Filmaka.com was founded by two people, Deepak Nayar and Thomas Augsberger. Both are active producers in the film industry and have a good list of sets the have been on, which can be found here, and here.

Nayar has a particular ability for nurturing new talent and has been behind the directorial debuts of a number successful directors including William Jennings, Mahesh Mathai, and Matt Dillon.

Augsberger is the President and of Eden Rock Media, a film & television production & financing and media consulting business, based in Los Angeles.

So as you can see they both have a pretty substantial network of films and contacts behind them. 12 times a year they hold an entry level competition, from each entry competition 10 films are picked by the Filmaka community with 5-10 also chosen by Filmaka Execs. Each winner gets $500.00. Nothing special right? It gets better. The winners that were chosen for the entry competition can choose to make another film. Once the second film is accepted and delivered it gains entry into the “Jury” level competition. The 20 chosen entry level winners will be invited to compete in the jury level where their work will be judged by industry pro’s. From each jury level competition 3 winners are chosen. In addition to the $1000.00 received for competing at the jury level, 1st place earns $3000.00 and second place earns $2000.00, along with a “special” finalist who earns the right to compete in the final competition. Each new “entry” level competition leads to another “jury” competition and the pool of jury winners grows. All with the goal of competing in the “final” competition. At the end of the year all of the “Jury” winners are judged and one is awarded the grand prize – a feature film deal! The runner up wins $5000.00!

Filmaka also runs a similar competition for documentaries. Basic information can be found here.

This is a wonderful chance for anyone in the world of indie film. Why not take it?

Cheers, and happy filming.