CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL BBFS23 AWARD WINNERS!
Please visit www.BigBearFilmSummit.com for the complete list.

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BBFS has postponed the in-person event date.

Awards will be announced on April 8th and mailed to the selected filmmakers.

Future live events will be announced on our website.

Thank you for your support for our indie film festival!

BBFS

Big Bear Lake, CA
www.bigbearfilmsummit.com

*Due to COVID-19, live events scheduled and/or venues subject to change.

The Summit and festival works to encourage artistic production in and around Big Bear Lake, California, while celebrating cinema and music through film screenings, concerts, workshops and educational programs, culminating in an annual conference and festival.

The Big Bear Film Summit celebrates the art of independent cinema. The aim of the festival is to present quality films and music utilizing a blend of Big Bear Lake’s many unique venues and outdoor facilities to visiting families, professionals, amateurs and local, national and international enthusiasts in a small, intimate, village-style setting.
The core philosophy of the Summit is to present the highest quality film presentations with strands that emphasize community, environmental etiquette, and artistic freedom but without forgetting the need for films that are pure entertainment for film lovers and families.

The Big Bear Film Summit was founded in 2020 by local Big Bear Lake, California, residents Gabriel Horn and Michael P. Hanson, and is in the process of becoming an independent non-profit organization with 501c3 status committed to celebrating the art of independent cinema and music.

Awards will be presented to selected influencers in the entertainment industry, including but not limited to:

•Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award in Film and Television
•Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award in Music
•Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award in Art (Creative Expression)
*Hollywood Endurance Award

The jury-selected "BBFS Awards" and prizes are presented to the winning films for the following categories:

•U.S. Narrative Feature
•International Narrative Feature
•U.S. Documentary Feature
•International Documentary Feature
•U.S. Narrative Short
•International Narrative Short
•U.S. Documentary Short
•International Documentary Short
•Music Video
•Experimental and Animation
•Student
•Feature Screenplay
•Short Screenplay
*Summit Award Prizes TBD
*Additional awards TBD

FOR COMPLETED FILMS:

To be considered for the Big Bear Film Summit, the filmmaker must provide a working link (with or without password) to a digital screener on Vimeo, YouTube, or equivalent through FilmFreeway. DVD and E-mail submissions are not considered at all.

Films must have been completed after January 1, 2022.

While we prefer otherwise, short films currently streaming on You Tube or other free or pay platforms are eligible. Feature films available online are not eligible.

Feature-length films that are currently or have in the past been available in any form of exhibition in the United States before the submission period are ineligible for juried competition. This includes: SVOD, TVOD, theatrical, TV or free Internet streaming. Non-US distribution is acceptable. Distribution post-festival but already scheduled is acceptable.

We do not pay screening fees.

Waiver requests are only accepted via the form on our website, www.bigbearfilmsummit.com and are not required to be considered. We do not provide any waivers after regular deadline.

For best viewing for programmers, please enable the “Watch Later” feature on Vimeo. This makes it possible for our screeners to watch your films on the largest screen available to them.

Shorts must be under 30 minutes. Features must be under 120 minutes.

All films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for festival presentation.

All submission fees are non-refundable, even if we do not select your film.

In submitting a completed film, the filmmaker represents that s/he is authorized to submit this film for screening at the Big Bear Film Summit 2022/23. S/he acknowledges that the film may be screened more than once during the festival. S/he grants the Big Bear Film Summit the nonexclusive right to use submitted materials in connection with any and all publicity and promotional materials regarding the festival. S/he warrants that the submitted film does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any person or entity and agree to hold harmless and fully indemnify and defend the Big Bear Film Summit and its representatives against any and all claims made for such infringement or any other violations of law.

S/he also acknowledges that the film submission fee does not guarantee acceptance and no refund will be provided if your film is not selected.

Upon acceptance, Big Bear Film Summit will ask for fest deliverables:
1) Feature films require a ProRes 422, or DCP and a BluRay back up. Please contact us if you have questions.

2) Short films and Music videos require a ProRes 422 or equivalent and BluRay back up.

If the filmmaker does not comply with the delivery deadlines to receive the film, the film may be pulled from the festival lineup. Acceptance does not guarantee a juried slot, but the filmmaker will be notified upon acceptance if their film was selected for competition or out-of-competition screenings.

International entries - all entries from outside the US should be sent Air mail Registered or by a parcel express service (DHL, UPS, Fed Ex, etc.). We cannot accept entries shipped via air-freight if customs and delivery fees have not been paid.

FOR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION:

Eligibility
• Submitted scripts must be original screenplays and must be the sole property of the applicant(s).
• All entries must be in English.
• Screenplays must be between 1 and 120 pages in length. Absolutely no exceptions.
• There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.
• All entries must be uploaded in PDF format.
• Competition judges, readers and paid employees of the Big Bear Film Summit Screenplay Competition, past and present, are not eligible to enter.

To review Rules & Terms, please visit www.bigbearfilmsummit.com/submit

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • I truly felt their dedication to and love for screenwriters during the very organized selection process. While I wasn't able to attend the festival in person, I was very impressed by their professionalism and excellent communication. One of the best festivals I've worked with.

    November 2021
  • P. Patrick Hogan

    Great festival. A lot of fun and they really work hard to connect filmmakers with local Big Bear film services and locations. Highly recommend! I think they will get bigger and better every year!

    August 2021
  • This is one of the best Film Summit/Festival experiences. Highly recommend it to filmmakers and spectators to attend. Enjoying the sights of Big Bear in the summer while having the opportunity to watch films from around the country in a high quality theater--1000% worth it. Already looking forward to the films next year!

    July 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Keith!

  • We attended screenings in person, and had a great time. We would definitely recommend the festival, and would love to screen there again. Best wishes!

    July 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Kyle!

  • Dennis Ford

    Our film: Firestorm '77 The True Story of the Honda Canyon Fire took five years to make - please know there are plenty of days when you ask yourself: Is this worth it? The Big Bear Film Summit, and especially Gabriel Horn's positiveness and support, answered the question with a resounding YES, it is worth it! Thanks BBFS for a wonderful experience.

    July 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for making such a powerful film!