The Online Box Office Film Festival (OBO) hosts quarterly contests to give filmmakers another outlet to submit their work and win a number of awards and prizes, including cash. As a result of the COVID-19 crisis, most film festivals were cancelled and a number of industry professionals found themselves out of work. During the downtime, The Online Box Office Film Festival was developed as a solution to get industry professionals moving again. The first edition of the festival competition launched on September 27, 2020 and hit the ground running with hundreds of submissions just weeks after its announcement on FilmFreeway and social media. The first edition was themed for horror short films. The festival theme and film genre acceptance will be different for each quarterly edition.
For this first edition, The Online Box Office Film Festival partnered with the 3rd Fathom Films (www.3rdfathom.com) motion picture production and distribution company to bring the project to life by relying on their horror genre expertise.
The Online Box Office Film Festival First Edition: Short Horror Film Finalist:
After accepting submissions through FilmFreeway (https://filmfreeway.com/OnlineBoxOfficeFilmFestival) from September 27, 2020 until October 25, 2020, The Online Box Office Film Festival has reviewed hundreds of films and announced its finalists. The finalists were announced via social media on October 27, 2020 and winners will be announced on October 31, 2020 during an online live event. The films have been judged based on originality, story, characterization, presentation, and overall impression. In addition to announcing three placements (first, second, and third place prizes), honorable mention recognition will be awarded for Best Screenplay, and Scariest Moment.
Finalists
Camping Fun – Directed by Thomas Burke
Freight – Directed by Rob Misleh
Mute – Don’t Stop The Music – Directed by Rocco Shapiro
The Second Signal – Directed by Tim McClelland
All For Love – Directed Joseph R. Porter
Night Shift – Directed Trevor Hagen & Jarod Hagen
Grisley Girls – Directed by Adam Van Dyke
VAGABOND – Directed by Bryan Metzger
Inhalation – Directed by Tarik Begic
The Knock – Directed by Zach Lorkiewicz
Dream State – Directed by John aldridge
The Nocnitsa – Directed by Andrew Taylor
Thirst Date – Directed by Brendan Nagle
Bed Rog – Directed by David Kerr
Perfect – Directed by Jeremiah Kipp
Creature – Directed by Chase McNaughton
The Online Box Office Film Festival: Horror Short Film Edition Submission Benefits:
Each entry will receive comprehensive feedback from an Industry Professional Judge who will explain how the submissions measure against the criteria. Quality feedback is provided to aid filmmakers with pointers that lead to learning and improving their craft. The winning prizes include cash, a questioning and answering interview with a Feature Film Director, movie distribution or development offer, horror merchandise, laurels, and much more.
About 3rd Fathom Films
3rd Fathom Films is headquartered in Atlanta, GA with a history of producing, releasing, and distributing horror films. With major titles like ‘The Final Project’ (2016) and ‘Hallowed Be Thy Name’ (2020) on their résumé, involvement of the crew at 3rd Fathom Films was deemed essential for the launch of the horror short film contest.
For updates and news about upcoming festivals by The Online Box Office Film Festival, follow their social media accounts @obofilmfestival
For more information and updates about 3rd Fathom Films, follow their social media accounts @3rdfathomfilms