RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR 2020 SUBMISSIONS
The following is an explanation of the Rules and Guidelines governing the submissions of a film to the 2020 Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is necessary in order to participate in the Film Festival. Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of the Rules & Guidelines, therefore, please carefully read through the Rules prior to submitting your film. If you have any questions, please contact the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival: contact@santafeiff.com or 505-349-1414.
1. The Santa Fe Independent Film Festival accepts submissions for films in the following categories: International, Animated, Documentary, Experimental, Narrative Feature, Narrative Short (under 45 minutes), Indigenous, New Mexican, Virtual Reality and Student Film.
2. The Entrant/s submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, as well as all necessary clearances for public exhibition.
3. The Filmmaker/s retain/s all submission and intellectual property rights.
4. New Mexico Premiere is required in most cases. Please contact SFiFF office with any questions.
5. Films may be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway OR mail a completed submission form and correct entry fee with a Vimeo link and password. If film is selected, we do require a DCP.
6. The Filmmaker/s is/are responsible for making sure all submission materials are submitted by the submission deadline indicated. If your film does not arrive or is not uploaded by the deadline for which you have registered, you may be required to pay the higher submission fee or withdrawn.
7. The following concerns submission deadlines and submission fees. Note, the deadlines are not the postmark dates, but the dates by which the submission must be in the SFiFF office or registered with FilmFreeway. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Submission fees are in are U.S. Dollars per submission and is non-refundable. These fees may be paid by check, cashier’s check, money order, or by Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) made payable to: Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. Cash is not accepted.
8. If a film received 50% or more of its funding from sources outside of the United States, the film can only be submitted as an International Film. If a film received 50% or more of its funding from sources within the United States, the film can only be submitted as a Domestic Film.
9. Subtitles must be in English.
10. Please test your media prior to submission to make sure they run properly and are not damaged. Please keep screener links and passwords up-to-date and notify the SFiFF office promptly with any changes.
11. Filmmakers are allowed to submit more than one film for the Festival provided that each film is submitted separately and meet SFiFF guidelines.
12. Filmmakers are allowed to re-submit a film that was previously submitted provided significant changes were made and all eligibility requirements are met. When re-submitting the film, include a brief letter detailing the changes made.
13. A student submitting a film must provide a photocopy of a current and valid student ID or a letter from his/her school verifying enrollment.
14. If you would like your materials returned after the festival, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
15. Entrants may contact the SFiFF to find out if the Festival received the submission: jena@santafeindependent.com or (505) 349-1414. Filmmakers submitting through FilmFreeway can check their status through the website.
16. The Filmmaker is responsible for all inbound shipping costs, domestic or international.
17. All personal contact information is to remain confidential and not to be shared with any third parties.
18. SFiFF reserves the right to use images from films selected in the Festival for marketing purposes.
19. All decisions regarding award winners are considered final and incontestable.
20. All films submitted must have been completed between September 2018 and 2020.
21. Applicants acknowledge that SFiFF reserves the right to change the nature of screenings and events due to circumstances related to public health and welfare or at the direction of local, state, or federal authorities. In such cases, no submission refunds shall be issued.