Moore College of Art & Design Moore College of Art & Design

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

When are the deadlines and entry fees for the 2013 Festival?

March 31^st, 2013.  Submissions must be postmarked or submitted online by 11:59 PST on the deadline date to be eligible.

 

What are the different film submission categories I can enter for the 2013 Festival?

·       Narrative Feature

·       Narrative Short

·       Animated Short

·       Documentary Feature

·       Documentary Short

Film al Fresco reserves the right to change submission category at its discretion.

 

Can I submit more than one film in a single category?

Yes! You can submit as many films as you want. Please be sure to complete separate entry forms and separate submission fees for each film

 

Do I need to list all the writers/filmmakers involved on the entry form? Should I list other people as co-writer/director/etc. on the application?

That is for you to settle with your collaborators. You will receive a notification if your film is submitted and can change acknowledgments at that time if necessary. 

 

My film already has distribution am I still eligible to submit to the competition?

Films with U.S. distribution (obtained prior to being selected for Film al Fresco screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition.  Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the first screening date.  Films that have been shown on U.S. network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.

 

What should I include with my submission?

Along with the application (whether it be through Dropbox (Vimeo?), our online entry form, or mail-in entry form), all we need is a single copy of the film.  We request that you do not send any extra materials such as promotional materials, photos or press kits, as we will not keep anything other than the DVD.  Please write the tracking number on both the mailing package and DVD, also labeling the DVD with the title and runtime.

 

What formats do you accept for submission?

It is highly preferred that you send an NTSC Region 1 or Region Free DVDs, but we will accept PAL formats as well.  Films must be submitted on either a standard DVD-R/DVD+R disc or via Dropbox.  We cannot accept Blu-Ray, Beta, HD-Cam, Mini-DV or anything that cannot be played on a standard DVD player.  Please be sure to label your DVD with the film’s title, tracking number and run time.

CLICK HERE to access our Dropbox page for submissions. 

 

What are my options for uploading my film digitally?

You can share your films with us using Dropbox, link above.  We will only accept outside links to your film through Vimeo.com.  The digital formats accepted through Dropbox are .flv, .mp4, .avi, .mov and must be under 2GB.

 

How can I receive notification that my film has been submitted?

Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.

 

My film has screened previously in Philadelphia. Will this be an issue for submission?

Films that have played in the Greater Philadelphia area in a theatrical setting to a public audience are not eligible to be screened at Film al Fresco. 

 

Must I have obtained all rights for music and other copyrighted material in my film?

Yes.  While we will not investigate these clearances, we will also not be held responsible for any copyright infringements.  If your film is accepted for screening, you must sign a waiver indicating all rights were legally obtained to the materials in your film.

 

When will I hear about results?

The selections for screening will be announced a month prior to the date of the first screening of the 2013 series.  Filmmakers will be notified regarding the status of their film by mid-May at the latest.

 

Will my film submission be returned?

DVDs and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances.  We simply do not have the staff nor storage space to organize and return entries, EVEN if a self-addressed mailer is included.

 

Can I send in a new/better/color-corrected/shorter/longer cut?

Possibly.  If the film has already been viewed by members of our selection panel, we cannot guarantee it will be re-watched.  Technical changes will likely not affect the judgment of a panelist.  Unless it is something you cannot live with, it’s best to trust your initial submission.  If the film is selected for screening, you will have ample opportunity to supply us with the most recent version beforehand.

 

What if the DVD I send you doesn’t play?

Please try your DVD on several machines before you send it, on both traditional DVD players and computers.  If at all possible, format your DVD so that the film just starts playing as soon as it is in the player/computer [this is called FIRST PLAY], and avoid menus and trailers.  If we cannot get the film to play on our end, we will contact you for a new copy.

 

My film didn’t get in? Can you tell me why? Do you offer feedback?

I’m sorry, at this time we do not offer feedback on film submissions