The Valley Film Festival (20)

Festival start: 01 August 2020      Festival end: 09 August 2020

Founded in 2000, The Valley Film Festival (VFF) is a non-profit project of Community Partners ® and is the first and longest continually running film festival in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, headquartered in the NoHo Arts District.

Now in its 20th year, VFF supports local and international voices that advance storytelling, while furthering the education, production, and exhibition of film. In 2010, the City of Los Angeles recognized our cultural contributions with the city seal, and in 2018 the California State Senate stood with us #UnitedByFilm in our efforts to practice conscious programming to unite the international film community.

The Festival is supported by a dynamic community of companies, filmmakers, and moviegoers, that make it possible for VFF to offer year-round programming:

THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
*In 2019, we expanded from a five-day showcase of film screenings to nine days of live music, book readings/signings, screenplay workshops, professional development panels, a distribution symposium, networking, daily happy hours and, of course, film screenings.

FOCUS ON: Series
*Educational panels in The Valley’s schools (Art Institute, Columbia College Hollywood, and New York Film Academy) that bring our network of industry experts together to share relevant, practical knowledge on navigating the industry

THE VALLEY FILM MARKET
*Previously under our Focus On: series, we’ve pulled out our film sales & distribution events to create THE VALLEY FILM MARKET. Our inaugural symposium included panels and a one-on-one matchmaking event between filmmakers & distributors.

VFF screens shorts, features, documentaries, animated films, experimental works, web series, music videos, and more. If you're unsure if your film fits our programming, please review our archives before submitting.

Audience Award
“10 Degrees Hotter” juried award

BEFORE SUBMITTING:


• The Valley Film Festival (VFF) screens on DCP (Digital Cinema Package). Our venue, Laemmle NoHo7, uses Christie 4K projectors. Please do not submit to VFF20 if you cannot provide the Festival with a DCP.


• While we consider all genres, if you’re unsure if your film fits our programming, please review our archives.


• Studios and Sales Agents: Please do not submit to VFF20 if you require a fee for screening at VFF. As a non-profit arts organization, it is not in our budget.


VFF20 SUBMISSION BASICS (For 2020 Festival, August 1-9, 2020)


1 – All completed submissions received by April 12, 2020 will be considered for The Valley Film Festival 2020 (VFF20).


2 - Premiere status is taken into account for all sections and films that have not yet screened in Los Angeles County prior to VFF20 will be given priority.


3 – Filmmaker engagement will be taken into account for all selections. We encourage you to have a website and be active on social media to discover your audience. Why? It's easier for us to promote you if we know who your audience is.


4 – The “10 Degrees Hotter” competitive program will only consider submissions completed in 2018, 2019 or on track to be completed prior to VFF20.


5 – Eligible submissions, if not chosen for the “10 Degrees Hotter” competitive program, will be considered for an Audience Award program.


6 – Submissions not in English must have English subtitles.


IF ACCEPTED TO VFF20:


1 - If selected to VFF20, you will be asked to sign an Acceptance Agreement within five (5) business days of initial contact. Failure to do so forfeits acceptance into VFF20.


2 – The filmmakers accept responsibility for all trademark and copyrighted materials, shown or recorded, on the project and have the necessary releases for a theatrical screening.


3 - Official selections will be asked to provide a DCP approximately four (4) weeks prior to the festival. Please do not submit to VFF20 if you're not able to provide a DCP for screening purposes.


4 - Filmmakers with a feature or short film in the “10 Degrees Hotter” competitive program will be asked to supply a password-protected link for our panel of jurors.


5 – While we will always ask first, Filmmakers agree that their film, or clips from it, and all other material related to their project may be used and/or published in the event program, VFF website, social networking sites, blog, or for other Festival promotional purposes.


6 – Filmmakers promise to provide VFF with a full electronic press kit that must include a trailer, images for web and print, cast & crew information, and film synopsis. We can't promote you without your help.


7 – We ask that you participate in VFF as much as possible. If you’re unable to attend your screening, please have a representative attend in your place. Please support your peers and celebrate independent cinema.


8 - The cost of delivery and pick-up of all materials is the responsibility of the filmmaker.


9 - VFF holds no responsibility for lost or damaged films or promotional materials. Of course we’re going to handle your deliverables with care, but it is solely up to the filmmaker to take full responsibility.


10 - Take a deep breath, relax, and have fun!


OUR PLEDGE TO THE FILMMAKER:


1 – VFF promises to watch each submission, from start to finish. Guaranteed. You took the time to submit your project to VFF20 and we’ll take the time to watch it. (Please note that your Vimeo counter will not take into account views if embedded into Festhome's player).


2 – At the end of each submission period, and during the final weeks of our selection process, VFF will regularly update the main contact on the status of the film. If you change your email address, please be sure to update VFF. Additionally, we ask that you add info@valleyfilmfest.com to your address book, follow @ValleyFilmFest on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram and please do not unsubscribe from our email list until films have been selected. This will ensure you receive all communications from VFF during the submission period.


3 - VFF will never share your contact information, or any part of your film, with a third party without your permission.


4 - Upon request, VFF will extend screening notes to filmmakers, after the festival has ended.


Submitting to VFF20 through FestHome.com confirms that you are authorized to do so and that you've read, understand and agree to the VFF20 Terms of Entry.