In November, the first 100 Words Film Festival launched in Charlotte where all entries cut to the essence of storytelling with just 100 spoken words. Below, founder Scott Galloway writes about the event.

The inaugural 100 Words Film Festival was a tremendous success!  We generated lots of exciting media attention, shattered our 500-ticket goal by selling out the 730-seat McGlohon Theater and premiered more than 30 outstanding films by professional and student filmmakers. Related Links

“Cultural groups large and small receive funding in Charlotte” by Susan Patterson on Knight Blog, 01/09/15

Grant page: 100 Words Film Festival 

We are extremely thankful to our filmmakers. We received film submissions from all over the world.  This was remarkable given that films had to be created and submitted at a time when the festival didn’t even exist. Further, every film entered had to be made solely for this festival due to its 100 spoken words criterion. It was a big ask of filmmakers, but a great benefit for festivalgoers who attended an event where every film was a premiere.

Hollywood actors and award-winning directors spoke of the importance of the 100 words concept and provided compelling films.  We also presented important films from “unknown” filmmakers.  A founding principle of the 100 Words Film Festival was the “democratization of filmmaking.”  We envisioned a festival that was financially achievable for all. While there was a strict rule of exactly 100 spoken words, films could be any length and on any subject. This creative freedom, and the low financial demand of making such a film, opened up the festival to nearly everyone. Filmmakers thanked us throughout the process for this opportunity. We were thrilled by the diversity of filmmaking participants.

One of the most important developments to come out of the festival was a program we created that paired talented student filmmakers with deserving charitable organizations. This partnership offered student filmmakers the framework and resources to tell important stories and it provided charities the means in which to have their stories told. Here is such a film.  

After the festival we received two extremely gratifying letters from the film’s student filmmaker and the participating charity.

This was a signature event for Charlotte – a great night for the city and film. It was fun to see filmmakers from all over the country interact with the Charlotte film community. It was also exciting that the winners for best dramatic film, above, and best documentary were local filmmakers.  

For all of us who worked on the 100 Words Film Festival, it was incredibly rewarding to hear a full house respond to a wide variety of films, to see the joy of recognition from filmmakers such as Savannah College of Art & Design student Alan Brooks, and to know that while this year’s festival was an incredible success, next year’s will be even better.