Registration begins Wednesday for the 2010 Renton FilmFrenzy filmmaking competition

August 31, 2010 4:06 pm
Chris Chacon celebrates winning the Best Picture category with “Ayuda Pequeno” in last year's Renton Film Frenzy II Curvee Awards. Chacon’s dramatic film also won open division first place and best actor.
Chris Chacon celebrates winning the Best Picture category with “Ayuda Pequeno” in last year's Renton Film Frenzy II Curvee Awards. Chacon’s dramatic film also won open division first place and best actor.

Registration begins Wednesday for the Third Annual Renton FilmFrenzy, the 50-hour filmmaking competition that spotlights Renton.

The Frenzy will award $1,700 in cash prizes during the Curvee Awards Gala on Oct 26. In addition, a Downtown FilmWalk and People’s Choice Award are planned.

“Thanks to our new partnerships with TheFilmSchool and Reel Grrls, this year’s FilmFrenzy should be bigger and better than ever,” said Renton Mayor Denis Law. “In three short years, the filmmaking competition has become one of the region’s top film events and an integral part of the growing and strong Renton arts community.”

The actual 50 hours of filming spreads out over Oct. 8-10.

The deadline to apply to participate in the FilmFrenzy is 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1.

For 2010 a new Frenzy Screenwriting Award will be presented by TheFilmSchool, a Seattlebased program which “elevates the art of cinematic storytelling through intensive training in screenwriting and directing.”

In addition, the Woman Filmmaker Award will be presented by Reel Grrls, which “empowers young women from diverse communities to realize their power, talent, and influence through media production.”

THE FILMING

Competing filmmakers will have from 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 8, through 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 10, to write, shoot, edit and submit a short film. At the beginning of the competition, participating filmmakers will be provided with “CurveBall” Challenges, which could include incorporating a line of dialogue, a task or filming at a specific location in Renton.

Films can be up to four minutes in length and must be shot completely in Renton. All genres of film are welcome, although films must be appropriate for all audiences.

Renton FilmFrenzy filmmakers may enter their films in one of two divisions: Student Division (high school and below) and Open Division. There is a $50 entry fee for the Open Division and a $25 entry fees for student competitors. There is no limit to the number of films that may be entered.

The films will be judged by local filmmakers, representatives from film organizations and a Renton Municipal Arts Commission member.

Last year 25 filmmakers participated in the competition.

Visit RentonFilmFrenzy.com for application forms, rules and other information.

CURVEE AWARDS GALA

The top films produced during the competition will be screened in front of a live audience during the Curvee Awards Gala at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center on Oct. 26.

Celebrating the slogan “Renton, Ahead of the Curve,” special “Curvee” awards will be crafted by local artisans and students for presentation to the award-winning filmmakers.In addition, the following cash prizes will be awarded during the Curvee Awards Gala:

Best Picture, $500

Open Division

First Prize $250

Second Prize $200

Third Prize $150

Student Division

First Prize $250

Second Prize $200

Third Prize $150

Other Curvees

Screenwriter’s Award

Woman Filmmaker

Best Actor

Best Use of Renton

Special Judges Award

FILMWALK

The Third Annual Downtown Renton FilmWalk will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 27, and Thursday, Oct. 28.

During the FilmWalk there will be a special screening of all films entered in the FilmFrenzy at participating Downtown Renton businesses. Filmmakers will be on hand to discuss their work and their filmmaking process.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

The public can vote for the People’s Choice Award at RentonReporter.com. All films entered will be posted on the Renton Reporter website for viewing after the Curvee Awards Gala. The winning film will receive a special “People’s Choice” Curvee award at a November Renton City Council meeting.

SPONSORS

The Renton FilmFrenzy is sponsored by the Renton Community Marketing Campaign, which includes the Renton Chamber of Commerce, Renton School District, Valley Medical Center, Renton Technical College, Renton Visitors Connection and the City of Renton.

The Renton Community Marketing Campaign also sponsors the SIFF’s Futurewave program, which offers the region’s youth a direct link to SIFF Cinema, the Seattle International Film Festival, and the diverse local filmmaking community.