Fraud Festivals Under The Microscope

British filmmaker Tyrone Murphy of CME Films is in the early stages of producing a documentary on scam film festivals around the world and how they hoodwink gullible filmmakers into paying exorbitant submission and screening fees. FILM FESTIVAL FRAUDSTERS is the working title of the project that promises to include the personal stories of filmmakers from around the globe who have been duped by the greedy and possibly illegal policies of a number of festivals (and possibly the online entries service providers who aid and abet them). One of the organizations being examined runs a group of five film festivals, to which they receive over 1000 submissions (all with entry fees) and give awards to their own films without even screening the works submitted. Other festivals being scrutinized have been accused of identity theft and ripping off unsuspecting filmmakers who provide bank or credit card details. The goal of the project is to not only get the word out about these faux festivals but also to generate momentum for a “festival code of ethics” are all such events would need to abide by.  For more information on the project, visit: www.cmefilms.com

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