October 9 - 11, 2020
1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from October 29, 2019- May 1, 2020. The early deadline is March 1, 2020 and the regular deadline is April 1, 2020; the late deadline is May 1, 2020 Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.
2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener ONLY.
We do not accept subsequent cuts or more complete versions of submitted films, therefore changing or updating the originally submitted link is not accepted.
3. Submission Eligibility
- There is no premiere policy for short films and music videos.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
4. Premiere Status
- Feature Films must be at least USA Premieres: they must not have been released in the USA on any format, nor screened publicly online.
If, after you submit, the premiere status of your feature film changes rendering it no longer available for at least USA premiere, please let us know immediately and withdraw your film from submissions.
- There is no Premiere policy for short films and music videos, they may have screened at other Festivals and/or online.
5. Submission Fee
All submissions for Melanin Pride Festival are to be paid through FilmFreeway platform. The submission fee is non-refundable.
6. Shipping
If selected your DCP/Blu-Ray should be sent to: TBA (venue location of screening)
If the film is selected for the Festival all shipping and postage costs for DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from Melanin Pride Festival must be borne by the submitting party. Melanin Pride Festival will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. Melanin Pride Festival will not absorb any fees. All charges must be pre-paid.
7. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production
- Independent nature of the production
8. Notification
Melanin Pride Festival completes all selection procedures by May 20, 2020 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Melanin Pride Festival Package that will include important information on shipping the DCP to the Festival, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.
9. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) in order to be screened at the Melanin Proud Festival, as well as a backup Blu-ray. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the DCP and Blu-ray. All foreign language films MUST contain English subtitles files.
A selected DCP must be received at Melanin Pride Festival no later than forty-five (60) days prior to its scheduled screening date.
Our partners cinema uses pin sharp Sony 4K Digital Cinema projection, making DCP screenings look incredible. Melanin Pride Festival aspires to provide the best quality projection possible but will not be held liable for any failure in the technical quality of the projection, nor will fees be refunded in any such case. Melanin Pride Festival assumes that the submitting party or filmmaker(s) or entrant(s) or print source company has insured for damage and loss of the festival DCP.
10. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled at the discretion of Melanin Pride Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Melanin Pride Festival reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Melanin Pride Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection.