BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 23, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Burbank International Film Festival (BIFF) has just announced the addition of an LGBTQ Inclusive Short Film Awards Category promoting equality and encouraging the next generation of filmmakers. LGBTQ Short Films joins 20 other BIFF submission categories including Feature Films, Animation, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Horror, Faith-based, Sci-Fi, Student and Foreign films among others.

Since the festival's inception in 2008, BIFF has presented five days of feature and short films representing the U.S. and more than 60 countries with artist tributes, panels, awards, and gala events championing independent filmmaking. BIFF has long encouraged filmmakers from all backgrounds with special awards honoring social awareness, inclusion, and diversity, and is one of the few film festivals offering film distribution opportunities to help filmmakers guide their cinematic vision toward profitability.

"The Burbank International Film Festival is proud to use the power of film to encourage the next generation of filmmakers by promoting acceptance and celebrating LGBTQ stories and themes with this new category," commented Jeff Rector, President and Festival Director. "LGBTQ artists represent meaningful and important perspectives that BIFF encourages and supports."

The festival deadline for this new category and for all submissions is May 31.  Events being discussed include a Diversity Panel, special cross-cultural screenings and Q&A's with special guests.

Submissions are now open at  http://www.burbankfilmfest.org through February 28, 2019 (Regular Deadline), April 30, 2019 (Late Deadline) and June 7, 2019 (Final Deadline).

The complete lineup for the 2019 Burbank International Film Festival will be announced in July, with screenings taking place at the state-of-the-art AMC Burbank 16 in Downtown Burbank from September 4 through 8, 2019.
 
For more information on the 2019 Burbank International Film Festival and to submit films, please visit  http://www.burbankfilmfest.org.
 
ABOUT THE BURBANK INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The Burbank International Film Festival Board of Directors is comprised of talented industry professionals and production executives who work within the studio system. Our festival judges, screening committees, and many of our volunteers are respected professionals in motion pictures, television and digital media. Our festival offers over 20 awards in a variety of categories, with special awards honoring social awareness, inclusion and diversity in the filmmaking industry.

The BIFF mission is to promote emerging filmmakers by providing a gateway to expand their careers in the entertainment industry. Not only do we actively champion independent filmmaking, we are one of the few film festivals in the world that offers film distribution opportunities to help filmmakers guide their cinematic vision toward profitability.
 
The Burbank International Film Festival is a California non-profit organization operating as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation.

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SOURCE Burbank International Film Festival