GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS OF FILMS ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE INSPIRED BY THE CREATIVE PROMPTS TIME, LEGACY, DEVOTION AND ASPIRATION FILMS The Film Festival will encourage entries from artists interested in video production. Artists will showcase their talent and abilities with regard to the various components of filmmaking, including producing, directing, writing, motion graphics, animation, experimental storytelling and acting. Showcase talent, innovation, and creativity from all levels of proficiency Enable individual expression through film, an inclusive medium that is now accessible to a wider population through technology and features available on mobile devices Promote skills and careers in film Approach The International Film Festival will screen films and include panel discussions with artists to allow audience members to learn firsthand how the films were conceptualised. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES Entries will be categorised as Documentary, Fiction, Experimental or Abstract piece, including music montage or artistic expression showcased in moving images. The festival invites all levels of proficiency, and artists are not limited by genre or equipment used. CATEGORY DESCRIPTION Under 5 minutes Short film submissions totaling 5 minutes or less in duration Under 15 minutes Short film submissions totaling 15 minutes or less in duration The festival invites all levels of proficiency, and artists are not limited by genre or equipment used.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ARTISTS Artists will be required to provide certain additional information with their submissions of Art. We recommend collecting this information in the artist s local language as well as an English translation. Biodata Artist biography, including name, birthdate, region and country Artistic background and experience (including relevant education, training, previous credits) Links to portfolios or collections of published work (website, FaceBook page, videos, etc.) Submitted as narrative (up to 250 words) or in a form with fields for individual responses Submission Background Submission Summary Art in the making Credits Film Artwork Funding sources Primary language of film Production details, including date made (must be within 2017), equipment used, budget, locations, sponsorships Original sources (e.g. if the story or music is based on another piece Narrative summary (up to 500 words) describing the concept of the submission; how the work incorporates the creative prompts (devotion, legacy, time, and aspiration); and rationale for chosen mediums. This summary will be reviewed by judges as part of the evaluation process. Video narrative (1 minute) or series of images in which the artist 1) tells their story or professional history and 2) demonstrates the progression of the submission from concept to draft to final artwork Names of crewmembers: Actors, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound Artist, Art Director, Make up Artists Any other collaborators Special thanks (e.g., to government entities) Image file to be used a movie poster or icon for the film. Digital format must be JPEG (.jpg or.jpeg) at a resolution of 72dpi or 800x600 pixels Details about external funding sources or sponsors of the film
ENTRY GUIDELINES These guidelines apply to all submission categories for the Film Festival. Submissions will be assessed against these guidelines for the IAF. Note that artists may collaborate in producing a piece of art; there is no maximum number of artists for any submission. Duration Films are categorised by durations of under 5 minutes or under 15 minutes. Times are calculated from the first frame (audio or visual) to last frame (end of the film). Film time does not include credits. Language All films must have subtitles in English, including those scripted in English. The subtitles must be integrated into the image. Stock Footage Stock footage is permitted as long as it is justified and fits the film, story, and creative ideas of the filmmaker in telling the story. Filmmakers must be able to demonstrate that they have acquired appropriate licenses to use stock footage. File Format Files of films will only be accepted in the following formats: Video: MP4, MOV, Quicktime Audio:.MP3,.AAC,.WAV Compression must be H.264 to ensure compatible file sizes. If a film advances to the International Film Festival, filmmakers may also be asked to submit DVDs Digital submissions File Size: maximum size of 4GB Frame Rate: accepted options include: 24fps, 25fps, 30fps. Resolution: Full HD (1920 1080), 2K (2048 1080) or 4K (3840 2160) Aspect Ratio: 1:2.35 (Cinemascope), 16:9 (Widescreen), or 4:3 (Square)
JUDGING CRITERIA Storyline and Theme - Identification and application of creative prompts; clarity, depth, relevance, originality of the storyline; dialogue, flow, writing/script, entertainment value, significance Direction and Production Design - Shot structure, storytelling, look and feel, creativity, coherence, symbolic style, use of props, visual scheme, set dressing, set design, mood of visual style Editing - Thematic relevance, style (does it work with the theme), flow, tricks for intention (jump cuts, inserts), appropriate use of transition grading, colouring, subtitling Sound Design - Clarity, audio sync with dialogue or sound effects, choice and use of sound effects, music, soundtracks, voiceover/ background effects, sound balance Cinematography - Lighting, camera work, range of complicated shots (e.g. vertigo shot), camera angles, composition, framing, creativity Performance/Character - Acting, mood, realism, character depth, emotional connection with viewer Visual Effects - Effective use of CGI (computer generated imagery), post production, green screen work Special Effects/Stunts - (anything done in extreme - Use of fire or explosions, relevance, reality of stunts and effects)
Film Examples NARRATIVE In a narrative or fictional film content is imagined and not necessarily based on facts. The story can represent real events, but these will have been adapted into a fictional or made-up story. ACTION Action is a film genre in which the protagonist(s) face a series of conflicts that typically include physical feats or frantic chases. COMEDY Comedy is a genre of film designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Characteristics are often exaggerated for comedic effect. DRAMA Drama films are serious presentations or stories about settings or life situations that portray realistic characters in conflict with themselves, others, or forces of nature. SCIENCE FICTION Science fiction films (or sci-fi) use speculative, fictional science-based depictions of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science. ADVENTURE Adventure films are about the conquests and explorations of a protagonist. Often the main focus is the pursuit of the unknown.
Film Examples - DOCUMENTARY A documentary is a film using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject. The goal might be for the purposes of instruction, education, or maintaining a historical record. In some cases, a documentary film may rely on voice-over narration to describe what is happening in the footage; in others, the images speak for themselves without commentary. Biographical documentaries recount events and experiences in the life of an individual, living or dead. A comedy documentary is composed of comic material presented in documentary style and is usually a report on a particular theme or issue, using the same investigative and reporting methods used to gather the material for a serious documentary. Historical documentaries narrate a factual story from a period in history. Educational/Environmental/Social/ Political Topics - These are documentaries where the story includes information about environmental, educational or social topics
Film Examples - EXPERIMENTAL An Experimental film can be fictional or nonfictional and typically uses highly creative or abstract ways of expressing its themes. It explores alternatives to traditional narratives or methods of working. Experimental cinema, also known as avant-garde cinema, mainly looks at breaking stereotypes of filmmaking, allowing filmmakers to explore without boundaries. For the IAF, this category would also include films that do not fit into other categories: Educational/Environmental/Social Topics Musicals (films composed of song and dance) Animations Visual poetry (Poems recited on video) Non narrative documentaries (picture montages) Film Examples - ABSTRACT Could include music montage or artistic expression showcased in moving images.