WELCOME Sheffield Doc/Fest Film Submission Guidelines 2016-2017 We are delighted to welcome submissions for short, medium length and feature films for consideration for the 2017 Sheffield Doc/Fest programme. Sheffield Doc/Fest is open to all sectors of film and media production. We encourage documentary submissions from independent filmmakers, established or debut filmmakers, multi-platform and digital artists, cooperatives, distributors, media institutions and educational institutions. Film Programme The Sheffield Doc/Fest Film programme offers filmmakers an essential platform to launch their films at one of the world s leading documentary festivals, and allows audiences to experience these first through World, International, European and UK premieres. The Festival screens over 160 films features and shorts with the 2016 programme featuring documentaries from the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and Africa 40% of screened films were directed and/or produced by women. Sheffield Doc/Fest looks to push the boundaries of documentary through a carefully curated programme that sets trends, responds to hot topics and sparks debate. The Festival invites audiences to witness windows into other people s worlds and to meet the makers the big names both on screen and behind the camera. Dates of Sheffield Doc/Fest Friday 9 June Wednesday 14 June 2017
Below are the guidelines for submission to Sheffield Doc/Fest. Sheffield Doc/Fest anticipates accepting over 2000 submissions this year so please read through this document carefully to ensure that your submission is eligible. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES Short films (40 minutes duration or less including credits) Medium length films (41-59 minutes duration including credits) Feature films (films over 60 minutes) Submitted films must have English dialogue or English subtitles. Transcripts to films will not be accepted. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit documentaries completed after 1 June 2016. Films previously submitted to Doc/Fest are not eligible, even if the film has changed significantly since the last time it has been submitted. There is no limit to the number of films that can be submitted by any one individual/organisation, though one form must be completed per entry. Due to the volume of entries received, Doc/Fest cannot offer feedback or individual comments for films not included in the programme. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials included within the submitted films. Doc/Fest will not be held responsible for the unauthorised inclusion of any copyrighted materials within or related to the submitted film. Doc/Fest reserves the right to disqualify any film with any unauthorised inclusion or copyrighted materials. We do not accept rough cuts. Films should be presented in picture lock or fine cut. If you would like to submit a rough cut for consideration but intend to update the link, please contact Joe Cutts (films@sidf.co.uk) for authorisation to do so.
HOW TO ENTER Sending in your entry You must complete an online submission form in order to be considered for Sheffield Doc/Fest. Your film will not be viewed if your submission form is incomplete and in a draft stage. Please note that we are only able to accept submitted films on Vimeo or via file transfer. Please refer to the Technical Guidelines section below for guidance. Please read the film submission guidelines thoroughly before completing the online form. If you submit your film online you are not required to print out and post your submission form. DEADLINE/ SUBMISSION FEES Early Bird submission charges: 20+VAT (Films 40 minutes or under) 26+VAT (Films 41 minutes or longer) Deadline: 12:00 (midday) GMT 7 November 2016 Standard submission charges: 26+VAT (Films 40 minutes or under) 35+VAT (Films 41 minutes or longer) Deadline: 12:00 (midday) GMT 7 February 2017 Last minute submission charges: 30+VAT (Films 40 minutes or under) 40+VAT (Films 41 minutes or longer) Deadline: 12:00 (midday) GMT 23 February 2017 The entry fee is non-refundable. VAT You are about to submit your project to a UK-based organisation. If you are a business based in another EU country, this is a reverse charge supply. If you are a business based outside the EU then UK VAT will not be charged; however you may be required to account for local VAT in your own country. UK VAT will be charged on all submissions from the UK, and on all submissions made by individuals.
Student productions Film and media schools and tertiary institutions entering more than 1 film are eligible for discounted entry. A representative of the educational institution must contact Joe Cutts (films@sidf.co.uk) to request a group discount. Students cannot negotiate submission discounts individually. Only graduation films are accepted from a film school/university. Doc/Fest will not accept documentary exercises. Short and medium length films made as part of tertiary work are eligible for the Student Doc Award. Films are nominated at the festival s discretion. SELECTION PROCESS Please note that all submitted films are viewed by members of the Sheffield Doc/Fest previewing team, consisting of industry professionals from across the world. Your film may be screened by several members of the previewing team and programming team before a decision is made. Films are selected by the Director of Film Programming in conjunction with the CEO & Festival Director and the Film Programme Team. The primary contact listed in your submission form will be contacted about the status of your entry by 28 April 2017. DOC/PLAYER Sheffield Doc/Fest's Doc/Player (Formerly MarketPlayer) is a fully digitised film library, offering one of the best platforms in the world to promote documentaries seeking sales, distribution and screening opportunities. The online library contains over 200 films, including a selection from the Doc/Fest film programme and a number of other new documentaries on a range of global subjects. The Doc/Player is available online to all Doc/Fest pass holders during the Festival and for three months thereafter. A curated selection of film submissions will be invited to participate in Doc/Fest s Doc/Player. It gives your film access and great visibility to many programmers, buyers, decision makers and broadcasters who attend the festival and Marketplace every year. Films on Doc/Player will be available online. Doc/Player will give a great opportunity for visibility and promotion of your film for potential acquisition and sales. Only submitted films will be considered for the Doc/Player. If your film is not selected for the official programme but you are interested in participating in the Doc/Player please indicate this on your submission form. If you are selected for Doc/Player you will be notified by late April 2017. Films which are selected in the programme will be included in the Doc/Player free of charge. For those films not selected in the programme, there will be a fee charged.
TECHNICAL GUIDELINES Please note that we are only able to accept film submission on Vimeo or via file transfer. Remember to provide a direct link to your film. Please make sure the video is accessible to Sheffield Doc/Fest until 28 April 2017. You must have completed your online film submission form in order for Sheffield Doc/Fest to view your film online. Links to films sent via email without a submission number will not be accepted. Vimeo 1. Sign up for a Vimeo account. You may need to sign up for the Plus account if you are uploading more than 500MB (5GB max on Vimeo Plus) 2. Upload your video. (Note: the uploading speed is often slow. Please allow 7-8 hours for your film to be fully uploaded.) 3. Password protect your film and please remember to provide the correct password in your submission form. If the password changes, please notify Joe Cutts (films@sidf.co.uk) with the new password. 4. Please name your video the same as the title of your film in your submission form. 5. Please ensure that when you fill in the submission form, you enter the direct link to your film and password. File Transfer 1. Please specify on the Film Submission form which File Transfer Service you are using, including the URL to download the film. If the download link changes, please notify Joe Cutts (films@sidf.co.uk) with the new updated version. 2. Please make sure that film title matches the one submitted on your online form. 3. Please label the file in the following format Film Title / Submission Number 4. Downloads must be no bigger than 2.5GB 5. Doc/Fest will then download your film for viewing. 6. Films we receive through transfer are deleted after previewing. Thank you for your submission we look forward to viewing it!
SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST AWARD CATEGORIES Sheffield Doc/Fest honours the best of our programme with several awards. All films selected for the official programme are considered for awards. Films solely invited to the Sheffield Doc/Fest s Doc/Player are not eligible. The films for all awards are nominated by the Director of Film Programming and the CEO & Festival Director. Grand Jury Award Chosen from a selection of some of the best films in the programme, the Grand Jury Award will honour one film that best displays excellence in style, substance and approach to documentary filmmaking. Environmental Award The Sheffield Doc/Fest Environmental Award is given to the documentary that best addresses or raises awareness of the environmental challenges faced by the world. Short Doc Award This award honours the short films in the Festival, made by new and established filmmakers from across the world. The winner of the Short Doc Award at Doc/Fest will go on to qualify for the 2017 Academy Awards. Student Doc Award The best student films coming from schools and universities around the world are in consideration for the Student Doc Award. Youth Jury Award Awarded to a film that is most engaging for young audiences. Judged and presented by the Sheffield Doc/Fest Youth Jury. Audience Award (Feature Doc) Awarded to the most popular feature film in the official programme as voted by the audience. Audience Award (Short Doc) Awarded to the most popular short film in the official programme as voted by the audience. Tim Hetherington Award Awarded to one film in the programme that best displays humanist values, bravery in production and artistic endeavour.
ABOUT SHEFFIELD DOC/FEST Sheffield Doc/Fest is a world leading and the UK s premier documentary festival, celebrating the art and business of documentary and all non-fiction visual storytelling. Operating in the heart of Sheffield, we re a hub for all documentary and nonfiction content across all platforms, from feature length to shorts, and including interactive and virtual reality projects. The Festival comprises: - Film programme for the very best international screenings; - Alternate Realities for digital and interactive innovation; - Talks & Sessions to inspire, inform and debate; - Marketplace for international business; - Live events and networking; - All Year screenings and training for outside the festival period. Our guest speakers and decision makers contribute their insights and expertise across the Festival programmes and throughout the Festival: we encourage Doc/Festival goers to be inspired by all the festival programmes and disciplines, for the richest and most cohesive six-day experience. Every year, we re proud to connect thousands of creatives with industry players in a nurturing environment, resulting in the discovery of new talent, new collaborations, and new commissions and funding for cinema, television and online. We aim to create a festival experience that is creatively inspiring, and the place for pioneering and innovative filmmakers, ideas, projects, debate and thinking. Sheffield Doc/Fest welcomes over 32,700 Festival goers each year, including over 3,500 industry delegates from over 60 countries. This year, the Festival will take place 9-14 June 2017. We are looking forward to welcoming you!