Film fest ties in with indie cable channel

Advertiser Staff

Budding Quentin Tarantinos and Kevin Smiths from Hawai'i may find a home for their work on the Independent Film Channel.

The cable network has joined forces with the Hawaii Student Film Festival, with plans to accept Hawai'i-produced film and video submissions for possible broadcast nationally.

As one of the world's largest independent film and video distributors, the Independent Film Channel broadcasts films from independent studios such as Miramax, Sony Classics, October Films and Fine Line Features to more than 23 million homes nationwide.

IFC is broadcast locally on Oceanic Time Warner digital cable channel 675.

"It's a phenomenal opportunity for student filmmakers," said film festival executive producer Robert Olague. "It's a dream come true for any independent filmmaker, in general, to be able to have any type of door open toward a major distributor like the Independent Film Channel."

Benefits for young filmmakers could include substantial licensing fees paid for broadcast. The network has already spoken with a handful of student filmmakers from Hawai'i about their work.

Independent Film Channel film and video acquisitions head Kelly DeVine has also joined the student film fest's board of advisors and will participate in the organization's year-round student outreach programs

"The majority of independent films, or short films, that are made ... end up in the closet with dust because of lack of distribution or being unable to get into the hands of the right people," said Olague.

"So to have an alliance with IFC ... is a tremendous advantage for any filmmaker, let alone student filmmakers here in the islands."

Students interested in submitting film or video work to IFC should contact Olague or Hawaii Student Film Festival executive director Natalie Cross at 671-5219. Submissions will be accepted year-round, and there is no age requirement.

The film fest's organizers also welcome collaborations with interested organizations or individuals involved in Hawai'i's educational community, film and video festivals, and film and television industry.

Information on the student film festival is available at www.hawaiistudentfilmfestival.org.