GENERAL RULES
LENGTH: Films for the competition will be in two categories and these times must include all titles and credits:
Short Film: 45 minute maximum
Feature Film: 65-150 minutes
STUDENT FILMMAKERS (22 and under) Please indicate the ages of film's writer, director, & producer in your submission.
FILMMAKERS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD: Please have a parent or legal guardian submit film on your behalf.
PREVIEW "SCREENER" FORMAT: All films should be uploaded or submitted on DVD or BLU-RAY. We require TWO DVDs, or TWO BLU-RAYs depending on media you choose to send. Please properly label (see below).
ONE FILM PER DISK: Please make sure there is only one film per DISK, multiple submissions require multiple entry fees and separate disks.
PRIZES: Prizes differ each year and will be announced as soon as we secure them from sponsors before the festival takes place..
SUBTITLES: All non-English language films must be subtitled or dubbed in English.
ENTRY FEES: Are non-refundable.
LABELING: YOUR SUBMISSION MUST BE LABELED PROPERLY TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION.
LABELING FILMS: Put the FilmFreeway tracking number on the envelope you are using to send in the submission. Please insure your DISK is clearly labeled on BOTH the DISC cover and the DISC itself in below format:
FILM TITLE
TOTAL RUN TIME
CONTACT NAME & PHONE NUMBER
CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS
FilmFreeway TRACKING NUMBER
DO NOT PUT STICKER LABELS ON DISCS, as they peel off and get caught in the players. Professionally painted discs, Permanent Marker or LightScribe labeling are best to label your Discs.
LABELING SCREENPLAYS: On cover page, include title, page count, writer's name, contact phone number, email address, and FilmFreeway tracking number.
Professionally mastered DISKS are preferred for ease of use in various brand-name players.
AFTER SUBMISSION ACCEPTANCE: In order for your title to be included in the Festival, you must agree to provide the following materials to SPIFF within 14 days of acceptance:
1. For film, at least one screen shot of the title, and box art if available. Image must be in jpg format, 300 dpi,
2. If available, a trailer of the program in digital format.
3. Exhibition format(s) of your project, delivered no later than 14 days after acceptance (BluRay preferred).
4. Copies of press releases and additional press materials.
5. If you have costume characters, swag, or would be available to appear at the festival, please let us know in an email once your title is accepted.
6. In addition to the Exhibition Copy of your film (DVD, BLU-RAY, Film or HDCam: dependent on the venue we place you in and its available formats), we also require 3 DVD DISK copies for the industry jury of the competition. These DVDs will NOT be returned.
SPIFF prefers BLU-RAY for festival screenings of High-Definition Films. Filmmakers screen DVD's & Blu-Ray's at their own risk. If a participant chooses to screen their movie on DVD, they must send an additional 2 copies professionally mastered to insure against skipping. We also require back-up copies for all Blu-Ray discs in the form of 1 Blu-Ray AND 1 DVD. MAKE SURE THEY ARE FULLY TESTED AND FUNCTIONAL ON AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT KINDS OF BRAND NAME PLAYERS BEFORE YOU SEND THEM.
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, SPIFF website and for any promotional purposes which SPIFF deems appropriate, for that current year of submission.
SPIFF 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 (i.e.insurance). The cost of delivery and pick-up of all materials is the responsibility of the filmmaker.
If selected, all commercial/private property including all trademark/copyrighted materials shown or recorded on the project is the responsibility of the filmmaker. SPIFF will NOT take responsibility for any infringement of copy written materials.