11th Annual Festival

MAY 1-9, 2015

STIFF is the first transmedia festival for independent filmmakers in America. Transmedia Storytelling (also known as cross-platform, digital or multi-platform storytelling) is the technique of distributing a story experience across multiple industry platforms and legacy formats using digital technology through a cohesive experience.

In 2005, the Seattle's True Independent Film Festival (aka STIFF) was started by a group of local filmmakers as a way to showcase off-beat independent films that are typically ignored by traditional "independent" film channels on the festival circuit. STIFF put out the call and each year we find more and more filmmakers that are making True Independent Films. Films that rely on creativity and passion to tell their story no matter the budget. !After 10 years of screening independent films during the film to digital transition we have decided to focus on the emerging Digital Transmedia Art-Form for independent filmmakers. We realized that there are some amazing storytellers working in other mediums that need a festival to showcase their works and to have a place to network with other professionals. We are seeing more and more film festivals pop up each year while the emerging forms of transmedia storytelling are being ignored. We aim to be the place for all artists to come each year and celebrate the many ways they are incubating and creating their stories using digital & interactive technology.

TRANSMEDIA Video Games Feature Films Documentaries Youth Programming

Digital Comic Books Animation Programs Emerging Technology Interactive Installations Year Round Screenings Music & Comedy Events

Parties & Professional Networking Workshops, Youth Camps & Panels

Film Festival Our annual festival takes place over 9 Days in May, with attendance of over 5000. It includes film screenings, panels, networking opportunities, and parties. Transmedia Genres include Dramatic Films, Comedies, Documentaries, Horror, Youth/Family Films, New Media, LGBT, Digital Comics, Video Games, Animation & More.

!STIFF Nights We host monthly Screenings at Lucid Lounge focusing on Transmedia projects with local connections. We use both a panel format as well as screen film & video. !STIFF TV Each month we film an interview with a transmedia artist who represents the cutting edge in their area of expertise. Our Youtube channel contains an archive of past shows. !STIFF Educate! STIFF sponsors weekly workshops year round. It’s an opportunity for the members of the filmmaking and Transmedia community to share their knowledge and experience with peers. !Transmedia Lab We provide a place for filmmakers and Transmedia artists to access the technology they need but can’t always obtain, for editing, graphic design, sound mastering, and file format transfers, as well as a place to create crowd-funding rewards such as T-shirts, Blu-Rays, Posters, and Limited Edition VHS Tapes.

Year Round Programming

STIFF is attended by filmmakers, transmedia artists, industry professionals, the media, and the general public. !Over 75% of the films/transmedia projects are attended and/or co-presented by their creators, including writers, actors, and producers. !Over 100 alumni filmmakers attend each year. !Over 200 film school students and aspiring filmmakers/transmedia Artists attend each year.

DEMOGRAPHICS

Seattle Arts Audiences !Seattle population: 620,000 King County population: 1,916,441 Average Income: $85,600 4-year college or higher: 56%Arts Programs in Print Circulation: 10,000-100,000 per program; average 157,000 per month; Published:100 times per yearAge: Under 25 2% 25-34 8%35-44 16%45-54 24%55-64 28%65+ 22%Average Age: 52 Female 69%Male 31%Homeowner 78%Vacation home owner 19%4-year college+ 88%Post-graduate 45% Salary:$50-$99,000 32%$100-$149,000 25%$150-$199,000 13%$200,000+ 18%

Lifestyle Travel 2-5 times in past 5 years Business 30% Pleasure 83% Art & Antiques Purchase 52% Dining Out (dinner) 9 times/month 11% 4-8 times/month 53% Electronics Purchase 42% Avid Reader 93% Sporting Events 55% Health/Fitness/Spa 42% !Source: 2011 Mayor’s Report: Seattle Datasheet

REACH

Email 5000 subscribers to weekly email newsletter 200,000 film community subscribers in annual outreach through withoutabox.com

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook Over 2000 Likes. Weekly reach exceeds 12,000 during festival, averages 1800 year round. Photos in front of step & repeat (logo backdrop) viewed over 8000 times.

Twitter 2500 followers with daily activity.

Partnerships We participate in email and social media exchanges with over a dozen other festivals.

PRESS STIFF featured in:

Community Partner $1000 Graphic Design Printed Banner Logo Product Hosted at an Event Space for signage at a venue. VIP Badges for your staff to attend all festival events. Logo Placement on all festival badges. Logo Placement on the STIFF website. !Marketplace Supporter $500 Product Hosted at an Event Space for signage at a venue. VIP Badges for your staff to attend all festival events. Logo Placement on all festival badges. Logo Placement on the STIFF website. !2015 Festival Supporter $250 VIP Badges for your staff to attend all festival events. Logo Placement on all festival badges. Logo Placement on the STIFF website. !Volunteer Supporter In-Kind Free Local Movies (STIFF, NWFF, GRAND ILLUSION, SIFF) Free STIFF Parties

Executive Producer $25,000-$250,000 Videography, Corporate Commercials (15sec spots) Year Round Ads VIP Invite to all STIFF Events STIFF Marketplace All Access Pass Google Adwords Bundle STIFF TV Branded Ads All Corporate Partner Benefits !Corporate Partner $5,000 Print Ads Your company’s logo on festival posters, program covers and banners. Full/Half page Ad in Program. All Advertising Partner Benefits !Advertising Partner

$2,500 Digital Advertising (iAds, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) Your Product can be hosted during all STIFF events. Your company’s logo included in slideshow before each screening. All Community Partner Benefits

SPONSORSHIP

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PAST SPONSORS

Sponsorship Coordinator David Ayala david@trueindependent.org

Festival Director Timothy Vernor timv@trueindependent.org

STIFF Office 316 Maynard Ave S #107 Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 650-7470

TRUEINDEPENDET.ORG

/TRUEINDEPENDENT

@STIFFESTIVAL

CONTACT US