Changes in store for third Lawn Chair Film Festival

The third Danville Lawn Chair Film Festival will feature a number of changes, among them a change in time limit on submissions, an emphasis on student-created submissions, and awards that will be determined by submissions.
Festival founder Charlie Cox said the time limit for films is substantially changed — from 16 minutes to eight minutes.
“We had several submissions last year that were 16 minutes,” Cox explained. “It made for a long evening.”
He added the film jury will take into account the length of the films when judging them.
Both amateur and professional filmmakers are encouraged to submit works, Cox said.
“We’re really going after students this year,” Cox noted, adding he hopes teachers will build the filmmaking into the curriculum. There will be awards for high school and middle school students, he said.
Categories this year include: amateur, professional, high school, middle school, Lawn Chair Challenge, and 30-second spot. Last year, 36 films were submitted. The overall winner was an animated feature.
Cox said anything goes regarding the subject matter of the films. A PG-13 rating is encouraged. Music videos, drama, comedy, farce, experimental animation are among the possible categories.

Lawn Chair Challenge
More product placement will be encouraged in the Lawn Chair Challenge, in which filmmakers work with a product that is distinctly associated with a Danville location — an attraction, a restaurant or a business. That product must be onscreen for at least five seconds.
The scene must feature a character working a newspaper crossword puzzle; a character who wears a mask for a minimum of five seconds; a character dancing to the Bernie; and the line of dialogue, “I don’t care like honey badger.”

30-second spot, red carpet
Filmmakers can shoot a 30-second spot/commercial for their favorite Danville location, business or product. These entries will screen immediately before the festival and must be no longer than 30 seconds.
A “red carpet” is in the works that will include catering and a VIP area. Cox said more information about it will be available soon.
The Danville Lawn Chair Film Festival is seeking a presenting sponsor, Cox said. The presenting sponsor will be on marketing materials for the festival.
“We are trying to make the festival bigger and better — more of an event,” Cox said, adding a sponsor is needed to help defray costs.
“We’re such a unique festival,” Cox noted. “It’s the best of (all) worlds: It’s a community, regional and state festival.
“There is the opportunity for anyone to see the work presented. ... It is a really neat thing.”
Anyone interested in being a sponsor can email cox at charlie@betterindanville.com for more information.