For the 11th backup_festival we are looking for young film makers and media artists to take
part in an international competition for a prize of 7500 Euros in total.

>>>>>>>>>> backup.award
We are looking for short films and videos which reflect and define the boundaries and
possibilities of the cinematic format through the creative use of different production methods and modes of expression. The interplay of media with differing techniques and the influence of these two aspects on narrative structures, production, and distribution processes are considered the most important criteria. The aim is to break out of previous categorisations and to produce hybrid forms of film.
The submitted works must have been completed after January 1st 2008 and should not
exceed 15 minutes in length.

>>>>>>>>>> backup.clip.award
We are looking for music videos which create unique combinations of music and motion
picture through the employment of different techniques and forms of media. The focus of
this award is on the artistic use of music video characteristics. The aim is to make pictures audible and sounds visible.
The submitted works must have been completed after January 1st 2007 and should not
exceed 7 minutes in length. If copyrighted music is used in the video clip, legal rights to
use the songs must be granted in order to be admitted in the competition.

>>>>>>>>>> backup.(non)commercial.award
We are looking for film works which deal with the idea of commercials as their own independent format of motion picture and that strive to break out of their boundaries by means of content as well as creative techniques. The methods and intentions of advertising should be reflected and questioned in an artistic way. The aim is to critically investigate advertising. Works which have been produced or released for commercial purposes will not be admitted in the competition. The inclusion of fictive products and services is preferable. Real products may only be referred to if legal copyright/trademark rights have been
granted and if the commercial has not been produced on behalf of the company.
The submitted works must have been completed after January 1st 2007 and should not
exceed 90 seconds in length.

>>>>>>>>>> backup.premiere.award
We are looking for film debuts which link different genres and formates, respectively
suggest methods to pass the boundaries of genre, and thereby present formates that break new ground. The films should - in accordance with a present-day view of the Bauhaus in Weimar - reflect the producers' interdisciplinary approach and its manifestation in narrative structures and production processes. For the first time, backup leaves the league of short film festivals and rises to a new challenge. Likewise, there are new challenges for the newcomers of film: the number of international cinematic debuts increases steadily, and it is hardly possible to keep track on the scene and the amount of new channels of distribution. The objective of the award is to discover new forms and modes of expression in the light of this situation - to filter unconventional, path-breaking works, and present them to an interested audience in an international context. The aim is to go beyond structural conventions by means of content as well as form, as well as to orient onself on the global market.
The submitted works must have been completed after January 1st 2008 and should not
exceed 60 minutes in length.

A panel of independent judges consisting of film makers, television professionals, producers, designers, and media theorists will award prizes to the best works. The call for entries is distributed internationally at film and art colleges, universities, universities of applied sciences, film and media agencies, film clubs, cultural centres and centres of learning, as well as online at: www.backup-festival.de.

Deadline: March 20th 2009

All submitted works should be sent in due time so as to arrive before the deadline and should include a copy for preview, stills, list of dialogues, synopsis, biography and filmography.

about the festival:

backup stands for films and videos reflecting, defining and readjusting the boundaries and prospects of film and its diverse segments by creatively experimenting with different ways of production and expression.
That is why backup is looking for filmic works that refuse to be categorized as genres, topics and other traditional criteria – experiments in the format of moving picture.
A new addition to this year’s 11th backup festival is a competition for international debut features. With this award and the systematic development of media partnerships backup wants to promote the potential of young filmmakers and support their talent.
Like in the past 10 years, backup wants to encourage a discourse about films, formats and festivals reflecting the current developments and aiming to find and support artistic works and exceptional approaches to the medium film.
Since its 10th anniversary in 2008 the backup_festival has a new date. The early summer in Weimar offers the possibility to celebrate the festival as a big and vibrant open air event. The 11th backup_festival will take place from May 21st to May 24th 2009 in Weimar, Germany. For more information visit www.backup-festival.de.

>> backup_festival
     May 21-24, 2009
     Weimar, Germany
     www.backup-festival.de