To be considered for competition, films must have been completed after January 1, 2015. Entries completed before that date and entries that do not meet our premiere requirements will be considered for our non-competitive section and should be submitted to the Out of Competition category.
All submissions must be paid and post-marked by the deadline date for consideration. We cannot grant fee waivers or discounts.
The Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMMfest) will accept submissions in the following categories:
NARRATIVE FEATURE (45 minutes or more)
NARRATIVE SHORT (less than 45 minutes)
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE (45 minutes or more) (includes filmed performances and concert films)
DOCUMENTARY SHORT (less than 45 minutes) (includes filmed performances and concert films)
ANIMATION (less than 45 minutes)
ORIGINAL SCORE (a film of any genre with an outstanding original music score that strongly forwards the narrative)
KILLER SOUNDTRACK (a film of any genre with an outstanding soundtrack that strongly forwards the narrative)
MUSIC VIDEO (maximum 15 minutes)
STUDENT FILM (shorts of any type or genre, no music requirements, made by current students)
All categories may also submit as OUT OF COMPETITION.
Eligibility Rules
CIMMfest reserves the right to determine eligibility and category of any work submitted.
Entries that have aired on US television or that have screened in Chicago, or are available on DVD or on the internet (except shorts and music videos) prior to the Festival will not be considered for the competition section of the festival.
Entries must be completed on or after January 1, 2015 to be considered for competition.
Works in progress are NOT eligible.
All entries must be submitted on a BluRay (NTSC/PAL); or Region 0 or 1 DVD (preferred) (PAL or NTSC). Entries may also submit as .MOV file on flash drive, or through a secure web link. Web links will not be viewed or considered until full entry fee is received.
**Entries marked as a Student Submission must provide a copy of student ID.**
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All submitted materials become property of CIMMfest and will not be returned. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry. Entrant will allow usage of clips from the entry for promotional use on television, on the radio, in print, on the internet, and at live Festival events or Festival sponsored events. Exceptions to the Festival regulations must be authorized by the CIMMfest Entry Coordinator. Except Music Videos, all entries must either be in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles or with supplementary printed translations will be automatically disqualified. By submitting an entry, you are saying that you have read and agree with the guidelines of the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMMfest). All statements you have made in this document/form are true, and you certify that you have cleared all rights for this film and understand that no officers, employees, or agents of the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival (CIMMfest) can be held liable for the contents of or damage to the film. Your entry into this competition grants the festival the rights that have been stated in these guidelines. By submitting, you hereby agree to the rules and regulations set by the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival.