The 2023 COMMFFEST will celebrate 18 years from September 14-22 2023 screening in movie theatres exhibition spaces, and ONLINE presented yearly by a group of dedicated volunteers. COMMFFEST a charitable corporation makes its home in one of Toronto’s most fast growing, economically diverse neighbourhood, Old Town Toronto, where many languages are spoken amongst an eclectic population.
Our screenplay competitions is spearheaded by 30 year filmmaker, writer, director and producer Vladimir Bondarenko who is an instructor at Toronto Film school,
COMMFFEST is a film festival that presents a broad range of local and international films representing current affairs and relevant issues that affect our society. COMMFFEST provides opportunities for emerging filmmakers, artists, musicians and global community stakeholders to express themselves freely and to connect with audiences on a more personal level. This unique blend of film, filmmakers and audiences creates a dynamic atmosphere to provoke thought and stimulate further understanding and exploration of ideas, attitudes, and emotions that can foster change – starting with the communities in which we live.
FILMS OF ANY GENRES ACCEPTED; independently produced films. Included in that mix are childrens issues, poverty, human rights LGBTQ, women's rights, third world struggles,
The last 18 years Commffest has built a valuable platform for introducing emerging and professional filmmakers to bring together communities, not for profit organizations with government officials in panel discussions to tackle pertinent issues often resulting in more funding and support for these groups.
Commffest is a cultural platform that strives to educate and create a hospitality environment where filmmakers and attendees can mix and mingle over food, drink and entertainment.
TESTIMONY , Eleanor Mc Grath’s
As an independent film-maker, you work often for a year or possibly years to direct, edit, produce a film and then comes the waiting game to be selected by a film festival.
COMMFFEST is more than a community film festival in Toronto; it is an art festival with a world perspective and I am most fortunate to have been part of the 2015 film festival programming with my documentary, "Forgotten". COMMFFEST's vision is to share stories that demonstrate the strength, struggles and beauty of humankind while providing a strong platform for independent film makers to showcase their perspective and vision of our world today and into the future. We need festivals like COMMFFEST who step away from the mainstream and champion works where the viewpoint is critical, enlightened or visionary in their approach to conflicts or issues that prevail throughout Toronto, Canada, North American and worldwide.
Behzad Sedghi Filmmaker
For me, COMMFFEST has been where my films have finally reached their maturity by connecting through the big screen with their audience. It is this connection that is essential for any artistic endeavour. As this may be the case with most other festivals, however, in my direct experience with COMMFFEST I clearly felt that each artist was given special attention, a chance to have a dialogue about their creation and ultimately was embraced in a celebration of their achievement. COMMFFEST founders and organizers are filled with the love of films and arts and clearly possess the vision and generosity to make this celebration happen every year. I look forward to being part of the next celebration either as an artist or a member of its community.
COMMFFEST mission statement:
To advance education by raising the cultural, artistic and aesthetic expression of the community and to advance the public’s appreciation of the arts through related artistic workshops and panel discussions, while promoting the works of filmmakers and artists alike.
The programming: The films are chosen by a jury of professionals from a globally solicited call for submissions. Once chosen, the programming is created to generate discussion around specific world events and themes, provoking dialogue and acceptance of others and their concerns.
More about COMMFFEST
COMMFFEST attracts educators, artists, politicians, business leaders, socially conscious organizations and trendsetters.
Local Educational engagement:
Over 6000 Children from local schools across the GTA that now include the COMMFFEST festival experience as part of their annual curriculum.
COMMFFEST’S unique diversity invites the world to one local community event over several days in Toronto
During one week of the year over 100,000 film-lovers gather in over 400 Cinemas across 6 Continents to view and vote on the Finalists Films' in the Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival - MANHATTAN SHORT is more than just one of the largest short film festivals in the world....it's the World's First Global Film Festival.
If making short films is about getting your work out there, nothing compares to MANHATTAN SHORT.
Every Film Selected is eligible to enter the Oscars:
MANHATTAN SHORT does a full week's run in a cinema in Los Angeles, California. This theater booking means all ten finalists in the 2025 MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival will be eligible to enter the Oscar competition for 2026.
MANHATTAN SHORT is now in compliance with the rules governing the Oscar Awards set forth by the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Sciences
Featured Musical Artist
We are excited to announce that the MANHATTAN SHORT will be featuring a Musical Artist or Band leading up to and throughout the duration of the Festival each year.
The selected Musician or Band will have his/her music featured in over four hundred venues and to over 100,000 people worldwide during the MANHATTAN SHORT intermission and in all promotional materials leading up to the festival dates, including exclusive headline billing on our website. This is a tremendous opportunity for new or unknown musical talent to have their music broadcast to our ready-made worldwide audience of eager festival attendees. It is also a unique chance to gain name recognition and immediate exposure. Check ManhattanShort.com to enter the Musical Artist Comp.
We are proud to present the fifth edition of the competition dedicated to short films is hosted in Pietrasanta.
In 1877 the poet Giosué Carducci praised this municipality now known, internationally, for its arts and crafts, such as the prestigious laboratories of marble, the famous foundries, numerous art galleries. With their work and with their presence, the artists, alongside the studios hosting authoritative masters from around the world, have made this town an open air museum. For such reasons, Mondo Cinema chose the beautiful city of Pietrasanta the ideal venue for their international film festival of short films, which aims to give visibility to authors that are little known to the general public, in a artistic and cultural environment known and appreciated worldwide.
Independent Lima International Film Festival seeks to contribute to the cultural development of Peru on an educational and artistic level through the promotion of a sustainable, diverse and innovative independent cinema
We have already completed seven uninterrupted editions and we prepare the eighth to be held from May 31 to June 9 of the year 2018. Throughout these editions LIMA INDEPENDIENTE has experienced an exponential growth both in its quality of exhibition and in the response of the public. For this INDEPENDIENT LIMA has made a decentralized festival placing the best of its programming in cities such as Cusco, Chiclayo, Arequipa, Iquitos, Huaral, among others.
As is our objective since the first edition of the festival in 2009, we continue supporting social and political films and at the same time giving visibility the works created only by women.
Promote this vision and this cinema is our main goal that allow us to create a place where to debate and analysis the present, remembering the past and looking to the future.
XI Edition Pávez Awards - Talavera de la Reina International Film Festival. From October 18 to 26, 2023.
GOYA AWARDS QUALIFYING FESTIVAL.
- Short films of Spanish or Ibero-American production and/or direction.
- Short films produced from January 1, 2023.
- Spanish spoken language or original language with spanish subtitles.
- Maximum running time: 30 minutes with credits included.
- They may not be hosted on free viewing online platforms.
- 5 competitive sections: National (Official Section), International (Ibero-America), Local (Talavera de la Reina), Animation and Documentary.
- 18 categories opting for a prize.
- 5700 euros in awards + 18 Pávez
- DCP required for Official, International and Local Section.
Prokuplje Short Film Festival, founded in 2011, is the youngest film festival in Serbia. In Prokplje is event where audience can see the best from the field of documentary, experimental, animated and fiction from around the world. Thousands of films from all over the world arrive at the festival's address, and it has been reflected by the numerous audiences in Prokuplje, but also in other cities in Serbia and the region,because the team organizes Tour in which the best films are presented in over 30 cities. The lack of the Cinema, as well as the lack of a movie as a subject at school, prevents young people from learning about this art.
In order to see something of this content, the young people must go to Nis, or even to Belgrade. This is an opportunity to see the latest short film achievements from all around the world in Prokuplje. In recent years, according to research, there is a decline in audience attendance at the festivals all over the world. So because of that and because of the introduction of the film to young people, we brought the work with them, in all primary and secondary schools, which are potential audiences and will be animated by the presentation of festival films and the discussion on the significance of the Festival. In addition to work with young people in Prokuplje,the Film Club Prokuplje is the first to start animating the audience from the rural areas, which are completely excluded from all events, especially cultural events.
Sedicicorto started in 2004 and is held every year in the month of October in Forlì. The Festival aims at offering visibility to young authors and at representing an opportunity of meeting and exchange among film industry professionals.
Known for its quality programming and the friendly welcome offered to all guests and professionals attending the event, over the years Sedicicorto has proven to be the Italian short film festival with the largest number of submissions (over 5,000 films submitted from 125 countries in 2021). Thanks to its consistent presence at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival & Market with the Italian Short Film Corner - organized in collaboration with the Italian CNC and other Italian short film festivals - and thanks to the collaboration with the network of European short film festivals of the EuroShort Project, Sedicicorto is constantly strengthening its image all over Europe.
The event aims at drawing the attention of the general audience, paying particular attention to children and the young audience with screenings and film literacy activities held during the Festival and all year round.
Chambal International Film Festival Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 were grand success.
In Season 1, 316 films from 28 Countries were submitted and 160 films were selected for screening. India’s official entry to Academy awards ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ (2009) was also screened under special focus in Season 1.
In Season 2, 492 films from 35 Countries were submitted and 243 films were selected for screening. India’s official entry to Academy awards ‘Court’ (2015) was also screened under special focus in Season 2.
In Season 3, 604 films from 40 Countries were submitted and 398 films were selected for screening. India’s official entry to Academy awards ‘Shwaas’ (2004) was also screened under special focus in Season 3.
In Season 4, 701 films from 54 Countries were submitted and 464 films were selected for screening.
In Season 5, 809 films from 63 Countries were submitted and 494 films were selected for screening.
In Season 6, 903 films from 71 Countries were submitted and more than 300 films were selected for screening.
In Season 7, 1007 films from 82 Countries were submitted and more than 250 films were selected for screening. Loksabha Speaker Hon'ble Mr. Om Birla Sir inaugurated the opening ceremony.
The highlights are:
1. Free Hospitality to all the film makers including stay at hotel, meals and conveyance (hotel to venue).
2. Awards in 75 categories.
3. Jury members are from INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY.
4. Excellent media coverage.
5. Great Exposure (5000 plus audience)
6. Support for releasing films on leading OTT platforms.
7. World’s one of the most loved and best reviewed film festivals.
8. Workshops, Networking and Seminars.
9. Certificate Of Official Selection to all the Nominated Films.
10. Certificate Of Participation to all the participants.
11. The films were screened on multiple screens
Chambal International Film Festival, India is a platform where film makers will get an opportunity to showcase their talent to film loving great audience. Also the audience will get a chance to watch some wonderful short films, documentary films, animation films and music videos of various film makers of the World. The Honorable Jury members Mr. Sayeed Quadri (Renowned Lyricist), Mr. Kshitij Tarey (Famous Singer and Music Composer) and Mr. Ranjan Das (Eminent Editor and Writer) from Indian Film Industry are reputed names. Late Mr. Suresh Naik (Highly Experienced DOP and Special Effect Co- Ordinator) was also a part of the jury.
Cine Pocket, Brussels's International Mobile Film Festival is for films shot entirely with mobile phones.
Film director or amateur filmmaker, artist, student, addicted to new technologies or simply full of creativity ? Take your mobile phone out of your pocket and start shooting !
Join a new generation of filmmakers from around the globe, share your mobile films here and take part to our mobile video contest and annual competitions. All types of films made with a phone are accepted : fiction, experimental, mobimentary, clips, long-take and more... Send us a film, share it with our mobile filmmakers community and get access to regular award opportunities.
We have many activities including screenings, contests, movie production, .... We are all dedicated to promote new talents and mobile film makers ! You have a project or an idea related to "mobile film making" ? Do not hesitate to drop us a message or to contact us via email at hello@cinepocket.be
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Open mobile video contest: #Makeadisturbingfilm
November 21, 2017 - January 06, 2018
Shoot a 'disturbing film' with a pocket camera. Send it before January 10, 2018 and have a chance to win cool prizes and the screening of your film at a movie theater during the Ramdam Festival (www.ramdamfestival.be).
More info: www.cinepocket.be / www.ramdamfestival.be
San Francisco’s 1st LGBTQ+ COMING OF AGE short film festival
FIRST FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVELY DEDICATED TO MOVIES DEALING WITH THE COMING OF AGE OF THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUEER COMMUNITIES.
The Event:
A 3 days short film festival with 100 movies, selected out of 2000, about the COMING OF AGE of the LGBTQ community.
We have selected the finest short-film directors from more than 50 countries (including France, USA, Myanmar, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Korea...) and have included a variety of genres such as comedies, dramas, music videos, documentaries, cartoons, etc.
All films are original and were produced between 2017 and 2018.
We made sure to offer the audience a fair mix of Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgender love stories.
NOVEMBRE 2ND- 4TH, 2018
GRAY AREA | GRAND THEATER
The Coming of Age:
“Coming of age” is an expression
which qualifies the passage from adolescence to adulthood through our first love story. It is a complicated period for most adolescents,
but for members of the LGBTQ community, there is an added stress because they must balance figuring out their sexuality and coming out with their coming of age.
This period of transition remains in 2018 a difficult test for numerous LGBTQ teenagers, who are often victims of harassment, some even being rejected by their own families.
The Aspiration:
Our intention is to bring light to the discrimination and bullying often directed towards the LGBTQ+ community, but in an entertaining, positive and creative way.
No voyeurism, no exhibitionism, no vindication: just the recognition of love for what it is, because love doesn't need multiple labels. Everyone should be free to love and to pursue their happiness.
We do not intend to trivialize the issues faced by the fringes of society who, as a result of their culture, religious beliefs, or a lack of education, still judge violently the different ways of loving. However, if we can at least create a space where people are made aware of and can reflect on the mockeries and inequalities that some people must endure because of who they love, then our festival will have fulfilled its purpose.
The philanthropy:
When we started working on the project, we knew we wanted to do something to help the community, and from the beginning it was evident that the benefits from the festival would be donated to charity.
Initially, we thought it would be appropriate to do something to fight bullying and discrimination, but we decided to focus our attention specifically on the LGBTQ community after discovering that half the population of homeless youth in the SF bay area are part of the LGBTQ+ community. There are several reasons for this unfortunate trend: the rapidly increasing housing prices, discrimination and the exorbitant cost of hormone therapy to name a few. And these problems become more severe every year, making homelessness one of the most difficult issues in the city. Lava Mae started as the first “shower on reels”, but it quickly became much more than that, and today they make a difference by delivering radical hospitality to homeless people, helping them regain their dignity and confidence. Lava Mae quickly understood that being LGBTQ in SF is not as glamorous as we commonly think around the world. Thus, they provide essential services to these disadvantaged individuals, as well as creating a crucial safe environment. They then have the possibility of taking care of themselves in addition to having someone to talk to without facing judgment.
That being said, it is well known that San Francisco is one of the world’s most open-minded cities when it comes to sexual preference, so we couldn’t dream of a better place to host our festival!
Let’s hope that over the years, we will be able to help make things better for the community, while always offering our audience a cutting edge film festival unlike any other ones.
Enjoy!
The Independent Film Festival of Sogamoso - FECISO, celebrates its eighth version from November 1st to November 7th of 2024, "CINEMA FOR PEACE AND THE TERRITORY", a space for the different regional views of the national cinematographic context. The festival will be held in several towns of the Sugamuxi Province such as: Sogamoso, Tibasosa, Firavitoba, Iza and Nobsa, which will allow the development and creation of new audiences and the impact on communities with difficult access to the seventh art. Cinema with an environmental and peace focus is the bet for the eighth edition of FECISO. Therefore, the curatorial line is focused on highlighting the best works that deal with environmental issues and armed conflict in the territories.
Cityflix International Film Festival Toronto (CIFF) is dedicated towards promoting and championing the work of screenwriters, filmmakers, and every artist who use the language of film to tell a story.
Cityflix International Film Festival discovers outstanding, emerging filmmakers serving as a gateway for established and rising talent to further or launch their filmmaking career. Through Workshops, Conferences and master classes by Industry Professional, the festival provides development and outreach opportunities to writers and filmmakers.
Cityflix International Festival Toronto will be held from November
29 - December 01, 2019 in Toronto, Canada.
CIFF strives to serve the interests and needs of independent filmmakers. CIFF understands how important it is to hear and see the educated, entertaining and diverse stories of filmmakers from around the globe. We provide a platform so these voices can be heard and shared with audiences that want to be inspired
screening festival for features, shorts, docs, new media, local and International filmmakers.
CIFF is designed to showcase innovative works by emerging filmmakers from around the world, With red-carpet screenings, and special after-party that seamlessly integrates Hollywood pros with up-and-coming talents, CIFF offers an unforgettable festival experience that helps kick start the careers of emerging filmmakers. Each screening at CIFF is followed by a Q&A that directly connects directors with inquisitive and impassioned film lovers, resulting in countless opportunities for dynamic discussion. The festival dedicates time and attention to each of the films selected The festival is dedicated to giving each filmmaker the spotlight they deserve with press attention to match.
All filmmakers selected for the festival are guaranteed coverage from media outlets, invites emerging filmmaking talents from around the world to network with respected industry professionals, showcased filmmakers, and their audiences in Toronto.
CIFF is passionately committed to providing Audiences, Filmmakers, and Screenwriters around the globe with an excellent and unique cinematic experience.
Español & English:
Acerca del Festival
Bienvenido a ¡Viva Cinema!
Un Intercambio Internacional de Cine, Musica, Arte y Cultura Latina.
¡ Viva Cinema! se une a la comunidad y las empresas de New Haven CT del 12 al 14 de abril de 2018, para construir puentes culturales y dar a conocer el cine Latinoamericano y el arte de la narración audiovisual en idioma español y portugués.
El cuarto anual ¡Viva Cinema! Latino Film Festival es un intercambio internacional de cine, música, arte, cultura y comida en Gateway Community College. El festival exhibirá más de 100 películas junto a una competencia PSA de cortometrajes estudiantiles. Las proyecciones y eventos tendrán lugar en el teatro, durante tres días de cine y un cuarto día de música, cine y danza, a un lleno total y ritmo inagotable. Los cineastas competirán por premios en varias categorías, incluyendo Mejor Largometraje de Ficción, Mejor Documental y Mejor Cortometraje.
Gateway Community College y el Festival de Cine Latino !Viva Cinema! se comprometen a ofrecer a New Haven, Connecticut como un destino fundamental para los eventos artísticos y culturales de América Latina, mejorando la calidad de vida de los residentes de New Haven, y al mismo tiempo proporcionando un beneficio económico positivo para la comunidad empresarial de la ciudad y la región circundante.
Para obtener más información de horarios y tickets, o para postular una película visite: http://www.vivacinemafilmfestival.com
Visítenos en Facebook: www.facebook.com/vivacinemalatino
Envíe su proyecto de película a: festhome.com
Jueves 12 de abril
Inicio de proyecciones: 11:00
Largometraje de Apertura 19:00
Recepción de Apertura: 21:00
Viernes 13 de abril
Inicio de proyecciones: 10:00
Largometraje de Viernes por la Noche 19:00
After Party de Viernes: 21:00
Sábado 14 de abril
Inicio de proyecciones: 10:00
Largometraje de Sábado por la Noche 19:00
Recepción de Clausura 21:00
Aclamaciones
Tom Carruthers
Director Ejecutivo - ¡Viva Cinema!
Colby Rutledge
Director de Programacion
Welcome to ¡Viva Cinema!
An International Exchange of Latino Film, Music, Arts and Culture
¡Viva Cinema! joins with the community and businesses of New Haven CT April 12, 13 & 14, 2018 to build cultural bridges and raise awareness of Latin American cinema and the art of visual story telling in the languages of Spanish and Portuguese.
The forth Annual ¡Viva Cinema! Latino Film Festival is an international exchange of film, music, arts, culture and food at Gateway Community College. The annual festival will showcase more than 100 films with a student short film PSA competition. Screenings and events will take place throughout the theater in this jam-packed fast paced three days of film, Latino cultural and educational event. Filmmakers will compete for awards in several categories including Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary and Best Short Film.
Gateway Community College and !Viva Cinema! Latino Film Festival are committed to presenting Peekskill NY as a premier destination for Latin American cultural and arts events, improving the quality of life for the residents of Peekskill, while providing a positive economic benefit to the city’s business community and the surrounding region.
For more schedule and tickets information or to submit a film visit: www.vivacinemafilmfestival.com
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/vivacinemalatino
Submit your film project to: festhome.com
Thursday April 12
Films begin: 11:00am
Opening Night Feature 7:00pm
Opening Night Reception: 9:00pm
Friday April 13
Films begin: 10:00am
Friday Night Feature 7:00pm
Friday After Parties: 9:00pm
Saturday April 14
Films begin: 10:00am
Saturday Night Feature 7:00pm
Closing Night Reception: 9:00pm
Cheers
Tom Carruthers
Executive Director - !Viva Cinema!
Colby Rutledge
Programming Director
LA PECCA -Small Environmental Film Contest- was born in 2007 by the DeFrente Association.
The main purpose of this project is to promote respect for sexual and gender diversity through cinema, contributing to the development of a plural and inclusive society.
Taking a quality film event as a vehicle, we show plural life stories and encourage people to visibly live their sexual and gender identity, to promote social awareness and claim at the same time the right of the LGTBIQ + community to be present in culture and in society equally.
We also give visibility and support to quality cinematography, promoting the discovery of new talents.
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ASOCIACIÓN DEFRENTE is a non-profit organization in Seville that was established in 2006. Since its inception, its objectives have been aimed at serving the lesbian, gay, transsexual and bisexual community in response to a social demand by being this group in a situation of marginalization and discrimination in many areas of daily life.
One more year we are excited to bring you the 21st Radio City International Short Film Festival. Our festival gathers local, national and international films which will be projected in large-screen and accessible to everyone.
The 21st edition of the Festival will take place from April 20 to May 13 in Valencia.
Aqua Film Festival – International Film Festival organized by UNIVERSI ACQUA , Association with environmental, social, and territory enhancement purposes – selects short films, of any category and nationality, focused on the theme of WATER, and able to use the language of cinema to illustrate and interpret the social, ecological, cultural, naturalistic, and artistic aspects of this extraordinary and vital element.
The Eighth edition of Aqua Film Festival will take place from June 6th to 9th, 2024.
The films will be screened on Mymovies; The award ceremony will take place in Rome, on June 8th, in live streaming.
The INVITATION to participate to the selections of the Eighth edition of AquaFilmFestival is open from September 15th, 2023; deadline to send works is April 11th, 2024.
The International Tour Film Fest 2025 the international competition this year is open to shorts, medium-length, Vertical Movies, AI Shorts and feature films; The festival is sponsored and organized by the Cultural CivitaFilm, with organizational headquarters in Via Togliatti No. 12 -00053- Civitavecchia (Rome, ITALY), in collaboration with: Mibact, City of Civitavecchia, Regione Lazio and Enel.
shnit Worldwide Shortfilmfestival is a premier venue for the exhibition and promotion of short films. The festival is an exceptional twelve-day event with a unique concept – a transnational film festival simultaneously taking place in eight cities on five continents worldwide. The festival includes three main segments:
shnit PLAYGROUNDS*
shnit EXPANDED
shnit OPENING | shnit FINALE*
In its twentyone years of existence, shnit has become a major international short film festival that reinvents itself in ever new forms. What started as a local initiative is now an exceptional transnational event that connects and inspires makers and fans of short films across the globe. shnit embraces diversity, originality, and exchange between creators and an audience from different cultures and backgrounds. It is the main goal to actively increase the perception of short filmmaking by creating a multi-platform event for high-quality short films. With its cinematic treats, the popular festival fascinates more than 30.000 visitors and therefore belongs to the leading short film festivals in the world.
shnit is a non-profit organization. The annual festival is created and centrally coordinated by the shnit ASSOCIATION in cooperation with the executives. The organization is built on principles of excellence and professionalism, enabling the global expansion of the festival possible.
*shnit Worldwide Shortfilmfestival takes place simultaneously in the several cities, shnit PLAYGROUNDS, on five continents. Planned for 2024 are screenings in Buenos Aires [Argentina], Cairo [Egypt], Goa [India], Hong Kong [China], Moscow [Russia], San José [Costa Rica], Australia, Canada, South Africa and the shnit OPENING in Bern [Switzerland] and the shnit FINALE in Amsterdam [The Netherlands]. Affected by the aftermath of the Covid-pandemic, there may be changes in this planning and / or a geo-blocked password protected online screening could replace a theatrical screening. The shnit FINALE in Amsterdam is held annually, as long as the contributions of the partners and sponsors make this possible.The definite festival-setup will be announced on September 1st 2024 on shnit.org.
