The Independent Festival of Digital Arts (IF) acts as a catalyst for critical and creative reflections on contemporary audiovisual culture. IF is an open forum that originated in a thriving Bay Area multimedia arts program, and now seeks to reach out to the wider community of filmmakers, digital artists, technology developers, and viewing audiences. The festival presents digital video screenings and media art installations in conjunction with workshops, panel discussions, and presentations on media theory and practice. IF promotes exchanges that explore the dynamic interrelationship between time-based media and culture.

IF is presented in conjunction with the Multimedia Arts Program of Vista Community College in Berkeley, California. For more information on Multimedia Arts studies at Vista, visit the program website.

The Festival (May 2005) held in Berkeley, CA, seeks shorts and feature-length works, Digital Multimedia Installations, and Project, Presentation and Workshop Proposals for its second annual Festival.

Postmark deadlines:

• Shorts and Feature-length and 2-D work: November 1, 2004.
• Multimedia Installations: November 30, 2004.

Entry Categories:

• Single Channel Video (all genres): experimental, narrative, documentary, animation, music videos, etc. are encouraged.
• 2D digital imagery.
• Multimedia Installation: video and sound projects
• Performance: works incorporating and/or reflecting on digital technology.
• Presentations: Workshops, panel discussions, seminars. Artists and researchers are encouraged to propose presentations that incorporate digital media or explore the impact of digital media on society.

Entry Details:

• Each work or proposal is juried solely on its own merit. Single Channel Video: For preview and exhibition, submissions must be in NTSC MINI-DV format only. Works cannot be longer than 90 minutes.
• 2D Digital Imagery: submit a maximum 5 images on cd disk, jpeg format, accompanied by a short text describing relationship of process to digital technology. Include dimensions and hanging requirements.
• Multimedia Installation/Performance: Include short (one page) description of the work, an artist’s statement, and any additional materials that will help us to visualize the work, such as sketches, slides, photos or a short Mini-DV or DVD clip.
• Presentations: Include a one to two page proposal describing the type of presentation, its content, its estimated length and the participants expected. Presentations should not exceed 45 minutes.