Washington DC Independent Film Festival (February 15-20, 2017) CALL FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS Deadlines: Early: Sept. 25 Regular: Nov. 28 Final: Dec. 4, 2016 ****** Overview: DCIFF does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age or disability; nor on the basis of film genre (we do not accept adult films), length or format. Selections are made on a mix of production quality, originality, wow-factor, smarts, beauty and, where relevant, social value. DCIFF values the independent spirit, including in experimental and art films and is willing to take programming risks. DCIFF is expanding the animation showcase, experimental film, work by those 18 and under and interactive installations. It is our intention to give all submissions equal opportunity reviewing. All submissions are first screened by one reviewer and then the programming director. We do not program until after we have selected the films and do not have pre-established screening categories EXCEPT: our designated horror night, Poli- Docs our 2017 political sidebar in competition and the High School Film Competition. We usually screen animation and experimental films together and often screen shorts before feature films. DC Premiere required, East Coast & U.S. Premieres preferred: We expend great effort promoting selected films and have helped many on the road to success with films receiving major awards and distribution deals after screenings at DCIFF. We can only achieve this if: the film is less than one year old (November 2015 and after), it has not been screened in the Metro DC area (private screenings excepted), and it is not publically available online. Our low submission fees pay for press, screenings, seminars and outreach. Student, DCIFF Alumni and High School Submissions: Special submission rates apply with proof of status. College and university students must show a valid ID; DCIFF alumni must submit name & year of film screened at DCIFF; and High School students may submit after they graduated in Summer 2016 with a student ID or a note from a teacher stating that this project was completed while at school. What Happens Next? We will let you know your submission has arrived and is ready for review. Finalists announced around January 1, 2017. If your film is not in the finalist list and we have not informed you beforehand, we apologize in advance for our slow process. Submission Categories Features are all fiction films more than 40 minutes of length Shorts are both fiction films up to 20 minutes in length and those between 21 to 40 minutes in length for awards purposes. Submission fees are based on project length. Animation are non-live action films, including claymation and computer animation; all lengths
Documentaries are all non-fiction films of all lengths: awards are handed out in both the feature documentary (over 40mins.) and the short documentary categories. Experimental: For submission purposes, these are shorts or animation. High School Student Films: 2017 is the fourth year of a separate competition for high school student work less than 30 minutes which allows DCIFF to spotlight the creative energy of those under 19 years old without having them compete with seasoned filmmakers. CONTACT: (202) 338-1198 / Questions to: dciffsubmissions@gmail.com Submission Formats/Fees: Please note: We do NOT return submission DVDs or digital hosts. 2 copies required (2 formats sometimes avoids screening problems during the review process) DVD (Region 0 and 1 and, if needed, PAL). Check ALL screeners before sending!! Digital: (eg:.mov/.mpeg/. 2) on USB drives (We cannot accept large files via our email system) Vimeo private screening room with a valid private password to January 10th, 2017, emailed with VIMEO and film title in the subject line to dciffsubmissions@gmail.com Project Duration: By Sept. 25, 2016 Deadline By Nov. 28, 2016 Deadline By Dec. 4 th Late Deadline All Projects over 40 minutes in length $30 $40 $55 Documentaries over 40 mins.in length $30 $40 $48 All Projects 20 to 40 minutes (docs, $25 $30 $40 shorts, animation) All Projects to 20 minutes (docs, shorts, $20 $25 $35 animation) Projects less than 3 minutes (docs, Free $15 $25 shorts, animation) High School Students (to 19 years of age) Free Free $25 Student films (over 20 mins.) Free $25 $35 Student films (less than 20 mins.) Free $20 $30 DCIFF Alumni* (to 40 mins.) Free As regular minus $5 As regular minus $5 DCIFF Alumni* (over 40 mins,) Free As regular minus $10 As regular minus $5 To pay Submission fees (we rarely consider waivers) either: Send check, money order or international money order payable to DC Independent Film Festival WITH your complete application package to: Submissions, c/o Evans-Pritchard, DC Independent Film Festival, 1435 Holly Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012. OR via PayPal by requesting a link at dciffsubmissions@gmail.com. Then mail us your application package as listed below. Students: attach a valid copy of your student ID to get preferential student rates. Student films is NOT an award category for the festival. * DCIFF Alumni: Include date/ name of the film screened at DCIFF on the form.
Checklist for the submission package: 1 Signed completed entry form (located below) 1 Submission fee or printout of PayPal payment 2 2 copies of properly labeled DVDs (preferred) or USB flash drives (film title, name of the director, completion date, length, email contact) 1 DCIFF Alum Proof /Student ID/High School Student ID 2 Photos (jpeg only) - 1 color photo of the director and 1 color production still (jpeg only). Send on a CD or digitally to : dciffsubmissions@gmail.com Optional: Press kits (brochures, cards, press clips, etc) Send complete package to: D. Evans-Pritchard, DC Independent Film Festival 1435 Holly Street, NW, Washington, DC 20012 COMPLETE THE FORM AND WAIVER/ LEGAL UNDERSTANDING BELOW PLEASE
Film Submission Form: 18 th Annual Festival, February 15-20, 2017 Film Title in ENGLISH Film Title in Original Language Film Type: Select One or Two: feature/ short/ animation/ documentary/ experimental/ high school student film Genre: e.g. drama, comedy, thriller, horror, political Shooting Format Select One: Film / Tape/ Digital/ Phone Screening Format (standard Select One: 35mm/ HD/ DCP /Blueray/ NTSC DVD / File-based DVDs only used as backups ) digital/ Other: Running Time Month/Year of Completion Premiere Status Sign and date to guarantee to DCIFF that this would be a Metro DC premiere Film Synopsis (about 100 words) Select One: World/ US East Coast/ Mid Atlantic/ DC Director First Name
Director Last Name Metro DC Filmmaker (for award purposes only) Have you shown a film at DCIFF before? (film title & year) Student Filmmaker(school name) High School Filmmaker (school name) Number of films the director has made (including shorts) Yes/ No Yes: Film Title and Year No Yes/ No Yes/ No If yes, remember to attach a brief description of how your film came about please List Titles and Year (or attach bio) Any festivals/awards for this film? Director s Brief Biography (or attached) Contact Person/Role Contact Email Contact Telephone Does this film have a distribution agreement? If Yes, Distribution Company Name and Contact Producer Yes: No: Cinematographer Writer Music Composer Main Cast
Production Company Address Phone Fax Email Website Submission Screener Format If relevant: Online Screener Home Page and Password If this film has premiered, when and when please Anything else we should know? And anything else?
Terms of Submission Legal Information: Review and Sign - I am authorized to submit this film to the Washington, DC Independent Film Festival for consideration and have read, understood and agreed to all entry requirements. - I authorize DCIFF to post up to 3 minutes of all entries submitted on related websites for promotional purposes only. - I understand that no film accepted for screening in competition at DCIFF may be withdrawn without the express written permission of DCIFF. In the event that a screening print is not delivered or in the case of technical issues, DCIFF reserves the right to screen publicly the DVD submission tape unless other arrangements have been made with you, the filmmaker. - I release DCIFF from all responsibility for any and all film loss or damage. I understand that my submission copies will not be returned. - I promise to contact DCIFF immediately regarding any changes to the information above, including Premiere status of my film or exhibition format. Failure to provide complete and updated information or failure to submit an exhibition copy of my film by the above-stated deadlines may cause the elimination of my film from competition. - All rights and permissions are in place for my submission (it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to obtain any and all necessary rights and permissions). - By submitting my film for consideration, I grant permission to DCIFF to use any portion of my film and related materials for promotion in all media, including DCIFF catalogues, flyers, posters and the DCIFF website. - I am DULY authorized to submit this film to the Washington, DC Independent Film Festival and its competition ( DCIFF ) and I have read, understood and agreed to all entry requirements. - All submitted films are in competition. - All of the above information and statements are accurate. Signed Name: Date: Title as regards this film submission: