Help me win the War of Films on Film Annex

 A still from my film 'Ai'. Watch and vote for it on Film Annex.

A few weeks ago I attended a panel at Internet Week (#IWNY) entitled the Socialization of Film which featured a host of speakers each with unique perspectives on the current independent film scene. One of the speakers was Francesco Rulli, president of the progressive film distribution platform Film Annex, which essentially pays content creators advertisement revenue and offer monetary incentives to drive traffic to their video conduit.

I am participating in a such a contest, the aptly named War of Films (a riff on the Battle of Bands mantra), a monthly competition which encourages filmmakers to promote their films on Film Annex with the winner winning $1000. It's a smart way to drive filmmakers to promote their films and conveiently does not require registration with the site, making it easier to vote. I'm trying to win the month of June with my samurai film Ai, which you can watch and vote here (just click the little green plus button above the player).

If I win, I'll put the money towards my next short film which I intend to further finance by crowdfunding later this summer. I'll also debut a new video fro my vault of unreleased gems exclusively on Film Annex. You can also watch 3 other Ai related videos on a web TV portal created by Film Annex called Zaffi TV. So please spread the word, watch my film and vote, especially if you want to continue supporting my filmmaking endeavors.

Ai at Beverly Hills Hi-Definition Film Festival

For my friends on the west coast, Ai will be playing tonight at the Beverly Hills Hi-Definition Film Festival in stunning HD for the first time in public. The film starts at 7:15PM PST and you can get your tickets here. The film is playing off a master blu-ray copy which signals the oncoming of the Ai limited special edition blu-ray, coming soon!

EgoFest Q+A

This was my live streaming Q+A with the audience at EgoFest after watching my short film Ai. The good stuff starts around the 3:20 mark...enjoy!

Samurai Showdown

Here's a sneak peak of the title page I designed for the feature length screenplay I just finished writing, Samurai Showdown. It's the fifth completed feature length script I've written and the first one I was hired and paid to write. It's an adaptation of a popular video game franchise by SNK. The script is going to the Berlin Film Festival this weekend in hopes of raising the final finances for the film to be produced. There is an acclaimed Hong Kong director attached along with an incredible Anime director who would create Anime style flashbacks and an opening intro. If the film goes into production, it will be a huge stepping stone for me and help establish the resources I'll need to make my feature film directorial debut. Stay tuned for updates on my twitter...

Posted via email from ZAFFI Ponders

Ai Remix

Here it is...been brewing this one for awhile...the official remix of my award winning short film "Ai" as a drum n bass music video hybrid. Working in conjunction with Hospital Records and Lonodn Elektricty, this is hopefully the first of many projects with the amazing UK label. Trying to do a Stanley video with music by Bop but not just Stanley...hmmm...stay tuned!

Ai Early On

Storyboards and rehearsal footage from Ai...earlier known as "The Shadow of Death".