Calgary International Film Festival

The Calgary International Film Festival (15 Annual September 18, 2014 to September 28, 2014) is an 11-day showcase of over 200 multi-genre films from Canada and over 40 other countries. Hosting gala events, screenings, award ceremonies and special presentations, CIFF changes the way visual stories are shared and experienced.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT TO THE 2014 CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL via Withoutabox.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT TO THE 2014 CALGARY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL via Filmfreeway.

YOUNG DIRECTORS CAN ALSO SUBMIT TO OUR YOUTH BY YOUTH CINEMA (YYC) COMPETITION! Open to elementary and high school students under the age of 18.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q. When does the Calgary International Film Festival open for submissions? 
A. February 1, 2014

Q. How can I submit? 
A: We accept submissions through Withoutabox and Filmfreeway. To start the submission process, click here for WAB, or here for FilmFreeway.

Q. When is the deadline? 
A. June 1, 2014 (regular deadline), June 15, 2014 (extended deadline)

Q. Do you accept late submissions? 
A. No.

Q. Can I submit more than one film? 
A. Yes!

Q. Are there eligibility criteria? 
A. Yes. We accept films from 30 seconds in duration and up, completed after January 1, 2013. Your film must not have a scheduled theatrical release in Calgary that falls before the festival dates. Your film must not be available online, for television broadcast, on iTunes or by video-on-demand.

Q. What genres do you screen? 
A. All genres. Our program includes, but is not limited to: Canadian cinema, world cinema, American cinema, documentaries, late shows, family films, music on screen, and shorts.

Q. Do you accept online links for submissions? 
A. Yes! In fact, we prefer to receive links. However, your link must be a secure online link. If you change the link or password, please inform us immediately as you risk your film not being previewed. If your film has an expiry date please make it for after our festival dates.

Q. What preview formats do you accept? 
A. We prefer to receive secure online links. Please include a secure Vimeo link in the comments section, when you submit your film. If your film is selected, then we’ll request a Standard DVD. If you do not have a link, please send two copies of your film on DVD. Please no Blu-rays.

Q. Are DVDs returned?
A. No. We hold onto DVDs for our archives.

Q. What formats do you screen? 
A. DCP (preferred), HDCam, 35mm, BluRay. We also have 3D capability.

Q. Are you a competitive festival? 
A. Yes. We have numerous awards for features and short film, including but not limited to Audience Choice awards for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Live Action Short Film, Best Animated Short Film and the Discovery Awards

Q. What are the Discovery Awards? 
A. Discovery Awards are given to first-time feature films (both narrative and documentary categories) and include a cash prize!

Q. Can Alberta-made films enter without paying the submission fee? 
A. CIFF is pleased to waive fees for Albertan submissions. The following point system is used to determine Alberta eligibility--a minimum of five points is required: Albertan location (2 points), resident Albertan as a principle cast member (1 point), resident Albertan writer (1 point), resident Albertan producer (1 point), resident Albertan director (1 point), Albertan funding source (2 points).

Have a question that wasn't answered? Give us a shout: info@calgaryfilm.com

OPEN CALL FOR ENTRIES • Select a Category of Entry to continue.
 

MISSION & OBJECTIVE 
The Calgary International Film Festival is an 11-day showcase of over 200 multi-genre films from Canada and over 40 other countries. Hosting gala events, screenings, award ceremonies and special presentations, CIFF changes the way visual stories are shared and experienced.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Each year’s line-up is presented in series that group CIFF’s offerings into easily identifiable categories including Canadian, American and World Cinema, Documentaries, Late Shows and Shorts. We also present a number of awards to outstanding films selected by our audiences and esteemed juries.

In addition to the festival, CIFF presents Doc Soup, a six-month screening series of award-winning and critically acclaimed documentary films presented in conjunction with the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival.

CIFF exists to transform the way visual stories are shared and experienced. We discover and share the best and most remarkable, especially those that would not otherwise be seen. We champion filmmakers, especially new voices, for the delight and benefit of the audience, to whom we are a guide and provider of the best stories, presented within a remarkable festival environment.

CIFF’s vision emphasizes discovery. We are proud to be the first to debut and give exposure to new filmmakers, particularly championing and fostering Alberta’s own creative voices. Highlighting their work alongside that of established contemporaries, we celebrate the new energy and ideas they bring to the future of the art form, and make them an integral part of the exciting milieu of the festival.

**If you are an Alberta production but your contact information is outside of Alberta, please contact the programming department - programming@calgaryfilm.com Provide details on how you qualify as an Alberta production in order to received the fee waiver please see our rules and regulations for details on qualifying as an Albertan film**
ORGANIZERS
Jennifer Cecconi ; Jennifer Cecconi (Programming Administrator) ; Karilynn Thompson ; Stephen Schroeder (Festival Registrar) ; Stephen Schroeder (Festival Registrar) 

GENERAL RULES
Participation in the 15th Calgary International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of the following Guidelines and Regulations:

DEADLINES:
June 1, 2014 Final Post-Mark Deadline for submission of Preview Screener

June 15, 2014 Final Post-Mark Deadline for LATE submission of Preview Screener

Important Dates

Feb 1, 2014 – Aug 16, 2014 – Film previewing/selection dates

Aug. 30, 2014 Notification of Official Selections complete (this date is approximate)

Sept. 12, 2014 Deadline for receipt of exhibition prints/tapes (unless otherwise arranged with print traffic & programming). 

Sept. 18 – Sept. 28, 2014 15th Calgary International Film Festival dates

*Please note The Festival is not obliged to view entries received after the Submission Deadline. If your secure online link and/or password has changed and you do not inform us of the change, you risk your film not being previewed and considered for the festival. 

The Calgary International Film Festival (“CIFF” or “the Festival”) accepts submissions of films of all lengths and subject matters for inclusion the possible categories: Galas, Headliners, Discovery (first feature filmmakers), Canadian Cinema, World Cinema (including USA), Documentaries, Shorts, Late Shows, and annual Spotlight programs (TBA).

Requirements for eligibility for 2014 selection:



The film was completed after January 1, 2013 and not previously submitted to CIFF



All applicable licenses and waivers of copyrights, moral rights, trademarks and other such intellectual property rights have been secured by the filmmaker(s)



All applicable legal waivers have been obtained from all participants


Exhibition print(s) will be complete and available for screening in Calgary between September 18 – September 28, 2014



Exhibition print(s) must be available on DCP, HD Cam, 35mm or Blu-Ray. We do have 3D capability.



Preview screeners accepted as secure online links or on DVD – DVD preview screeners must be labeled with title, director name and running time.Online links: please also include a secure online link in your cover letter. We PREFER to have an alternate viewing option for staff, and get a better quality picture/resolution with the vimeo links

IF SUBMITTING ONLINE LINK: Please do not change the link address or password. If you do, please notify us immediately or you risk your film not being previewed and thus considered for the festival. 



Films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English



** Please email us at programming@calgaryfilm.com to let us know of your Albertan eligibility and receive the waiver code!



The filmmakers are responsible for the accuracy of all submitted materials. The Festival accepts no liability in the event that its publications reproduce errors or omissions in submitted materials. All enclosures are mandatory and must be included for an entry to be complete.

Submissions MUST include all of the following:


Submission fees are NON-REFUNDABLE

None of the enclosures will be returned. Preview screeners will not be returned. Screeners are retained by the Calgary International Film Festival, and housed in the CIFF Archives. Do not send film prints, master tapes or other originals.

If using a mailer for your entry, use a bubble envelope, not a fibre-filled envelope. Loose fibre from torn fibre envelopes can cause damage to tapes and playback equipment. When submitting more than one film, please submit separately online for each film. Packaging a shipment together for all submitted films is permissible.

All submissions must be sent pre-paid (unless otherwise negotiated); the Festival will not accept Collect or COD shipments. Packages should be clearly marked, “Without commercial value. Non pornographic. For cultural purposes only. On Loan From Country of Origin”.

For Canadian Customs clearance, international submission packages should include all applicable labels, commercial invoices, customs declarations and waybills, and be valued at less than $25.00 CDN.

SELECTION


Preference will be given to submissions that have not been distributed/screened theatrically or broadcast on television in Alberta prior to the 2014 Festival. All submissions are screened and evaluated by CIFF Preview and Selection Committees. Their reports and decisions are final and confidential. 

CIFF Programmers make final selections and determine in which section they are presented. Designation of a selected film’s program category, exhibition date(s), time(s), and location(s) is at the sole discretion of the Festival. In addition, the entrant grants CIFF the right to exhibit the selected film up to three times during the Festival, in addition to daytime Press and Jury screenings (closed to the public).


NOTIFICATION
Upon notification of selection, the entrant agrees to immediately supply CIFF with publicity materials and grants the Festival the right to utilize such materials for promotional purposes and to broadcast and/or screen clips.

The following is a list of materials required for each film ONCE accepted at the Festival:

• EPK (electronic press kit includes: synopsis, bio, credits, stills etc..)

• Film poster(s), hand bills, or associated collateral for Box Office & Venue

• Select promotional clips and/or film trailer (on broadcast tape, DVD, or Quicktime)

• Additional promo screeners for Publicity

• (1) DVD backup, clean of watermarks and warnings, for projection backup

• Minimum of 3 High resolution promo images (min 300 dpi)

• Film website or trailer URL

Applicants will be notified by email regarding the results of the Festival’s selection process by August 30, 2014.

Please do not contact the Programming Department regarding the status of your submission before that date.

Upon invitation, participants will be contacted via email by the Print Traffic Coordinator with specific shipping instructions. Feature exhibition prints/tapes must arrive at the Festival office by September 12, 2014. Short film files (as per specs provided on acceptance) must be uploaded to the server no later than August 15, 2014. Incoming shipping costs are the sole responsibility of the participant unless otherwise negotiated. Invited films must be shipped pre-paid, with all the necessary commercial invoices and customs paid, with return (or next festival) shipping information including the name of your preferred courier company and your account number.


Accepted formats for exhibition:

Film: 35 mm
Video: DCP , HDCam, and/or Blu-Ray.
Under special circumstances other exhibition formats may be considered.

AWARDS
Films invited to the 2014 Festival are automatically considered for nomination in all Award categories for which they are eligible. Nominations are made on the basis of achievement in form and content in their category by a jury of industry experts and leading cultural figures from Canada.

Award Categories (may be expanded or changed at any time)

Discovery Award for Emerging Filmmakers (Feature films only – Documentary and Narrative categories) – Audience vote

Alberta Spirit (Shorts films only) – Jury award

Audience Choice Award (Feature & Short films – various categories)



Limitation of Liability and Indemnity Provisions
Although CIFF will take every reasonable precaution for the safekeeping and proper handling of entry and exhibition materials, including the Exhibition Print(s), from the time of receipt to the time of release to the Applicant’s courier company or shipping agent, CIFF shall not be liable to Applicant, his or her heirs, legal representatives, or dependents, or their respective assignees, for loss or damage to entry and exhibition materials arising out of the transportation to and from the Festival or the operations of CIFF, its officers, directors, agents, successors and assigns, whether or not caused by the act, neglect, or default of CIFF, its officers, directors, agents, successors and assigns, or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the above, CIFF's liability for claims, costs, losses, damages of any kind or any other cause, including but not limited to liability for any fundamental breach of this agreement or for patent or copyright infringement and regardless of the form of action, shall not exceed the fees paid hereunder for the submission to the Festival. The fees charged by CIFF reflect the allocation of risk herein and the limited recourse to the Applicant provided for in this Agreement.

In addition, International participants should note that CIFF will not assume responsibility for, nor will it accept shipments incurring expenses for terminal charges, duties, taxes or customs brokerage.

Finally, Applicant shall indemnify and hold CIFF harmless of and from any and all claims, losses, liabilities (including negligence, tort and strict liability), damages, judgments, suits or legal proceedings, including court costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees, related to the use by CIFF of the entry and exhibition materials, including but not limited to any claim that the Applicant's entry and exhibition materials violates the intellectual property rights of another party.