Festival Data:

• Established: 1999
• Genre: General
• Attendance: 500
• Media Attendance: 3
• Accredited Industry Attendance: 2
• Total Number of Films Submitted: 168
• Total Number of Films Screened: 21
• Total Screenings: 2
• Total National and International Premieres: 8
• # of Shorts Screened: 21

• Competitive
• Students Section

Festival Website:

Festival Description:

Since its inception in 1999, the festival has presented programs of short films by aspiring and established artists from across North America. In 2001, the festival extended its boundaries by exhibiting its first international entries.

Designed to showcase student and independent filmmakers, the competition is open to anyone, with no entry fee required. Some twenty-one Official Jury Selection films will be chosen from the entry field, to be screened publicly in competition over the course of two programs.

If you love films and want to get a glimpse of the “next wave” of cinema talent, then you won’t want to miss 24fps. Festival Director Barry Smoot, who also serves as the Paramount Artistic Director, says 24fps “…was born from an idea to encourage aspiring filmmakers. As a nationally recognized historic theatre, we are dedicated to preserving and celebrating the cinematic art form. It seems only fitting that we have a hand in encouraging its future as well.”

Entries are encouraged at every level of experience. Smoot said, “…we charge the Official Jury to look at each film independently, and ask them to consider how it communicates to them individually. Method of production is less important. We ask them to consider how the artist has used whatever tools available to communicate their vision.”

24fps 2007 was the first year to introduce a new “Young Filmmaker’s Showcase”

The festival will include a simultaneous competition for those filmmakers currently enrolled in either public or private secondary schools (9th through 12th grade). Films accepted into the YOUNG FILMMAKER’S SHOWCASE compete for trophy awards in this new category. (The films are also still eligible for the major competition cash awards.) The showcase will also feature a special presentation by the cinema department of San Antonio’s North East School of the Arts.

Three major prizes will be given by the Official Jury, along with an Audience Award, and a prize to the most promising student filmmaker. The complete list of awards, including prize money, as is follows:

GRAND JURY PRIZE—cash award of $1,000
SILVER MEDAL—cash award of $600
BRONZE MEDAL—cash award of $400
Horizon Award (outstanding student film)–cash award $400
Audience Award—cash award $400
Luminaria Award (outstanding cinematography)
Kurosowa Award (creative excellence)

Film Submissions:

• Accepts direct submissions
• Submission formats: VHS, 35mm, DVD