A Great Story is a Great Story’ – American Documentary Film Festival calling for entries

Teddy Grouya, DocAm As one of the largest documentary film festivals in the United States, the 4th American Documentary Film Festival is on a mission – to reach as many people as possible with provocative films that both excite and educate. Located in Palm Springs, just as exotic as it sounds, and named by Moviemaker Magazine as one of the five coolest documentary film festivals in 2013, DocAm is a FilmFestivalLife festival it’s worth taking a closer look at. Festival Director Teddy Grouya gives up some time to talk to us, in the process providing us with some insider information about his festival, trends in American documentary filmmaking and what kind of films AmDoc are looking for.

 

Jana Dietze, FilmFestivalLife: What is new within the festival this edition?

This year we are continuing to expand our number of screens, films and education outreach. We’re committed to sharing more and more films within the school district as well as helping local students with an on-going mentorship program.

What kind of films are you looking for?

We’re looking for great, story and character-driven films that have something to share, inspire, educate and illuminate with our audience. You can apply early or late, it doesn’t matter, but make sure you have a film you truly believe can keep the interest of a viewer throughout the screening.

What can a filmmaker expect when they are applying?

A filmmaker can expect the respect their hard work deserves as we view all submitted films. Being filmmakers we understand and appreciate our filmmakers first and foremost. In addition, even if a film is not invited to screen during the regular festival, it may qualify to be a part of our education outreach local library program.

There used to be a ‘fence’ between fiction and facts. Do you think we need this separation?

The ‘fence’ is skewed more and more today with narrative and documentary films, particularly where verity style is employed in the filmmaking. We think this is the wave of the future – a great story is a great story.

What trends do you see in American documentary filmmaking?

There are no particular trends in American documentary filmmaking at the moment, but here in international documentary filmmaking, story and character in verity is becoming more the norm. Also, in documentary filmmaking where there is no archival footage available, animation has become more important in the process. This is what has motivated AmDocs to include animation within our programming.

Why do you think filmmakers should submit online – through FilmFestivalLife?

Filmmakers should submit through FilmFestivalLife as this is a top-tier event and an all-around terrific experience for the filmmaker. As a large festival that is always looking for opportunities for filmmakers who submit to us, be they in our main festival event or other ancillary events, we want our filmmakers to have as many options in getting their works to us.  FilmFestivalLife is a quality alternative.

 

AmDocCollage

Teddy Grouya, Festival Director

American Documentary Film Festival
Mar 26 – Mar 30, 2015
Palm Springs, United States

Submit to AmDocs on FilmFestivalLife:

Submit to BOFA on FFL

Regular Deadline: November 15, 2014
Late Deadline: January 23, 2015


 

Read more FOCUS features from FilmFestivalLife:
:: Where Wild Bisons meet Short Films – Zubroffka International Short Film Festival
:: ‘I expected more’ Razor Reel about Cannes’ Marché du Film and Genre Films

 

Read more of Jana’s articles

Jana Dietze

Jana Dietze is the Head of Communications at FFL. Her editorial background includes positions as Editor of N24 News channel and Editor of Fulmidas Media Agency. Her film experience is grounded in studying Film Science, Georg-August University, Göttingen. Reach her at jana(at)filmfestivallife.com

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