Submissions are now open for the 2016 Calgary International Film Festival, which runs from September 21 - October 2, 2016.

More info at http://www.calgaryfilm.com

DEADLINES:

May 1, 2016 Early Deadline
June 1, 2016 Regular Deadline
June 13, Late Deadline (late fee applies)

The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) is a 12-day showcase of up to 200 multi-genre films from Canada and over 40 other countries.

The festival hosts gala events, screenings, award ceremonies and special presentations. We host a large number of participating filmmakers from our backyard and round the world and connect them with the audience through post-screening question and answer periods, mingling at our events, and through panels and film talks open to the general public.

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, Music on Screen and Shorts. We also present a number of awards to outstanding films selected by our audiences and esteemed juries.

The recipient of CIFF's annual Best of Shorts Award is now eligible for consideration in the Animated Short Film / Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards®, without the standard theatrical run that a film typically needs to qualify for an Oscar® nomination.

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.

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.

This year's festival will run from Septermber 21st-October 2nd, 2016, and submissions are now open! Please visit http://www.calgaryfilm.com/2016-submissions for submission details and rules, or see below:

**If you are an Alberta production but your contact information is outside of Alberta, or you need to discuss our point system, please contact the programming department programming@calgaryfilm.com.

Films who wrongfully submit under the Alberta Film categories and DO NOT meet the point system, will not be viewed by our programmers.

AWARDS

Films invited to the 2016 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 (Alberta Shorts films only) – Jury award

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

●      Best of Shorts Award ( short films only)  - Jury award

GENERAL RULES

Participation in the 16th Calgary International Film Festival implies understanding and acceptance of the following Guidelines and Regulations:

Films submitted to the Alberta Features or Shorts Categories, which ARE NOT ALBERTAN, will be automatically disqualified.

*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 2016 selection:

●      The film was completed after January 1, 2015 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 21 – October 2, 2016

●      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 ONLY.

●      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 prior to submitting your film!

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.

SELECTION

Preference will be given to submissions that have not been distributed/screened theatrically or broadcast on television in Alberta prior to the 2016 Festival. All submissions are screened and evaluated by CIFF Preview and Selection Committees. Their reports and decisions are final and confidential.

FEATURE Films must be a Calgary premiere.

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 or Blu-Ray, 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 24, 2016.

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 14, 2016. Short film files (as per specs provided on acceptance) must be uploaded to the server no later than August 17, 2016. 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.

Packages should be clearly marked, “Without commercial value. Non pornographic. For cultural purposes only. On Loan From Country of Origin”.