The Universal Film & Festival Organisation launches to help stamp out scam film festivals

July 7, 2011 - PRLog -- With the recent explosion of film festivals all over the world it was inevitable that the scammers would consequently follow. This was highlighted recently with festivals such as the Swansea Bay Film Festival and the Queens International Film Festival in New York.  Award-winning Filmmaker Tyrone D Murphy decided to do something about it and is producing a documentary titled “SCAMFEST”. The film is set to expose many film festivals all over the world including some of the biggest and more respected film festivals that are allegedly screwing over filmmakers.

The current lack of any legislation or control anywhere in the world led directly to a code of conduct being debated on LinkedIn and Facebook by many filmmakers and festival directors. A workable code of conduct was written and the Universal Film & Festival Organisation was created to implement the code of conduct. The code of conduct has 10 points and UFFO ask festival members to adopt 7 of the 10 points.”

As a fledgling organisation UFFO have come under attack.  In some cases it was simply that an individual did not want to adhere to anyone’s set of rules, this is of course their right. Another large and well-known organisation that runs festival conferences attempted to close UFFO down by trying to persuade film festivals not to join UFFO; this led to the loss of festival members. However, it later transpired that this person was a former lawyer who had their lawyers license revoked, has a criminal record and was involved in a number of failed festivals. UFFO chairman Tyrone D Murphy says: “UFFO is not an organisation that is attempting to police the industry but is an open and free voluntary group of likeminded individuals who want to conduct business in an ethical and transparent way”

The organisation has also gathered support recently from organisations such as the International Student Film Organisation, the Centre for International Media Ethics, The Directors Guild Trust and the Directors Guild of Great Britain. The Chairman of the DGGB Mr Ivor Benjamin said “The Directors Guild Trust and the Directors Guild of Great Britain recognises that UFFO is spearheading a much needed drive to separate genuine film festivals from those rogue festivals that are just set up to take money from filmmakers right across the planet”

UFFO now has an international committee largely made of industry professionals from countries such as Turkey, USA, UK, Czech Republic and Ireland. Committee members include cinematographer Chris O Dell, The Denis Desmond casting agency and legal professionals such as prominent Barristers at Law Mr Michael Wolkind QC and Mr James Price QC. UFFO chairman Tyrone D Murphy said “We are now growing very quickly with some big festivals and industry names now on board, In just under 30 days we have 37 film festivals and 172 filmmaker members”

UFFO is a free and open organisation with a database of ethical film festivals and filmmakers. You can join UFFO by going to their website www.uffo.org

All contact - Tyrone D Murphy

Tel +44 (0) 77799 77769 - Tel +44 (0) 20 7193 8870 E mail info@cmefilms.co.uk