ELIGIBLE FILMS
Submitted films must be under 15 mins and any release date. Shorter films, under 5 -7 mins are preferred. In fitting with the festival theme, films should contain implicit or explicit concepts of adult sexuality that centers BDSM related content with QTBIPOC performers. All participants must be over the age of 18 at the time of production and the filmmaker must maintain proper records ensuring consenting adult participation. Only completed films may be submitted for consideration.
HOW TO SUBMIT
Submit your film via FilmFreeway. Enter information to the best of your ability, including screener, description, filmmaker biography, and publicity stills. Please hold off on sending any additional materials until notified of acceptance.
CLOSED CAPTIONS ARE RECOMMENDED
In English and either burned in or provide a srt file.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
If selected, additional materials such as social media handles corresponding to the cast and crew as appropriate may be requested to aid in festival promotion.
MATERIAL DELIVERY
Submitted films should be available as digital file formats .MP4, .MOV ProRes at 1920 x 1080 resolution. The festival’s technical director will contact accepted submissions to coordinate the delivery of film materials.
SCREENING FEES
No screening fees available. Accepted filmmakers receive complimentary ticket to film festival screening.
ENTRY FEES
Entry is free to filmmakers until the EarlyBird deadline and $3 to enter by the final deadline. Fee waiver codes will be granted if financial need is communicated to festival organizers. We aim to make the submission process accessible to filmmakers experiencing financial barriers.
SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Programming and curatorial decisions are made by the festival director. All filmmakers will be informed by the notification date whether a film has been approved or declined. A festival schedule with screening dates and times will be sent to accepted filmmakers after notification.
PUBLICITY AND MARKETING
Films selected for BDSTHEM Film Festival may be excerpted for publicity purposes. By submitting your film, the festival reserves the right to promote your film and its materials to print, broadcast, or internet media as required to market the festival.
SUBMISSION AGREEMENT
By entering your film for consideration, you hereby attest that you are legally authorized to submit the film to the BDSTHEM Film Festival and that all necessary releases, licenses, and records have been obtained. You shall indemnify and hold BDSTHEM Film Festival, its sponsors and producers, owners and officers, harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney fees and court expenses) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening rescheduling or cancellation, and loss of, or damage to, the screening submissions entered. The BDSTHEM Film Festival reserves the right to remove a film from festival consideration and programming for any or no reason and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising out of such removal. If your film is accepted, you expressly grant BDSTHEM Film Festival the non-exclusive right and license to exhibit and utilize your film as described in the festival rules and terms.
Thank You to Cinekink NYC & SFPFF for providing by example the basis of these submission rules.
