DUNCAN — Aspiring filmmakers may want to circle July 1 in red on their calendars. That’s the early bird deadline for entries in the 2010 Trail Dance Film Festival, said Anthony Foreman, founder and event director of one of Oklahoma’s top festivals.

“We’re already receiving films and will continue accepting them through early October.”

Foreman said Wednesday that several new avenues are being explored for the 2010 festival, which will be held Jan. 22-24, 2010.

“Our goal is to have more Oklahoma and more Duncan-related films, if at all possible.”

While the festival is primarily geared toward adults, Foreman also emphasizes the importance of promoting the industry to the younger generation. The event does this in two ways.

The first is the return of KidsFest to the 2010 festival. It’s geared at fourth through sixth-grade students to encourage interest in the filmmaking world.

“We bring them in and show them films from the festival and have filmmakers comes in and talk to them about making films,” Foreman said.

At this year’s event, 350 students from Duncan and Comanche schools attended KidsFest and Foreman said the feedback from teachers was extremely encouraging and positive.

“All of the teachers that attended really enjoyed and appreciated what we did for them. Several said the kids had a great time. Hopefully we get some budding young filmmakers interested in making movies.”

The second avenue for reaching youth and inspiring them is to provide a scholarship to a budding high school filmmaker. The 2010 scholarship is for $2,000 and goes to help that student pursue a career in filmmaking.

Foreman said that the film festival also is known for its special guests. None have been booked yet, and the organizers are considering different avenues for the speakers this year.

“We’re looking at the business of filmmaking and are looking towards producers and directors what it takes to put together and proper planning.”

The festival has quickly grown in three years to one of the top 25 festivals as hailed by MovieMaker Magazine to be “Worth the Entry Fee.”

Foreman describes it as an unforgettable experience filled with great films, great people and a great atmosphere.

If filmmakers miss the July 1 deadline, they do have until Aug. 5, and with a third deadline set for Sept. 2, and then the final deadline is early October. Those interested should contact Foreman if they have questions regarding the deadlines.

The 2010 festival also has a new feature, Foreman noted. It has always been held in the Jack A. Maurer Convention Center at the Simmons Center and at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, which are within walking distance, with a connecting sidewalk. Yet this year, films screened at the CTHC will be projected on a new Christie HD DLP Projector and HD/Blu-Ray.

Foreman said the film festival is a great way for filmmakers and those associated with the industry to connect and it also provides several days of entertainment for the community. The event includes seminars also for those interested in learning more about the industry. Volunteers are also necessary to keep the festival moving smoothly.

The event concludes with an awards gala and reception and the Golden Drover Awards are presented to winning filmmakers.

In 2007, the festival also received the Redbud Award for Outstanding New Event at the Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Tourism.

The Chisholm Trail Heritage Center was named in April 2009 as one of the Top 10 Western Museums in the United States.

For information, call Foreman at (580) 470-9330, or visit the Trail Dance online at: www.traildancefilmfestival.com.