1317 F STREET NW, SUITE 920 \ WASHINGTON, DC \ \ DCSHORTS.COM. Congratulations!

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1 1317 F STREET NW, SUITE 920 \ WASHINGTON, DC \ \ DCSHORTS.COM Congratulations! Out of 1,200 films and 145 scripts, we have selected your entry to be included in the 2013 DC Shorts Film Festival from September 19-29, 2013! PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER IT INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, PLUS LINKS TO ACCEPT THE FILMMAKER CONTRACT VISIT TO COMPLETE THE ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT ONLINE Complete the contract by FRIDAY, JULY 5 or your film will be removed from programming. Quick Schedule of Deadlines (all are explained in full detail below): Fri., July 5 Deadline to complete Acceptance Agreement dcshorts.com/welcome2013 Mon., July 15 Deadline to approve catalog description Page 7 Fri., July 19 Deadline to receive final screening materials Page 4 Deadline to send URL for film trailer or preview Page 7 Fri., July 26 Deadline to upload Bumper Video Page 6 Deadline to request housing and passes Page 4 Fri., Sept. 6 Deadline to change names on Filmmaker Passes Page 5 If you misplace any forms or want to see the latest information, visit You should be very proud! We look forward to seeing you in September! Jon Gann, Festival Director office mobile jon@dcshorts.com DC Shorts 2013 Filmmaker Acceptance Information Page 1

2 YOUR FINAL SCREENING MATERIALS DC Shorts presents films in their native resolution (HD when available). All shows are projected from a video server which we have configured using Apple products. Please read the following information VERY carefully. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the DC Shorts office at All Films: PLEASE TRIM YOUR END CREDITS TO NO LONGER THAN ONE MINUTE (01:00) We know you have many people to thank and it s important to give credit where credit is due. However, we have an audience that will become restless if your credits run too long, and it is difficult to bring them back into the moment. Please be courteous to both the audience and your collaborators, and edit/speed up your credits appropriately. Films that do not comply might have their credits trimmed or edited by our office at our discretion. SUBTITLES If your film is in a language other than English, please superimpose subtitles over your film. Please keep your subtitles within the picture area rather than in a letterboxing area. If you submit your film letterboxed the image will appear to float in the middle of the screen with pretty bad resolution. The subtitles would then sit underneath the image making for a very unsatisfactory projection experience. Bottom line: if you submit a letterboxed film we ll project it as you sent it. You ve been warned. Preparing and Sending Digital Files: Your native files will project from our servers in pristine condition. The clarity is stunning. RESOLUTION AND FRAME RATE We prefer 1080p, 1080i or 720p. If necessary, we will also accept lower resolutions. Please provide your film in its native framerate (24fps, 25fps, 30fps) there is no need for pulldowns or frame rate conversion, our projection system will automatically conform. SAVE AS A QUICKTIME MOVIE Simply use the preset in QuickTime Player or Apple Compressor to export your film. From the File menu, choose Export and choose Apple TV. This will create an excellent quality file that will look great in all of our venues. FINAL CUT USERS: If you are using Final Cut Studio, export your sequence as a QuickTime Movie using H.264, selecting the correct aspect ratio and audio rate. AVID USERS: If you re working on an Avid, our computers cannot read Avid codecs. Avid is somewhat notorious for putting their proprietary codec s in exported files. To make sure your files are okay, once exported, try them out on a computer that does not have Avid. If it plays, you re good to go. If it doesn t go back to the drawing board. FILE NAMING: Please name your file by the Title and WAB number. Example: Name_of_Film_90555.mov Please complete your file name with.mov for most file formats, or.mp4 or.m4v for H.264 compressed file. DC Shorts 2013 Filmmaker Acceptance Information Page 2

3 IMPORTANT AUDIO MIX INFORMATION: Please supply only a 2-channel audio mix in Stereo or Dolby ProLogic only. Due to our diverse projection venues, we cannot guarantee that multichannel audio will be available. 5.1 and 7.1 mixes will automatically be remixed to 2.0. Uploading Your Digital Files MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JULY 19. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS DEADLINE. If you have prepared your file using the simple QuickTime Player method (as noted above) you may upload it directly by visiting Sign in using these credentials: Username: dcshorts Password: filmmaker To upload your film, click the Upload button. Fill out the requested information - your name, title of your film, and your address, and choose the file to upload. When your upload is complete, click Logout. We will contact you at the address you supplied if there are any problems. If your file name does not end in.m4v,.mov, or.mp4 please do not attempt to upload it. Instead, send a copy on physical media. Preparing and Sending Physical Media DC Shorts accepts the following physical media types. USB FLASH DRIVE/HARD DRIVE: You may send us your digital file on a USB flash drive. If you wish to receive your USB drive back, you must send a self-addressed stamped envelope. If you do not include an envelope, we will not return the drive to you. FILE BURNED TO DVD: You may opt to burn the digital file to a disc (DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-R.) Is your file too large to fit on a single DVD-R? Most DVD-writing programs will split the file across several blank DVDs. This is a very cost-effective means of sending large files, and we ll reassemble the file upon receipt. Because of the volume of materials we receive, the discs will not be returned. TRADITIONAL DVD: You may supply a traditional DVD (DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-R, or any professionally replicated DVD.) We will use software tools to extract and up convert the digital file from your DVD. The resolution is not as clear as if a digital file were delivered. Because of the volume of materials we receive, your DVD will not be returned to you. SHIPPING YOUR PHYSICAL MEDIA MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JULY 19. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS DEADLINE. DC SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 1317 F Street NW, Suite 920 Washington, DC USA DC Shorts 2013 Filmmaker Acceptance Information Page 3

4 HOUSING AND FILMMAKER PASS INFORMATION Requesting Festival Housing and Transportation INFORMATION MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JULY 26. Discounted Hotel Rooms: Through our arrangement with the Renaissance Hotel Dupont Circle, we have a limited number of rooms set aside for filmmakers. The luxury hotel is located in the Dupont Circle/West End neighborhood of DC and is a convenient Metro ride to most festival events. Single and double rooms are priced at only $139 per night (regularly $349). If you are interested in reserving a room, please complete the Housing Request form available at dcshorts.com/welcome2013. These rooms are available on a first-reserved, first-taken basis. All fees and incidentals must be guaranteed with a credit card, reservations may be cancelled without penalty up to a week before, after which time you will be charged for a minimum of one night. Free Housing at a Host Home: DC Shorts offers assistance in finding free housing for filmmakers and 1 guest in private homes throughout the Washington, DC area. All of our housing is Metro (subway/bus) accessible. If traveling alone, you may be placed with another filmmaker. A few weeks before the festival, you will receive the contact information of your housing host. We encourage you to contact them immediately to learn of any house rules, etc. If you do not feel comfortable with your housing match, we will make every effort to accommodate you, but we cannot guarantee new housing. If you need additional housing for friends we can assist you in finding inexpensive hotel and hostel options, but DC Shorts cannot pay for any housing arrangements. Transportation to Washington, D.C. We wish we could fly everyone to DC, but our budget does not allow us to do so. If you are traveling from NY, Boston, NC, NJ, PA, TN, or Ontario, we suggest taking the BoltBus or Megabus both inexpensive and fast options. If you are flying into Washington, DC, we recommend using Reagan National Airport (DCA); that allows you to get into the city for a $1.65 subway fare. Flights from Dulles International (IAD) and Baltimore- Washington (BWI) might be cheaper, but the cost to get into the city will be more than $50 each way by taxi. At this time, DC Shorts does not provide transportation to/from area airports or train stations. DC Shorts 2013 Filmmaker Acceptance Information Page 4

5 Requesting Festival Passes Changes may be made up until Friday, September 6. Festival Passes: Every screenplay accepted entitles you to two (2) Festival Passes that allow entry into every screening as well as all parties and events throughout the duration of the 2013 DC Shorts Film Festival (September 19 29). Due to space limitations, we cannot extend more than two of these passes per screenplay. Tickets for the screenings will go on sale to the general public in mid-august. You will receive notice of when this happens, as well as the availability of All-Access Passes which your friends and family will be able to purchase a few days before they go on sale to the general public. Meals: Filmmakers automatially receive a Meal Pass, which allows you to eat free or discounted meals and snacks at various restaurants within a 5-block area of the theater. There are limits to the amount of food that may be ordered (i.e.: one burrito, chip and drinnk), and the pass may not be used to pay for alcoholic beverages. We ask that you please leave appropriate gratuities. Qualifications for Awards The following awards will be given out at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, September 22, 11:00am at TBD, a free brunch event that is open only to filmmaker pass holders: Filmmakers' Favorite Festival Director's Favorite Outstanding Use of Food Outstanding Local Film Outstanding First- Time Director Audience Awards for each screening An explanation of each award can be found below. To qualify for certain awards, you must indicate your eligibility on the Acceptance Agreement. If it is determined that you entered a category under false pretenses, you will be disqualified from receiving ANY prize, including Audience Awards. All awards, prizes, and gifts will be presented at the Sunday brunch event. You must take away all awards as we cannot ship software, trophies, or framed certificates. Please note that all prize packages listed below may be changed at any time, due to sponsor availability. Filmmakers' Favorite We feel this is the most important honor, as it is a peer award. All filmmakers in attendance will vote for their top 3 films. The film with the highest number of votes will be awarded a prize package that includes $250 cash, software and more. Festival Director's Favorite This is simply Jon s favorite film. The prize package includes $250 cash, software, and more. Outstanding Local Film This is awarded to a film whose primary photography was created within a 1.5 hour drive of the White House. This area encompasses Baltimore, Richmond and parts of Delaware and West Virginia. The prize package includes $250 cash, software, and more. DC Shorts 2013 Filmmaker Acceptance Information Page 5

6 Outstanding First-Time Director This award goes to a film whose director is making his/her debut onto the festival circuit. If you made other films that have never been screened publicly (tickets sold), then you qualify. The prize package includes $250 cash, software, and more. Golden Pineapple This award is presented to a film that uses food as a creative element. The winning film is selected by the DC Shorts staff and representatives from Whole Foods. The prize package includes $250 cash, software, and more. Audience Awards Each screening will end with a vote by the audience for their favorite film. Recipients of the Audience Award will receive a framed plaque and certificate. OTHER THINGS TO BE AWARE OF Please introduce yourself to the audience with a bumper video... MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JULY 26. Part of our professional screening is a video introduction to each film. We prepare a short introduction animation that includes the title of the film, the name of the director, the country of origin, and the premiere status. This year, we are offering the ability to include a short video (no longer than 30 seconds, please) in which you introduce your film. A sample script might include: Hi! My name is Joe Filmmaker. I hope you enjoy my short Untitled which I produced as my thesis project at Name A Film School. KEEP IT SIMPLE: have a simple background, clear sound, and no SFX just you. This is a great way for audiences to connect with you and spot you in the lobby or parties. 3 examples of bumpers from last year is on the web site Use the video specifications and uploading information found above. If you are unable to provide a video bumper, do not worry; we will create a standard bumper for you. DC Shorts Catalog Descriptions CHANGES MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MONDAY, JULY 15. We spend a great deal of time to create a unique catalog for our event, with Jon personally selecting appropriate film stills and revising log lines. A PDF proof of the catalog pages will be posted at by July 10, around which time you will receive an asking to look over the file. If you have any changes, please them to jon@dcshorts.com no later than Monday, July 15, as our catalog goes to press the next day. Film Previews and Trailers For Our Website MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JULY 9. This year, we will present film trailers and previews on both our web site and that of our media partner. We will embed your YouTube.com or Vimeo.com URL into our site upon receiving and reviewing this information from you. Both Vimeo.com and YouTube.com are free to upload your trailer, and please note that we do not host trailers on our servers. Public Relations and Media Coverage PLEASE DO NOT SEND UNSOLICITED PHOTOS, BIOS OR OTHER ITEMS. Our Public Relations firm will contact you individually if press materials are needed. If you have questions or wish to speak about a specific story idea, please contact the team at media@dcshorts.com. In the past DCS has garnered amazing press, and has been featured in almost every publication in Washington, DC, as well as many national publications. DC Shorts 2013 Filmmaker Acceptance Information Page 6

7 COMPLETING THE ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT Please read over carefully before filling out. The form contains important legal information about special programs for the festival weekend and the next year. If you have questions about any of these programs, please contact the DC Shorts office at THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, JULY 5. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS DEADLINE. COMPLETE THE FORM ONLINE AT: DCSHORTS.COM/WELCOME2013 If we do not receive the completed and signed form by that date, we will assume that you do not wish to participate and your slot will be given to another film. We have adopted this formal contract to ensure that the information we receive from you is correct. In addition, it is used by you to opt-into many exciting programs we offer. These are listed below in detail. Should you have questions about any of these items, please call the DC Shorts Office at BEFORE you sign the agreement. This agreement is a legally binding contract. Optional Sign-Offs DC Shorts has optional programs you may choose to participate in. Please read the following OPT-IN descriptions. OPTION 1 I agree to participate in the DC Shorts Online Film Festival. By opting in, I understand that DC Shorts will allow VIPs and those with access codes to view my film online throughout the duration of the festival, and that my film will be promptly taken down upon the festival s conclusion. This year, DC Shorts is creating an online channel called the DC Shorts Online Film Festival where we plan to show this year s films throughout the duration of the festival. Festival VIPs and those with access codes will be allowed to view films during the festival (September 19 September 29), and we will take care of the encoding and the technical details. The films will be taken down immediately following the conclusion of the festival. PLEASE REMEMBER THE DEADLINES Fri., July 5 Deadline to complete Acceptance Agreement dcshorts.com/welcome2013 Mon., July 15 Deadline to approve catalog description Page 7 Fri., July 19 Deadline to receive final screening materials Page 4 Deadline to send URL for film trailer or preview Page 7 Fri., July 26 Deadline to upload Bumper Video Page 6 Deadline to request housing and passes Page 4 Fri., Sept. 6 Deadline to change names on Filmmaker Passes Page 5 DC Shorts 2013 Filmmaker Acceptance Information Page 7

1317 F STREET NW, SUITE #920 \ WASHINGTON, DC \ \ DCSHORTS.COM

$1317 F STREET NW, SUITE #920 \ WASHINGTON, DC \ \ DCSHORTS.COM$ 1317 F STREET NW, SUITE #920 \ WASHINGTON, DC 20004 \ 202-393-4266 \ DCSHORTS.COM CONGRATULATIONS! Out of 1,300 films, we have selected your entry to be included in the 2016 DC Shorts Film Festival from