The event is scheduled for Sept. 20-23, with screenings at the Grand County High School auditorium, Star Hall, and possibly the Moab Arts and Recreation Center, said Scott Ibex, one of the festival organizers.
“Each week we continue to receive award-winning films, world premieres, and exciting directorial debuts for our judges to screen,” Ibex said. “Our mission is to showcase stellar independent films with regard to quality storytelling and cultural value for film-goers to enjoy.
“We aim to share uniquely powerful stories, concepts, and ideas from around the world.”
Submissions include a film from Paul Warner, director of “Fall Time” starring Mickey Rourke, and from the director of a documentary on Martin Luther King, Jr. that was featured on National Public Radio’s “Democracy Now” program, according to Ibex.
He said the nonprofit group is looking for sponsorships. Businesses may contribute at various levels to receive publicity during the festival, including a logo link on the moabfilmfestival.com home page, mention as a major sponsor in media ads and news releases, signage at each screening venue, and the showing of a 60-second message to all film festival attendees on screen before each film session during each of the three days.
Ibex said sponsorship funding will help the festival organizers pay for such things as administrative expenses, office and promotional overhead, advertising expenses, live musical acts and other festival events, and facility rentals. The latter ranges from $100 to $300 per day, he said.
Festival officials hope to raise a minimum of $200,000.
Ibex said festival organizers want to offer travel stipends to financially challenged directors whose films will be shown at the event.
Ticket prices will range from $10 to $60, depending on the package chosen, he said.