Twin Tiers
International Film Festival
Presented by WSKG
Official Indie Film Distribution Partner
For Dinner Reservations at our Awards Ceremony and gala with Jon Donahue, click here!
3rd Annual Festival coming Sept. 18-20, 2020
Cinema Saver, Endicott, NY
We continue to monitor the Covid-19 Pandemic. While we expect the festival to occur, we will strictly abide by the safety guidelines set forth by the NY Dept. of health and the CDC. As we get closer to the festival dates we will update you on our exact safety measures, precautions and other regulations we will be implementing for your safety. Our Covid response information page will be found here once the state puts forth its exact guidelines in the coming weeks.
We have partnered with Simple DCP to help filmmakers create new or submit existing DCP files directly to our festival. Filmmakers requiring new DCP creation can enjoy 20% off, and filmmakers who are submitting already existing DCP files can do so for free. Simple DCP will create consolidated CRU drives for simple ingestion into our theater's projection systems creating a seamless and smooth process for festival and filmmaker alike! Click the icon to learn more!
Official Digital Cinema Sponsor
of the
Twin Tiers International Film Festival
Time is Running Out to submit in 2020!
Submissions for 2020 are now CLOSED.
Submissions for 2021 will open October 1, 2020.
The Opening and Closing Acts
Two exciting events set for Center Stage.
Opening Act - Friday, Sept. 18 @ 10:30am
Special Tribute to local filmmaking legend, Rod Serling
hosted by Michael Pipher, Rod Serling archivist and historian
Most local residents and Rod Serling fans know that Binghamton, New York is considered the home of Rod Serling. Only a short distance away from our festival, Binghamton served as Serling's childhood home as Serling graduated from Binghamton Central High School in 1943.
Well known and often thought of as a TV icon, Serling created the ever popular "The Twilight Zone" in 1959 and co-wrote the 1968 film "Planet of the Apes" starring Charlton Heston.
Our special tribute to Rod Serling will highlight the life and career of a local filmmaker whose journey took him from Binghamton to Hollywood's pinnacle. With a special focus on local film making, Serling can serve as inspiration for any aspiring filmmaker regardless of where you come from.
All interested film fest attendees are welcome to visit the Rod Serling Archive at the Bundy Museum during the festival weekend. The archive is one of just a few Rod Serling archives in the world and is home to rare memorabilia and personal items, among other things.
See Menu
Closing Act - Sunday, Sept. 20 @ 5pm
Awards Ceremony and Dinner Gala
Hosted by Hollywood Actor Jon Donahue
with special musical performance by Smoketown.
Join us for our 3rd Annual Awards Celebration and Dinner Gala starting Sunday evening at 5pm! First, Hollywood Actor and Binghamton native Jon Donahue (Inferno, Bridge of Spies, The Post) hosts the festival awards. Then immediately after, dinner and live music performed by Smoketown.
Jon Donahue has amassed a seemingly never ending list of credits. From behind the camera to the front of it, Jon has seen it all. Literally. He was a professional TV Reporter for WBNG-TV (CBS) in Binghamton, a sea boat captain for Universal's "Jaws" attraction saving thousands of unsuspecting tourists from imminent death all before moving to Hollywood. His massive list of credits include working alongside some of Hollywood's most iconic people such as Ron Howard, Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Ray Romano and is a near constant contributor with Tom Hanks. Keep an eye out for Jon as he will be seen in Seth Rogen's newest comedy "An American Pickle" expected out later this year from Sony Pictures. To see his full bio, visit his imdb page here.
Admission
Includes admission to Awards Ceremony, Meet and Greet with Jon Donahue, Live Music and access to Cash Bar. DOES NOT INCLUDE DINNER!
FREE - with VIP Pass
$5.00 with ALL DAY Pass
$10.00 for ALL OTHERS
Dinner
Optional - not required for admission however admission must be paid to receive dinner. Served immediately after awards at approx. 6:30pm. Dress code is Business Casual.
$35.00 per person
includes Gratuity and sales tax
Dinner includes Your choice of Salad, Penne Pasta, your choice of beef, pork, chicken, fish or vegetarian entree, dinner rolls and beverage.
Cash Bar Available.
Dinner must be reserved and prepaid no later than MONDAY, SEPT. 14th. This is a requirement set forth by the venue and we cannot make exceptions to this rule.
To Make Dinner Reservations
Click Here
Jon Donahue
Photo Credit: imdb
Smoketown
Donate your cans and bottles to help support the festival locally!
Stop into the Vestal Beverage and Redemption Center on State Route 26, just south of Vestal, and turn your cans and bottles into a donation for the festival! Plus, it helps keep our community clean!
When you donate not only will you receive a receipt for a tax deduction but you'll have a chance to score FREE MOVIE TICKETS!!
Here's how it works:
1. Visit the Vestal Beverage Center with your bottle and can returns and tell them you want to benefit the festival. You'll get a receipt.
2. Bring the receipt to the Cinema Saver (Festival Venue) and you'll receive a free entry into the raffle for each receipt you present.
3. WIN MOVIE TICKETS! One winner will win a pair of All Day Passes, and 10 winners will receive a free ticket for any showing at the festival Sept. 18-20. Drawing will be in early September!
Donations received help allow us to continue to offer and add free programs, events and educational workshops at the festival
Welcome to the Twin Tiers International Film Festival
The Twin Tiers International Film Festival is dedicated to finding and encouraging new filmmakers to showcase their films and let their voices be heard. We will foster an engaging and inspiring atmosphere where creativity abounds. Our venue is a popular locally owned movie cinema located in a small upstate NY town just a short distance from Binghamton - the hometown of Rod Serling, creator of "The Twilight Zone".
Come for a great festival of film, workshops and networking. Walk in Serling's footsteps and explore Binghamton's downtown and Twilight Zone inspirations. Or just enjoy sometime at the zoo or spend sometime in our region's natural scenic beauty while you visit us!
Every film submitted to us will be viewed start to finish and graded by our judging panel of industry professionals. Our goal is to show as many films as possible across all film genres of any length. We have a big heart for local film and encourage local filmmakers to submit their work regardless of experience.
We are partnered with Shami Media Group (SMG) to provide our selected films and filmmakers a chance at indie film distribution. This is an exciting opportunity we are pleased to be able to offer! You're film may be the next hit on Amazon, Netflix or in the Redbox!
We know how hard the festival circuit can be. We are filmmakers ourselves. We want to invite you to our festival where we will strive to put the filmmakers and their films first. We will have strong networking events to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to discuss their work with other filmmakers. Our workshops will provide additional knowledge of various film making areas from things like writing screenplays to budgeting and funding. Each of our filmmakers will have a chance to discuss their work in our audience talkbacks. It is about the films and the filmmaker. Come and spend some time with us and get ready to leave inspired!
The Festival
Date and Times
September 18-20, 2020
Time: To be Determined
Film Submission Categories
Documentary Feature, Documentary Short, International (feature or short), Student (feature or short), Horror Feature, Horror Short, Drama/Thriller Feature, Sci-Fi/Action Feature, Drama/Thriller Short, Sci-Fi/Action Short, Comedy Feature, Comedy Short, Local (feature or short), Family Friendly, Made in NY
Run time for Feature Films is any film over 40 mins. Shorts are 39:59 and less.
Unproduced Written Screenplay Submissions
Short Screenplays are 50 pages or less
Feature Screenplays are 51 pages or more
For a complete list of competition rules and award listings, please click here.
Looking for a hotel to stay at? We've got a list of discounted rates from nearby hotels.
2020 Special Guests and Events
Film Adaption Workshop (2 parts)
Friday, September 18th @ 2pm
Hosted by Professors Jeroen Gerrits and Jack Bryant
Many of the films we love originate from books, short stories and other literature. Our 2-part Film Adaption workshop will explore both the theoretical and the practical aspects of taking literature and turning it into cinema.
For the first part of the workshop Professor Jeroen Gerrits, of Binghamton University, will first explore film adaption from a critical and theoretical viewpoint. Jack Bryant of Ithaca College will then follow with part 2 of the workshop with his practical approach to writing a screenplay from a literary work.
Jeroen Gerrits
Associate Professor - Binghamton University
Jeroen Gerrits is Associate Professor of Comparative Literature at Binghamton University (SUNY). His teaching and research center on intersections between film, literature and philosophy. His book Cinematic Skepticism: Across Digital and Global Turns, published by SUNY Press (2019), draws on the film-philosophies of Stanley Cavell and Gilles Deleuze to argue that skepticism is an ethical problem that pervades contemporary film. He has also published a series of essays on film adaptation, specifically focussing on creative ways of moving across media and cultures. Forthcoming articles discuss Raúl Ruiz' Chilean film adaptation of an Iranian novel (The Blind Owl) and Eric Rohmer's creative cinematic "commentary" on Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale.
Jack Bryant
Associate Professor - Ithaca College
Jack Bryant is Associate Professor and Program Director of Media Arts, Sciences and Studies at Ithaca College. He teaches both introductory and advanced screenwriting courses specializing in film, video games and emerging media.
In addition to teaching, Professor Bryant works as a professional screenwriter and screenwriting consultant. His most recent feature films are Fair Haven (2016) and Purity Falls (2019).
Hollywood Actor Jobs Workshop
Saturday, September 19th @ 7pm
Hosted by Professional actor Phillip E. Walker
Now concluding with a GettingPaid.us screening, this popular Lecture ~ WORKSHOP will be returning to the Twin Tiers International Film Festival because everybody loves to hear about Hollywood - even if they do not strive to become a working entertainer.
But for those that do dream of “making it” in La La Land, this information is not just fun but career changing! HAJ is the Sherpa’s living guide up the mountain of LA talent full-time employment. It instructs ANYONE how to secure such entry level Hollywood employment within 3 business days of one’s arrival.
Having premiered 8-15-16 at Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater, this employment advise was also presented for the Huffington Post reported California Educational Theatre Association’s 2017 Statewide Annual Conference held at the Academy of Television & Sciences (Emmy’s home); as well as in Honolulu, Texas, rural Wyoming, Socal’s Inland Empire, NoHo & Santa Monica, NYC, Queens plus Western & Central New York State and many more.
Hollywood Actor Jobs is speckled with select Phillip E. Walker video clips from his more than 900 performing gigs or appearances during his first 5 LA years such as: 93 music videos (Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”, Trolls movie theme song, Beyonce’s music movie “Lemonade”, J. Cole’s “ATM”, Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”) feature films like "The Other Wife" and many short film Starring roles such as his upcoming "WineGame". Further, this WORKSHOP session shares how Phillip’s Hollywood entry level acting work has lead him to multiple Co-Starring TV series roles including: Marvel TV’s Legion opposite Dan Steven, HBO TV’s Sharp Objects opposite Amy Adams and, as chronicled in his talent employment workbook, the Lead’s father in the late John Singleton’s Snowfall on FX.
This WORKSHOP is based on Mr. Walker’s latest book title: "Entry Level Acting in LA 2016". a hands-on, new actor full-time employment workbook
http://EntryLevelActing.LA
VIP Events
exclusive invites for VIP pass holders
VIP events are special events held after the festival each night! VIP pass holders are automatically invited to attend! Filmmakers are highly encouraged to attend as a way to socially network together!
Stand Up Comedy with Comedian Mike Brindisi
Friday, Sept. 18th @ 10pm
- The North Brewery* -
Mike Brindisi has spent the last 15 years going from showcasing in NYC doing standup, Acting in film/Tv, hosting his own radio show & touring with his band “The New York Rock”. Being fulfilled being on a stage singing, doing stand up or just entertaining people, he recently decided to go back to comedy full time. Mike has appeared on SNL, MTV2 & Howard Stern. In music, Mike has played shows with Gavin Degraw, Sponge, Tim Reynolds & on the Vans Warped Tour. Mike brings a huge energy & years of life experience to his stand up and will leave you wanting more.
For more information visit:
mikebrindisi.com
*Note: The North Brewery is planning on doing a small remodeling project that should be done by the time this event occurs. In the event that the project is not completed, this event will take place inside Cinema Saver.*
Free Bowling and Live Music
Featuring: Voodoo Highway
Saturday, Sept. 19th @ 10pm
- Ideal Bowling Center -
Join us for a great evening of fun at the Ideal Bowling Center in Endicott! VIP pass holders will receive 1 FREE game of bowling - and 50% off all games thereafter - with free shoe rentals. Hang out and connect at the bar over food and drink and enjoy specials all night! and enjoy live music featuring local band Voodoo Highway!
