2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries

2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries - Printable Version

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2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries - Gardavasque - 01-09-2023

This post was updated on January 22, 2023...
Due to popular demand... The schedule has been extended as follows:
IDU Film Festival Awards Ceremony is now going to be held Sunday February 26th, 2023
Submissions for films to be considered are now due by Sunday February 5th, 2023 (11:59 pm California time)
Voting will begin on Monday February 6th, 2023 and end on Saturday February 25th, 2023

(Tuesday, December 20th, 2022, 11:56 am)Gardavasque Wrote: Wrote:The Event
As the year 2022 draws to a close, it is time to recognize excellence in the achievements and contributions of the year's outstanding films from across the IDU. The 2022 IDU Film Festival opens this evening in the city of Eternity, Gardavasque, and will run for approximately four weeks, culminating in the highly-anticipated prestigious celebrity eleganza, IDU Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 14th, 2023 Sunday, February 26th, 2023 at 8pm, GST (red carpet entrances begin at 6pm). Cities of every nation in the IDU and each of the IDU embassy regions are cordially invited to attend.
The Venues
Each nominated film will be publicly screened with representative members of cast, crew and production company in attendance. Two exquisite historic movie palaces have been selected by the host committee for this year's event: the Majestic Theatre and the Castro Theatre, both located in the Broadway Arts District in the center of Eternity. The awards ceremony will be held at Dolly Parton Hall in the Eternity Civic Center. All film-festival awards ceremony attendees, regardless of nation of residence, must demonstrate proof of Tripledemic Vaccination and negative Blood Pox test within previous 48 hours; only exceptions approved by Health Ministry Gardavasque officials will be accepted.

Top to bottom: Castro Theatre, Majestic Theatre, Dolly Parton Hall
Submissions
Any film produced in an IDU resident nation is eligible for nomination in any category except "Best World Cinema Feature Film." Any film produced in a nation located within IDU embassy regions (North Pacific, 10000 Islands, Forest, Antarctic Oasis, World Assembly Legislative League, Yggdrasil, Texas, Europe, Balder, The South Pacific) is eligible for nomination in the category "Best World Cinema Feature Film." Multiple submissions are acceptable, and films may be nominated in more than one category. Categories include: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Performance, Best Supporting Performance, Best Documentary, Best Costume Design, and Best Special Effects Design. To nominate a film produced in your nation, please fill out the form below by Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 Sunday, February 5th 2023.
Voting Procedure
Nominations open on December 20, 2022 and close on Tuesday January 3rd, 2023 Sunday, February 5th, 2023. Beginning Wednesday, January 4th, 2022 Monday, February 6th, 2023, Each IDU resident nation and each nation from an IDU Embassy Region is invited to participate in the voting process by voting for one film per category. Nations submitting a film nomination may cast one additional vote per category (maximum of 2 votes). Voting opens on Wednesday, January 4th Monday, February 6th 2023 and closes Friday January 13th, 2022 Saturday, February 25th, 2023. A new voting thread will be created on this forum on January 4th, 2023 February 6th, 2023. The nation sponsoring the winner of Best Picture will host the next IDU Film Festival.
Nomination Form
Nation:
Region:
Film Title, Language, Run Time:
Nomination Category/Categories:
Cast:
Director:
Synopsis:
Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated:

RE: 2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries - Gardavasque - 01-23-2023

Nation: Gardavasque
Region: International Democratic Union
Film Title: "Kalipso"
Language: Modern Romanx
Runtime: 99 Minutes
Nomination Category/Categories: Best Picture, Best Lead Performance for Timothee Cimino, Best Supporting Performance for Olimpia Pardo
Cast: Jack Henry as Odysseus, Timothee Cimino as Kalipso, Alis Kravale as Athena, Olimpia Pardo as Penelope, and Lawrence Potter as Zeus.
Director: Greer Andrews

Synopsis:
"Tale as old as time/True as it can be/Barely even friends/Then somebody bends/Unexpectedly." This ancient story from Homer's Odyssey reimagines the tale of Calypso, the Greek nymph who "seduces" the hero Odysseus for 7 years on his journey back home, as a gay fantasia on themes of loneliness, love, sex, commitment, and ultimately love lost. Based on the quasi-autobiographical novel by Arthur Less, of the Russian River School, "Kalipso" was initially labeled a "Magniloquent Spoony" by Eternity Times critics 15 years ago. Despite early attempts to relegate it to the Queer YA section of libraries, the novel has endured and flourished, garnering a cult following with GenZ and inspiring hundreds works of fan fiction published on social media websites. Less and longtime collaborator, Pulitzer-winner Robert Brownburn, successfully transferred this passionate and achingly mesmerizing narrative to the big screen with tour-de-force performances from Jack Henry (Steelman, The Ponytail Archer), Timothee Cimino (Call me a Peach, Doom, Love Michael), Olimpia Pardo (Edge of Disaster), and Lawrence Potter (Father Christmas). Andrews's Kalipso is sensitive as it is erotic, heartwarming as it is desperate, penetratingly masculine at times, but also warm and tender.

Kalipso (Cimino) is young prince banished to the mythical tropical island of Ogygia for refusing an arranged marriage to a beautiful princess. As the months drag on, he grows desperately lonely and contemplates taking his own life. Then one day Kalipso discovers a body lifelessly floating in the water; it is the long-suffering Odysseus (Henry), king of Ithaca and sole survivor of a downed ship stolen from Troy. Kalipso rescues brave Odysseus from the sea by performing rescue breathing and cardiac massage, gradually nursing him back to health. The pair become friends and gradually form intense sexual affair entwined with stories of loss, grief, and anger at the gods. Years pass without hope of ever leaving the island. Kalipso finally succeeds at forming an emotional bond with Odysseus and hints at proposing marriage to him, but Odysseus is reluctant to renounce his wife Penelope (Pardo) whom he dreams about while he and Kapilso make love. Utterly distraught and overcome with a mix of mourning fair Penelope and passion for his new partner, Odysseus prays to the Goddess Athena (Kravale) asking for clarity about what to do. On Mount Olympus, Athena begs the almighty Zeus (Potter) to intercede, noting that it is not Odysseus's destiny to end up with Kalipso. Zeus mercilessly silences her, but ultimately agrees and dispatches Hermes to command Kalipso to allow Odysseus to freely choose his fate. Heartbroken, yet hopeful, Kalipso supplies Odysseus with the tools needed to construct his own ship. Odysseus, emotionally torn, builds the ship, but then asks Kalipso to come with him as his partner. Kalipso flies into a rage, ripping the ship's rudder with his bare hands screaming "You belong with me. I make you happy; you said so yourself. If I return with you to share your home, and your bed, you will never be happy. There is no place in Ithaca for me." Eventually, Odysseus leaves and in the final shot, Kalipso again contemplates taking his own life but just then sees something floating in the water.

Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated: Kalipso is nominated for Best Picture for its sensitive portrayal of love between men in a world where it isn't allowed, not even by the gods. Cimino's performance demonstrates an uncommon depth and understanding of the lengths any man will go for the one he loves.

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RE: 2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries - Democratic Republic Of Eiria - 02-05-2023

Film Title: Blue Rings
Language: Eirian
Run Time: 2 Hours, 17 Minutes

Nomination Category/Categories: Best Picture, Best Lead Performance(For James Judins), Best Supporting Performance (For Anita Ozola), Best Music

Starring:
James Judins as Edward "Eddie" Marin
Charlie Amankē as Peter Deksnis
Anita Ozola as Amalie Richard
Jeanne Leclerć as Helene Fortin
Abigail Ozola as Amalie Deksnis-Marin

Director: Juliette Atcerē

Synopsis:

The movie opens with aggressive and fast orchestral cues as a young man runs down a street, his face barely visible in the nighttime air. The words "Monterre Province,1927" flash along the screen as the musical intro fades into the sound of thundering footsteps. The young man looks frantically over his shoulder as numerous figures emerge from the shadows, shouting obscenities towards him. He dodges through alleyways in order to avoid his pursuers, taking cover in a Unitist church. He begs a nearby priest to help him and lock the door, to which he quickly does.

The priest gives the young man some water and sits with him in a church pew, kindly listening to the exhausted teen's story. After some prodding, he introduces himself as Edward Marin, a nineteen year old local. He tearfully recounts being cast out by his family, having nowhere left to go, and being chased by a gang of boys (neglecting to say the reason for any of this). The priest seems to understand, cautiously telling Marin that he knows a safe haven for him, and that he must rest here for the night. The next morning, Marin and the priest are standing on a small train platform, watching a train slowly come to a stop in front of them. A hesitant Marin fidgets with a ticket, thanking the priest for his help before slowly boarding the train.

Marin disembarks the train at a small, decrepit station labeled "Kōr dei Lira." Following a dirt road, he makes his way into a small town, catching strange and pitiful looks from locals. He is flagged down by a woman, who invites him inside her small home. She introduces herself as Amalie, and offers him a bed in her small spare room. He's extremely hesitant about this offer, until Amalie explains that Kōr dei Lira is a safe place called a Kejuceda, and that she lived with her longtime partner Helene. She says that when she came to the town, someone helped her and gave her shelter, so she wanted to do the same for other outcasts like her.

Marin is shocked and extremely touched by her kindness, breaking down crying while alone in his new bed. Over the next few days, he remains quiet and withdrawn, nervously interacting with the locals as he tries to get on his feet. Amalie helps him get a job in one of the community's farms, where he works diligently, but quietly, not participating in the games and jokes that the other workers invite him to join. Instead, in his free time, he joins Helene in her small clothing shop, and she teaches him how to sew, make, and repair clothes. He gradually appears more at ease, however he still rarely interacts with anyone outside of Helene or Amalie.

At the start of his third week in Kōr dei Lira, the town is bustling with excitement as the next day was Eiria's Unity Day. Amalie and Helene pester Edward to come and join the festivities, talking him into attending a party at the town's bar. The pair spring into action to try to find an outfit for their "debutante," deciding on a sleek blue Halar robe. Edward decides to put his own touch on the outfit, sewing a green vidukjost (Waist sash/belt) to go with the robe.

The next day, the town is out in full force, singing in the town square during the day and filing into the town’s tavern as the daylight fades. Edward cautiously attends, standing on the sidelines until he gets caught in the crowd and ends up with a microphone in his hand and all eyes on him. In a moment of inspiration, he sings a beautiful rendition of Mōs Zaunana Breilsei (“They Call Us Brothers”), earning a standing ovation. While recovering from his performance, he runs into Peter Deksnis, a handsome lad who works on the same farm that Edward does. The pair end up sitting down and talking for the rest of the night, and Marin goes home contentedly.

The following days are seen in glimpses. Peter helps Edward open up and socialize with his coworkers, bringing him into their joking banter. Edward’s new sewing skills end up coming in handy, as Peter’s clothes are constantly torn and tattered. The pair are practically inseparable, much to the delight of Amalie and Helene. One night, Peter knocks on Edward’s window, convincing the latter to follow him. He brings him to a beautiful clearing in the woods, spreading a blanket on the ground so the pair can gaze at the moon and stars. During this touching moment, Peter kisses Edward, leaving him speechless. The pair spent the night together under the stars.

A few days later, Kōr dei Lira is once again bustling, this time with anxiety. Rumors had spread that a nearby Kejuceda was stormed and razed by an angry mob. Peter tells Edward of a protest that he and a few other of the town’s citizens had planned in Kolēnceda, the provincial capital. Edward is extremely nervous about this, and begs Peter not to go. Peter refuses, and so Marin insists on going with him instead. The next day, their group of protesters boards a train to Monterre’s capital.

Upon arriving in Kolēnceda, they find the city in chaos. Rioters and protestors fill the streets, fighting for a large range of conflicting issues. The group from Kōr dei Lira slowly makes their way to the Provincial Senate Building, where they set up a small camp on the granite steps. They pass out signs advocating for marriage equality, and to emphasize their goal, they erect a flagpole and wave two flags; two blue rings and two purple rings, the symbols for gay and lesbian civil unions in other provinces. As counter-protesters and other groups swarm around them, they hold their ground, setting up a makeshift barricade to protect themselves from both fellow protestors and the police force stationed at the Senate building.

Unfortunately, a group of rioters break through the police wall, and they barge into the building, prompting large amounts of police to pour in from around the area. The peaceful barricade is overrun, and Peter is struck by a police baton and arrested. Edward runs towards him, but takes a hit himself and falls, dazed. He sees glimpses of Amalie carrying him from the chaos and running back into the crowd, before blacking out.

The scene cuts to a few months later, in a Kōlenceda police department. Edward waits nervously, constantly checking the clock in the corner of the room, before an exhausted Peter is led out by a police officer. The pair embrace, and Edward leads his partner out of the station, filling him in on what he missed. The barricade had been stormed, and everyone was forced to flee back into the streets of Kōlenceda. Unfortunately, Amalie had been killed while trying to save the injured from being trampled. This information sobers the pair up, and they walk towards a nearby train station in silence.

The perspective shifts one more time, to a sunny spring day years in the future. An older Edward kneels by a headstone bearing Amalie's name, placing flowers on the grave before wiping a tear and walking away. Beneath the cemetery gates, Peter stood with a young girl, waiting for Edward. The pair kiss, and Edward picks up their daughter (named Amalie, in honor of his friend and mentor). The three of them leave together, leaving the dark past behind in favor of a peaceful, happy future.

Some additional background: While the story of Edward and Peter is fictional, much of the film is based on real events. Eiria was heavily divided in the 1920s, and protests and rioting were widespread. Monterre Province, often heavily influenced by its large Catholic minority, was the last province in Eiria in which same-sex civil unions were illegal. As such, gay relationships were heavily stigmatized, leading to the formations of multiple Kejucedasei (Gay towns). Kōr dei Lira was a real Kejuceda in Monterre, and its citizens were often on the forefront of protests for Gay Rights in the province. One of these citizens, Anna Zvirbule, served as a loose inspiration for the character Amalie Richard. In Kōr dei Lira today, there is a memorial to peaceful protestors, like Zvirbule, who died in the 1928 Kōlenceda Riots.

Director Juliette Atcerē is perhaps more famous for her shorter films, having won two AFKE Awards for her films Blue and Red and Glass Sands. This film is James Judins' premier on the big screen, as he has been more prevalent on the Eirian theatrical scene. Charlie Amankē and Juliette Leclerć have also been more prominent on stage, the latter most notable for her titular role in the breakout musical Alouette. Anita Ozola is perhaps the most established on screen, having played Julia in the hit TV show Deskwork Although this cast is, for the most part, new to the movie scene, their talents are displayed clearly in their performance.

Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated: Blue Rings is nominated for its poignant and beautiful portrayal of the struggle for LGBT+ marriage rights in certain parts of Eiria. James Judins demonstrates his fantastic range of talents and emotion, and Anita Ozola's performance has been described as "the best depiction of a mentor archetype in a decade." The film also pays significant homage to the time period, using certain 1920s orchestral motifs, as well as utilizing certain songs that originated in Kejucedasei (most notably "They Call Us Brothers," sung by James Judins). Overall, the film is a beautiful and artistic rendition of parts of Eirian history that often goes unmentioned today.

RE: 2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries - Gardavasque - 02-06-2023

Entry on behalf of Ecclesiastical Dominions

Nomination Form

Nation: Ecclesiastical Dominions
Region: IDU
Film Title, Language, Run Time: "Little Betty" Italian 110 Minutes
Nomination Category/Categories: Best Picture, Best Supporting Performance (Beth Hope)
Cast: Dawn Hiller as Bonny, Perry Stabler as Ralph, Beth Hope as Rose, DaMarkis Williams as Buster, and Introducing Hannah Tyler as Claire
Director: Maria Jozef
Synopsis: Bonny and Ralph are a typical Ecclesian couple from the suburbs of Vaticanus who have just been told by their doctor that they will never be able to conceive children. Heartbroken and distraught, they fight with and blame each other for their feelings of disappointment. Ralph angerly fires an employee for a minor infraction, and Bonny confesses to her parish priest that she wants to travel abroad for fertility treatments, which are illegal in Ecclesiastical Dominions. After much soul searching, the couple eventually learn to console one another and decide to grow their family through adoption. Meanwhile in the dusty rural plains of Eastern Ecclesiastical Dominions, pregnant Rose and her common law husband Buster are told by a local magistrate they have been found unfit as parents for a third time, and thus are prohibited from raising the baby Rose is carrying. Heartbroken and enraged, Rose storms out of the courtroom as Buster slinks away to a bar and starts a fight. Rose tries in vain to board a bus out of the country, but ends up being arrested for attempting to use a stolen credit card (picked from her court-appointed lawyer's pocket). One day Claire, a long suffering social worker, informs Bonny and Ralph, that they have been selected as adoptive parents by Rose, over the objections of Buster who is in jail. Rose has difficulty making up her mind about the adoption and is about to back out when she unexpectedly goes into labor six weeks premature. As Bonny and Ralph rush to the hospital to see if this glimmer of hope will be their shot at raising a child after all. Eventually the baby is born, and Rose names her "Little Betty." Little Betty is born with opioids in her system and requires several natal intensive care. At different times, Bonny, Ralph, Rose, and Buster all make visits to the NICU and each says a prayer for the baby, whose life hangs by a thread. At last Little Betty miraculously recovers, Rose and Buster agree to the adoption, and Bonny and Ralph take the baby home. Claire reflects on how miracles do happen, each and every day.

Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated:
Movies produced in Ecclesiastical Dominions require the imprimatur's approval before they can be released and therefore require certain elements of Church teaching to be positively portrayed in movies. Although Dawn Hiller's performance as Bonny moved audiences to tears, the actress was married outside the Church and thus was ineligible to be nominated for any honor. Beth Hope's strong performance as the troubled birth mother was good enough, though, and so she was nominated for best supporting performance. This is the first time in recent memory that actor being nominated wasn't a male. It seems even in deeply patriarchical Ecclesiastical Dromions, the glass ceiling is cracking a little.

RE: 2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries - Gardavasque - 02-17-2023

Nominations are now closed. Thank you to the nations who submitted a film for consideration. Please visit this thread (link) to cast your vote.

RE: 2022 IDU Film Festival - Entries - Gardavasque - 02-19-2023

(01-09-2023, 02:17 AM)Gardavasque Wrote: This post was updated on Feb 19th, 2023...

Voting will begin on February 16th, 2023 and end on March 5th, 2023

(Tuesday, December 20th, 2022, 11:56 am)Gardavasque Wrote: Wrote:The Event
As the year 2022 draws to a close, it is time to recognize excellence in the achievements and contributions of the year's outstanding films from across the IDU. The 2022 IDU Film Festival opens this evening in the city of Eternity, Gardavasque, and will run for approximately four weeks, culminating in the highly-anticipated prestigious celebrity eleganza, IDU Film Festival Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 14th, 2023 March 6th, 2023 at 8pm, GST (red carpet entrances begin at 6pm). Cities of every nation in the IDU and each of the IDU embassy regions are cordially invited to attend.
The Venues
Each nominated film will be publicly screened with representative members of cast, crew and production company in attendance. Two exquisite historic movie palaces have been selected by the host committee for this year's event: the Majestic Theatre and the Castro Theatre, both located in the Broadway Arts District in the center of Eternity. The awards ceremony will be held at Dolly Parton Hall in the Eternity Civic Center. All film-festival awards ceremony attendees, regardless of nation of residence, must demonstrate proof of Tripledemic Vaccination and negative Blood Pox test within previous 48 hours; only exceptions approved by Health Ministry Gardavasque officials will be accepted.

Top to bottom: Castro Theatre, Majestic Theatre, Dolly Parton Hall
Submissions
Any film produced in an IDU resident nation is eligible for nomination in any category except "Best World Cinema Feature Film." Any film produced in a nation located within IDU embassy regions (North Pacific, 10000 Islands, Forest, Antarctic Oasis, World Assembly Legislative League, Yggdrasil, Texas, Europe, Balder, The South Pacific) is eligible for nomination in the category "Best World Cinema Feature Film." Multiple submissions are acceptable, and films may be nominated in more than one category. Categories include: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Lead Performance, Best Supporting Performance, Best Documentary, Best Costume Design, and Best Special Effects Design. To nominate a film produced in your nation, please fill out the form below by Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023 Sunday, February 5th 2023.
Voting Procedure
Nominations open on December 20, 2022 and close on Tuesday January 3rd, 2023 Sunday, February 5th, 2023. Beginning Wednesday, January 4th, 2022 February 16th, 2023, Each IDU resident nation and each nation from an IDU Embassy Region is invited to participate in the voting process by voting for one film per category. Nations submitting a film nomination may cast one additional vote per category (maximum of 2 votes). Voting opens on February 16th 2023 and March 5th, 2023. A new voting thread will be created on this forum on January 4th, 2023 February 16th, 2023. The nation sponsoring the winner of Best Picture will host the next IDU Film Festival.
Nomination Form
Nation:
Region:
Film Title, Language, Run Time:
Nomination Category/Categories:
Cast:
Director:
Synopsis:
Briefly, explain why this picture/performance/director/design is nominated: