10 Directors
10 Hours
1 Minute of finished film each
To make a 10 minute short film
Live!
#waitingforwarren

Join us on Wednesday, May 24 for a unique behind-the-scenes look at a short film being created by 10 different directors throughout the day. Each director is responsible to create one minute of finished film within their one-hour time slot. Look in on Facebook throughout the day as we stream the filmmaking process and interviews with the filmmakers and actors or come down to Wilson & Washburn and see it live! We’ll be looking for extras all day and we hope that YOU will share our event and help us build some excitement as we participate in this year’s Omaha Gives! day of giving!

We’re thrilled to announce our ten guest directors:

Ben Drickey – owner of Torchwerks and OFF sponsor
David Weiss – owner of DMWeiss Productions and OFF sponsor
Mike Comstock – winner of the OFF’17 NE Screenwriting competition
Tim Guthrie – winner of the OFF’17 NE Short Doc competition and overall Audience Choice Short
Tony Bonacci – winner of the OFF 2016 48hr Film Challenge
Mike Machian – local filmmaker having multiple films screened at OFF
Magie McCombs – local filmmaker having multiple films screened at OFF
Empty Space Films – Sam, Seth & Phillip – local filmmakers and OFF’17 video crew
Marc Longbrake – OFF Program Director
Jason Levering – OFF Executive Director

“Like”
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Share
Contribute
And help us solve the mystery as we’re all #waitingforwarren

Click here to donate:
https://www.omahagives.org/omahafilmfestival/overview

The Omaha Film Festival is proud to be participating in Omaha Gives!, a 24-hour charitable challenge organized by the Omaha Community Foundation. The online giving holiday will take place May 24 from midnight to midnight. Mark your calendars because we will need your help! We will be joining more than 800 local nonprofits to raise money together and compete for prize money—the more donors we get to give to us, the more likely we are to win prizes.

05.24.17 Omaha Gives! – Facebook Event Page

From 5:30 – 6:30 – film screening, Q&A, and Awards for
4-4-4 Omaha Metro Middle School Film Showcase

From 6:30 – 9:00 – film screening, Q&A, and Awards for
7-7-7 Omaha Metro High School Film Showcase

Free!

Over the last week two dozen middle school and high school teams have been working hard on completing their 4 minute and 7 minute films. Come out to the showcase and see which films will be screened and which films will win in the following categories:

1. Incorporate Color Theme in a Scene (Variable Drawing) – White/Yellow/Red/Green/Blue/Black
2. Prop – a Pez dispenser
3. Line of Dialog – “Wow! I didn’t see that coming.”
4. Genre (Variable Drawing) – Thriller/Romance/Comedy/Drama/Action
5. Must have Conflict (Same for All)
6. Must have Minimum 3 Scene Changes (Same for All)
7. Incorporate the #7 Somehow in a Scene (Same for All)

Awards will be given to
Best Film
2nd – 7th place films
Best Cinematography
Most Creative Use of Required Prop
Most Creative Use of Required Line of Dialog
Most Creative Use of Incorporating the #7

Films will screen in random order and only the films that will win one of the awards above will screen!

Screenings will be in the Durham Theatre so park on the lower level and use the entrance on the east end of the building. The main entrance will be closed.

04.21.17 7-7-7 Launch – Facebook Event Page
04.28.17 7-7-7 End
05.02.17 7-7-7 Screening at Durham – Facebook Event Page

The Omaha Film Festival is partnering with the Omaha Public School Career Center for this awesome filmmaking challenge designed specifically for area high school students!

The 7-7-7 Challenge gives high school teams an opportunity to create a seven minute film in seven days that meets seven established challenges.

Starting on April 21st between 6:30pm and 8:00pm in the TAC Boardroom at the Career Center on 3215 Cuming Street, you’ll be given your challenges, then you’ll have seven days to complete your film!

Challenges include:
1. Incorporate Color Theme in a Scene (Variable Drawing) – White/Yellow/Red/Green/Blue/Black
2. Prop (Same for All)
3. Line of Dialog (Same for All)
4. Genre (Variable Drawing) – Thriller/Romance/Comedy/Drama/Action
5. Must have Conflict (Same for All)
6. Must have Minimum 3 Scene Changes (Same for All)
7. Incorporate the #7 Somehow in a Scene (Same for All)

Registration will be $15 per team if registered by 4/14 or $20 per team when you pick up your packet on the 21st.

All qualifying finished films will screen at the Durham Museum Theatre on Tuesday, May 2nd from 6:30pm – 9:00pm and will feature a Q&A with all of the filmmakers!

Prizes will be given to
Best Film
1st Runner Up
2nd Runner Up
Best Cinematography
Most Creative Use of Required Prop
Most Creative Use of Required Line of Dialog
Most Creative Use of Incorporating the #7

04.21.17 7-7-7 Launch – Facebook Event Page
04.28.17 7-7-7 End
05.02.17 7-7-7 Screening at Durham – Facebook Event Page

All Conference Sessions will be at the Village Pointe Theatre
304 North 174th Street
All sessions will be in Theatre #10
All Conference Panelists are “scheduled to appear”

Saturday, March 11, 2017

9:30am – 10:30am – Filmmaker Panel
Attending (non-Nebraska) filmmaker’s Q&A panel

10:45am – 11:30am – Documentary Panel
A conversation with visiting documentary filmmakers about their process

11:45am – 12:45pm – Writing for the Big and Small Screen
Panel discussion with Maria Maggenti and Jennifer Levin moderated by Joel Stevens

1:00pm – 2:00pm – Acting on the Big and Small Screen
A discussion with Yolonda Ross about acting in a popular TV series moderated by Scott Kurz

2:30pm – 4:00pm – A Brief History of Filmmaking in Nebraska
A presentation with Nebraska Film Commissioner Laurie Richards

Sunday, March 12, 2017

12:00pm – 2:00pm – Writer’s Theatre
A live reading of selections from this year’s OFF screenplay finalists

2:15pm – 3:15pm – Writing the Great American Screenplay
A conversation about screenwriting with Lew Hunter

Panelists:
Maria Maggenti – writer/director/producer – wrote and directed Sundance films “The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love” and “Puccini for Beginners,” and writer of the 2011 Black List screenplay “Before I Fall” which is currently in theatres.

Jennifer Levin – writer/producer – Showrunner for CW’s “Felicity” and “Beauty and the Beast,” writer on ABC’s “Brothers and Sisters” and CBS’s “Without a Trace”

Yolonda Ross – writer/director/actress – Two-time Film Independent Spirit Award nominee and Gotham Winner for HBO’s “Stranger Inside” and John Sayle’s “Go For Sisters.” Also in “Treme,” “The Get Down,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” and the upcoming Showtime series “The Chi.”

Lew Hunter – writer – Screenwriting 434, chairman Emeritus and Professor of Screenwriting at the UCLA Department of Film and Television.

 

All OFF Academy Sessions will be at the Funny Bone
17305 Davenport Street, Suire 201
All OFF Academy Panelists are “scheduled to appear”

For more information or to find out how you can get involved with the OFF Academy, send an email to omahafilmfestival@gmail.com.

Thursday, March 9, 2017 – Day 1

8:00am – 9:00am – participant check-in / breakfast
Liz Zellner – Academy Coordinator, Jeremy Decker – Festival Director,
Jason Levering – Executive Director, Marc Longbrake – Program Director

Students will check in for the day and receive the syllabus and Academy information.
Beverages and a light breakfast will be provided.

9:00am – 10:00am – Screenwriting
Maria Maggenti and Jennifer Levin

First steps in writing a screenplay? How do I get my ideas down on paper?
How do I create and develop real characters?

10:15am – 11:15am – Producing
Dana Altman – North Sea Films

What is a producer’s role? What types of producers are there and what do they do?
How vital to the filmmaking process is a producer?

11:15am – 12:15pm – Directing
Nik Fackler

I want to direct! What does that mean? How do you find actors?
How do you direct actors? How do you find crew?

12:15pm – 1:15pm – Lunch (open discussion)

1:15pm – 2:30pm – Cinematography & Lighting
Ben Drickey – Torchwerks

Where do I point the camera? How do I move the camera?
Is lighting important to help tell my story?

1:15pm – 2:30pm – Break-out Session – Screenwriting Intensive
Maria Maggenti and Jennifer Levin – pre-registration required

1:15pm – 2:30pm – Break-out Session – Storyboarding
David Weiss – pre-registration required

2:30pm – 3:00pm – “Putting the Pieces Together” Q&A sessions

Friday, March 10, 2017 – Day 2
8:00am – 9:00am – participant check-in / breakfast / open discussion

9:00am – 10:00am – Sound
Kevin Keplar

Sound is 50% of your movie! If your sound is bad, your movie is bad!
But how do I get good sound on a budget?

10:15am – 11:15am – Executive Producing
Tim Christian – Night Fox Entertainment

I think I have a good idea for a movie, but I need to find investors!
How do I get my movie made?

11:15am – 12:15pm – Acting
Yolonda Ross

Theatre acting versus film acting. TV crews versus movie crews.
What’s it like playing a character on a TV series?

12:15pm – 1:15pm – Lunch and Learn
Students will be grouped with filmmakers sharing similar film interests for a catered lunch.
Students will have the opportunity to discuss any aspect of film with these special guests.

1:15pm – 2:30pm – Acting
Scott Kurz

Theatre acting versus film acting. How do I work with the director to develop a character?

1:15pm – 2:30pm – Break-out Session – Screenwriting Intensive
Maria Maggenti and Jennifer Levin – pre-registration required

1:15pm – 2:30pm – Break-out Session – Lighting/Cinematography hands-on
Ben Drickey – pre-registration required

2:30pm – 3:00pm – “The Big Picture” Q&A sessions

OFF’17 dates are March 7-12 and will feature amazing independent feature films, documentaries, short films, animated films, and screenplays from around the world. Each night after the film screenings will be VIP parties for All Access badge holders.

March 7th – Tuesday
Opening Night Party
Cheeseburger in Paradise
17304 Davenport Street
Free appetizers provided by Cheeseburger in Paradise
Drink specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
8:00pm – 11:00pm

March 8th – Wednesday
Tavern 180
203 North 180th Street
Food provided by Tavern 180
Drink specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
10:00pm – midnight

March 9th – Thursday
Dante Ristorante Pizzeria
16901 Wright Plaza #173
Free pizza provided by Dante
Drink specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
10:00pm – midnight

March 10th – Friday
Ring the Bell Party
Julio’s West
2820 South 123rd Ct
Free taco bar provided by Julio’s
Drink Specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
10:00pm – midnight

March 11th – Saturday
Stroud’s
301 North 175th Street
Free appetizers provided by Stroud’s
Free drink specials from Tito’s
Drink Specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
10:00pm – midnight

March 12th – Sunday
Closing Night Party
Brickway Brewery & Distillery
1116 Jackson Street
Free appetizers provided by Brickway
Drink Specials / Cash bar
Free entry for folks with All Access, Sponsor, Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Volunteer Passes!
$10 entry without a pass.
7:30pm – 11:00pm

 

Congratulations to the finalists for the 2017 Omaha Film Festival!

Feature Length Scripts:

Dietrich Danzig by John Pisano-Thomsen
End Transmission by Richard Ferrando
Red Velvet by Tom Radovich
The Keeper Beauchamp by Michael Comstock
The Snowman by Nick Cammilleri
War/Love by Hannah Feller

Short Scripts (under 30 pages):

A Letter Before Dying by Nathaniel Edwards
Lotustown by Doug Sasse
No Choice by Stephen M. Hunt
Summer Fruit by Annalise Lamberty
The Old States by Lain Kienzle

Congratulations to the semi-finalists for the 2017 Omaha Film Festival!

Feature Length Scripts:

Clear Blue Sky by Michael Spiros Brazda
Low Altitudes by Benjamin Adams
Reborn by Lisa Kovanda
Scabs by Rudy Jansen
Speechless by Tom Helberg
Stepmonster by Doug Sasse
The Case of the Tattooed Redhead by Jim Norman
The Dead Life by Andrew Wassom & Chuck Mittan
The Good Book by Lucy A. Fazely
The Green Machine: the True Story of the South Lincoln Track Club by Laurie Altenbern
The Man and The Moon by Paul Forrest
Venor by Matt Nye
You Can Look Now by Mark Steensland

Short Scripts (under 30 pages):

A Good and Wholesome Work by Samantha Kolesnik
Come Back For Me by Kevin Silva
Graffiti Cat by Tatiana Radzik
Kings by Jamaal Scott
Stockholm Syndromes by Kamila Stopyra
Sunny and the Seal by Jake Teeny
Symposium by Tom Grady
The Duel by Justin Michael Terry
The Mishap of Jonas by Travis Lee Eller
Without Adult Supervision by Andrew Wassom