Northern Virginia Film Festival

October 10, 2009

Rules and Submission Guidelines

A Division of RainMaker
Media Foundation, Inc.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES AND ENTRY FEES

Standard Deadline:                   August 1, 2009             $25 (USD)

Final Deadline:                         September 9, 2009       $50 (USD)

Fees are payable by check or money order only.

ELIGIBILITY

• Films must fit into one of the six genres.
• All music and other copyrighted materials used in the films must be original or filmmakers must have obtained permission in writing from the owner, such permissions to be submitted with the film.
• All films must be submitted in English or subtitled in English.
• When submitting to the Youth or Student category, the film's director must have been the appropriate age or younger at completion of final editing.

FILM SUBMISSION TYPES:

Films may not be submitted to more than one category.  Films may be of any genre.

·        Youth Submitted Films.  The film's writer, director and editor must all be under 13 years of age.  Adults and minors older than 13 may participate in the filming as actors, crew and general advisors, but they may not write the script, handle the camera or edit the film.

·        Student Submitted Film.  The film's writer, director and editor must all be under 21 years of age.  People over 21 may participate in the filming as actors, crew and general advisors, but they may not write the script, handle the camera or edit the film.  Filmmakers who are 18 years of age or older may submit to the General Category if they prefer, but they may not submit to both Student and General Categories.

·        General Submitted Film.  The film's writer, director or editor was over 21 years of age at completion of final editing.

CATERGORIES

Film may not be submitted to more than one category.  Films may be of any genre.

• Youth Category.  The film's writer, director and editor must all have been under 13 years of age at the completion of final editing.  Adults and minors 13 and older may participate in the filming as actors, crew and general advisors, but they may not write the script, handle the camera or edit the film.
• Student Category.  The film's writer, director and editor must all have been under 21 years of age at completion of final editing.  People 21 and older may participate in the filming as actors, crew and general advisors, but they may mot write the script, handle the camera or edit the film.  Filmmakers who are currently 18 years of age or older may submit to the General Category if they prefer, but they may not submit to both Student and General Categories.
• General Category.  The film's writer, director or editor was 21 years of age or older at completion of final editing.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

1. All films must be submitted using the Northern Virginia Film Festival Registration Form, available at www.northernvirginiafilmfestival.org.  You may also obtain a form by sending an email to novafilmfest@gmail.com.
2. Completed registration forms, accompanying fees and DVDs of completed films must be submitted to:

John Gilstrap, Executive Director

Northern Virginia Film Festival

12758 Lavender Keep Circle

Fairfax, VA  22033

Note the deadline dates and the submission fees that apply to them.  No exceptions will be made to the submission deadlines or fee schedule.  Fees are payable by check or money order only.

3. Filmmakers must mail three (3) DVD copies (NTSC DVD Region 0 or 1) of their film to the above address for selection and judging.  You must label your DVDs with the film's title, category, genre, running time and director's name.
4. Take care in writing the short synopsis required on the submission form, as this synopsis will be used in any film festival promotional materials.
5. DVDs will not be returned.  No refunds.
6. More than one entry may be submitted; however, each entry must be submitted as a separate film, with separate submission forms and submission fees.  NO NOT SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE FILM PER ENVELOPE.

JUDGING PROCESS

Each submission will be screened by our panel of judges, who will first determine which entries qualify for the competition, and then determine a winner and runner-up in each category.

EXHIBITION

The festival hopes to find a venue for public screening of winning submissions.  If such a venue is located, filmmakers will be notified as soon as possible.

AWARDS AND PRIZES

Winners and runners up in each category and genre will receive certificates to that effect, suitable for framing. Other awards are in development, updated information will be posted on the website when available.

FILMMAKER RELEASE

On the application form, you (or a parent or guardian if you are under 18) will be required to sign a release form that:

• Grants permission to the Northern Virginia Film Festival (NVFF) and Rainmaker Media Foundation (RMF) to use clips of your film for promotional use.
• Grants the non-exclusive right for NVFF and RMF to screen, exhibit and distribute your film in its entirety for any promotion or project under the festival or foundation's name for up to one year after the 2009 festival.  NVFF and RMF may also actively pursue other distribution opportunities for your film.
• Allows NVFF and RMF and other third parties at their discretion the right to film, videotape and/or photograph your appearance or voice for any and all marketing and promotional activities for the festival.
• Your submission of an entry into the Northern Virginia Film Festival constitutes an agreement between you and NVFF and RMF, and that by submitting your film for consideration, you agree to all of these rules, terms and agreements.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS THE FESTIVAL SOMETHING I SHOULD ATTEND?  The festival hopes to find a venue for public screening of winning submissions.  If such a venue is located, filmmakers will be notified as soon as possible.  Unless and until that happens, there is no need to attend.

IS THERE A LIMIT TO HOW YOUNG A FILMMAKER CAN BE?  Not officially; but remember the restrictions on adult participation in the filmmaking process.

DO YOU ACCEPT COMMERCIALS OR NEWS VIDEOS?  Not as such.  NVFF's focus is on storytelling.  This means narrative films and documentaries.  Of course, it's possible that a news report could qualify in the documentary category.

CAN THERE BE VIOLENCE, NUDITY OR SWEARING IN MY FILM?  Yes.  We have no rules on content, but we caution that shocking images simply for the sake of shocking images are rarely well received.

DO YOU ACCEPT HORROR FILMS?  Yes.  We're looking for good stories, well-told, irrespective of subject matter.

For more information, please email novafilmfest@gmail.com, 

Please print out a copy of these guidelines for reference.