Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the Philadelphia Independent Film Awards a FESTIVAL? NO. The Philadelphia Independent Film Awards is an AWARDS gala which recognizes excellence in independent filmmaking and filmmakers from around the world. It is international in scope and accepts films from any country and in any language. Unlike a film festival, only trailers relevant to their awards category will be shown, either during the ceremony or on our website. Complete films will not be exhibited in any way.
When and where will the event take place?
The Philadelphia Independent Film Awards is the capstone of three days of events including:
The Philadelphia Independent Film Awards is the capstone of three days of events including:
- Friday, May 20 - Friday Night Mixer, 5-9 pm, at Bleu Martini, 24 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia, PA, 215-940-7900
- Saturday, May 21 - AIDA Card Workshop, 12-2 pm, Juvenile Justice Services Center, 91 N. 48th St., Philadelphia, PA
- Sunday, May 22 - Awards Gala, 6-10 pm, International House, 3701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA
How many films were submitted? We received more than 200 films.
How many films were nominated? There were 72 films nominated.
From which countries were the nominees submitted? Films from 15 countries have been nominated. Origin countries of the 72 nominees include:
How many films were nominated? There were 72 films nominated.
From which countries were the nominees submitted? Films from 15 countries have been nominated. Origin countries of the 72 nominees include:
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How many categories? There were 13 categories.
What are the categories? Categories include:
What are the categories? Categories include:
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How do the nominations break down? The distribution is as follows:
- There were 42 films nominated in seven (7) production categories, including Best Picture, Best International Film, Best Short Film, Best Student Film, Best Documentary, Best Cinematography and Best Score.
- Twenty (20) films were nominated in the performance categories, which include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress.
- Six (6) candidates made the cut for the Best Director Nomination.
- Four (4) screenwriters were nominated for Best Screenplay.
What do the winners receive? Winners will receive the Philadelphia Independent Film Award. For more information about rules and terms visit our listing at FilmFreeway, the online directory of film festivals. (Note: we are an AWARDS event, not a film festival.)
Who is hosting the event? Def Comedy Jam and BET's Comic View comedian TuRae Gordon and actress Alice Wills ("Luv Don't Live Here Anymore") are the hosts.
Will there be red carpet coverage? Yes. UK celebrity-activist Jenni Steele of the UK radio program "Keeping It Real With Steele" will host coverage of the red carpet and present the Best Actress award.
Will there be any other presenters? Yes. Additional presenters include Monica Mason, Brian A. Wilson, Barbara Omnivel, Mia Menendez, Tobi Gadson, Jabez Griggs, William Forchion, Christina Sampson, Amira Smith, Lewis Duval, and Deirdre McCullough. Other presenters will be announced closer to the event date.
Which awards will they be presenting? See our Event Program page.
Will there be any performances? Yes. The John Martin Project performs.
Will the event be broadcast? Yes. It will be broadcast live via Periscope.
Will there be red carpet coverage? Yes. UK celebrity-activist Jenni Steele of the UK radio program "Keeping It Real With Steele" will host coverage of the red carpet and present the Best Actress award.
Will there be any other presenters? Yes. Additional presenters include Monica Mason, Brian A. Wilson, Barbara Omnivel, Mia Menendez, Tobi Gadson, Jabez Griggs, William Forchion, Christina Sampson, Amira Smith, Lewis Duval, and Deirdre McCullough. Other presenters will be announced closer to the event date.
Which awards will they be presenting? See our Event Program page.
Will there be any performances? Yes. The John Martin Project performs.
Will the event be broadcast? Yes. It will be broadcast live via Periscope.
Who are the sponsors? Our sponsors include:
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Will there be swag bags? Yes. There will be 360 swag bags distributed. Swag bags will include:
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In addition, some lucky recipients' bags will include prize tickets for our drawing.
How many judges are there? There are 12 judges.
Who are the judges? Judges' names will not be revealed until after the winners have been announced.
Will any additional awards be presented? Yes, the Trailblazer Award and the Leonard Heard Community Service Award will be presented. There will also be a drawing to give away various gift prizes. Tickets for the prizes will be hidden in the swag bags. The lucky recipients will receive the giveaways if their ticket is pulled.
Who is being honored with the Trailblazer Award? Oscar-nominated, Grammy Award-winning and NAACP Image Award-winning actor-rapper-producer Will Smith, a native son of Philadelphia.
Who are the nominees for the Leonard Heard Community Service Award? There are 5 nominees:
Who are the judges? Judges' names will not be revealed until after the winners have been announced.
Will any additional awards be presented? Yes, the Trailblazer Award and the Leonard Heard Community Service Award will be presented. There will also be a drawing to give away various gift prizes. Tickets for the prizes will be hidden in the swag bags. The lucky recipients will receive the giveaways if their ticket is pulled.
Who is being honored with the Trailblazer Award? Oscar-nominated, Grammy Award-winning and NAACP Image Award-winning actor-rapper-producer Will Smith, a native son of Philadelphia.
Who are the nominees for the Leonard Heard Community Service Award? There are 5 nominees:
- Nakia Dillard - actor, writer, director and founder of Aikan Performing Arts which has introduced youth and many young adults to entrepreneurship as well as created job opportunities for them. He has also opened doors for aspiring young Philadelphia actors by connecting them with their successful predecessors such as Jasmine Sullivan.
- Michael Dennis - founder of the "full-service film and video production company Reelblack which is dedicated to creating and promoting 'good movies 'bout Black folks.' " He also created the film series Reelblack Presents, "which promotes discoveries and rediscoveries in African American film."
- Kysha Woods - is the founder of Keitt Media agency, a boutique concierge management firm which partners with schools to promote entrepreneurship and self-worth. In addition, she and her company have participated in food, clothes and technology drives as well as mentorship programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters.
- Danielle Erwin - director, actor, filmmaker, founder of 7th Seed Productions, philanthropist and mentor to LGBTQ youth, Erwin has conducted multiple video production workshops for Attic Youth, the sole organization exclusively dedicated to supporting LGBTQ youth. She is also the creator of the first Black lesbian web series shot entirely in Philadelphia, "Crazy Sexy Cool: The Series."
- Maurice Paramore - writer, director, producer, founder of Dream Boy Vision Films; he has worked with the O-League which focuses on youth development and created a film program and seminar to teach youth the basics of filmmaking and video production.
What are the gifts that will be given away via a drawing? They include:
- Two mink wraps courtesy of Zinman Furs
- Four high-end designer watches from Croton
- 10 autographed copies of Essence magazine best-selling author Brenda L. Thomas' "Woman on Top"
- Several autographed copies of novels by Philadelphia novelist Charlotte Marshall-Murray
Will there be any charitable contributions made? Yes. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Covenant House in Philadelphia. Covenant House assists homeless teens.
What is the ticket price and where can tickets be purchased? Tickets are $43.19 and are available online through Eventbrite and PayPal. Live operators are also available to accept ticket purchases. To purchase tickets from a live person, contact Karen Waller-Martin, Tascha Chalmers, Keyon N. Smith, Angelique Marshall or Demetre Pough Edwards. Note: Tickets will NOT be available at the door.
Who can I speak to in order to arrange an interview or to get additional information? Contact Karen Waller-Martin at karenwallermartin@yahoo.com or 215-802-0907.
What is the ticket price and where can tickets be purchased? Tickets are $43.19 and are available online through Eventbrite and PayPal. Live operators are also available to accept ticket purchases. To purchase tickets from a live person, contact Karen Waller-Martin, Tascha Chalmers, Keyon N. Smith, Angelique Marshall or Demetre Pough Edwards. Note: Tickets will NOT be available at the door.
Who can I speak to in order to arrange an interview or to get additional information? Contact Karen Waller-Martin at karenwallermartin@yahoo.com or 215-802-0907.