Our Story

In the late 1990's, Brownfish.com started off as a little website designed to bring short films to your computer desktop. By the early 2000's, YouTube made our services obsolete. 

I'd always wanted Brownfish.com to do a live yearly film festival, but we were too busy producing original content for the web, so it never happened. Now, in 2011, I'm starting the Brownfish Short FIlm Festival NYC to pick up where our original website left off.  

The goal is simple, help connect filmmakers to audiences and industry by screening their work on the big screen and help develop their craft through workshops and seminars.  

The Impact

Let me set the scene...

EXT. NEW YORK CITY SKYLINE - NIGHT - NOVEMBER 2011

FLASHBULBS POP as audiences and filmmakers alike flock to a downtown theater. This is the Brownfish Short Film Festival NYC, screening short films under 20 minutes by filmmakers around the global.

A FILMMAKER stands on the red carpet posing for a picture as JOE PUBLIC munches buttery popcorn. His date, SUZIE Q saves the tickets from his greasy grip. 

JOE PUBLIC

This is so much cooler than hunching over my laptop!

FADE OUT:

Your donations will make this little scene become a reality, as the funds raised through this IndieGoGo campaign will directly finance our screening of these films at a real movie theater here in New York City. 

What We Need & What You Get

I'm looking to raise $2,000 to cover the costs of securing a real movie theater for the festival's screenings and to establish a modest marketing campaign. Any little bit you can give helps bring these films to the big screen. I've created the donation levels so that Givers will get tickets to screenings, so in that way a donation now is like a pre-sale ticket. If you can give more great! If you can't attend the festival in November, a donation today is of similar support as coming to screenings. 

This festival is focused on the filmmaker. Not only do I hope to make the film screenings a red carpet event on the big screen, but the BSFFNYC will be hosting a series of workshops and seminars throughout the weekend to help filmmakers develop their future projects, careers and be better prepared to take full advantage of the festival circuit. 

So what happens if we don't reach our goal? Well, as they say in show business, "The  show must go on." It will just be a smaller, scaled back show. There are several professional screening rooms tucked away all over New York City, there are multitudes of bars with back rooms outfitted with projectors and sound systems. So the show will go on...

But no filmmaker dreams of going to Sundance to have their movie screened in a loud, back room of a bar. You don't pack your tuxedo and head to Cannes to see your film screened in a projection room of a midtown office building. This is Silver Screen we're talking about here. As a filmmaker, you want to see your film on the big screen of a real movie theater. As an award winning screenwriter who's had a chance to see my work screened in a real theater, I can't over state the impact of this experience, how it keeps you going in the dark times of self-doubt and limited funding. 

Other Ways You Can Help

Remember, there is no amount too small to donate. Every little bit you can find it in your heart to give, will help bring this festival to the big screen. But if Washingtons, Lincolns, Alexanders and Benjamins aren't yours to give, believe me I understand. There are other ways you can help:

Spread the word about the Brownfish Short Film Festival and this IndieGoGo campaign to your friends, filmmakers and movie lovers you know. Re-post, Re-tweet, Like and Plus+ because getting people to know what we're trying to accomplish is half the work.  This site has several tools for passing this campaign along. Or simply cut & paste. Or pick up a phone. Like I said, every little bit helps. 

I am also seeking additional Sponsors for the Prize Packages I'm putting together for the winning films which will consist of a cash award (funded from the festival submission fees), Filmmaking and Screenwriting books provided by our sponsor, Michael Wiese Productions, and any other goods or services that might be a useful fit for emerging filmmakers. So if you or your company would like to become a Prize Sponsor and donate materials, services or goods for these prize packages that would be a welcome addition as well. Contact me directly through www.brownfish.com/donate.html

Lastly, A Personal Note