Q: When may I submit my film for the 2004 festival?
A:
You can apply and submit now until December 1, 2003 by using our online application form. Please read the rest of this FAQ and then use the button above to continue to the application form.
Q: What's the difference between a "registration" and an "submission"?
A: A registration is a badge individuals in the film industry...filmmakers too...purchase (think low hundreds of dollars) to attend and participate in SXSW Film conference panels, workshops, mentor sessions, the Trade Show, Film Festival, Awards Show, and other special parties.
A festival submission is the way to be considered for a screening slot at the SXSW Film Festival. There is a small fee (think in the tens of dollars) involved. The lowest registration (see description above) rate of the season is held for filmmakers awaiting notification as it takes a while for decisions to be made. Filmmakers are allowed to register to attend SXSW Film at this low rate regardless of decision status, so it is a good chance to make the most of SXSW even if your film does not screen. INSIDER TIP: Your decision whether to register to attend SXSW Film does NOT affect your submission decision, so you can wait until instructions arrive with your notification.
Q: If I use the online submission process to submit my work, when do you need to have my VHS screener?
A:
By November 3 for the early deadline and December 1 for the late deadline.
Q: Can I get a deadline extension?
A:
MAYBE. Please contact us if you need an extension. Before requesting an extension, please understand that the later we receive your film, the less time we have to view it. This means that your video can be viewed fewer times and by fewer judges. Films arriving late cannot receive equal consideration.
Q: My film isn't ready yet. Should I send the rest of the materials (application, etc.) first and send the video later?
A:
NO. All materials relevant to your film must be sent in the same package. Under no circumstance will we accept videos that arrive after the December 1 deadline, even if we have already received the application. If you apply online, please be sure to send a completed hardcopy version of the application with your video.
Q: I have two shorts and they're all on one tape. Do I have to send them as separate entries?
A: YES. Each work submitted to us must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee. One submission per VHS tape, please.
Q: I don't know if my film is narrative or experimental. In which category should I submit it?
A: You decide. You cannot submit under two categories. In most cases, if we feel that a film has been submitted to the wrong category, we will change it to whichever category in which we think the film will do best. Generally, films we place in the experimental category are those with no narrative thread. We do not consider silent films, mockumentaries, or films which use unconventional narrative techniques as experimental (we consider all these examples to be narratives).
Q: My film is 45 minutes long. Is it a short or a feature?
A: Everything under 40 minutes is a short.
Q: Whom should I put down as the Primary Contact?
A: Whomever is going to be our sole contact person for the next five months. Status of your entry will not be divulged to anyone but this contact person. We prefer that this be a person who can be easily reached for the next five months, whether it be via e-mail or phone (especially e-mail!). Please understand that in most cases, this contact will be the ONLY person SXSW is in touch with before the festival.
Q: My film won't be done in time for your deadline. Can I just send you a trailer/the screenplay/publicity materials now and the completed film later?
A: NO. We must have a video copy of the most complete version of your work as possible. Videos containing only trailers will not be considered.
Q: My film won't be done in time for your deadline. Can I submit a rough cut?
A: YES, but keep in mind that there will be no guarantee that we'll have time to view a finished product if you send us a new tape after early January. Also keep in mind that your film has a better chance of acceptance if we view a finished product.
Q: I submitted a rough cut last year and it wasn't chosen. Can I resubmit?
A: YES. You can resubmit as many times as you'd like from year to year, and we have shown many films that were submitted as works in progress and turned down in previous years.
Q: Do you play works in progress?
A: NO. Your film MUST be finished and ready to be shipped to us at least two weeks before the festival begins.
Q: Can I submit my film on a DVD or PAL or Beta format video? Can I send you my print for preview?
A: NO. We only accept standard speed NTSC VHS tapes for preview.
Q: Should I send stills with my entry?
A:
We do not require that you send us stills unless your work is chosen to screen at the festival. It is nice for us to have them on hand, but if you only have a limited supply (they aren't cheap!) we prefer that you keep 'em and save some cash.
Q: If chosen, in which formats can my work be screened?
A:
So far, we can guarantee that we will have 35mm, 16mm, and Beta SP screening capabilities. Which formats we will offer for digital projection is TBD from year to year.
Q: Should I send a SASE for the return of my video?
A: NO. Any materials you send us will not be returned. Please do not send us your one and only VHS copy and your only set of stills (sounds silly, but it's been done before).
Q: What do you mean my materials may be copied for SXSW's non-commercial purposes?
A: From time to time submitted tapes need to be dubbed in order to expedite the pre-screening process, and submitted press materials will be copied to distribute to the press if your film is selected. Copying of materials may not be limited to these examples, but we will usually contact you if we feel the need to duplicate your materials for other purposes.
Q: I had a cast and crew screening of my film in Austin, but it hasn't played anywhere else in Austin. Does this mean it's ineligible for SXSW?
A: NO, your film is still eligible. Films that have played in Austin in a theatrical setting to a general-public audience are ineligible (the only exception to this rule is shorts that have played solely in conjunction with the University of Texas). Cast and crew screenings do not rule your film out.
Q: I have completed the application process. When can I expect to hear from you regarding the status of my entry?
A:
We will notify you if your entry is incomplete. The earlier you submit your film, the earlier you will know whether it has been accepted. All filmmakers will be sent notification of their film's final status no later than February 4, 2004. INSIDER TIP: No news is good news. If you haven't heard from us, it means your film is still in the running. Please don't call us panicked unless you still haven't heard from us at all by February 11.
Q: Is there any way I can find out the status of my entry early if I call and harass you daily?
A: NO WAY! Please don't try. We send out rolling notifications as often as twice daily, so each filmmaker will know the status of their film almost as soon as we do.
Q: I know I'm going to attend SXSW regardless of whether my film is accepted or not. Should I register for the conference now while it's cheaper, or wait until I hear whether my film has been chosen?
A: Register later. If your film is accepted, you will receive complimentary registrations. If your film is not accepted, you will still be offered the lowest registration rate of the season.
E-mail us. We will do our best to give all inquiries a timely response.
