THE FESTIVAL
1. The 64th EIFF will take place from 16 - 27th June in Edinburgh.
2. The Festival aims to stand internationally as a festival of discovery, a celebration of cinema, a centre of debate and a catalyst for new films.
3. The Festival is committed to screening high quality new feature and short length film and video work in all genres from around the world. All films must be UK premieres and the EIFF is particularly interested in world or international premieres. Films that have previously been publicly screened or broadcast in Britain will not be accepted. Likewise, promotional films are not eligible (eg. tourism, charitable appeals, etc.). Animation is exempt from the UK premiere rule, however world and international premieres are given preference. As the EIFF started in 1947 as a documentary film festival, it is particularly interested in non-fiction filmmaking.
4. All submitted films should be no more than 12 months old by June 2010.
5. EIFF regard a Short film as 30 minutes or under and a Feature film as over 30 minutes.
6. The final selection of all films presented at the Festival and their placement in the programme is the responsibility of the Artistic Director. The organisation of the event is the responsibility of the Managing Director.
THE SUBMISSION PROCESS
7. There are three submissions deadlines:
Earlybird - Monday 14 December 2009
Regular - Monday 1 March 2010
Late - Monday 8 March 2010
These are postmark deadlines but please do send your submission as soon as possible. Complete submission forms (EIFF online, postal and Withoutabox), preview DVDs and supporting material must be received by EIFF by the appropriate deadlines otherwise your film will not be processed.
8. WITHOUTABOX.COM.
Why not complete one form and use it to submit your film to numerous festivals worldwide? EIFF is a partner with Withoutabox. The direct link to the EIFF Withoutabox submissions page is here
9. ALL SUBMISSIONS TO EIFF MUST BE ON DVD
We accept DVD PAL and DVD NTSC. You must label the disk with the film’s title and also put a label on the spine of the DVD cover noting the film title, DVD format and film duration. We can not preview on U-matic or Beta SP.
10. We will not consider previously submitted work unless it has been considerably re-edited/re-shot. Please include a cover letter with details. If we already viewed your film as a rough cut last year, we usually will not consider it for the following year.
THE SUBMISSION FORM
11. All submissions have to be accompanied by a completed submission form, either online or postal. You can submit online at www.edfilmfest.org.uk/submissions/, via our postal submission form (downloadable from www.edfilmfest.org.uk/submissions/) or via Withoutabox.com. If submitting through EIFF’s online form or Withoutabox.com please include your confirmation number with your DVD.
THE SUBMISSION FEE
12. Submissions with unpaid submission fees will not be considered for selection.
For short films (less than 30 minutes):
Earlybird fee - submitted by Monday 14 December 2009, £20.00
Regular fee - submitted by Monday 1 March 2010, £30.00
Late fee - submitted by Monday 8 March 2010, £35.00
For feature films (over 30 minutes):
Earlybird fee - submitted by Monday 14 December 2009, £75.00
Regular fee - submitted by Monday 1 March 2010, £85.00
Late fee - submitted by Monday 8 March 2010, £90.00
This does not include Animation, Experimental and Scottish Short Documentaries (under 20 minutes), which are FREE to submit.
Payment must be made in POUNDS STERLING only.
If you wish to pay by American Express please download the Submission form from www.edfilmfest.org.uk/submissions, follow the instructions on the payment page and send the completed form with your DVD to the festival office where the transaction can be processed, or submit by Withoutabox.
Please note that if you pay by credit card the exchange rates are determined on the date of the transaction. The submission fee is non-refundable. See the payment instructions on the submission form for more information on how to pay.
HOW TO SEND YOUR SUBMISSION
13. Submissions should be sent to:
Submissions Coordinator
EIFF
88 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
Scotland, UK
EH3 9BZ
All international submissions must include the wording Trade Sample on any customs label. For customs purposes all international submissions are required to give a value of no more than £3 or US$10 to the package.
Your package should include your completed submission form, or, online EIFF or Withoutabox tracking number and the submission fee if required. Please write the category (short or feature) and genre of your film on the front of the envelope and your tracking number if submitted online.
14. RECEIPT OF SUBMISSION
If you wish to receive written confirmation of the safe arrival of your submission, please enclose an email address in the Main Contact section of the submission form.
Please note submissions may not be processed until December 2009, therefore, you may not receive confirmation until then.
15. SUCCESSFUL SUBMISSIONS
If your submission is successful you will be informed by the end of April 2010. If successful you will be required to supply a film print or video master for screening at the EIFF. You should pay particular attention to the shipping and customs information, which will be sent to you at that time. You will be required to pay for the forward carriage of your film print or video master. EIFF will pay for the return carriage only.
16. UNSUCCESSFUL SUBMISSIONS
If your submission is unsuccessful you will be informed by email. This correspondence may not reach you until July 2010 due to our volume of work at this time. Please note EIFF are unable to return your DVD submission.
17. FAQs - see FAQs
FESTIVAL SCREENINGS
18. All films programmed during the Festival are screened to public audiences. There are also additional screenings for press, delegates and guests attending the Festival.
19. The Festival will mainly screen films in 35mm or from Beta or Digibeta (PAL). The Festival will screen prints where possible in 70mm, 35mm with optical sound, or 16mm. In addition, digital screenings will take place at the discretion of the Artistic Director.
20. The Festival will accept responsibility for technical damage to films, fire and destruction, loss and theft for the period of time that prints are in the possession of EIFF and will reimburse the value of the film print (or part thereof) only.
21. The Festival reserves the right to refuse or cancel projection of any film if advised by responsible technicians that the print is not of sufficient quality to ensure satisfactory public screening.
22. The participants must ensure that they have the right to participate in EIFF with regard to third persons connected with the production of the participating film.
23. EIFF will pay for one-way shipping (ie. Return of prints). Upon return of these items, additional charges may be incurred at the consignee’s end. EIFF is not liable for these charges.
AGREEMENT
24. I agree to a short extract (max 3 minutes) being included in a radio, TV or video programme on the EIFF website or in a cinema trailer for the EIFF; to additional public screenings of my film at the EIFF and to my film being given a press/industry screening at the EIFF. I consent to the submission of my film for consideration of any awards that may be made in the context of the EIFF. I certify that all film and music rights and clearances have been obtained (in accordance with UK copyright laws). I certify that I will not withdraw my film from the EIFF after acceptance by the EIFF selection board.
Correspondence Address:
Submissions Coordinator
EIFF
88 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9BZ
Scotland, UK
Tel: (Int.+44) 131 228 4051
Fax: (Int.+44) 131 221 5501
Email: submissions@edfilmfest.org.uk
VAT no 502 5844 61
Registered in Scotland No: 132453
(Registered Address as above)