Haydenfilms is a producer and distributor of independent film

Independent film

An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...

s. It was founded in 2001 by Hayden Craddolph, the current president, and executive director of the Haydenfilms Institute (HFI). Haydenfilms is based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, at the TEK Park campus.

Online Film Festival

In 2004, Haydenfilms launched its first Online Film Festival

Film festival

A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...

, which accepts short films from independent filmmakers around the globe . The festival voting system involves a panel of judges and the Haydenfilms member base. A panel of judges selects the top 50 films. Out of these 50 films, the member base votes to narrow down the competition to four finalists. The films of the top four finalists remain online until the winner is announced at a live ceremony.

Past Winners

Festival	Winner	Winning Film
1.0	Quinn Saunders	"Fortunate Son"
2.0	John Burgess	"The Powder Puff Principle"
3.0	Reda Mustafa	"The Boot of War"
4.0	Johnny Ray Gill	"My Turtle's Name is Dudley"

The Haydenfilms Institute (HFI)

In 2010, the IRS

Internal Revenue Service

The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...

 approved the Haydenfilms Institute for 501(c)(3) tax exempt

Tax exemption

Various tax systems grant a tax exemption to certain organizations, persons, income, property or other items taxable under the system. Tax exemption may also refer to a personal allowance or specific monetary exemption which may be claimed by an individual to reduce taxable income under some...

 status . According to the HFI’s website, the institute’s mission is to empower, educate and fund independent and student filmmakers.

Vision

HFI is a growth-oriented 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Non-profit organization

Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...

. Our vision is to become a globally recognized, full-service film resource with specialties in education

Education

Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...

 and production. Through the creation of original programming and concepts, HFI will serve as an authority to filmmakers worldwide. We will be an alternative choice because of our focus on student and independent content, rather than commercialization

Commercialization

Commercialization is the process or cycle of introducing a new product or production method into the market. The actual launch of a new product is the final stage of new product development, and the one where the most money will have to be spent for advertising, sales promotion, and other marketing...

. HFI will collaborate on projects with local businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions, establishing a close relationship with the community. HFI’s innovative programs and the Haydenfilms Online Film Festival shall provide a network to connect filmmakers with the stories, talents, and ideas of their peers from around the globe.

Programs

The Haydenfilms Institute’s current programs include a Professional Writing Internship, Computer Science Internship, and the Creative Alliance.

HFI also hosts red carpet gala event fundraiser

Fundraiser

A fundraiser is an event or campaign whose primary purpose is to raise money for a cause. See also: fundraising. A fundraiser can also be an individual or company whose primary job is to raise money for a specific charity or non-profit organization...

s and PSA competitions.

External links

The Official Website

The Official Film Institute Website