Ok, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the 2009 Oxford International Film Festival, what the dates are, when we’re opening for submissions, and why all the “secrecy”. Well, to put it simply, we’re making a LOT of major changes to the 2009 fest, which is why you’ve all been waiting so long to see a new website. While we’re not quite ready to announce all the major changes quite yet, here’s the dates you’re looking for: The 2009 Oxford International Film Festival will take place July 23-26, 2009, and will open for submissions in just under 2-weeks from today on November 1st, 2008. You’ll be able to submit through the end of March, ’09 so no worries if you’re still finishing up a project. The new website will be up NEXT week (at www.oxfordfilms.com) and will clear up most of your questions. So thanks for all of your input, and keep it coming!

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For all those of you who missed out on the 2nd Annual Oxford International Film Festival, you missed a heck of a show. Nearly 200 filmmakers graced the streets of Oxford, flying in from as far off as Denmark and France, to present over 100 of some of the year’s best new indie films, including over 60 premieres, concerts, vendors, workshops, panels, parties, galas and more. I’d be lying if I said it went off without a hitch, as with any new or growing event, we’ve had our fair share of problems, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t anticipate everything, but it was an honor to have so many positive comments from filmmakers, and attendees alike, specifically impressed with the professionalism and organization of the event, which is a rarity with new festivals, and something we take pride in. One of our key goals continues to be to reach and support new filmmakers and artists, while bringing new and exciting large-scale, professional cinematic programs to the region, and I think that with the 2008 Oxford International Film Festival we’ve once again accomplished that goal. With a bit over 1500 in attendance, the event didn’t exactly bring down the house, but numbers were still up considerably from the previous year (which ranged between 1100 and 1200), when it comes to this event in particular, one additional (and consistent comment) from the filmmakers (in addition to the organization) is that they really appreciate the small-town atmosphere and the personal interaction that is made possible at this festival, as it presents and preserves a unique event and environment that sets it apart from other large-scale festivals internationally. This is something that we’ll be striving to retain from year to year, and a keeps a wonderfully personal “independent” feel to festival, which is great on many levels. I also want to make sure I send a “shout out” to all of this year’s festival sponsors, volunteers, and staff who all worked so very hard, many pouring their heart and soul into the event to see it come in fruition in its second year. Hats off to you, thank you so much, I love you all!

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I just wanted to let you all know that there are a bunch of new videos from the Oxford International Film Festival now online on Youtube and FaceBook, including the official trailer for the 2008 fest, an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip with interviews from guests, TV-spot and more, so be sure to check them out.

You can just search for the fest on YouTube, Click Here, or see the links under Media on this site. Feel free to send comments!

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After nearly 10-months of work, the official program and schedule for the 2008 Oxford International Film Festival is now live, online. Tickets are on-sale, special guests are being finalized, and the whole thing is huge! Check out the new interactive online program guide at www.oxfordfilms.com/oiff/program.htm

If you’re in the Southern Ohio Region, I’m sure you’ll start seeing ads and articles for the event all over the place in the coming weeks, if you’re not from the area, get here!

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It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re a crazy-busy person trying to do 14 things at once. Ok, a quick update on the Oxford International Film Festival from the “Underground” (or rather just from my unique perspective at the festival’s director). We will be announcing the complete program of films and events on February 15th (in less than one week), so it’s been a crazy few weeks for us, as we work to finalize the program. This year the festival will be over triple the size, we’ll be featuring over 100 new films, including the addition of a, multiple venues, vendors, an outdoor concert-series, twice the panels, 3-times the guests, and including a few much larger films and premiere’s than we’ve ever had in the past. The guest list alone is honestly impressive, but all I can say right now is that if whether or not you’ve been to this festival before, this is going to be a whole new ball-game. This year we’re also adding an entirely new interactive online program guide to the festival website, which will allow you to search through the whole program, build your own online schedule for the festival, rate films, post your own reviews, read director’s blogs, see photo-galleries and clips from the films online, and share it all with your friends via export to your Myspace and Facebook profiles, or even to your mobile device! The complete program, including list of films and filmmakers in attendance will be released and posted online this Friday, February 15th, 2008 at 3:00am sharp. Tickets for all events and screenings will go on-sale the same day. A complete list of speakers and celebrity guests will be released on March 1st, 2008. I strongly suggest that you do not wait to purchase your tickets, event passes this year are going to disappear very quickly!

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Ok, I feel I should at least post a comment here since I’ve been getting a ridiculous amount of questions regarding who our special guests will be for the 2008 Oxford International Film Festival, and when we’re going to be announcing them. First off, yes, we will be having special celebrity guests, speakers, performers, workshop presenters, etc. But that’s about all I can tell you right now. We (that is, the OIFF staff and I) are in the middle of finalizing all the agreements and contracts with the guests, once those are set, you can be sure they will be announced and posted everywhere. For those of you nosy people, yes, we will be having several of the guests back from last year, in addition to almost a dozen more, including some fairly large musical guests and, of course, a couple celebrities I’m sure you’ll know by name. That’s about all I’m able to say right now. Keep checking www.oxfordfilms.com for updates (they will most likely be posted mid-February, after the holiday season -around the same time that our tickets will go on-sale, hint, hint), and I’ll be sure to post another blog-entry a bit earlier to give all you devoted festival-lovers a heads-up. All I ask is that you be patient for just a little bit longer. Thanks for your interest!

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