TOP HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS ADDED TO JURY AS DAMAH SPIRITUAL FILM FESTIVAL DEADLINE LOOMS

Spiritual Film Festival, record breaking last year.(bigger than Sundance or Canne in their 1st year) Names and quotes from top Hollywood producers

June 16, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jill Schrag
(310-420-4745)

TOP HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS ADDED TO JURY
AS DAMAH SPIRITUAL FILM FESTIVAL DEADLINE LOOMS

With just over 2 weeks left until the final submission deadline for the Damah Film Festival-Spiritual Experiences in Film, several new celebrity jurors have signed on to judge the work of amateur filmmakers from around the world who have submitted short films to this unusual hybrid of spirituality and the arts.

Filmmakers from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Taiwan and the United States are vying for $15,000 in prize money and recognition at the festival and have already submitted 81 short films. The Damah Film Festival-Spiritual Experiences in Film will take place at the Seattle Art Museum on October 10, 11, and 12, 2002.

Tom Shadyac (DRAGONFLY, PATCH ADAMS & LIAR LIAR), Scott Derrickson (HELLRAISER), and DAVID WILCOX (singer/songwriter) join last years cast of jurors, which includes Ralph Winter (PLANET OF THE APES), Howard Kazanjian (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, RETURN OF THE JEDI), Janet Scott Batchler (BATMAN FOREVER), Stephen Simon (WHAT DREAMS MY COME), and Michael Medved (film critic).

I find all of the things around this festival to be so encouraging." I think this is the future."
-- Stephen Simon
Damah recognizes and celebrates two identifying marks of this current generation: the search for spirituality and the impulse to make films," says Scott Derrickson . I'm proud to be a part of it."

In its first year, the 2001 Damah Film Festival screened 82 short films. By contrast, the Cannes Film Festival screened only 70 short films in its first year, yet it helped give a huge boost to now renowned filmmakers like Alfred Hitchcock and Walt Disney early in their careers. Similarly, the Damah Film Festival hopes to give a new generation of filmmakers their start.

There was so much passion (at the 2001 Damah Film Festival)," said festivalgoer and actress Kelly Boczek. People saw these films and automatically something in these films connected them enough to feel so passionate about them. Thats so beautiful."

Damah filmmakers capture spiritual experiences in thirty minutes or less by telling stories of struggle and redemption, preferably with surprise endings. Damah does not limit submissions by genre or acquisition format. 2001 Damah films can be viewed online at www.damah.com. Submission document is available at www.damah.com/submit.html. Submissions for the 2002 Damah Film Festival will be accepted until July 1 for a fee of $45.

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To schedule an interview with any of the Damah Film Festival principals or jurors please call Jill Schrag at 310-420-4745. Photographs and MP3 audio clips available at http://www.damah.com/pressroom.html