreams, and the power of the www.