- Who can submit a film?
Submissions for 2011 are now closed. We will open the
submissions process for 2012 in August 2011.
We welcome submissions from independent and student filmmakers.
Submission fees categories are as follows:
- Standard: non-students
- Student: college or film school
- Young Filmmaker: middle/high school
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- What types of films are accepted?
The festival is especially interested in works that incorporate
themes of art and science, but all submitted films will be
considered for selection. We do not accept industrial or
advertising films. We accept short films in almost all genres and
subject matter in these categories:
- Animation (all styles)
- Narrative
- Experimental
- Documentary
- Young Filmmakers (middle/high school)
Animation, narrative, and experimental films must have a run
time of 30 minutes or less. Documentary films must have a run time
of 90 minutes or less. Films submitted in the Young Filmmaker
category must have a run time of 10 minutes or less.
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- How do I submit a film?
We use the electronic application service run by Withoutabox. Our low-cost fees are set by
submission date and filmmaker category. Withoutabox is free
for filmmakers and efficient for us. Filmmakers fill out only one
master entry form for our film festival and over 1,000 other
Withoutabox-partner festivals.
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- How are films selected?
All submitted films are screened by film professionals and our
team of volunteer reviewers. The review teams rate the films
according to several criteria. Selection criteria include the
following selection criterial:
- Script/Storyboard: story, suitability, sequencing, and
shots
- Technical: camera controls & movement, composition, sound,
and editing
Many films are reviewed twice to give filmmakers as
much consideration as possible. The da Vinci Film Festival Program
Coordinator makes the final screening decisions and all
filmmakers receive notification if your film was accepted or not
accepted for screening.
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- What are some benefits you provide for filmmakers?
We value the work of independent film makers! All filmmakers are
invited to attend da Vinci Days and the da Vinci Film Festival.
Visiting filmmakers are treated like royalty and invited to
participate in a post-screening Q&A.
For filmmakers joining us at the festival, we offer a hosted
Filmmaker Breakfast and and provide two complimentary Weekend
Passes to the Festival. Special hotel rates are also available.
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- Can I request a fee waiver?
We are not able to offer fee waivers for film submissions.
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- Who are some of your past guest filmmakers?
We hosted independent filmmaker Alex Cox at the 2008 Festival
and have featured, among others, Academy Award-winning sound editor
Richard Hymns, and Oregon's own Will Vinton. In 2010, viral media
video pioneers and indie band OK Go, hosted a special screening of
their music videos and a Q&A session to a sold out
audience.
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- Do you get many Young Filmmaker entries?
We've watched some young filmmakers progress in their filmmaking
skills as they submit films each year. Nearly 15% of submissions
are from middle and high school filmmakers. Young filmmakers enjoy
all the same benefits of being a guest filmmaker at the
Festival.
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