THE FILMMAKER-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL!

The Big Mountain Short Film Festival is all about the next generation of filmmaker. And if you're on this page, that means you. (Yes YOU... even if you've never made a film before!)

Short films are are a short story. Often used as a training ground for filmmakers, and as a "calling card" demonstration of their work, the best (and most successful) short films have something unique and creative about them.

By running the Big Mountain Short Film Festival, we celebrate short films. By making a short film FOR the festival, you exercise your creative skills, become a part of the film industry, and quite possibly take your career to the next level.

~~THREE~~ FOUR WAYS WE HELP FILMMAKERS

Big Mountain helps filmmakers in three major ways. The fourth is coming soon.

By showcasing your work.

Big Mountain is generating a huge buzz within the New Zealand film industry, and we expect it to grow substantially each year. If you're part of this year's inaugural festival, you'll be a part of history!

And since the Big Mountain Short Film Festival has no entry fee, and submissions are all done on DVD, there's no excuse!

Why let your short films sit on your shelf? You want to show them. We want to see them. It's a no-brainer. Submit your short film as soon as it's ready!
By offering awards for the best short films.

Imagine calling yourself an "award-winning filmmaker". Well, it's entirely possible. We've created several awards categories (see below) to celebrate good work, and to encourage you to make your film the best it can be.

And when your film is great, you have a better chance of getting noticed by the industry. A fantastic short film can pave the way to a great career.

Plus, since this is the inaugural Big Mountain Short Film Festival, you'll have less competition than in later years. So your chances of winning are even higher! (Who can argue with that logic?!)
By offering a FREE education.

We don't just want to run another festival. We actually want to run a festival that gets better every single year, and one that SHOWS YOU how to make better short films!

That's why we're focused on teaching you the tips, tricks and techniques for turning your brilliant ideas into powerful, compelling short films, even on TINY budgets!

At the Big Mountain Short Film Festival, we'll have a lineup of industry professionals on hand giving talks and demos, to help and inspire you.

And... coming soon...
By building a community.

We're working on a couple of projects that will see Big Mountain go beyond just being an annual short film festival. The first year is about setting the stage. As we grow (and as you participate), we'll be building a community of filmmakers, professional and amateur alike.

We can't reveal everything that's in the works, but let's just say we've got some pretty exciting plans for the Big Mountain.

And by getting involved now, you can become a part of this community from the very beginning.

WANT TO WIN AN AWARD?

One of the best reasons for entering your film into the Big Mountain Short Film Festival is to see and be screened. But what if your film is the best in its category? Could you really win an award and a prize?

You certainly can.

Here are some of the awards available to you when you submit your short film to the Big Mountain Short Film Festival:

THE BIG MOUNTAIN (BEST SHORT FILM)
(of all short films screened, voted by judging committee)
THE RUMBLE (BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY)
(of all short films screened, voted by judging committee)
THE FLURRY (AUDIENCE FAVOURITE)
(of all short films screened, voted by festival audience)
BEST DIRECTOR
(of all short films screened, voted by judging committee)
BEST STORY
(of all short films screened, voted by judging committee)
BEST ANIMATION
(of all short films screened, voted by judging committee)

If you can make it to Ohakune on closing night, it'll be a a blast! The combination awards ceremony/closing night party will be the talk of the town!

MISSED YOUR CHANCE THIS YEAR?

Fear not! The Big Mountain Short Film Festival is an ongoing event!

So the best time to start making YOUR short film is NOW!

We also have plans to include tips, tricks and techniques for making YOUR short film the very best you can make it, to maximise your chances of getting selected. So keep an eye on this space.

But don't spend too much time looking at it. Get out there and make a short film! Big budget, no budget, miniDV, 35mm film... it's up to you.

See you there!