GENERAL RULES
All submissions must be complete, with all of the items requested to be considered for submission. Entry selection is currently made from online screener (preferred) or mailed media (see below for formats). You must include FilmFreeway tracking ID on all mailed media.
SUBMISSION FORMATS FOR SCREENERS (in order of preference):
• Online Screener (via FilmFreeway, password protected Vimeo/YouTube)
• .MP4 or .MOV media file mailed to our address on Data DVD or USB thumb drive
• Playable, region-free DVD or Blu Ray
FINAL EXHIBITION FORMATS
If accepted, an exhibition copy, in one of the formats below, must arrive at the festival office not later than two weeks before the festival.
For Short Films (in order of preference):
• Downloadable .MP4 or .MOV (via Dropbox, Vimeo, or similar)
• .MP4 or .MOV media file mailed to our address on Data DVD (2 copies*) or USB thumb drive
For Feature Films (in order of preference):
• 2 copies* of Playable, region-free Blu Ray mastered at 24, 29.97, 30, or 60 fps (other frame rates may need conversion for North American playback. 25 and 50 fps will not play reliably.)
• .MP4 or .MOV media file mailed to our address on Data DVD, BD, or USB drive
• 2 copies* of Playable NTSC DVD (will only play in standard definition. The above methods are preferable.)
*DVDs scratch easily, PACKAGE THEM WELL. If we can't watch your film, we can't accept it.
INCLUDE FINAL EXHIBITION COPY (optional): For the sake of convenience, if mailing your submissions, we recommend including a final exhibition-ready 720p or 1080p HD file of your short film, or a final Blu Ray disc (Blu Rays for feature films only please). If you use a password-protected Vimeo screener, you can (and should) enable HD downloads. This will save us all time if we accept your film, and can help reduce headaches caused by postal delays or huge downloads.
HELPFUL TIPS
SHORTS AND FEATURES: Our audience loves independent film and wants to see as much of it as possible, so we reserve most of our schedule for short films, and typically show up to 2 independent feature films.
RUNTIME: We will consider all short films with runtimes up to 40 minutes, but, historically, most of the short films we accept are between 4 and 20 minutes in length with great pacing. Short films that run longer than 20 minutes are accepted more rarely. Having said that, great films of any length have a good chance of acceptance, but we think it's helpful for you to know what most often makes the cut.
ON YOUTUBE AND GENERAL AVAILABILITY: We want to show great independent shorts and feature films to our audience on a beautiful big screen in a historic movie theater, especially those films that our audience *can't see at home*. While we will absolutely consider all films that fit our topics, regardless of general availability, we prefer films that are not easily currently available to the general public on video sites, YouTube (especially), Vimeo, Netflix, etc. We recommend that you wait to reveal your masterpiece on video sites until after it has made its festival appearances. This is optional, but we feel it gives us the best opportunity to attract a large audience that supports independent film in a fantastic setting.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
I represent and warrant that I have full legal right and authority to submit the heretofore mentioned film/video project for consideration by Zompire: The Undead Film Festival (hereafter referred to as "Zompire"), and that all necessary consents, licensing and approvals have been obtained with respect thereto (including stock footage, music, etc.). I agree to hold Zompire and its sponsors harmless in any and all matters pertaining to the consents, licenses, and approvals of heretofore mentioned film/video project. I understand that my submission is in no way a guarantee of acceptance into Zompire. No one from Zompire or its sponsors has guaranteed me admission into the festival. By submitting my film to Zompire, I agree that I will not withdraw my submission after the final submission deadline and that it can be exhibited by the festival to its audience if it is selected for exhibition. I grant Zompire the right to use any footage from the preview screener, and all submitted publicity photos and any other materials sent pertaining to this entry for Zompire's promotional purposes, without limitations.