Registration for the Third Annual Renton FilmFrenzy 50-Hour Filmmaking Competition Opens September 1; Cash Prizes and Coveted Curvee Awards to be Presented on October 26

SEATTLE, WA, August 25, 2010 (Press-News.org) Lights. Camera. Action. Renton will be the place to be this October for aspiring, ahead of the curve filmmakers during the epic Third Annual Renton FilmFrenzy.

Registration opens September 1 for the 50-hour filmmaking competition, which will be held from October 8-10. The deadline to apply to participate in the FilmFrenzy is 5 p.m., Friday, October 1. The Frenzy will award $1,700 in cash prizes during the Curvee Awards Gala on October 26. In addition, a Downtown FilmWalk and People's Choice Award are planned.

"Thanks to our new partnerships with theFilmSchool and Reel Grrls, this year's FilmFrenzy should be bigger and better than ever," said Renton Mayor Denis Law. "In three short years, the filmmaking competition has become one of the region's top film events and an integral part of the growing and strong Renton arts community."

For 2010, a new Frenzy Screenwriting Award will be presented by theFilmSchool, a Seattle-based program which "elevates the art of cinematic storytelling through intensive training in screenwriting and directing." In addition, the Woman Filmmaker Award will be presented by Reel Grrls, which "empowers young women from diverse communities to realize their power, talent, and influence through media production."

The FilmFrenzy, October 8-10
Competing filmmakers will have from 5 p.m., Friday, October 8, through 7 p.m., Sunday, October 10, to write, shoot, edit and submit a short film. At the beginning of the competition, participating filmmakers will be provided with "CurveBall" Challenges, which could include incorporating a line of dialogue, a task and/or filming at a specific location in Renton.

Films can be up to four minutes in length and must be shot completely in Renton. All genres of film are welcome, although films must be appropriate for all audiences.

Renton FilmFrenzy filmmakers may enter their films in one of two divisions: Student Division (high school and below) and Open Division. There is a $50 entry fee for the Open Division and a $25 entry fees for student competitors. There is no limit to the number of films that may be entered.

The films will be judged by local filmmakers, representatives from film organizations and a Renton Municipal Arts Commission member.

The deadline to apply to participate in the FilmFrenzy is 5 p.m., Friday, October 1.

Last year 25 filmmakers participated in the competition.

Visit www.RentonFilmFrenzy.com for application forms, rules and other information.

Curvee Awards Gala, October 26
The top films produced during the competition will be screened in front of a live audience during the Curvee Awards Gala at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, October 26.

Celebrating the slogan "Renton, Ahead of the Curve," special "Curvee" awards will be crafted by local artisans and students for presentation to the award-winning filmmakers. In addition, the following cash prizes will be awarded during the Curvee Awards Gala:

Best Picture: $500

Open Division
First Prize: $250
Second Prize: $200
Third Prize: $150

Student Division
First Prize: $250
Second Prize: $200
Third Prize: $150

Other Curvees will be presented for:
Screenwriter's Award
Woman Filmmaker
Best Actor
Best Use of Renton
Special Judges Award

Renton Downtown FilmWalk, October 27-28
The Third Annual Downtown Renton FilmWalk will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27, and Thursday, October 28.

During the FilmWalk there will be a special screening of all films entered in the FilmFrenzy at participating Downtown Renton businesses. Filmmakers will be on hand to discuss their work and their filmmaking process.

People's Choice Award
Thanks to the Renton Reporter (www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/), members of the public will have the chance to vote on their favorite FilmFrenzy films. All films entered will be posted on the Renton Reporter website for viewing after the Curvee Awards Gala. The winning film will receive a special "People's Choice" Curvee award at a November Renton City Council meeting.

Sponsors
The Renton FilmFrenzy is sponsored by the Renton Community Marketing Campaign, which includes the Renton Chamber of Commerce, Renton School District, Valley Medical Center, Renton Technical College, Renton Visitors Connection and the City of Renton.

The Renton Community Marketing Campaign also sponsors the SIFF's Futurewave program, which offers the region's youth a direct link to SIFF Cinema, the Seattle International Film Festival, and the diverse local filmmaking community.

For details, visit www.RentonFilmFrenzy.com.

For further information contact:
Suzanne Dale Estey
City of Renton
sdaleestey@rentonwa.gov
phone: 425/430-6591

Ken Saunderson
Ken@HamiltonSaunderson.com
Phone: 206/282-6858

Renton - Ahead of the Curve
The Renton FilmFrenzy is sponsored by the Renton Community Marketing Campaign,
which includes the Renton Chamber of Commerce, Renton School District, Valley Medical Center, Renton Technical College, Renton Visitors Connection and the City of Renton.

To learn more about why Renton, Washington, is the center of opportunity where families and business thrive, please visit www.RentonWa.gov.