Film festival entry deadline approaching

Deadline for submissions for the first Salton Sea Film Festival is Oct. 3.

Roy Dorantes, founder of RD Media, organized the film festival to promote awareness on how the drying lake is impacting the regional community of southern California and its potential impact beyond the area.

“The SSFF gives the Imperial County youth and community a creative platform from which they can share their concerns, perspectives or thoughts regarding the Salton Sea in a personal way using film/video as a medium,” according to the festival’s Facebook page.

RD Media is collaborating on the event with Imperial Valley Cancer Support Center, which is operating as the festival’s fiscal agent.

The SSFF is open to any resident of Imperial County. First-, second- and third-place awards will be distributed in five categories: elementary school, junior high, high school, adult and people’s choice (to be based on viewers’ votes).

A total of $2,500 in prize money will be awarded, with first place receiving $250; second, $150, and third, $100.

First-place winners will be screened Nov. 1 on FOX-9 television. All the winning entries will be featured in an online presentation after the TV screening.

The three- to five-minute film or video can be a documentary, a commentary, a random observation on the issue, a conversation, a fictionalized story, a musical presentation, a dance presentation, a series of graphic or painting work set to film or any other way to present their ideas on the Salton Sea.

“We’re counting on the creativity of our filmmakers,” the contest’s Facebook page said. “Be creative. Experiment. Explore.

Come up with your own ideas. We strongly recommend that participants do some research online about the Salton Sea. We also recommend, but it is not required, that participants visit the Salton Sea, so that they can see for themselves the location and have a deeper understanding of the Salton Sea.”

For more information, visit Facebook/Salton Sea Film Festival, call (760) 234-1940, or email saltonseafilmfestival@gmail.com.