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Our Misson
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OUR MISSION

BEGIN TO INSPIRE

The Begin Film Festival brings together dynamic storytellers and enthusiastic film lovers to the annual Begin Film Festival event to reward those with the courage to chase their dream and inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Founded in 2022 by Martins Samuel, and Ryon Thomas, the Begin Film Festival is a non-profit organization, globally recognized for its broad inclusion, challenging content, and worldwide audience eager to be inspired.

Our Festival
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OUR FESTIVAL

BEGIN FILM FESTIVAL

The Begin Film Festival (BFF) is an annual event that creates the opportunity for dynamic writers, directors, and film enthusiasts to tell their stories -- to have their films be seen. BFF first began as a film contest in 2022, inviting filmmakers in Africa to submit their shorts for the chance to win a cash prize. As submissions flooded in, Founders Martins Samuel and Ryon Thomas decided to expand the contest into a full-fledged film festival.

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On August 19, 2023, the Begin Film Festival Awards Ceremony kicked off at the Cinemark Theatre in West Los Angeles, CA giving $3,000 in cash prizes, 7 category award trophies, and screening the Top 3 Best films. They also screened the premiere of the feature film 'Victoria' directed by Martins Samuel to a packed house.

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In 2024, BFF is expanding once again and has opened its submissions to the world with 11 main categories. With specialized groupings of domestic, international, and student projects, BFF looks forward to viewing, sharing, and recognizing amazing films from around the globe.

 

The 2024 Begin Film Festival will include numerous individual awards as well as the following main award categories for submissions:

  • Feature

  • International Feature

  • Student Feature

  • Short

  • International Short

  • Student Short

  • Documentary

  • Music Video

  • Screenplay - Feature

  • Screenplay - Short

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