NFFTY Official Rules, Guidelines and FAQs

Submission Deadlines + Entry Fees - Online Application and Film Received By:

October 31, 2009 $20 ($10 for non-profit organizations)
December 15, 2009 $25 ($15 for non-profit organizations)
January 31, 2010** $35 ($25 for non-profit organizations)

**Note: Action Sports category deadline is February 15, 2010

Eligibility

• The film’s director(s) must have been 22 years old or younger at completion of filming.
• Films must be entered into only one of six categories.
• All music and other copyrighted material used in films must be original or filmmakers must have obtained permission from the owner.
• All films must be in English or subtitled in English.
  

Categories
All films (national and international) may be submitted into only one category:

• Feature - any narrative film over 30 minutes in length.
• Short - any narrative short film under 30 minutes.
• Documentary - documentary of any length.
• Music Video - music video of any length.
• Animation - any form of animation, any length.
• Experimental - any length film that does not fit the mold of typical filmmaking.
• Action Sports (NEW CATEGORY!) - any film under 30 minutes that represents, showcases or is inspired by Action Sports including skateboard, snowboard, surf, wake, BMX, and freeski.
  

Submission Process

• Online Application: Must be completed online no later than midnight PST, January 31, 2010 (midnight PST, February 15, 2010 for Action Sports Category).

• Submission Upload: You will have the option of uploading your film to a secure website as part of the application process. All films will be watched by our judges via this secure screening process. Films submitted via DVD will still be uploaded to this system, so we highly recommend filmmakers do their own uploading to ensure a high quality and error free submission.

• DVD Mail In Option: If you choose not to upload your film, immediately after completing your online application, send a DVD (Region 0 or 1) of your film (one film per DVD for multiple submissions) to:
  
  Indee.tv
  Attn: NFFTY 2010 Submission
  1750 Montgomery St., Suite 150
  San Francisco, CA 94111

• Payment: We encourage you to pay entry fees online via Paypal. Otherwise checks can be mailed separately (do not mail with DVD) to NFFTY, 1607 Dexter Avenue North, #1C, Seattle, WA 98109.

• International Submissions. International entrants who do not pay online must use an international money order payable to NFFTY. Any screening DVDs should be sent with the following declaration: Free entry claimed under #724.12 (960.60) US Tariff Act. No commercial value, for film festival use only.

• Film and Filmmaker Stills. You must upload a film still as part of the application process. We encourage you to also upload a production still and photo of the filmmaker(s). These all should be 300dpi and high quality. A film still should draw viewers in and make your film look appealing. A photo of filmmaker(s) should be what you would want to see in a newspaper or other promotional material about your film.

• Synopsis. The 3-line synopsis you submit when filling out your online application will be used in the festival guide, on the NFFTY website, and for other promotions, so write an interesting, compelling description of your film. NFFTY reserves the right to edit the synopsis for length and grammar.

• Multiple Entries. More than one entry may be submitted. However, each entry must be submitted as a new film, with a separate online entry form, a unique registration number, an additional entry fee, and on a separate DVD, if mailed in rather than uploaded. There is no discount for multiple entries since the time to screen any entry is the same.

Notification
If your film is selected to be part of NFFTY 2010, you will be notified via email on or about March 1, 2010. You will also be notified by email if your film is not selected. Please make sure that you notify us if your email changes, and add filmmakers@nffty.org to your safe sender email list. We often have problems getting emails through to school email addresses (e.g. .edu, .gov.), so if you have a personal email address, that is preferable for your entry.

Feedback
Unfortunately, we are unable to respond with any feedback or explanations if your film is not accepted. The need for additional editing is the most common factor making the difference between a film that is selected and a film that is not. But we also receive way more worthy films than we have programming space to screen, so don't be discouraged if your film does is not accepted.

Film Distribution
Films selected for NFFTY 2010 may have the opportunity to take part in distribution opportunities through NFFTY. Distribution may include Internet, TV, in-flight, and more.

Exhibition requirements

• Films selected for NFFTY 2010 must send an exhibition copy of your film in one of the following formats (in order of preference): Full resolution QuickTime file, Mini-dv, Digibeta, Beta SP, or DVD.
• Exhibition copy of film must be received no later than March 12, 2010.
• Exhibition copies will not be returned unless filmmaker includes a pre-paid envelope or makes other shipping arrangements.

Filmmaker/Representative release
I acknowledge and agree that to the best of my knowledge, I am duly authorized to submit this film to NFFTY and to grant permissions related to its use and distribution.

I grant permission to NFFTY to use film clips/stills for promotional use. I allow NFFTY and any third parties at NFFTY the right to film, videotape and photograph my appearance and voice for any and all marketing and promotion of the festival.

If this film is accepted into NFFTY 2010, I grant NFFTY the non-exclusive right to screen the film at NFFTY and to exhibit and distribute the film in its entirety for any promotion or project under the NFFTY name for up to one year after the 2010 festival. This includes presenting films as part of the NFFTY online festival component. Exceptions will be granted only by written request.

NFFTY may actively pursue other distribution opportunities for the film. I acknowledge that I may be asked to complete and sign additional distribution agreements. It is always my choice not to take these offers.

Submitting a film to NFFTY constitutes an agreement by and between the filmmaker/representative and NFFTY. By submitting, I agree to all of these rules, terms and conditions. I acknowledge that no submission fee refunds are given once this application has been submitted.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FAQs

When and where does the festival take place? NFFTY 2010 is April 29 - May 2 in Seattle, Washington. Specifically, most festival screenings and events will take place at state-of-the-art theaters including Seattle Cinerama and SIFF Cinema. Most events are based at Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle.

Where is the entry form? Complete the entry form online via our website: www.nffty.org. Please do NOT print out a copy.

Where do I send my DVD?
We strongly prefer that you upload your screening film as part of the entry application process. If you must send a DVD, send it to:
Indee.tv
Attn: NFFTY 2010 Submission
1750 Montgomery St., Suite 150
San Francisco, CA 94111

What is the final deadline for entry? Both entry forms and films must be received by January 31, 2010 (February 15, 2010 for Action Sports Category).

If my film is selected, should I attend the festival? Definitely! You should begin thinking about plans to attend the festival as soon as you submit your film. Even if your film is not accepted, NFFTY is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, unlike any other youth film festival or student film festival.

Reasons to attend NFFTY:

• See your film shown in a state-of-the-art theater and grow as a filmmaker by receiving audience feedback following your film's screening.
• Meet and learn from Hollywood industry professionals who attend NFFTY and participate in panels and workshops.
• Meet other young filmmakers from across the US and the world.
• Have fun! NFFTY is a weekend of parties, music, food, and meeting great people.

Can Elementary and Middle School kids submit a film? Yes! Anyone 22 or under can submit. Our youngest filmmaker to date was 7 years old. We even have special awards for very young filmmakers.

Are entry fee reductions or waivers available? Possibly. We keep our entry fees low so that hopefully they are affordable for everyone, and provide discounted entry fees for multiple entries from schools and organizations. We also can provide a NFFTY Night fundraising DVD to you or your organization to help raise the money for entry fees and sending filmmakers to the festival.

Does NFFTY help with travel and lodging? NFFTY offers a limited number of travel stipends to filmmakers in low-income situations. Because NFFTY cannot guarantee assistance, filmmakers should assume they need to arrange for their own airfare and hotel. We can provide ideas and a fundraising DVD to help you do local fundraising to get to NFFTY. As the festival gets closer, we will send out information on special rates with hotels in Seattle, we can help match filmmakers to share hotel rooms, and we will coordinate homestays to place filmmakers with Seattle hosts.

Do you accept Commercials, PSAs or News Videos? No. Our festival’s main focus is on narrative films and documentaries. All films must fit into one of the six screening categories.

How are the films selected? Who watches them? A team of volunteer NFFTY programmers watches every film that is submitted. They rate films on their storytelling, filmmaking techniques, and general audience appeal. A jury of entertainment professionals decides the festival Jury Awards.

Do you give out any awards? NFFTY presents both Jury and Audience awards during the festival as well as a NFFTY Earth Award for the best film with an environmental, social justice, or international peace theme.

Why do you ask for rights to distribute my film? Our mission is to get your film seen by as many people as possible so it can have the greatest impact and you can grow as a filmmaker and get more exposure. NFFTY has relationships with several distribution outlets and participates in local and national events to help promote youth filmmaking. Because we can group lots of short films together, we make it possible for young filmmakers to obtain distribution and exposure they could rarely get by themselves. NFFTY does not own your film. We do this to help our filmmakers and increase the exposure of the festival and youth filmmaking community.

Can there by violence, nudity or swearing in my film? We have no rules against it. However, films that are excessively graphic for no apparent reason will likely not be shown.

Can my film screen publicly prior to NFFTY? Yes, although prefer to have premieres (World, West Coast, Seattle) and that may help your film get a better screening slot. Please note your premiere status and other screenings when you fill out your entry form. Private screenings for family, friends and crew do not count as public screenings or as a premiere.

Should I have a web trailer or film website? Yes, these are great marketing tools to have. If you have a web trailer you will have an opportunity to upload it prior to the festival to our website.

Can my film be online prior to NFFTY? Yes, but we recommend you wait to put the film online until after the festival. Trailers and clips are recommended to be online prior.

Do I get in free? Yes. Every film that is accepted gets 1 complimentary VIP pass to NFFTY. Deeply discounted Festival Passes and Opening Night Tickets will be offered to all filmmakers for cast and crew, family, and friends.


If you have additional questions about the rules, submission process or festival, email:filmmakers@nffty.org.