DEFINITIONS OF CATEGORIES & TERMS
SIFF 2020 Film Submissions FAQ sheet
By submitting your film, you will be added to our mailing list in order to notify you of your entry's status as well as news about the festival.
Feature Length Film:
A narrative, animated or experimental film 31+ minutes in length.
Short Film:
A narrative, animated or experimental film 30 minutes or less in length.
Documentary Feature Film:
A documentary film 31+ minutes in length.
Documentary Short Film:
A documentary film 30 minutes or less in length.
Episodic:
A narrative, animated or experimental story that is told in a series, often on the web and 30 minutes or less in length. (See additional Episodic submission details below)*
Print Source:
The company or representative that will be providing the film print to the festival (this is not the film lab).
World Sales Company:
The company or representative that is in charge of selling the film rights worldwide.
--
*EPISODIC REGULATIONS
Episodic projects must be a Seattle premiere, but it is acceptable if projects are already available online.
You may submit multiple entries but each series requires a separate form & entry fee.
You must have at least three episodes completed at the time of submission to qualify as a series even if those episodes are not yet publicly available.
The episode submitted for consideration is the episode screened at the festival if that series is selected. - -Exceptions may be made at the discretion of our Programming Manager. Super short series may or may not have more than one episode screened at SIFF.
Our selection committee will review one episode of your series to be considered for selection. Series that have compiled their entire series into one submission will only have their first episode viewed.
You may submit episodes in a "rough cut" stage but still must have at least three episodes of your show either public or private. A "final cut" should be provided upon selection, but if it is still incomplete, will be at the festival's discretion to present or replace your series.
No pornography. Explicit sexual content may result in disqualification.
--
ELIGIBILITY REGULATIONS
Completion/Premiere Date:
Films submitted must have premiered on or after January 2019.
Presentation:
Selected films must be made available for Festival presentation in DCP or 35mm. Digital files are also acceptable for short films only.
Language:
Foreign language films must be made available with the original language soundtrack and English subtitles.
Prior Screenings:
Entries may not publicly screen (theatrically or at a Film Festival) in Western Washington State, or be broadcast (televised) anywhere in the U.S. (including VOD and On Demand services) before June 30, 2020. Theatrical runs following presentation in SIFF may be excepted from this. Films may appear outside of Washington State at other film festivals or theatrically prior to SIFF screenings.
Prior Submissions:
You may re-submit a previously submitted film, with the proper entry fee, only if the film has been significantly altered, re-edited or re-made since the initial submission. We will treat the submission as an entirely new project. Please note that a project's premiere date must be on or after January 2019, and that preference will be given to new projects.
--
SUBMISSION REGULATIONS
Format:
- All films must be submitted as a secure online screener (i.e. Vimeo).
- Once a submission link has been accepted, we cannot guarantee that subsequent updates will be viewed. If you would like to guarantee that we view an updated link of your film, please use this online form: SIFF 2020 Submission Link Replacement
- Please note, that there is a $25.00 charge for submitting this new link to the Programming Team to review. The amount must be paid at the time of submission.
Accompanying Materials:
The following materials must be provided via FilmFreeway. Entry materials will not be returned. Incomplete entries will not be considered and fees are non-refundable.
- Official Entry submitted through FilmFreeway with all required information
- Entry Fee: We will accept payment via Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
Local Entry Fee Waiver:
The submission fee is waived for films that have 50% or more of the film footage shot in Washington State. Please email entries@siff.net to inquire about approval for a local waiver. Films approved for a local waiver must submit through FilmFreeway. NO OTHER WAIVERS OR EXCEPTIONS WILL BE GRANTED.
Notification:
Films selected for screening in all categories will be notified on or about April 24, 2020.
Shipping:
- If a film is invited to participate, the film must be shipped prepaid, insured and packed in proper containers. SIFF will be responsible for return shipping charges. SIFF will not pay international shipping on US films.
- SIFF does not assume any liability for damage to prints due to improper containers or otherwise. All films in our possession will be insured against damage or loss while participating in the festival.