7th Annual Filmshift Film Festival

Online submissions preferred (Vimeo link, FilmFreeway interface) though we do accept DVD's.

As independent filmmakers ourselves, we at Filmshift understand both the financial sacrifice and the emotional cost of producing or writing a film and submitting it to festivals. We hope that you find room in your budget to submit your work to The Filmshift Festival and we look forward to viewing your work.

You can apply to either the May or October Festivals or apply to both with a separate entry fee for each.

Films entered for consideration can be completed in any year, but except in “special cases,” films completed after January 1st, 2013 will receive priority over those completed before.
Entry fees are not refundable for any reason.
Filmmakers local to the New England area who are selected are asked to have at least one Representative (producer, director, or lead actor) take part in a Q&A session immediately following their screening(s)
To be considered for screening at the festival, entries must be on DVD NTSC (please test the DVD before sending.) Please format DVD’s for multi-zone or Zone 1 (North America.)Clearly label DVD’s with title of production. Each tape must contain only one production; putting multiple entries on a single DVD will cause delays and may result in your film being rejected.
If selected to screen at the festival, the filmmaker must provide either a playable DVD NTSC or a Beta-SP copy for projection at least 7 business days prior to the scheduled screening.
Films in competition cannot be tied to a Domestic Distribution Deal. Films that have screened on US national network or cable television or distributed to public non-local theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.However, films that have acquired non-local distribution may be considered for special screenings.
All commercial/private property including, but not limited to, all trademarked and/or copyrighted materials shown or recorded within the film is the sole responsibility of the filmmaker. The FilmShift Festival does not take responsibility for any legal claims of trademark or copyright infringement against the film, the film’s producers, or for publically exhibiting the film. The filmmaker assumes all responsibility for any and all legal claims arising from exhibition of the film at The FilmShift Festival.
Participants agree that their film or clips from it and all other material related to their project may be used and/or published in the event program, FilmShift web site, and for any promotional purposes that FilmShift Festival deems appropriate.
FilmShift holds no responsibility for lost or damaged prints. While the utmost care will be taken with regard to prints, it is solely up to the filmmaker to take full responsibility for insuring the safety and value of their film copies.
The FilmShift Festival will make our best effort to ensure that the correct title and credits are listed on festival materials but will not be held liable for inadvertent errors and omissions. We reserve the right to adjust dates and times of film screenings, without notice. FilmShift will not be held responsible for delays or cancellations due to equipment failure, shipping delays, the condition of the film, or similar situations.
Viewing tapes and/or promotional materials will not be returned to the filmmaker.Please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.
Upon request, Filmmakers entering the Student category must provide valid proof of matriculation at an accredited High School, university, or college.
Filmmakers entering the Student category who are under 18 years of age, must have a parent or legal guardian sign their entry form.
By submitting your film to The FilmShift Festival, you attest that you have read and understand these Guidelines and Rules, hold all necessary rights to screen the entered film publicly, and are authorized to grant and does hereby grant said rights to The FilmShift Festival.
The organizers of the FilmShift Film Festival reserve the right to rule on cases not covered by these rules and regulations.
The Participation Agreement contained on the official Festival Entry Form must be signed, or “checked” if using the online version. Please note that signing or checking the participation agreement is legally binding.
Selection for screening in the festival will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Filmmakers will be notified of their status by email, whether their film(s) was accepted into the festival or not.