Film Competition General Rules:
- Films must be submitted on DVD NTSC or PAL (please test before sending) and be available for screening on 35mm composite condition, HDCam, or digital file.
- Films must have been completed after April 1, 2011. Films must be available for screening during the Austin Film Festival, October 18-25, 2012
- 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 a 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 prior to October 18-25, 2012 are not eligible to be screened at the Austin Film Festival. The only exceptions to this rule are private cast and crew screenings and films that have played in conjunction with the University of Texas at Austin.
- Austin Film Festival reserves the right to change submission category at their discretion.
- Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees
Additional Narrative Feature Film Entry Requirements:
- Films must be feature-length narratives, 41 minutes or longer.
- Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Additional Narrative Short Film Entry Requirements:
- Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less
- Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Additional Narrative Student Short Film Entry Requirements:
- Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less.
- 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 40 minutes or less.
- 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, 41 minutes or longer.
- Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Additional Documentary Short Film Requirements
- Films must be Short Documentaries, 40 minutes or less.
- Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Please Note:The Austin Film Festival does not waive entry fees. AFF believes waiving entry fees hurts the integrity of the competition. The same rules and entry fees 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:
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.
