svhot "Official Rejection" is a very entertaining and educational movie about the struggles of two independent movie-makers. Inspired by their own real life experiences, writer-director Paul Osborne and director Scott Storm have created a small but very effective masterpiece movie. Using a documentary-style method of storytelling, the movie focuses on the official (and unofficial) types of problems the movie-makers face, as they attempt to take their movie "Ten 'Till Noon" from one film festival circuit to another.The movie (Official Rejection) also features interviews from some well known former and / or current independent film-makers such as Kevin Smith and others. "Official Rejection" highlights the fact that for independent film-makers, making the movie is the easiest part. After that, they have to take their movies from one film festival to another, and convince the film festival committee to show their movies to the audience present there. Hang on, this is not the only problem they face. The movie-makers have to pay for the press kits, promotional material, and their own travel costs.There is a lot of "dirty politics" and malpractices involved when a film festival committee decides which movies to show and which ones to reject. I am not saying this ; this is what the movie portrays to its viewers. Also, sometimes the festival committee members force movie-makers to buy all the tickets to their own film ( I hope this particular dirty practice has been eradicated / stopped ; If not, I hope some type of law is created soon to prevent film festivals from bullying / forcing movie-makers to buy all the tickets themselves.Paul Osborne and Scott Storm have tackled a serious subject in this movie, but they have done it with a nice blend of wit, style and fun. I loved this movie and will promote it to viewers for the rest of my life.

jfa42 I was impressed w/ what Paul Osborne and his team were able to do w/ this film. Of course, if you've been involved in the Indie film scene for any period of time, the idea that the fest circuit is a bit of a scam has been pretty well known for a long time. Never the less, makes for a fun and engaging watch still.I was astounded and flabbergasted at some of the absurd naiveté (and stupidity) of some of the filmmakers, in particular Blayne Weaver.... Seriously bro? Why would you even bother flying from LA to Chicago to attend the 2nd annual Chicago Indiefest? Chicago Int FF, yes, Chicago Underground (CUFF) maybe, but some mickey mouse fest no one's ever heard of? Chicago's a great town but talk about walking around blind w/o a cane, not to mention emails like 'your film may be pulled if you don't sell it out..." I may love, and have roots, in the NY Metropolitan area but ask me if I'd fly from LA to NY to attend the Ozone Park film festival, come on:) What that whole scene in Chicago speaks to, as well as the festival circuit in general, is this self aggrandizing, ego stroke that many Indie filmmakers are looking for. Something the OR filmmakers seemed unaware of is the fact that so many of these scam, mediocre festivals exist because there's an endless supply of self serving, ego maniacal saps who want to get in on the circle jerk of saying, "hey, I made a film, check it out." At a certain point filmmakers have to look in the mirror and be realistic about their place in the Industry, if any at all.

mcwhammer Official Rejection is the true story of a group of filmmakers from all parts who are trying to accomplish a single goal: To get their film in a festival. The focused stars of this documentary find themselves quickly rejected by certain big-name fests, despite the effort required to even be considered for them. Disheartened, but not easily broken, the filmmakers keep sending out their films, to smaller screenings across the U.S.The journey of this film achieves something big that is a rarity in the documentary genre. It's smirk-out-loud funny from beginning to end. With hilarious animated cut-scenes, to the visible struggles of average Joe directors, to astute observations from the front lines and the flashbacks of everyone involved; every piece of this film makes you grin from ear to ear.So, it's strange that this same film is also one that tells the horrifying story of self-publicizing, penniless movie creators. O.R. is eye-opening, and easily bests all other attempts at revealing an inside view of the movie industry (notably This Film Is Not Yet Rated). It's one of the only films I know of that even mentions the independent film industry in a truthful light.Painful it may be, but if your head stops shaking at the absurdity of the festival industry long enough to hear the story being presented, it will completely change your opinions on how you absorb and critique films.

luvferrets03 I had a chance to see this movie at the Idaho Film Festival in Boise, Idaho this weekend. As an emerging filmmaker, I thought it would be great to know the inner workings of the festival circuit. Paul and Scott take the audience on the journey of submitting their film "Ten Til Noon" to various festivals around the country. You get to see what life is like after the cameras are put away, and the work truly begins. Independent filmmakers are unique, because they have to sell their work themselves. This film taught me more than I hoped! I would highly recommend it for anyone who makes films. However, it is also entertaining for those who are not in the business. One woman at our screening loved it -- and she does not make films.Paul and Scott are amazing. I had a chance to meet them this weekend, and they have a passion for making films. Check out this documentary -- not a dull moment. It's out on DVD in November.