Guidelines & Rules
Guidelines & Rules
FILM COMPETITION GUIDELINES
Film Deadlines:
Regular Postmark Deadline: June 3, 2009 ($40 entry fee)
Late Postmark Deadline: July 3, 2009 ($50 entry fee)
Films may also be entered via the Withoutabox.com online submission process.*
General Rules:
Films must be submitted on VHS tape or DVD NTSC or PAL (please test before sending) and be available for screening on 35mm composite condition, Beta SP or Digi-Beta Video (NTSC only for festival screening).
Films must have been completed after April 1, 2008. Films must be available for screening during the Austin Film Festival, October 22-29, 2009.
Narrative and Documentary films with U.S. distribution (obtained prior to being selected for AFF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.
- Films that have played in Austin in a theatrical setting to a public audience are not eligible to be screened at the Austin Film Festival. The only exceptions to this rule are cast and crew screenings and films that have played in conjunction with the University of Texas at Austin.
Additional Narrative Feature Film Entry Requirements:
Films must be feature-length narratives, 60 minutes or longer (recommended length).
Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Additional Narrative Short Film Entry Requirements:
Films must be short narratives of 39 minutes or less (recommended length, may be longer).
Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Additional Narrative Student Short Film Entry Requirements:
Films must be short narratives of 39 minutes or less (recommended length, may be longer).
Open only to students (must include proof of enrollment from accredited university or college).
Additional Animated Short Film Entry Requirements:
Films must be animated short narratives of 39 minutes or less (recommended length).
Awards will be given to the short that best utilizes animation to tell a story.
Open to any form of animation.
Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Additional Documentary Feature Films Requirements
Films must be Documentaries, 40 minutes or longer
Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Additional Documentary Short Film Requirements
Films must be Short Documentaries, 39 minutes or less
Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Please Note: The Austin Film Festival does not wave entry fees. AFF believes waiving entry fees hurts the integrity of the competition. The same rules and entry fee should apply to all applicants so no one film is favored over another. In a similar respect the AFF does not “invite” films to be in competition, only films submitted will be considered for competition.
We understand the financial constraint of filmmaking and costs of submitting to Festivals and we still hope you can find it in your budget to submit your film.
Returns and Acknowledgments:
VHS tapes, DVDs, and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.
Film Competition Awards:
All awards will be presented to the writers of the winning films on October 24, 2009 during the Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon. Awards are based on overall merit of the entries. Jury members reserve the right not to grant an award.
Audience Award:
All films screening are also eligible for an Audience Award in their respected categories. Award winners are announced within one week following the Festival. The Audience Award is based solely on audience voting at the film's screening.
Prizes:
Each Competition Filmmaker receives two film screenings, October 22-29; five complimentary tickets to each of the film's screenings; one ticket to the AFF Awards Luncheon; the film featured in the 2009 AFF Program Book; and two complimentary, All-Access Producers Passes to the 2009 Austin Film Festival, October 22-29.
Jury Awards:
Narrative Films
1st Place Winners receive a cash prize of $1,000 (Narrative Feature Category) or $500 (Narrative Short and Student Short Categories); reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2009 AFF; hotel compensation at the Film Festival (up to $500); a special Winners screening during the Festival; and the AFF Bronze Award. In addition, winning Narrative Short films are eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Documentary Films
1st Place Winners receive a cash prize of $500 (Documentary Feature Category only); reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2009 AFF, hotel compensation at the Film Festival (up to $500), a special Winners screening during the Festival and the AFF Bronze Award.
Animated Short Film
1st Place Winners receive reimbursement (up to $500) of one round-trip airfare to Austin to attend the 2009 AFF, hotel compensation at the Film Festival (up to $500), a special Winners screening during the Festival and the AFF Bronze Award.
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