4th HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition.

HBO and The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) announced the 4th annual open call for entry for the HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition. The competition, created in 2004, seeks to foster films by Latino filmmakers and/or about the Latino experience.

One winner will be chosen from among applicants to receive $15,000 in funding from HBO to produce and direct a short film (on digital video) based on an original script entry. The completed short will be considered for exhibition this summer at the 2007 New York International Film Festival in July and on any of HBO’s programming services.

“There is no doubt that the HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition has become a key festival event,” said Lucinda Martinez-Desir, vice president, Market Development at HBO. “With its growing diverse audience, coupled with its lively and celebratory atmosphere, the NYILFF provides a great opportunity for new filmmakers to showcase their work and garner recognition. We’re excited to once again reward and foster a new talent in partnership with the festival.”

“Since its commencement, the HBO/NYILFF Short film competition has been one of our most successful opportunities for filmmakers,” said Calixto Chinchilla, founder and co-executive director, NYILFF. “It has introduced us to some of the most talented up-and-coming Latino writer/directors, and enabled us to pair those emerging filmmakers with the award-winning
creative team at HBO.”

The HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition is open to U.S. and international entrants 18 years and older. Only original scripts will be accepted and must be written in English by a person of Latino descent or focus on the Latino experience, and entrant must hold all rights to material. The screenplay cannot be more than twelve (12) pages long and final film cannot exceed a maximum running time of five (5) minutes. Screenplay and work produced must not have had previous cable, television or internet exhibition, won awards at any other festival or been previously submitted to the HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition.

Each entry must be accompanied by two (2) completed submission forms, $10.00 fee, two (2) copies of screenplay, one (1) PDF of screenplay on CD-ROM, filmmaker bio and photo, director’s reel or last short film produced (DVD NTSC only), and one (1) executed HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition release form. There is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted (see rules for more specifics). Entries must be postmarked by May 4, 2007 and mailed to HBO/NYILFF SHORT FILM COMPETITION, c/o The New York International Latino Film Festival, 419 Lafayette Street, 3rd Floor, New York, N.Y. 10003.

Applicants will be notified if their screenplay has been selected by May 26, 2007. For official rules, regulations and submission forms, log on to www.NYLatinoFilm.com.

Last year, Hugo Perez received the $15, 000 grant from HBO to produce and direct a short film based on his original script “Betty La Flaca,” a humorous take at a young Latina’s efforts to change her body image. His film won praise throughout the festival’s celebrations.