Conch Shell International Film Fest

Looking for an international film festival that celebrates Caribbean Diaspora and Caribbean filmmakers?

Entering its 3rd year, Conch Shell International Film Fest (CSIFF) will be taking place in October 10-13, 2024 at Regal UA Midway (Industry Sponsor) in Forest Hills in Queens, New York and virtually on Filmocracy.com (Industry Sponsor).

CSIFF ‘24 is a competitive festival featuring short films written by indie and student Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora talent and established filmmakers. Films invited to participate in the 2024 Conch Shell International Film Fest will be shown in a time slot determined appropriate by Festival organizers.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES

SHORT FILMS
Eligible projects include short films (runtime < 40 minutes); including documentaries, narratives, animation, experimental films, web series and pilots.

UNPRODUCED SCRIPTS
Eligible submissions include feature scripts and episodic (length <90 pages). Any genre.

OUR MISSION
Conch Shell International Film Fest was founded by Conch Shell Productions, Inc. a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to enlighten American audiences about the diverse emerging Caribbean diaspora and the Caribbean voices in theater and film by developing, producing, and presenting new plays and films.

Conch Shell International Film Fest welcomes Caribbean Diaspora and Caribbean filmmakers who are passionate about effecting social change by redefining the social landscape that the Caribbean diaspora operates on by telling magical/complex human stories that awaken diverse audiences.

Short films of all genres are programmed thematically (Drama, Comedy, Experimental, Animation, Documentary, Science Fiction, Web series etc.). Three top Unproduced Screenplay projects are presented as staged readings. The festival takes pride in helping filmmakers find their audience by helping them build connections with their Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora peers, sponsors, and film producers as well as diverse American industry professionals who can help advance the filmmakers career.

In addition to short films, Conch Shell International Film Fest also has an unproduced script competition that offers the top finalists a chance at participating in a staged reading of their work in front of a live audience.

All selected filmmakers receive VIP passes that allow entry into all our screenings, events, and parties.

Our festival events include: Opening Night, Closing Night, special screening events, panel discussions, masterclasses, artist chats, and afterparties.

Whether you are new to the industry with your first film, or a filmmaker with several films under your belt, our mission is to help you get more exposure and media attention, reach larger audiences, and meet other industry professionals who can help further your career. Every filmmaker is given a post screening Q&A and a chance to interact with attendees and attending industry professionals.

Awards include:
Laurels, cash prizes, and/or sponsored prizes from PrevisPro, Ipitch, or Imagine Products

Conch Shell IFF is a competitive festival that honors the submissions with awards in the following categories:

Best Director
Best Screenwriter
Best Lead Performer
Best Film
Best Cinematographer
Best Student Film
Best Animation
Best Documentary
Best Experimental Film
Best Micro Short
Best Unproduced Script
Audience Choice Award

Award Winners receive laurels and prizes being offered by award sponsors. This year our growing list of Jury Award sponsors include Imagine Products (workflow app), PrevisPro (storyboarding app), IPitch and more.

Submit your film, and come be a part of a fast-growing and friendly filmmaking community!

This year's theme: AWAKENING.

ELIGIBILITY

Films that have previously screened in other festivals are eligible for consideration.

Films completed from 2007-2024 are eligible for consideration.

Submitted works MUST satisfy ONE of the eligibility criteria below:

CARIBBEAN DIASPORA FILMS
Films by indie or student screenwriters and/or directors of CARIBBEAN ancestry (living in North America, South America, Central, African, Europe, Asia, Africa, etc).

CARIBBEAN FILMS
Films written or directed by indie and student filmmakers who are living in the Caribbean. Filmmakers working in all Caribbean regional languages are encouraged to apply. Subtitles or dubbing required for non-English language films.

SCREENERS
A Secure Online Screener

Online screener format: .mp4 or .mov (1080p) via FilmFreeway.com. The submission must be downloadable. Passwords must be provided for password protected submissions.

FILM PRESS KIT
Including: 4 Hi-Res publicity stills, film poster, synopsis, log line, writer and director picture & bio (bio must specify Caribbean ancestry of eligible filmmaker), Cast and Crew information.

If submitting as a student entry, some form of proof of being a student must be provided (student id or current transcript). Student filmmakers must be over eighteen years of age and competent to contract in their own name.

Non-English films must be SUBTITLED or DUBBED in English.

By submitting to General submissions you acknowledge that you agree that if your film is selected to be screened in CSIFF 2024 the 15-60 second trailer of your film (including credits) will be streaming on our website for at least three years; stills for at least 10 years. If your film wins an award your trailer will be on our website for at least 10 years.

Multiple entries are permissible, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form, entry materials, and entry fee.

Jury Awards and Official Selections are based on overall merits of the films and are at the sole discretion of the jury and programming committee.

SCREENING FEE
The festival does not offer screening fees for its films. By submitting through FilmFreeway you are agreeing to NOT request a screening fee as a requirement for your film's participation in the festival, should your film get selected for the program.

Filmmakers waive any right to inspect or approve the photograph, advertising copy, audio piece or printed matter that may be used or to the eventual use that it may be applied.

All fees are nonrefundable.

Submission to the festival is not a guarantee that your film will be screened.

Each featured filmmaker will receive ONE (1) free All-Access VIP Fest pass to attend all screenings, panel discussions, after parties and private events.)

CSIFF does not pay for filmmakers’ transportation, lodging, or other expenses.

By submitting your film to CSIFF you are agreeing to the following conditions:
I promise to contact CSIFF immediately regarding any changes to the information above, including distribution, Premiere status of my film or exhibition format. Failure to provide complete and updated information or failure to submit a DCP exhibition copy of my film by September 1, 2024 may cause the elimination of my film from competition.

All rights and permissions are in place for my submission (it is the sole responsibility of the applicant to obtain any and all necessary rights and permissions).

I am DULY authorized to submit this film to the Conch Shell International Film Fest and its competition (“CSIFF”) and I have read, understood and agreed to all entry requirements.

By submitting to the festival, I am showing interest in taking part in CSIFF2024 should our film be selected.

All of the above information and statements are accurate.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Ryan Eccleston

Blessed and honoured to have been included in this great festival. That is pushing talent from the Caribbean. Great lines of communication.

October 2024

Helpful
Marion Myrie

Thank you Magaly and the rest of the Conch Shell family for creating this platform for us. This festival was well organized and gave each filmmaker ample opportunity learn, network and be seen. Thank you for giving me a reason to come here to enjoy this beautiful city and I am looking forward to what you will do in the future. Thanks again for a wonderful experience!!!

October 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you for your feedback Marion. Happy you enjoyed the CSIFF.
Venessa M. Diaz

Thank you for selecting our short, THE ROAD TO LILITH! Our team had a wonderful experience with everyone involved in the festival. Communication was always very clear, the staff was very helpful and enthusiastic and made us feel welcome. We especially appreciated the networking and promotional opportunities offered. Thank you, Magaly, Michael, and the rest of the team, for your dedication to uplifting the voices of underrepresented filmmakers.

October 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

It was a pleasure sharing your film with our audience. Thank your for your review.
Misael Antonio Martinez Melo

Caribbean filmmakers shouldn’t miss this festival! For such a young event, it’s well-organized and responsive. It’s a fantastic opportunity to screen your work and engage in meaningful, interconnected conversations, even with the diverse languages spoken across the Caribbean islands.

October 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank your for sharing your film "Raices" with CSIFF24 audiences Misael, and thank you for your review. It was a pleasure getting to know you.
Calyx Passailaigue

Big thanks to the Conch Shell International Film Fest for screening my film "Zeen?". Magaly and her team were great to work with and I appreciated the opportunity to be interviewed and have an "in-person" screening in NYC. Thanks!

October 2024

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you for sharing "Zeen?" with NYC audiences Calyx, and for your review.