NEFT Emerging Film Talent International (“NEFTI”). NEFTI is an annual competition to discover, develop and promote filmmakers from emerging economies around the world.
Funded entirely by NEFT Vodka, the three finalists with the most compelling proposals will produce a short film on a $3,000 budget, one of which will be chosen for the grand prize of $5,000. All three of the films are then submitted to several international film festivals and showcased by International Emereging Film Talent Association and NEFT Vodka on a variety of platforms.
In addition to the cash award, the grand prize winner joins the judging panel for the following year’s NEFTI, working closely with three recognized and highly-regarded film industry veterans. The panel includes award winning actress, producer and director, Vivica A. Fox; Oscar and Tony award winning film, television and theater producer, Bruce Cohen; and, producer and current President of Feature Post-Production at 20th Century Fox, Ted Gagliano. For the inaugural competition, independent filmmaker and NEFT’s Chief Creative Officer, Paul Robinson acted as the fourth and final judge. In all future NEFTI’s, Robinson will be replaced by the winner of the prior year’s competition.
Each film must embody NEFT’s belief that humor can be found in everyday life, reflecting NEFT’s motto that “Life is a story. Make it a good one™.” In addition, a barrel of NEFT must be included in some capacity that is not a simple product placement. This affords the filmmakers to experience working within specific parameters of a brand and develop skills that they may not yet have been exposed to.