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Submit Your Work


Submit Your Work to the TriMedia Film Festival

The Call for Entries is Feb. 10 – May 31, 2012

 

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The TMFF is devoted to nurturing, promoting, and presenting truly independent films, TV pilots & specials, and short plays from truly independent artists who know what it is to spill blood, sweat, and tears into their projects. We accept short and feature-length narratives and documentaries, including comedies, dramas, international, animation, as well as TV and theatre works. We also have strong student film and theatre categories. Awards for winning entries include Jury, Audience Choice, Choice City, and Best of the Festival honors.

Anyone may submit, and you may submit multiple entries. Official winners are announced at the 7th annual event, September 7-9, 2012. They are also posted on this Web site, sent to media via press releases, and submitted to IMDB.

JUMP TO: Categories, Deadlines, & Fees| Rules – Film/TV | Rules – Theatre | Rules – Student Film | Judging Criteria | Content Guidelines | Festival Philosophy

How to Enter

Enter your work through WithoutABox — see below for rules for Film, TV, Student Film, and Theatre entries.

“Entry Deadlines and Fees by Category

FILM (Feature, Documentary, International, Comedy, Family, Animation, Music, etc.) (See rules)

  • Shorts (under 30 mins.):
    • Early (postmarked by March 10): $30
    • Regular (postmarked by April 30) $40
    • Late (postmarked by May 31) $55
  • Full-length (30-90 mins.):
    • Early (postmarked by March 10): $40
    • Regular (postmarked by April 30) $50
    • Late (postmarked by May 31) $75

TV PILOTS/TV SPECIALS (See rules)

  • Shorts (under 30 mins.):
    • Early (postmarked by March 10): $30
    • Regular (postmarked by April 30) $40
    • Late (postmarked by May 31) $55
  • Long (30-90 mins.):
    • Early (postmarked by March 10): $40
    • Regular (postmarked by April 30) $50
    • Late (postmarked by May 31) $75

STUDENT FILMS (See Student rules)

  • Film (2-15 mins.): Entry fee $19
  • Entry package must be postmarked by May 31

THEATRE — With Permission Only (See Theatre rules)

  • Scripts – One-Act Play (15 to 25 minutes)
  • Entry fee $19, and deadline is 31 May 2011
  • If selected, you must produce your play at the TriMedia Film Festival

Film/TV Rules

  1. The TMFF accepts submissions through WithoutABox. Registration with WithoutABox (WAB) is free, there are no extra fees to pay, and you can track your submission progress in WAB’s system. You may also submit through our Web site (see below).

    2. New! Add the TriMedia Film Festival to your WithoutABox Watch List

  2. We encourage the submission of international film/TV entries, but all entries must be in English or have English dubbing or subtitles.
  3. For the 2012 festival, all film/TV entries must have been completed no earlier than 1 January 2009.
  4. Film/TV entries must be available for screening during the 7th annual festival, 7-9 September 2012.
  5. Film/TV entries may not run longer than 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes).
  6. For 2012, the TMFF will select one feature narrative film and one feature-length documentary film to be awarded a Choice City Award. See more about this award below.
  7. By submitting a film/TV entry to TMFF, you agree to allow highlights or excerpts of your entry (e.g., a trailer) to be placed on the TMFF Web site for marketing and promotional purposes, and on the TMFF promotional videos.
  8. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee. You must send us two preview DVDs of each entry, and we only accept DVDs (Region 1 or 0).
  9. Write the title of your entry and your WAB entry number on any and all preview materials you send us, especially the outside of the package and the 2 DVDs themselves. It helps us make sure your entry gets to the right people in a timely manner.
  10. We will notify you that your entry has been received via WithoutABox or via email.
  11. Finalists will be selected based on excellence in conformity to judging criteria, content guidelines, and festival philosophy.
  12. Finalists must submit two exhibition copies of their entry on DVD or Blu-Ray (Region 1 or Region 0). Please write the title of your entry and your WAB entry number on anything and everything you send us.
  13. Preview and/or final exhibition materials will NOT be returned. Please don’t ask us. If you are pre-approved by a TMFF Executive Co-Director to exhibit on some other format, you are responsible for shipping costs both to and from the festival.
  14. In accordance with both TMFF and WithoutABox policies, the entry fee is non-refundable. You may not enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the TMFF.
  15. Awards will be announced at the festival. All awards are based on the overall merit of the entries and on audience choice balloting. The decision of the judges is final.
  16. Finalists will be notified by around July 20, 2012 if their entry will be screened at the 2012 TMFF and considered with the other finalists for the top awards. Please understand that acceptance in the festival will in no way guarantee that you, your actors, or your crew will be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event.
  17. All finalists will have their entries screened at the 2012 TriMedia Film Festival and will be featured in the festival program. In addition, excerpts of your work may be included in promotional or educational DVDs, and/or shown at fundraiser or promotional events for the TMFF.

Please note that we may, at our discretion, accept film or TV entries that have distribution contracts, but if they have been exhibited or aired in Northern Colorado, they may not be eligible for awards.

 

Choice City Awards for Best Feature Film and Best Feature-Length Documentary Film
For 2012, only the very best feature film and best feature-length documentary film will be chosen to exhibit at the TMFF. These are juried awards and will be announced when the TMFF publishes its 2012 schedule. They will include the awards themselves, plus an opportunity for the director to attend the festival. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Questions? Check the Frequently Asked Questions” page first, then the WithoutABox instructions. If you still need help, use the Contact Us form to send us email.

Student Film Rules

  1. Eligibility: You must be an elementary, junior high or middle school, high school, or undergraduate student (including undergraduate film student) to be eligible to submit an entry in the Student Film category. Graduate or graduate film school projects are not considered student films and should be entered in the appropriate film/TV category above. You must provide us with the name of your school or learning institution, and the name and contact information for your teacher, professor, and/or adviser.
  2. Any student may submit films to this category, but Colorado student films will be given preference in the final selection process.
  3. You must attend the festival for the exhibition of your film to be eligible for an award.
  4. All entries must be through WithoutABox (WAB), and 2 copies of your DVD must be postmarked by the May 31 deadline.
  5. Student films entries must have been completed no earlier than 1 January 2009.
  6. Student film entries must be available for screening during the festival, 7-9 September 2012.
  7. Student film entries may not run longer than 15 minutes.
  8. By submitting a student film entry to TMFF, you agree to allow highlights or excerpts of your entry (e.g., a trailer) to be placed on the TMFF Web site at for marketing and promotional purposes, and on the TMFF’s promotional video.
  9. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee, and you must submit 2 copies of each entry on separate DVDs.
  10. Write your WAB entry number (e.g., 2012-0001-STU) on your preview DVDs and the words “STUDENT FILM DIRECTOR” on the outside of the package and the DVD itself. It helps us make sure your entry gets to the right people in a timely manner.
  11. Finalists will be selected based on excellence in conformity to judging criteria, content guidelines, and festival philosophy.
  12. We will notify you that your entry has been received via WithoutABox.
  13. Preview or final exhibition materials will NOT be returned, even if it’s your only copy. Please don’t ask us.
  14. In accordance with both TMFF and WithoutABox policies, the entry fee is non-refundable. You will not be allowed to enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the TMFF.
  15. Awards will be announced during the TMFF. All awards are based on the overall merit of the entries and on audience choice balloting. The decision of the judges is final.
  16. Finalists will be notified by around July 20, 2012 if their entry will be screened at the 2012 TMFF and considered with the other finalists for the top awards. Please understand that you, your actors, or your crew will NOT be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event.
  17. All finalists will have their entries screened at the 2012 TriMedia Film Festival and will be featured in the festival program. In addition, excerpts of your work may be included in promotional or educational DVDs and/or shown at fundraiser or promotional events for the TMFF.

Questions? Check the Frequently Asked Questions” page first, then the WithoutABox instructions. If you still need help, use the Contact Us form to send us email.

“Theatre Rules

The TriMedia Film Festival accepts theatre entries with permission only, and entrants are required to produce the play at the 2012 TMFF. We work primarily with local and regional theatre groups, writers, and others to program the original theatre track.

If you have a new one-act play that you are interested in producing at the festival, please use the Contact Us form to ask for more information. Please read the following section on what we’re looking for.

  1. All submissions must be through our Web site form and include payment of the entry fee. The deadline for theater scripts is 31 May 2012.
  2. All scripts must be in English, and submitted electronically in Word, ASCII text, Final Draft, or PDF form. Performance running time for the script must be between 15 to 25 minutes for short plays. Scripts with fewer characters and minimal/flexible staging requirements are much preferred and are more likely to be accepted.
  3. Scripts must have been written no earlier than 1 January 2009, and that it has not been or will not be staged in Colorado between 1 January 2009 and 9 September 2012.
  4. Scripts must be available to be produced by you or your representative during the festival, 7-9 September 2012. The performance date is tentatively scheduled for Sat., 8 Sept. 2012 at a time to be determined.
  5. Finalists will be notified by around 25 June 2012 if their script(s) have been accepted for production at the 2012 TMFF and considered with the other finalists for awards. Please understand that acceptance in the festival will in no way guarantee that you will be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event.
  6. We will, at our discretion, accept theatre script entries that have been produced before, but if produced for public audiences in Northern Colorado, they may not be eligible for awards.
  7. If your entry is selected, you must arrange for actors to perform a fully staged version the play. We will discuss prop and furniture requirements with you closer to the event, as well as a technical/dress rehearsal time. We are more likely to select short plays that have fewer furniture, prop, set, or technical requirements.
  8. By submitting a theatre entry to TMFF, you agree to allow videotaped highlights or excerpts of the production of your play to be placed on the TMFF Web site for marketing and promotional purposes, and on the TMFF’s promotional or educational DVDs.
  9. Finalists will be selected based on excellence in conformity to content guidelines, judging criteria, and festival philosophy.
  10. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee.
  11. In accordance with both TMFF policies, the entry fee is non-refundable. You will not be allowed to enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of TMFF.
  12. Awards will be announced during the TMFF. All awards are based on the overall merit of the entries and on audience choice balloting. The decision of the judges is final.
  13. All finalists will produce their scripts at the 2012 TriMedia Film Festival and will be featured in the festival program. In addition, videotaped excerpts of your work may be included in TMFF promotional or educational videos.

Guidelines

Judging Criteria

Judging criteria include the overall quality of:

  • Production Quality
  • Story & Character
  • Writing
  • Acting
  • Cinematography
  • Music/Score
  • Directing

The judges will also consider:

  • Production value on screen
  • Level of difficulty
  • "Watchability" or replay value of a piece
  • Consistency with film festival guidelines and objectives

Content Guidelines

The TMFF looks for works that avoid gratuitous sex, violence, or language; ignoring these guidelines will make it less likely your entry will be accepted for the festival. We also like a balanced approach to most subjects, rather than hearing only one side of the issue. For scheduling reasons, we will not accept film/TV entries that run longer than 90 minutes. Also see our Festival Philosopy section, next.

Festival Philosophy

We believe that every great film, TV, and theatre work starts with a great story.

Definition:
sto•ry (n)

  1. An account or recital of an event or a series of events, either true or fictitious
  2. A usually fictional prose or verse narrative intended to interest
    or amuse the hearer, viewer, or reader; a tale.

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language – Fourth Edition, Houghton Mifflin

We encourage rich and vibrant storytelling that piques, amuses, or provokes the viewer. There is nothing like a good story – whether narrative fiction or documentary — to capture the interest and imagination. The most beautifully shot work will seem empty if a story is not embraced and effectively told.

Please, though, don’t neglect production values — do your best to make sure that most of the hard-earned money for your project ends up on the screen, not in someone’s pocket. Even the most richly detailed and emotionally powerful story is lost if you can’t hear the actors or see what’s happening. TMFF audiences have come to expect excellent production values, and your work must be up to that standard to be selected for our festival.

We like documentaries that are balanced. What does that mean? It means that if your entry blatantly advocates one side or point of view over another, it isn’t balanced. We don’t expect you not to have an opinion, but we do expect you to give screen time to credible opposing views. For example, if your story is about destruction of a habitat, you should include fair interviews with credible people who believe there are good reasons to do so.

And lastly, we’re serious about our content guidelines. Based on our interaction with our sponsors, with filmmakers, and our community, there is a strong preference for knowing the work shown at the TMFF won’t contain over-the-top violence, gratuitous bad language, or explicit displays of naughty bits (a.k.a., genitals). If your work contains an abundance of this kind of content, there are plenty of other film festivals that will be happy to see your work.

One final note: If your film is not selected for our festival, it could be that your film meets all the above criteria, but we just couldn’t find a place for it in the program. We wish we could show everything we like, but we only have a limited number of hours and venues, and we can’t fit everything in. If your entry is turned down, it’s sometimes frustrating not to know why; therefore, you may request a synopsis of comments we received from our screeners and selection committee on your work.