TOP 100 BEST REVIEWED FILM FESTIVAL

FOR SELECTED FILMMAKERS PLANNING ON ATTENDING
*ACCOMMODATIONS PROVIDED FOR THE PRINCIPAL OF THE FILM, AS AVAILABLE
*FREE Breakfast & lunch on screening days PROVIDED FOR FILMMAKER (WITH 2024 BIFF CREDENTIALS) EXCLUDES ALCOHOL

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The mission of the Beaufort International Film Festival is to enliven our community by fostering and developing a rich appreciation for art of filmmaking.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
In 2025 The Beaufort Film Society will present the Nineteenth Annual Beaufort International Film Festival. Six days of international and local short films, feature films, animation, filmmakers surprises, educational forums, guest speakers, parties, and the quiet charm of historic Beaufort will all be on display.

Many of the filmmakers will be here at the festival to talk about and answer your questions about their films, and this is possibly your only opportunity to get close to them and see their early works before they get "discovered". The purpose of the festival is to recognize aspiring filmmakers of almost every genre to include independent film, music, animation, short and long features,documentaries, and screenwriting.

It is also an opportunity to showcase the beautiful "film-friendly" region of Beaufort and the Carolina Sea Islands. For the past quarter of a century Beaufort has served as the backdrop for more than 20 major motion pictures, to include Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, The Prince of Tides,and many more. Through this festival we will reintroduce our sweeping marsh vistas, antebellum homes, and quiet charm of the old south to a new generation of filmmakers.

Notable perks for selected filmmakers are complimentary hotel rooms on a first come first serve basis. Breakfast and boxed lunches are offered FREE to Filmmakers (2025 BIFF Official Selections) on screening days with festival credentials, EXCLUDES alcohol. FULL ACCESS VIP passes are provided to all credited filmmakers up to 4 in your film which provides access to EVERYTHING offered by the festival. As a bonus, if you are selected, you will then be a BIFF ALUMNI and future entry fees to the festival for future projects are waived FOREVER.

Awards are presented in the categories as follows:

Judged categories:

Feature Film
Documentaries (Feature and Short)
Short Film
Student Film
Animation
Screenplays (Feature Film)
Actress
Actor
Director
Musicall Score
Ensemble Cast
Susan A. K. Shaffer Humanitarian Award
Duty & Honor Film Collection (Military, Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue)

Audience Voted

Comedy
Audience Choice

Online screeners are preferred until notification of acceptance, at which time a high definition (1080p) (Maximum Video Resolution 1920 X 1080 and Audio up to 7.1 Surround Sound but for best performance we recommend 5.1) Exhibition version .mp4 digital file will be requested. The Vimeo Screener may be made available for download for convenience. Otherwise the Official Screener must be sent via digital transfer, i.e. Dropbox, High Tail, WeTransfer, etc. Entries are accepted in .mp4 format. For Disclaimer: We reserve the right to down sample any films submitted to match the projector resolution in order to provide the best showing possible to our audiences.

• All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2021 unless a waiver is granted.
• All films must be in English or have English subtitles. Non-subtitled or dubbed foreign language films will not be considered.
• All clearances must be obtained for exhibition.
• Only the Producer, Director, Screenwriter or someone closely connected to the film may complete the application. Schools may submit films on behalf of student filmmakers in the Student Category.
• Only complete entries will be accepted. This includes the non-refundable entry fee paid to the order of BIFF, a signed and completed entry form and an online screener. Filmmakers may apply electronically via FilmFreeway.
• Films submitted in previous years will not be accepted for submission unless a waiver is granted.
• The programmers at BIFF actively pursue the best in American independent and world cinema for the annual Festival. Films that have been released on video or DVD, have been widely screened on television or cable, or have been released theatrically preclude the Festival from accepting those films for competition. Entries that appear in their entirety on YouTube or Vimeo or other video exhibition program will not be accepted. Exceptions are sometimes made for such films to be programmed at the Festival out of competition but are determined on a case by case basis.

Film Categories for Competition:

• Feature-length films (narrative or documentary) must be 40 minutes or longer.
• Film Shorts (narrative, documentary, experimental, animated) must be 39 minutes or less.
• Student films must have been completed after January 1, 2021 and proof of enrollment is required. Student films may not exceed 30 minutes.
* Animation Category submissions may not exceed 8 minutes.
* Screenplays must be feature length

Although BIFF is a competitive festival, some films may be included in the program in a non-competition section.

Unfortunately, BIFF is unable to provide comments about specific films due to time and resource constraints.

Selected filmmakers may expect the following:

• Filmmakers whose films are accepted for competition will be notified by email by approximately December 15th, 2024. All the privileges due filmmakers will be specified in this correspondence.
• All filmmakers with a film in competition will receive a VIP pass, giving free access to all events and screenings (subject to availability) at the Festival. These passes are non-transferable and must be worn at all times in clear view. Passes are not sent by mail, but must be picked up in person at the designated Festival site.
• BIFF promotes the schedule of screenings via media including newspapers, emails, television and radio. BIFF encourages filmmakers to help promote their films by promoting their screening(s) to industry professionals, distributors, the press and the general public.
• For entries selected to the 2025 Festival, an exhibition version of the film in proper format Digital File (MP4 ) and USB Flashdrive backup must be received by BIFF no later than October 31, 2024. Failure to comply with technical specifications may result in the removal of the film from Festival competition.
• Filmmakers may not install banners or posters at the theaters without the official authorization of BIFF.
• The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The individual or corporation submitting this film additionally grants the BEAUFORT International Film Festival the right to one or more public screenings of the entry during the dates of FEBRUARY 18-23, 2025. Entries that are not completed or available for screening must pull their entry prior to Jan.5, 2025or the film will be screened as entered.

The management of the BEAUFORT International Film Festival reserves the right to decide all questions regarding rules and regulations. Submission of a film constitutes that the filmmaker accepts the rules and regulations set forth herein.

Questions: Please visit the website at www.beaufortfilmfestival.com or email: beaufortfilm@gmail.com.

A synopsis or description alone on one page, (one paragraph, appropriate for quick reading)

A cast and crew list on two pages maximum, (if possible). Include contact information.

There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. A separate entry and entry fee must accompany each work.

The Beaufort International Film Festival reserves the right not to choose a winner from any of the competing categories listed in the description.

All films submitted that are 5 minutes or longer must include a trailer and a poster to enable the festival to properly market and promote the film prior to the festival.

Good Luck!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

By your submission of a program to the Beaufort International Film Festival you authorize us to use your program in all promotions for the festival and for the Beaufort Film Society. This would include encore presentations after the festival to which accepted.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • yelena krivosheyeva

    I don't even know where to begin with Beaufort International Film festival! A friend highly advised to attend and although driving 2500 miles all the way from California to South Carolina didn't sound like a lot of fun initially, we will make that drive to that festival over and over again from now on. It was, hands down, my best experience attending a film festival. It started with the head of the festival, Ron Tucker personally emailing us and sharing his thoughts on the film. He offered us a free room at a beautiful historical Rhett House Inn across from the oldest church in town... The hospitality, and care were absolutely unparalleled, I have never had an experience like this. The screenings were nearly sold out every day and the audience was so receptive and engaged. Some of the best Q&A I've ever heard.The whole town comes together for this festival - it is incredible! What a wonderful community and a truly amazing festival! This experience at Beaufort reassured me why I want to make movies as hard and discouraging as it can most of the time. Thank you Ron and Rebecca Tucker for what you are doing! The Magic Ticket film wishes you many many years of health and prosperity and endless energy to keep this wonderful festival going! Also, hopefully the Academy will recognize you very soon!

    April 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Lena, thank you for this fabulous review of your BIFF experience. You and your team are consummate professionals. The deep emotional care you took with your film and the passion you have for storytelling is what we hope for when selecting films for the festival. I feel like we really connected on so many levels and I know your future is very bright as you continue to hone your craft as a filmmaker. Rebecca and I enjoyed getting to know you and really look forward to when you can return. Your kind words are very much appreciated.

  • Meg Jenkins Locke

    As a SC native whose film, Sister, is in part a love letter to the Low Country, I was thrilled Sister was selected for the Beaufort International Film Festival. Rebecca and Ron know how to create magic for the filmmakers and audience. WOW!!! The level of talent and variety of films were outstanding. Meeting other filmmakers and making friends was a highlight! The volunteers were gracious and the hospitality unsurpassed!
    Every Day is certainly A DAY at BIFF.
    There are not enough accolades to be given for a week spent at BIFF!!! Again, thank you to Rebecca and Ron for your many kindnesses and the beauty and excellence of this wonderful festival. WELL DONE!!!

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks Meg for the great review of your BIFF experience. Your film Sister resonated with so many and we were proud to showcase your story and your talent as a filmmaker. We're always so appreciative when we can put the spotlight on a South Carolina filmmaker and the beautiful backdrop of the Lowcountry. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

  • Hands down best festival!! Ron and Rebecca know how to run a film festival that is awe inspiring! The films were ALL great! The volunteers were ALL so wonderful. The filmmakers were ALL fantastic. The greenroom was a perfect place to get to know our fellow filmmakers and enjoy great lunches and snacks! The round the clock packed houses were filled with a wonderful, insightful and generous audience. Having a Q&A after each film was brilliant! It gave the audience the opportunity to engage with each filmmaker - and they had some good questions!! (I had to work hard to answer some of mine) Thank you to Ron and Rebecca and the wonderful community you have developed in Beaufort. Not only did you feed and house us, you inspired us! I know this festival is going to grow and if isn’t already, become one the most coveted film festivals that exist!

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Jan, please know that we're giddy with excitement and enthusiasm to see and feel your words of genuine reflection of your BIFF experience. It's when a filmmaker gets to meld and mingle with fellow creatives and then to have 300 plus attentive and appreciative film lovers in the house willing to engage and interact with the film's creator that we fill fulfilled and very happy. You're now part of the BIFF Family and we look forward to when you can come back. Rebecca and I are sending big Beaufort hugs to you.

  • Tony Bustamante

    I am so honored that Suffer the Act was among BIFF's 5 finalist screenplays. I so desperately wanted to attend but for health issues. My representative went in my stead and he was absolutely blown away by the organization, the precision and the hospitality of the entire event!

    He brought back many best-recovery wishes to me from the dozens of people he met, and he ranked BIFF as one of the best film festivals he has *ever* attended.

    I hope to enter my next script in next year's event! Thank you Ron and Rebecca Tucker for your recognition of my screenwriting talents and for extending such a wonderful and welcoming invite!

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Hi Tony, first I hope you're feeling better. Michael was a great representative for you and your screenplay. I know he met lots of other filmmakers and enjoyed the Screenwriter's Workshop. We look forward to your next submission. Best of luck with Suffer the Act.

  • Jon Baime

    Where does hospitality, kindness, and great taste in films come together? At the Beaufort International film festival, of course! The reception was amazing, and the hosts are the kindest of people. It's a fun time with a low country twist. And they know how to pair films together in blocks. I'd go back again!

    March 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jon for the excellent review. Your film was well received and everyone I spoke with loved your injection of humor throughout. Great Q&A and Rebecca loved interviewing you at the Opening Ceremony. Looking forward to you coming back to the Lowcountry.