2008 submission guidelines

Encounters, the UK's most important international short film festival, takes place in Bristol, UK from November 18 - 23, 2008.

If you would like the chance to get your film screened at the festival, submit it now!

Deadline: 18th June 2008

Eligibility

The festival is open to short films of all production techniques, including animation, documentary, drama, experimental or artist film and hybrid work. The primary contact completing the submission process must be authorised to submit the film for consideration including permission from a distributor or sales agent representing the film and must have obtained necessary permissions for the inclusion of copyrighted music and/or images within the films. Films must have been completed after 31 December 2006. The maximum duration of films is 30 minutes including credits except for certain awards, please read award criteria.

Entry Fees

Individual submissions cost £20 sterling (inc VAT). All entries will be digitised, catalogued and available for on demand viewing in the HP Digitial Viewing Library during the festival. This facility is extensively used by festival delegates including international buyers/distributors/programmers. (Please note that the primary contact details
given on the entry form will be published in the Film Market Catalogue).

Educational institutions, film institutes and distributors who wish to submit multiple entries should contact the festival office as special rates apply.

Deadline

Submission deadline: 18th June, 2008 (date of postmark)

Format

Submissions should be sent for pre-selection on dvd; we regret we are unable to return them. Encounters reserves the right to keep copies of the entries for archive purposes.  If your entry is chosen for the programme, you will be asked to supply a 35mm print, Digibeta or BETA SP Pal for screening at the festival.

Selection & Notification

Successful entrants will be notified of their inclusion in the festival by the end of August 2008. A list of all films selected will also be posted online. Those entrants who have not been contacted by this date have been unsuccessful. The festival cannot enter into individual correspondence regarding films that have not been selected.

Foreign Language Films

If the original language of any dialogue or text featured in the film is not English, the preview and screening copy must be subtitled in English.

Multiple / Repeat Entries

Applicants may enter as many films as they wish - the online submission process will enable you to do this without requiring you to retype your contact data. Please note each entry requires a separate dvd. Films already submitted previously to other editions of the festival are not eligible for re-submission.  

Publicity

In addition to the reproduction of stills and clips of selected films (under 3 minutes or 10% of the total length of the film*) for all Encounters publications, festival trailer, press and TV coverage, they may also be screened as part of preview screenings to promote the event. The festival also reserves non-exclusive rights to show your film free-of-charge online on the festival website for a maximum of 30 days. The festival will publish the email and telephone number for the primary contact and distributor in the festival catalogue of all films selected for the programme.

Submission Procedure

Signed entry forms should be submitted with a DVD preview copy of the film together with two, stills (*See Specifications below) from the film, on CD or by email by the Wednesday 18th June 2008. Preview copies and and stills CDs should be clearly marked and on the spine or on the exterior of the spine or the exterior of the case and on the disc or tape with the 'Film ID Number' and the film title.

Additional material such as press packs and production information are not required at this stage and should not be included. Confirmation of receipt of submission can only be provided on request.

*Stills Specifications

File Format: JPeg
DPI (Dots Per Inch): Minimum 300
Image Size (Festival Brochure and Website Campaign): Minimum 5cm Width
Image size (Inclusion In Press Campaign): Minimun 15cm Width

Scanning Tip: Beware of dust and hairs
Please: No jpegs compressed for / from websites

Submission Delivery

Film submissions and screening copies being sent to the UK from a non -European Union country, must be accompanied by the necessary customs documentation / pro forma invoice. 

When arranging delivery you must ensure that all import and export charges associated with the film are paid. It is advised that the stated value of the package is listed as being no more than 5 euros for customs purposes.

Packages should be marked;

NO COMMERCIAL VALUE - FOR CULTURAL PURPOSES ONLY 

Screening copies should be sent in packages marked 'Submission' addressed to:

Encounters  Festivals
C/o South West Screen
St Bartholomew's Court
Lewins Mead
Bristol
BS1 5BT
UK

*In accordance with ‘A short film festival's Code of Ethics' as drawn up by the International Short Film Conference 1995.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Wednesday 18th June (date of postmark)