Buffalo International Film Festival (0)

Geldpreise: 10,000$

Films may be juried by a select group which includes professional members of our Advisory Board and others.

Other awards are selected by the FESTIVAL AUDIENCE which votes by secret ballot for each film screened immediately after the festival screening.

Awards (not all are given every year depending upon entries)
Audience Award: Best in Category Awards and Best of Festival
Al Boasberg Comedy Award
How Science Works
The Ray Bradbury Award
Special awards TBA

Official Selections (invited selections).
These receive an Official Selection Laurel. These films are both new and classic films. They are all eligible for audience awards.

Films may be eligible for other special Jury Awards

Physical Prizes with a total value of over US$10,000.00:

= Final Draft Pro, world-famous software for screenwriters. Donated by Final Draft. http://www.finaldraft.com/products/final-draft/?gclid=CLCLoYuYhbYCFYSe4AodHikA3g

= 2 Sets of HD Stock Footage from FootageFirm valued at over $6,000.00 http://footagefirm.com

= Possible Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into Buffalo Movie Hall of Fame and Buffalo Walk of Fame as well as Niagara Movie Hall of Fame

= Guaranteed Playdate(s) for Exclusive Western New York Theatrical Exhibition at The Screening Room in Amherst, NY. Value: $1,000 costs waived. Percentage of box office sent to filmmaker by pre-arrangement. http://www.screeningroom.net/

= Makers of Officially Selected Films receive Festival All-Access Passes: Value $100.00+ @

BxNF: BIFF 2014, The 8th Annual Buffalo International Film Festival Entry Form
BxNF: BIFF 2014, The 8th Annual Buffalo International Film Festival will take place during October 9-12, 2014 in Buffalo, New York , United States.

CONTENTS:
1. Objectives
2. Categories / Running Times / Production Years / Premieres
3. Prizes and Juries
4. Submission of Movies
4.1 Curated (Invited) Movies
5. Fee Schedules, Special Categories, Discounts & Payments, Refunds
Where to pay - URLs of PayPal, Amazon Payments, Google Checkout
6. Selection and notification of selection
7. Requirements and Personal Appearances
8. Calendar
9. Excerpts
10. Shipping Instructions / Shipping Address
11. Special Conditions
12. Entry form which may be filled out online

1. OBJECTIVES
----------------------
The Buffalo International Film Festival (BIFF:Buffalo) is a non-profit public charity located in Buffalo, NY, USA whose mission is to encourage international communication and cooperation by exhibiting fine examples of motion pictures, videos and other works of art from all over the known universe; presenting educational events and workshops; and creating a friendly social atmosphere in the community for people of all ages.

BIFF supports all levels of film making skills, hoping to inspire the filmmakers of tomorrow.

Opportunities are presented for filmmakers from Western New York State to showcase their work in special screenings.

2. CATEGORIES / RUNNING TIMES / PRODUCTION YEARS & PREMIERES
--------------------------------------------------
The 8th Annual Buffalo International accepts entries in the following categories
(both Live-Action and Animation for all types)

In Competition for Audience Awards:

Feature Length Films (Dramatic, Documentary, Animation)
Short Films (as above)
Foreign Language films with English Subtitles in all categories
Music Videos

Special Categories:
Children's Features and Shorts (both made by children and appealing to children) can be animated or live-action.
Films relating to science (How Science Works: The Film and Video Competition) (Films 1 minute in Length about Empirical Science)
The Al Boasberg Comedy Award: Film and Television (Short films, Feature Films)
The Ray Bradbury Award for Short Science Fiction Film and Video (Films up to 23 minutes)
Science Fiction Features
Architecture
Urban Renewal
Diversity of Devotion (Films relating to the tremendous variety of expressions of human faith and the relation of humanity to the vast universe).
Films based upon the work of H.P. Lovecraft
Films about Zombies
Films and Videos "Made In Buffalo, NY" These can be fiction or documentary and relating to Buffalo or not so long as they are made in and around the eight counties of Western New York.

Genres: Films of all genres are acceptable. Please indicate the film genre (e.g. Noir, horror, black comedy, etc.) when entering.

Ratings: Films of all ratings are acceptable provided we are properly notified. If film has not been submitted for MPAA rating, please indicate your best guess and specify "un-rated."

Other films are curated and invited as "Official Selections." Entry fees are totally waived on invited films.

Running Times: Short films: up to 30 minutes, but preferably 15 minutes or less.
Feature Films: Over 65 minutes

PRODUCTION YEARS
As long as our festival has not previously screened the film, it is eligible for entry. However, older films that have shown at festivals many times, may not have as good a chance at selection as current (2013-14) productions.

PREMIERES
We welcome Premieres of films including "works-in-progress." The Buffalo Film Festival is proud to have presented two world premieres in 2009, two in 2010, four in 2011, and two in 2012. We have also presented in total more than 50 North America Premieres, United States Premieres, New York State Premieres, and Western New York Premieres. Winning films from BIFF Buffalo have gone on to win awards at other festivals and to have commercial openings all over the world. Please notify us if you are submitting a "World Premiere." Under some circumstances we will waive entry fees and judging for such entries.

New 2014 rule: A Western New York Premiere is REQUIRED. The film can not have been shown anywhere in Western New York for any reason except an in-class screening to satisfy school requirements with instructors. Films shown in other Western New York Film Festivals, screened for cast and crew, publically in any manner (with or without an admission charge) are not eligible to enter in The Buffalo International Film Festival. World Premieres, New York State Premieres, United States Premieres, North American Premieres are highly desirable, but not required. Special consideration may be given to such films.

The ONLY exception to the WNY Premiere rule is "Made In Buffalo" films running 9 minutes or less. We will consider these for inclusion in programs of shorts or to accompany features. They are subject to approval by the selection committee.

3. PRIZES AND JURY
------------------------------

JURY and AUDIENCE AWARDS defined:

Films may be juried by a select group which includes professional members of our Advisory Board and others.

Other awards are selected by the FESTIVAL AUDIENCE which votes by secret ballot for each film screened immediately after the festival screening.

Awards (not all are given every year depending upon entries)
Audience Award: Best in Category Awards and Best of Festival
Al Boasberg Comedy Award
How Science Works
The Ray Bradbury Award
Special awards TBA

Official Selections (invited selections).
These receive an Official Selection Laurel. These films are both new and classic films. They are all eligible for audience awards.

Films may be eligible for other special Jury Awards


CASH and OTHER PRIZES
Physical Prizes with a total value of over US$10,000.00:

= Final Draft Pro, world-famous software for screenwriters. Donated by Final Draft. http://www.finaldraft.com/products/final-draft/?gclid=CLCLoYuYhbYCFYSe4AodHikA3g

= 2 Sets of HD Stock Footage from FootageFirm valued at over $6,000.00 http://footagefirm.com

= Possible Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into Buffalo Movie Hall of Fame and Buffalo Walk of Fame as well as Niagara Movie Hall of Fame

= Guaranteed Playdate(s) for Exclusive Western New York Theatrical Exhibition at The Screening Room in Amherst, NY. Value: $1,000 costs waived. Percentage of box office sent to filmmaker by pre-arrangement. http://www.screeningroom.net/

= Makers of Officially Selected Films receive Festival All-Access Passes: Value $100.00+ @

Total Prize Value: over $10,000.00

4. SUBMISSION OF MOVIES
--------------------------------------
4-A Each film must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2014 and received by the festival before July 1, 2014 (the latest deadline) and must be accompanied by the following:

4.1 Two Copies of the film on BluRay, DVD PAL or NTSC (Selected films will be required to submit an additional backup copy of both DVD and BluRay)
4.2 On the DVD or BLU-RAY, using a marker, Please write the NAME OF THE FILM, RUNNING TIME, YOUR NAME, eMAIL or PHONE NUMBER. Please do not send blank, un-marked media. If they become separated from the printed information we have no idea where they came from. DO NOT PUT STICKERS on the discs! The discs may have a professionally on-disc-printed-label.
4.3 There must be a MENU on the disc. No auto-start discs.
4.4 This registration form properly filled in and printed out and included with the entry.
4/5 Non-English language films must be subtitled and include a separate text of the dialog in English
4.6 Several Photos from the film (300 dpi minimum resolution). These may be on a disc or submitted by Emil in an EPK with written permission from BIFF:Buffalo.
4.7 Photos of Filmmaker(s) (300 dpi minimum resolution). These photos should be portraits and show the FACES of the filmmakers.
4.7 A full press kit with biographies of the principal filmmakers, stars, etc. Films WITHOUT press kits may be rejected. Trailers should be in AVI format.

The films must be accompanied by the appropriate payment in US$ via check, money order, or pre-payment via PayPal (to BuffaloFilmfestival@Gmail.Com), Amazon Payments, Google Checkout or Credit Card (through any of the last three services). Provide us with receipt number in your submission if your payment is not included with shipment. Payment can be made online through this URL: http://www.BuffaloFilmFestival.com/

WAIVERS: There are NO FEE WAIVERS whatsoever unless the film is invited.

NO SCREENERS WILL BE RETURNED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES unless a special arrangement is made in advance in writing with the filmmaker responsible for all costs of returning the film.

DO NOT SEND YOUR ORIGINAL and ONLY COPY OF THE FILM. We will not be responsible for loss of any screeners in any manner whatsoever.

Movies posted on MoviBeta without the fee paid to BIFF 2012 are NOT considered entries. They will not be considered or judged unless they are separately submitted directly to the festival.

4-B - Curated (Invited) Movies

If your movie is invited by an official communication from The Buffalo International Film Festival, please include all of the above and:
TWO Blu Ray copies
TWO DVD copies
if you want us to send your film to the local press, please include FIVE watermarked DVDs.

We do NOT return any of this material under any circumstances unless you arrange it with us in advance in writing and send us a Stamped, Self-Addressed mailing container for the return of your film. BluRay discs are no longer expensive and it costs more to return them than the disc itself costs.

If you have not received a confirmation of acceptance by August 1, 2014, please email us to very the status of your film. We have mailed out confirmations in the past and had them not received, so don't assume one way or another.


5. Fee Schedule & Payments, Special Categories & Discounts
---------------------------
WHERE TO PAY

http://www.buffalofilmfestival.com/enter2011.html

via PayPal, Google Checkout or Amazon Payments.
All major credit cards and PayPal accounts.

Please note the CONFIRMATION NUMBER and enter in the form below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

DATES of Deadlines
________________
Early -- Postmarked no later than February 6, 2014
Normal -- Postmarked: February 7 - April 30, 2014
Late --- Postmarked: May 1 - May 24, 2014
Extremely Late -- Postmarked: May 25 - June 15, 2014
Submissions end June 15, 2014

Type Early Normal Late Extremely Late
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feature
Fiction 40 50 75 100
Documentary 25 45 70 95
Short
Fiction 25 35 50 75
Animation 20 30 45 70
Documentary 20 30 45 70
Music Video 10 15 30 45

Special Categories and Special Price Discounts
--------------------------
* Comedy (Feature & Short) priced as Fiction above
* Science Fiction Short priced as Fiction above
* H.P. Lovecraft films (Feature & Short) priced as Fiction above
* Zombie films (Feature & Short) priced as Fiction above
* Sports Films (Feature & Short) priced as Fiction above

* * * How Science Works - - - Special Category
60 seconds or less Early $15 Normal $20 Late $25 Xtremely Late $40
Over 60 seconds, less than 10 minutes Early $20 Normal $25 Late $30 Xtremely Late $45

* * * Made in Buffalo or the 8 Counties of WNY (shorts or features) - - - Special Category, One Price
[ Entrant must live in or come from one of the following list of counties:
Niagara, Erie, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Chatauqua, Cattaraugus, Alleghany ]
Early $10 Normal $15 Late $20 Extremely late $35
(Please include proof of residence in WNY or that you are originally from WNY)

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS:

SHORT FILMS 15 minutes or less may deduct 10% of entry price

Special Student Film Discounts:
STUDENTS with valid Elementary, High School or College ID may deduct 15% of the entry fee by category
Student short films may take both deductions for short films of 15 minutes or less: Total 25% discount.

ASIFA Members:
May deduct 10% on the submission of any animated film.
Complete programs of animated films running 75 minutes or longer submitted officially by an ASIFA branch will be accepted at no charge.

REFUNDS: No refunds will be made for any properly entered film. Entry of a film does not guarantee selection. Non-selected films are not eligible for refunds. The fees cover the costs of administration, judging, and festival expenses in general. (We are a licensed not-for-profit charity and all fees go to the operation of the festival).

6. SELECTION and NOTIFICATION OF SELECTION
---------------------
All festival films are selected by the Artistic Coordinator and his/her committee whose decision is final. Once registered and selected, a movie, a distributor and/or filmmaker is obligated to participate in the festival or must reimburse the festival for expenditures for venues, promotion, selection.

You will be notified either via email or via a posting on the official website at www.BuffaloFilmFestival.com Notifications usually go out In late August 2014. If you are in doubt, WRITE to us, don't guess.


7. REQUIREMENTS / PERSONAL APPEARANCES
---------------------------
The films selected must meet the following requirements:

The filmmakers warrant that they have all rights necessary to exhibit the film or video and will hold Buffalo International Film Festival Inc (hereinafter BIFF), a 501c3 charity, completely harmless from any claim by any party for any dispute arising from the film and agree to defend BIFF from any such claim. You must check YES to this warranty on the entry form or your movie will not be accepted.

The final screening copies must be received by the festival on BluRay or DVD NTSC before September 1, 2013.
Film in other digital formats or 35mm or 16mm must be pre-arranged no later than August 10, 2013.

Festival does not pay filmmaker costs!

We welcome filmmakers who wish to appear with their film. Every reasonable effort will be made to find low cost accommodations and to help find transportation, but at the present time, the festival cannot pay any costs associated with filmmaker appearances. - - - Filmmakers who notify us ahead of time will have their appearances promoted internationally and will have opportunities to contact local and other press. Selected filmmakers who properly provide electronic press kits and press screeners will have them forwarded to local press.
- Filmmakers who arrange their appearances at the festival before July 31, 2013 will be included in the published program book as special guests and offered the opportunity to introduce their film and do a Q&A.
- Filmmakers appearing spontaneously will be included in events at the convenience and sole discretion of the festival.
- Attending filmmakers who notify us by September 1, 2014 will receive All-Access Passes to the festival for up to two actual team-members of the production.

8. CALENDAR OF SCREENINGS
---------------------------------------------
The timetable for submission of films is the responsibility of the festival. The number of projections, dates, times and the place which the films are shown is totally at the discretion of the festival management. Actual dates will be posted prior to the festival and are subject to change at the discretion of the festival. Screenings may be cancelled at the sole discretion of the festival. No notification will be given for changes and cancellations. Films may not be withdrawn after submission for any reason. Filmmaker will pay all costs involved for any attempt to withdraw a film.

9. EXCERPTS OF FILMS
---------------------------------
The festival reserves the right to allow television and radio broadcast excerpts from the works, not exceeding three minutes, only for promotional purposes. Submitter agrees to public screenings at the film festival and special press screenings to which the public is not invited. Other full length screenings (pre- and post-festival) will be discussed separately.

10. SHIPPING Instructions and SHIPPING ADDRESS
------------------
All films or videos in any format must arrive at the festival office before September 1, 2011. The shipping address will be communicated during the confirmation of the participation of the film. Each 35mm should be shipped on standard coil and in a suitable container which will indicate clearly:
-- The film's title
-- The name and return address of the sender
-- The film or video format
If the submission is motion picture film, it is Important to include the words:
"FILM READY FOR VIEWING ONLY - NO COMMERCIAL VALUE"
This is also recommended for DVDs, BluRays, and films shipped to the United States from other countries.

Shipping of 35mm movies are the responsibility of the proposers; return costs for 35mm film are the responsibility of the festival. The numbers of air waybills must be submitted by mail, fax or phone. Contact us to arrange shipping for 35mm.

No Digital screeners (DVD, BluRay etal) will be returned under any circumstances unless pre-arranged with the festival in writing and at the expense of the submitter.

SHIPPING ADDRESS
------------------------------

Normal Submissions by USPS Surface Mail ONLY

Attn: Submissions
Buffalo International Film Festival
Post Office Box 503
Buffalo, New York 14223-0503


UPS, FEDEX, et al with NO SIGNATURE REQUIREMENT
Please send to:

Buffalo International Film Festival
c/o The Screening Room
3131 Sheridan Dr
Suite #7
Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 837-0376

Special Express Services must be pre-arranged. If you must send via an Express Service, please contact us for full instructions. We do not pay collect costs for shipping. They are the responsibility of the filmmakers.

11. SPECIAL CONDITIONS
-------------------------------------
The films are considered submitted only when they actually, physically arrive at the festival with appropriate payment.

BIFF:Buffalo appreciates the mention of participation in the festival in any public relations announcements by the filmmakers. "Official Selection Logos" will be supplied upon request to invited films and final selections. They can also be downloaded from the festival website.

Participation in the Buffalo International Film Festival implies full acceptance of these regulations. In case of dispute the Festival's version and interpretation of the regulations will be held in account.

12. Entry Form
---------------------

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW FULLY.
It is absolutely necessary to begin the submission process. Anything sent without this form both filled in and printed out for inclusion in the mailing will not be accepted.

Thank you!

Questions?
Please write to us at BuffaloFilmFest@Gmail.Com