A
FESTIVAL RAG EXCLUSIVE
10.28.2003
(NEW YORK CITY) : Thanks to the Vail Film Institute,
rights to the music of George and Ira Gershwin
is available to independent filmmakers for the price of...well,
for a song.
The
Gershwin Foundation announced this week a short
film contest worthy of its namesake: The Gershwin Showcase,
to be presented at the 2004 Vail Film Festival.
George
and Ira Gershwin wrote many of the most popular songs of the last
hundred years, and selected recordings of these songs, by a mélange
of artists, have been released for this short-film contest. Music
rights have been granted to allow filmmakers to create short films
inspired by, and showcasing the Gershwin tune of their choice.
Following
submission to the contest, the films will be reviewed by the Gershwin
Showcase Jury, who will bestow perpetual music rights upon
the films that meet their approval. Cash awards of over $7,000 will
be given to the first- and second-place winners. A shorts program
will then be assembled from the best films and given their world
premiere at the first Vail Film Festival (April 1-4, 2004
in Vail, Colorado).
"The
Gershwin families are very excited to be involved with the inauguration
of the Vail Film Festival," says L.J. Strunsky,
the Director of Marketing for Gershwin Enterprises. "The fusion
of film and music was instrumental in the careers of George and
Ira, and in introducing their songs nationally and internationally:
We’re just happy to be able to give back to the film industry
in some way."
The
judging will be based on the integration and use of the music within
the film's structure. With the exception of music videos, all genres
are accepted. All films must be under eight (8) minutes in length,
and must not have been shown publicly prior to April 4, 2004.
Here's
a list of the eligible recordings from the Gershwin catalogue:
I
Got Rhythm, Robert Palmer (featuring Larry Adler)
Bidin' My Time, Johnny Hartman
Foggy Day, Doug Gillard (Guided by Voices, Gem)
Embraceable You, Duncan Sheik
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off, Ella Fitzgerald &
Louis Armstrong
Fascinating Rhythm, Antonio Carlos Jobim
Little Jazz Bird, John Pizzarelli
(MP3s
of each song will be available on the VFF website as of November
6th)
The
Gershwin Showcase is an unprecedented opportunity
for filmmakers - in addition to cash prizes and worldwide publicity,
it's a golden ticket to music rights that up until now, indie filmmakers
could only dream of (or steal). So, choose your inspiration, fill
out a submission form, and pick out your song.
Oh,
yeah – don’t forget to make the film.
For
more details and submission forms, go to www.vailfilmfestival.org
and click on Gershwin Contest 2004. Also go to www.gershwin.com
and do something there.
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