Hi/Lo Film Festival
The Hi/Lo Film Festival was founded in 1997 by Brian L. Perkins and Marc Vogl for the purposes of celebrating the high concept works of low-budget filmmakers. The fest sports not one but two slogans that capture its spirit: "High Concept, Low Budget Films for the Adventurous and Disenchanted"; and "...because $40 million can kill a good idea."
The three-day fest is based in San Francisco, but for many years has also toured a shorter 90-120 minute program around the country to cities including New York City, Seattle, San Diego, Orlando, and Portland. From 1997 to 2005, the fest screened works of any length. Beginning in 2006, however, the fest will only screen works of 30 minutes or less. The festival has always and continues to showcase works of any format (from PixelVision to 35mm) and any genre.
Ironically enough, unbeknownst to the festival's founders at its inception, Hollywood insiders use the term "high concept" to describe films which can be summed up in a one sentence log line. Contrarily, Hi/Lo's founders, filmmakers, and fans use the phrase to describe the exact opposite type of motion picture: one that is challenging, thought-provoking, unpredictable, and/or non-traditional.
Though not at all limited to comedic films, the Hi/Lo Film Festival is produced by San Francisco sketch comedy troupe Killing My Lobster.