RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR 2023 SUBMISSIONS
The following is an explanation of the Rules and Guidelines governing film submissions to the 2026 California Capital International Documentary Film Festival (CalCap DocFest). Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is necessary in order to participate in the Film Festival. Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of the Rules & Guidelines, therefore, please carefully read through the Rules prior to submitting your film.
1. The CalCap DocFest accepts submissions for documentary films (shorts & features). -Feature Film under 100 minutes
-Shorts Films 40 minutes and under
2. The Entrant/s submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, as well as all necessary clearances for public exhibition.
3. The Filmmaker/s retain/s all submission and intellectual property rights.
4. Films may be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway.
5. The Filmmaker/s is/are responsible for making sure all submission materials are submitted by the submission deadline indicated. If your film does not arrive or is not uploaded by the deadline for which you have registered, you may be required to pay the higher submission fee or withdrawn.
6. The following concerns submission deadlines and submission fees. Note, the deadlines are not the postmark dates, but the dates by which the submission must be in the CalCap DocFest office or registered with FilmFreeway. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Submission fees are in are U.S. Dollars per submission and is non-refundable. These fees may be paid by check, cashier’s check, money order, or by Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) made payable to: Santa Fe Independent Film Festival. Cash is not accepted.
7. If a film received 50% or more of its funding from sources outside of the United States, the film can only be submitted as an International Film. If a film received 50% or more of its funding from sources within the United States, the film can only be submitted as a Domestic Film.
8. Subtitles must be in English.
9. Please test your media prior to submission to make sure they run properly and are not damaged. Please keep screener links and passwords up-to-date and notify the CalCap DocFest office promptly with any changes.
10. Filmmakers are allowed to submit more than one film for the Festival provided that each film is submitted separately and meet CalCap DocFest guidelines.
11. Filmmakers are allowed to re-submit a film that was previously submitted provided significant changes were made and all eligibility requirements are met. When re-submitting the film, include a brief letter detailing the changes made.
12. A student submitting a film must provide a photocopy of a current and valid student ID or a letter from his/her school verifying enrollment.
13. All personal contact information is to remain confidential and not to be shared with any third parties.
14. CalCap DocFest reserves the right to use images from films selected in the Festival for marketing purposes.
15. All decisions regarding award winners are considered final and incontestable.
16. All films submitted must have been completed between 2020 and 2023.
17. Applicants acknowledge that CalCap DocFest reserves the right to change the nature of screenings and events due to circumstances related to public health and welfare or at the direction of local, state, or federal authorities. In such cases, no submission refunds shall be issued.
