ELIGIBILTY
FILMS: Short films completed after January 1, 2024, are eligible for BEYOND 2025. Films 40 minutes or less are considered shorts. Films that have been publicly broadcast in the U.S. are ineligible. Note – Films that have been digitally screened with restricted availability as part of an online festival selection are still eligible.
SCREENPLAYS: Screenplays completed after January 1, 2024, are eligible for BEYOND 2025. Screenplays must be written in English and under 40 pages in length. Screenplays that have been optioned, purchased, or produced at the time of submission are ineligible.
BENEFITS
FILMS: Each official selection will receive up to two (2) festival passes to attend screenings and events at BEYOND 2025. More information will be available at the time of acceptance.
SCREENPLAYS: The grand jury winner of the screenplay competition will receive up to two (2) festival passes to attend screenings and events at BEYOND 2025 and a live table read of his/her/their screenplay at the festival. More information will be available at the time of acceptance.
ROUGH CUTS/WORKS IN PROGRESS/UPDATED VERSIONS
We strongly encourage filmmakers and screenwriters to submit the most complete version of their film or screenplay. Only one version of the film or screenplay may be submitted. BEYOND cannot guarantee that multiple or updated versions of a submitted film or screenplay will be reviewed. Works-in-Progress and Rough Cuts are not accepted.
PREMIERES
BEYOND does not have a premiere requirement. Note – Films that have been publicly broadcast in the U.S. are ineligible.
NOTIFICATION & FEEDBACK
All filmmakers and screenwriters will be notified of their status in July 2025. If your contact information or premiere status changes between submission entry and our notification date, please update your information in FilmFreeway and email changes to BEYOND. The festival does not provide feedback on submitted films/screenplays.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
By agreeing to the terms and conditions on the entry form for BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival, the applicant submitting an entry (short film) acknowledges that he/she/they has read and agreed to the following rules and guidelines:
1. Authorization – The Applicant is legally authorized to enter the short film/screenplay in BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival, and the short film/screenplay is not subject to any claims or litigation and is not threatened by any claims or litigation.
2. Eligibility – Short films/screenplay completed after January 1, 2024, are eligible for BEYOND 2025.
a. Films 40 minutes or less are considered shorts. Films that have been publicly broadcast in the U.S. are ineligible. Note – Films that have been digitally screened with restricted availability as part of an online festival selection are still eligible.
b. Screenplays must be written in English and under 40 pages in length. Screenplays that have been optioned, purchased, or produced at the time of submission are ineligible.
3. Format – Filmmakers will be given a list of acceptable formats at the time of acceptance. Screenplays must follow the Standard Screenplay Format. BEYOND only accepts PDF versions of screenplays.
4. Rough Cuts, Works-in-Progress, Updated Versions – BEYOND strongly encourages filmmakers/screenwriters to submit the most complete version of their film/screenplay. Only one version of the film/screenplay may be submitted. BEYOND cannot guarantee that multiple or updated versions of a submitted film/screenplay will be reviewed. Works-in-Progress and Rough Cuts are not accepted.
5. Student Award – To qualify for the Best Student Short Film Award, the film must have been completed while enrolled in an accredited film or media arts course or program.
6. Languages/Subtitles – Non-English language film shorts must be subtitled in English. For accessibility, English language short films must have the option of English captioning. All screenplays must be written in English.
7. Entry – BEYOND can only accept, consider, and notify entries submitted with valid entry form and non-refundable entry fee. To be considered, Applicants must fill out the entry form on FilmFreeway and submit a secure online screener. Entry fee payment must be made online through FilmFreeway.
8. Screening Fees – BEYOND does not pay screening fees for short films in competition.
9. Status – To verify BEYOND has received your entry, please check your film/screenplay’s status in FilmFreeway before emailing us with further questions.
10. Notification – All filmmakers and screenwriters will be notified of their status in July 2025. If your contact information or premiere status changes between submission entry and our notification date, please update your information in FilmFreeway and email changes to Beyond.
11. Entry Materials – Entry materials cannot be returned.
12. Rights & Clearances – It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to obtain all rights, licenses, or necessary permissions thereto: to the fullest extent permitted by Laws and Regulations. The applicant shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of Cary, its officers, and employees, from and against all claims, costs, civil penalties, fines, losses, and damages (including but not limited to professionals’ fees and charges and all court or other dispute resolution costs), by whomsoever brought or alleged, arising out of, resulting from, or in connection with:
a. Any break by the Applicant of any term or condition or Contract,
b. Any breach or violation by Applicant of any applicable Law or Regulation,
c. Any other cause resulting from any act or failure to act by Applicant under this Contract, but only to the extent cause by any negligence or omission of the Applicant.
d. This indemnification shall survive the termination of Contract.
13. Acceptance – If your short film/screenplay is selected for BEYOND 2025, the Applicant hereby agrees to the following rights and requests and grants to BEYOND without reservation, conditions, or qualifications:
a. BEYOND reserves the right to screen an exhibition-quality digital file of the short film during the festival. Preferred format is DCP. Other accepted formats are MP4, MOV, Pro-Res.
b. BEYOND reserves the right to coordinate ALL publicity and press outreach concerning the short film/screenplay’s presentation at BEYOND , including but not limited to:
i. The right to use excerpted clips, still images and/or titles, and information from or relating to the short film/screenplay for promotional purposes in all media including The Cary Theater and BEYOND website.
ii. The right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the short film or screenwriter and the screenplay and to use all associated names, likenesses, and biographical information.
c. BEYOND reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any submission fees, any entry which is in violation of the guidelines and participation agreement.
