This festival is an educational exercise at Beloit College in Beloit, WI, in which students in the English department, who are focusing on LGBTQ themes this term, will learn about film festival organization by way of the search for suitable short films, judging those films, selecting finalists, and preparing a screening of about 75 to 80 minutes worth of content, which will premiere at a campus auditorium for at least one screening. The premiere event will happen in the midst of the 2024 Beloit International Film Festival, and will be open to the public. There will be no submission fees and no admission fees. Films will compete for one prize: Best Queer Short Film. A trophy will be awarded to the winning film. Laurels will be available for all selected films. Filmmakers who wish to attend the premiere and take part in Q&A are certainly welcome to make the trip to Beloit. Filmmakers will also be invited to participate in Q&A via Zoom. This program is part of the Impact Beloit Beloit community agenda, which pairs students with businesses operating in the city center, with the goal of giving students career experience while strengthening the bond between the City of Beloit and the Beloit College student body, faculty and staff. IF YOU MAKE SHORT FILMS THAT REPRESENT LGBTQ THEMES, PLEASE CONSIDER SUBMITTING TO THIS UNIQUE STUDENT-DRIVEN FESTIVAL.

There will be one prize awarded at the premiere event in April, 2024. A trophy will be awarded to the winning film.

The selection committee requires that all entries/screeners be submitted as a Secure Online Screener. Please fill out your entry form as completely as possible. Should your film be accepted, we will use that entered data to put together our program book, build your website page, and reach out to you, or your representatives, with important festival details.
There is no limit to the amount of entries you may submit. Select the category that seems most appropriate. If you wish to enter multiple categories, you must select your primary category and then send an email to the festival requesting consideration for additional categories. There will be no additional fee for this if the festival grants permission.
A short synopsis of 2 to 4 lines is required for Short categories. A short synopsis in addition to a longer synopsis of approximately 125 words is required for feature-length categories. You are required to submit this with the entry. The synopsis will be used for the selection committee, the program book and web site, if accepted.
Each submission should also include at least one still production photo or slide, a press kit, and bio and photo of the director. Notification of acceptance will be emailed on approximately December 15, 2023. You will be notified for each submission.
The festival cannot be responsible for damage to, or loss of, material submitted. Additionally, the festival is held harmless from damage to or loss of print en route to the festival.
The Beloit College Queer Shorts Film Festival does not pay screening or licensing fees for films submitted to the festival. If you submit to the Beloit College Queer Shorts Film Festival, you automatically acknowledge this term. The festival reserves the right to screen submitted films to pre-screening committees. The festival will have the option to screen encore showings for up to three years after the closing date of the festival.
ELIGIBILITY

Works in progress, and industrial/instructional works are not eligible. All entries must be submitted no later than March 30, 2024. The completed entry form, entry fee for each submission, synopsis, resume and photo must be included. If you cannot meet the eligibility requirement, you may apply but will not be considered for awards.
ACCEPTANCES

All films submitted must be available for festival presentation in .mp4 or .mov formats. Please be aware that if you have not submitted a photo or synopsis it will not be included in the program book or web site. Any corrections to the original submission material must be received in writing by March 30, 2024. Changes will not be made after this date.
The Beloit International Film Festival reserves the right to use clips from accepted entries (up to 3 minutes in length) for publicity purposes. The festival reserves the right to show the submission for promotion and fund raising events up to three years past the date of the festival.
The choices for number of screenings, screening dates and screening venues is at the sole discretion of the festival.
RELEASE

I acknowledge that, if accepted to participate, I will agree to comply with the 2024 Beloit College Queer Shorts Film Festival Rules & Terms as included with this application, and agree to be bound by and comply with all pertinent documents. I understand that the Beloit College Queer Shorts Film Festival administrative staff is responsible for making final decisions with regard to festival operations, and I agree to abide by its decisions. I agree to provide the festival an .mp4 or .mov file(s) of my film(s) upon acceptance, and I release the festival committee and any festival representative from any responsibility for the theft, damage or loss of the print en route to the festival or otherwise during the course of the festival’s possession of the film.