Click on the Withoutabox.com logo to enter CIFF 2012!

The Cheyenne International Film Festival (CIFF) is now accepting entries. This year CIFF has partnered with Withoutabox for outreach and processing of film festival entries. We’re big on good stories, in fact, good stories trump production value.

As usual, CIFF prefers to receive online screeners to cut down on the number of tapes, DVDs cut, plastic boxes, sleeves, envelopes that are wasted as a result of film festival entries. You can upload for free through Withoutabox.

A great benefit of entering CIFF via Withoutabox is, your film gets an imDb page, which is the gold standard with regards to film cred! CIFF fees are pretty low compared to many festivals. We generally don’t give out fee waivers. There are lots of things you can do to raise the $30 pittance – sell something, have a rummage sale, ask your friends and families for $30, cut back on the number of beers or coffees you drink this month.

I know there are a bunch of broke filmmakers out there, but as you’ll note, we are soft on first time filmmakers. CIFF also has the Wyoming Showcase category. If you have a movie about Wyoming, set in Wyoming, or if you’re a filmmaker, director, writer, photographer involved with a movie with or without a Wyoming connection, that increases your chances for CIFF selection.

CIFF also has a Call2ACTion category. We seek films having to do with women’s issues – domestic / dating violence; Native American issues; service veteran issues; films about life and death; and uplifting stories about people moving themselves out of poverty

The movies are screened by a group of judges consisting of movie fans, producers, writers. Like all film festivals we make no apologies for the films that get selected for screening.

Click on the production image to purchase advance tickets.

The FILM SERIES – Challenge of Champions celebrates the life and careers of bull riding’s two greatest celebrities: famed PRCA World Champion bullrider Lane Frost and Red Rock, the sport’s most fearsome bull who went un-ridden 309 times.

The documentary screens Saturday July 23rd at 7pm. DVDs will be on sale and filmmaker David Wittkower will donate back $5 from the sale of each disc to LightsOn!

Tickets: $5.00 in advance (checks, cash, credit cards) Walk up Box Office – Phoenix Books and Music 1612 Capitol Avenue 307-632-3476; $8.00 at the door (FREE for Oh, You Cowgirl ticket holders http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=234422016585458)

The documentary includes candid and intimate interviews with some of the people closest to the sports two best known competitors: Lane’s parents Clyde and Elsie Frost, riding partners and friends Tuff Hedeman and Cody Lambert, Sportscaster George Michael, Stock Contractor and owner of Red Rock, John Growney, Journalist and Photographers Sue Rosoff and Kendra Santos, precedented ringside seat for the best-of-seven showdown between Lane and the Red Rock that is now the stuff of legends and bull riding folklore.

About the FILM SERIES
The Filmmakers Interactive Local Meetings (FILM) is a way for the community to “talk back” with filmmakers. This is the first in a series of a variety of movies screened in nontraditional venues.

Oh, You Cowgirls to screen July 23rd - click to check out the facebook page.

The Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, the Cowgirls of the West Museum and Wyoming Community Media in association with LightsOn! Downtown Group present a special screening of the documentary film “Oh, You Cowgirl” and a special appearance by director, producer and entertainer Shirley Morris.

Looking for something to do after the rodeo or before the night show? Be Inspired… See Oh, You Cowgirl! Saturday July 23rd. Check out the event on facebook!

Buy tickets $10 in advance or $12 at the door (checks, cash, credit cards) Walk up Box Office – Phoenix Books and Music 1612 Capitol Avenue 307-632-3476

They left a legacy so steeped in American Lore, you wonder, “Could it be true?” Take an unforgettable journey with the cowgirls who redefined the West.

SHIRLEY MORRIS Director and Producer, 'Oh, You Cowgirl'

Director and producer Shirley Morris learned about the cowgirls who came west as ranchers and homesteaders and the women of the wild west shows. It has become her passion and heart to bring their stories to as many people who will listen.

Their contribution to the history of the west along with what they have given generationally in spirit is important and she believes the courage, tenacity, strength and grit of these women has contributed, greatly and unselfishly to who we are as westerners and Americans. Women have achieved so much and in many ways it is because of the cowgirls of the west who, as stated in the film, “…. were more courageous than they had a right to be.

The Historic Hynds Building has reopened as a cultural and arts center. The screening will be the inaugural film event in the unique venue located in the heart of Downtown Cheyenne.

Watch the “Oh, You Cowgirl!” trailer:

Watch a trailer for A Warm Wind

This Memorial Day, remember the men and women who defend our country. “A Warm Wind” is a  film by Jeff London that screened at the Cheyenne International Film Festival and recounts the travails of a veteran who returned from Iraq and his integration back into society.

It is a “must see” film that will be getting more screenings, at least in Cheyenne and possibly on the FE Warren Air Force Base.

Click on the movie poster to watch a trailer of “A Warm Wind”

What is your favorite Hollywood war movie? “Dirty Dozen”, “Sands of Iwo Jima” “Battle of the Bulge”, “The Green Berets”, “The Hurt Locker”?

Telling A Story Through Film
Posted: May 14, 2011 9:21 PM
By Jade Cunningham – email

By: Kyle Markley
KGWN News Channel 5
Using video to tell a story can be done in a variety of ways.

It can be used to make a commercial, a movie, or possibly a TV show. Alan O’Hashi started doing community based media training back in 2004, and loves sharing his passion with others.

“I live vicariously through other people,” said O’Hashi. “There are folks I know who have been doing this business for quite a number of years, and have shot on film and worked in the business for a long time.”

Saturday’s class was the first of it’s kind that has been taught in Cheyenne. “It was really kind of fun to work with people I would consider non-traditional students. I’ve taught this class before in Laramie and just got back from doing it up in Casper.”

Joseph Goodrich was one of O’Hashi’s students and was looking to make himself more marketable as a professional through this class. “I’m a very experienced photographer,” said Goodrich. “I’m looking to expand my skills and put some more tools in the toolbox and a natural ascension would be to go to video.”

Goodrich learned the right way to tell a story with his work. “I really enjoyed the script writing analysis of it. I found that telling the story from beginning, middle, and end, and thinking the story all the way through is an excellent way to prepare yourself before you get behind the camera.”

Goodrich aspires to shoot a reality TV show, and he found the class to be just what he needed to take that first step. “I think this is an excellent first step. Especially if you have no camera experience because not only do you cover the editing process I described earlier, but we cover lights.”

O’Hashi said he hopes his students have the tools they need to use video to their advantage. “They can pick up a professional camera and do the same type of story telling. Really helping people engage, talk about their differences, talk about what they have in common really in sort of the safe space of video.”

To sign up for classes coming in June, you can visit the Wyoming Community Media Website at wyocomedia.com and download the LCCC catalog.

Check out images of all the CIFF action by clicking on the Women In Film!

The Cheyenne International Film Festival wrapped on May 22nd at the Atlas Theatre in Downtown Cheyenne Wyoming.

There were 47 films that screened over the weekend, including 13 produced by women filmmakers.

Check out all the action as captured by official CIFF photographer Cliff Cox. Open the album by clicking on the image of, Tara Tusher, Erin Kelly, Rachel Powell, Pamela Cuming, MaryLee Herrmann and Jen Tennican.

Planning is already underway for CIFF 3 happening May 17 – 20 in Downtown Cheyenne. Remember the Shoot Out Cheyenne 24 hour filmmaking festival September 23 – 25.

Click on the link to read the WTE story. Who is that kid?

Silent film from 1911′s Cheyenne Frontier Days is being featured at film festival. Click on the image to read the full story.

By Ian St. Clair

CHEYENNE –Connections to the past are always a trip.

Most of what we know from the early 20th century comes from the written word. But when we hear a song or see a picture, it gives us a glimpse of how we got here.

But we want more.

What was Cheyenne Frontier Days like in 1911?

The rodeo. The parades. The contestants. How does it differ from what we know today? You now have a portal to that time and place. Through film preserved by the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum, you will get the chance to watch a never-before-seen 90-minute documentary. It’s a silent film from the 1911 Cheyenne Frontier Days that will debut today in conjunction with the Cheyenne International Film Festival. The session starts at 6:00 p.m. at the Atlas Theatre and costs $30 and includes a reception by the Plains Hotel, dancing by the Wind River Dancers.

The Cheyenne International Film Festival (CIFF) will screen 17 programs consisting of 47 films at the Historic Atlas Theatre on May 19 – 22, 2011. There was something for every taste. CIFF is a platform for communities to tell their stories and relate to one another through the art of motion pictures.

Tickets are now available for late show on Friday night, 9:30pm – 11:30pm,  Opening Short Subjects The Joy of Dating (7 min Short Film) The Shoot Out Cheyenne Top 10 (Best Actor – Dominic Syracuse) Directed by Jeff Miller (Wyoming) A young man tries his hand at online dating. He is fearful of the psychos associated with dating online, but he ends up bringing his own skeletons to a seemingly “perfect” date. Careful with that Power Tool (2 min Short Film) Directed by Jason Stutter (New Zealand) A young boy discovers the fun of power tools.

Punching the Clown (91 min feature) Rated M – Language and adult situations Winner of Audience Award – Slamdance Film Festival Directed by Gregori Viens (California) Henry Phillips is a hapless troubadour who grinds his way through the heartland, living out of his car and singing his twisted satirical songs to anyone who will listen. Seeking to shake things up, he moves to L.A. where his luck changes overnight. He who lives by the whimsy of show business dies by it. Luckily, somewhere between rock bottom and the middle of nowhere lays the perfect terrain for Henry’s dark and hilarious songs.  Learn more on the CIFF Film Festival blog.

Watch the CIFF documentary on Channel 19

The Cheyenne International Film Festival (CIFF) short documentary airs on Bresnan Cable Channel 19 in Cheyenne daily at noon and 7pm. The program emphasizes the importance of the arts in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming.

The documentary features filmmakers MaryLee Herrmann, Patrick Mallek and Ken Wajda discussing film festivals and independent film. Local economic and community development officials Darren Rudloff of Visit Cheyenne, Michel Howard of the Wyoming Film Office and Randy Oestman from the Wyoming Arts Council discuss the importance of the arts.