In 2006, the Charlotte Film Festival was created to give established and emerging filmmakers a weekend festival to showcase their works for industry peers and avid enthusiasts of independent film. Over the years, the Festival has grown to include state-of-the-art venues, attracting filmmakers from around the world as well as industry professionals, corporate sponsorships, and a dedicated audience of film fans.
We strive to bring the most innovative independent cinema to Charlotte, NC for our festival patrons and film enthusiasts from neighboring states. The Festival has evolved, but what remains consistent is our mission to “DISCOVER DIFFERENT” and to provide the highest quality festival experience for filmmakers and audience members alike.
Juried "In Competition" Awards:
NARRATIVE FEATURE - $500
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE - $500
NARRATIVE SHORT FILM - $250
DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM - $250
STUDENT NARRATIVE OR DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM - $250
Special Awards:
SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD - $500
Non-Juried Award:
AUDIENCE AWARDS - Given to film with highest audience rating in each category.
GENERAL RULES & TERMS:
Please read all of these terms carefully prior to submitting.
All feature films MUST be Charlotte, NC premieres. Any feature films previously screened in Charlotte, NC for a public audience will be disqualified from acceptance into the 15th Charlotte Film Festival.
Short films may have screened in Charlotte, NC for a public audience and will not be disqualified if screened previously.
All genres are eligible for consideration.
All films must have been completed after May of 2022.
1. Submission starts and deadline dates: Open on January 2nd, 2023. "Early Deadline" for entries is February 28th, 2023. "Ahead of the Curve Deadline" is April 30, 2023. "Regular Deadline" deadline is June 30, 2022. The "Extended Deadline" is July 16th, 2023.
2. All deadlines are RECEIVED-BY deadlines. They indicate the dates that films must UPLOADED by those dates.
3. Entry fees are non-refundable.
4. A completed entry form and appropriate fee (payable to Charlotte Film Society in U.S. dollars only) must accompany your entry.
5. North Carolina and South Carolina filmmakers can receive a discount on their submission fee - please contact the Programming Director (taylor@charlottefilmfestival.org) for details.
6. Eligible works must have been completed after May 2022. Feature films must not have been publicly screened in the Charlotte, North Carolina area prior to the 2022 festival dates. Short films can be screened in Charlotte, NC prior to the festival, but accepted films may not screen in the state of North Carolina between the acceptance date and date of screening at the Charlotte Film Festival (unless OK'd by the Programming Director). Films available to publicly view online (via YouTube, Vimeo or some other web service) will also be considered public screenings and may not be selected or screened.
7. Accepted running times are as follows:
NARRATIVE and DOCUMENTARY FEATURES: 30 minutes or longer
NARRATIVE and DOCUMENTARY SHORTS: 29 minutes or shorter
STUDENT NARRATIVE OR DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILMS: 15 minutes or shorter
8. Works in Progress are accepted only if submitted by the "Ahead of the Curve" deadline of April 30th, 2023 and must be at least 80% complete at the time of submission deadline. 'Work in Progress' or 'Rough Cut' must be clearly marked on the submission. A final cut of the film must be submitted by June 30th, 2023. Entry fees will not be refunded for entries that fail to submit a final cut by the required date.
9. Projects in a language other than English must have English subtitles prior to submission.
10. Filmmakers are responsible for the shipment of the exhibition DCP copy to the festival by the requested deadline. Exhibition copies of entries will not be returned, unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope (or some other form or return shipping information). The filmmaker is responsible for covering costs for shipping return information labels and/or postage.
An exhibition print of the film must be provided in the following format: DCP. Note: We do not accept/screen Blu-ray/DVD or any other digital files (ProRes/MP4/MKV etc) as the exhibition format for accepted films. Failure to comply with technical specifications may result in the removal of the film from Festival line up.
11. DCP Requirements: DCPs must be DCI compliant and delivered on an external hard drive with either a CRU enclosure or an USB interface.
12. Due to limited time and resources, the Charlotte Film Festival is unable to provide comments or feedback about specific films until after the festival.
13. Posters provided for festival use are not guaranteed for return. It has been our policy to return materials in person to filmmakers or representatives whenever possible after films have been exhibited only upon request. In the event that posters or materials are lost or damaged during CFF2023, the festival will not replace or reimburse for any provided promotional materials.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Please read carefully the following terms and conditions in connection with your submitted entry materials to the Charlotte Film Festival. Submission of your film acknowledges acceptance of the General Rules and Terms and Conditions of the Charlotte Film Festival:
1. I/ We attest that I/we have read and understand and complied with the General Rules of the Festival, that I/we am/are the sole owner(s) of legal right and title thereto have absolute authority to submit the Material to the Festival.
2. I/ We understand that by submitting said Material, I/we authorize the Festival to exhibit the Material during the 2023 Festival dates if the Material is selected for exhibition by the Festival. The Charlotte Film Festival reserves the right to screen said film up to 3 times during the festival dates, or special "best of" additional screening dates, and screen provided clips/trailers of the film to promote the screenings in advance and during the festival.
3. I/ We will indemnify and hold harmless the Festival, its organizers, judges, sponsors, and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses including legal expenses arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims based on Material submitted to the Festival.
4. I/ We understand that the Festival is not responsible for any type of damage to or loss of the Material while it is in the Festival's possession, or while en route to or from the Festival, and I/we release the Festival, its organizers, judges, sponsors, and partners, individually and collectively, from any and all liabilities regarding damage to or loss of the Material while en route to or from the Festival or while in its possession.
5. I/ We agree that any dispute arising between me/us and the Festival shall be subject to binding arbitration pursuant to the then effective Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award all appropriate relief, including equitable or injunctive relief; provided, however, that the arbitrator is not authorized to award punitive damages. The award issued by any such arbitrator may be entered and confirmed as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. The state with jurisdiction over any disputes relating to this agreement is North Carolina, and the sole location for proper venue is Charlotte, North Carolina.
6. Selection into the 2023 Charlotte Film Festival will permit the Festival to use their name, and/or likeness & publicity stills, film or video footage, title, and log-line of Material, in pre & post-competition publicity & promotional efforts. This may include additional post-festival screenings and events.
7. The Festival may, at its own discretion, transfer the submitted Material to a compilation DVD or video file for Festival screening and the resulting DVD/video file may be used for Festival promotional purposes. However, said compilations are not sold or distributed for sale by the Festival.
8. Should Material win one or more awards "Award(s)" at the Festival, I/we am/are authorized and/or empowered by all parties legally representing Material to name the individual(s) listed on the Award Designation List to receive any and all Award(s). If Material is eligible for Award(s) and no one was designated to accept it/them, the Award will be deemed forfeit and another award winner will be chosen.
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The Charlotte Film Festival is so wonderful with communication, helping filmmakers along the way in preparation for the festival and the venue for the festival is beautiful. What an honor to be part of your festival! Thank you for including Assaman, our first film, as part of your Official Selection 2022!
November 2022 -
Taylor helped put on a great festival! The independent picture house was also a great venue. And most importantly I'm stoked that my film Trial By Fire was able to come away with an award! Met some amazing people as well, great atmosphere for networking. I will definiteley be submitting in the future!!
October 2022