NFFTY 2011
The submission window for the 2011 National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY) finished with a bang this week, with a final count of nearly 700 entries–almost twice the amount of youth-made films submitted last year. NFFTY received entries from 25 countries and 40 U.S. states, and there were also significantly more submissions from female filmmakers than in previous years. “[In an embodiment] of the theme for the 2011 Festival, ‘United By Film, Future By NFFTY,’ this year’s submissions show that despite cultural and geographic differences, all youth are drawn to share stories about the basic human emotions and condition,” NFFTY explains in an official press release. Interestingly, NFFTY programmers have also noticed that the economic downturn and tough issues felt across the globe, have had a strong impact on youth. Notes NFFTY Executive Director Jesse Harris, “Even though many of the films are uplifting and comedic, there is an increase this year in films dealing with these darker and more serious issues.” For more on NFFTY 2011, follow the above link.