It has been a few years that Geoffrey has devoted to growing the KATRA Film series and it has grown since 2012. One example of this is the continuous submissions of new projects to the festival on an international level. It is not just films from the States but Europe, Asia and South America. The festival is based on promoting tolerance, inclusivity, diversity and social justice.
The most obvious note of this is that 80% of the works are from female filmmakers. Also at least 50% are from diverse backgrounds (Latino, African-American, Asian and LGBTQ filmmakers). For the finale the judges had to go through 64 different films, web series, and documentaries and they had to break it down to 16 finalists.
“Shorts and features are judged separately. Our director of programming Amos Efrat works tirelessly with our screening committee to find the best works being made from around the world.”
For 2018 Katra Films has partnered up with digital upstarts, businesses and organizations such as the new innovative Bowery Film Festival, Times Up Film Series, Wine Legend, NYWIFT, New York No Limits, Luminal Theater and many others to showcase local indie films and international digital content. Geoffrey is looking to present a different kind of festival that is not “cookie cutter” but cutting edge, unique and groundbreaking.
So far in their 6 year run they have discovered Academy Award Winners and look forward to improving on that in the new season. Geoffrey realizes that they are still growing and have ways to go. One of his goals is to assist these filmmakers with their careers in the industry and beyond. For the 7th season he would like to shine a light on filmmakers from areas like Ecuador, Mexico, Latin America, Africa, Haiti, Nigeria, Liberia, China, India, Pakistan, Iran, Korea and many others.
Filmmakers are also rewarded with their work at the end of the festival the top shorts and features compete for over $20,000 in prizes chosen by the panel. During the Fall series the winner takes home a $5,000 Camera Loaner Prize provided by CANON USA. The short winners advance to the current 6th Annual Grand Finale taking place at the Alamo Drafthouse Theater on February 6th.
There are such finalists like “Hanni’s Barber Shop” directed by Tomer Werechson (ISRAEL), “Pitter Patter Goes My Heart” directed by Christoph Rainer, “Unbalanced” directed by Corey Stonebrook and “For Marta” directed by Ryan Guiterman. It is bound to be an interesting evening for all considered. To learn more about the festival visit their website at www.katrafilmseries.com and future submissions can be submitted on the Film Freeway.
