Cut to the Chase is a short form film festival which will be hosted in Shepherdstown. The festival will span three days featuring a premiere event on July 12 at historic Bellevue overlooking the Potomac River. From the submitted entries, 10 will be selected to premiere during the Festival on July 13-14, 2013, which will be held at the Shepherdstown, Opera House. There will be five screenings of the finalists at the Shepherdstown Opera House, leading up to the Grand Prize Award ceremony on Saturday, July 13. Rewind Sunday will close the festival with the announcement of the Peoples’ Choice Award.

All films must be no longer than eight minutes including titles and credits and must contain the key element. This year’s Key Element is “100”, which must appear in the film in some manner. This was chosen to celebrate the Contemporary American Theatre Festival’s 100th production. The deadline for film submission is June 10, 2013.

The judges for this year’s premier event are retired-CIA agent/writer of Argo, and artist Tony Mendez, Shepherdstown’s own world-traveler, photojournalist and award-winning photographer Benita Keller and finally Emmy-nominated, award winning producer/writer/director and owner of the Shepherdstown Opera House Lawrence Cumbo.

Over the next three months, filmmakers and would-be filmmakers of all ages – in the local community, the country and worldwide are challenged to engage their creativity and make films that make viewers want to join on the artistic journey. Tell a story using anything from a 70mm camera to a mobile phone. It’s the ideas that will create a winning film.

For details on how to enter a film or purchase tickets to all events visit c2cfilmfestival.com for information and downloadable application form.