The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) and Denver Film Society (DFS), producers of the Starz Denver Film Festival, are pleased to announce the creation and launch of the
Cinemocracy Film Festival, an open source film festival to coincide with the
2008 Democratic National Convention. As an official event of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee, Cinemocracy calls for
open participation in the political process; a multitude of voices during an event that shapes the political future of the United States.
Info at a Glance:2008 Cinemocracy Film Festival: an open source film festival addressing the topic of
“How do you define democracy?” Top-ranked films (as determined by public online voting) will be publicly screened in Denver during the week of the 2008 Democratic National Convention (August 25-28).
For submission guidelines and official rules, visit
www.denverfilm.org/cinemocracy .
During a year of monumental change, DOCA and DFS invite citizens of the world to speak out and share ideas on the definition of democracy through the creation of short films. All films submitted via free upload will be judged by the online public and the
top 10 will be screened at a free public event in Denver during the week of the 2008 Democratic National Convention (August 25-28). Additionally, the winning film will be screened as part of the official program of the 31st
Starz Denver Film Festival (November 13-23).
Submitted films can be up to five minutes in length and can be uploaded from March 1 through July 15 to
www.denverfilm.org/cinemocracy. Voting will remain open until August 1.
“With the Democratic National Convention coming to Denver this year, there’s no better time for all of us to consider and discuss the meaning of democracy,” said Mayor John Hickenlooper. “We encourage everyone to make their voices heard by participating in this unique project.” Mayor Hickenlooper has already answered the call and created
his own short film, Many People, One Voice, which is available for viewing at www.denverfilm.org/cinemocracy.
“Broad civic participation is an important part of the Convention coming to Denver,” stated Elbra Wedgeworth, President/Chair of the Denver 2008 Convention Host Committee. “Cinemocracy is one way for people who are not directly involved in the Convention to participate and share their voice and vision about democracy.”
"The Denver Film Society believes that film has the power to change lives and what better proof than engaging citizens from all walks of life, not just the politicians or the celebrities - although we do hope they participate as well - in giving vision to their voice for all to see,” said Britta Erickson, Festival Director, Denver Film Society.
The 2008 Cinemocracy Film Festival is the first of an annual open source film festival to be hosted by the Denver Film Society in subsequent years.