CineAid strives in our community work to entertain, educate, and inform through film. The 3rd annual CineAid Film Festival is an extension of our desire to share unique world views and perspectives through the power of film. We welcome films from a variety of genres, cultures, languages, and viewpoints, and hope to make the CineAid Film Festival a yearly event in Austin, Texas that shares worldwide issues of pressing importance with the greater Austin community.

We aim to make the CineAid Film Festival a cherished annual event in Austin, Texas. By presenting films that address pressing worldwide issues, we strive to engage the greater Austin community in meaningful conversations and foster a deeper connection to the global narrative.

Sponsors:

Final Draft - http://www.finaldraft.com

Final Draft produces the world renowned screenwriting software by the same name. Incredible design and ease of use have made it the industry standard for screenwriting.

Zacuto - www.zacuto.com

Zacuto creates production grade, filmmaking camera accessories. Our gear is made entirely in the USA, designed by filmmakers for filmmakers. It comes with an unparalleled lifetime warranty and our world renowned customer service. We have a singular philosophy on camera rig design—balance! Our Next Generation Recoil® rig is compatible with every camera, from a tiny mirrorless to the largest cinema camera. The one rig for all your cameras.

Red Giant - www.redgiant.com

At Red Giant, we make tools, films and training to enrich the community of filmmakers and motion designers. For our own award-winning short films, we create new software to fill our needs. Then we make those products available for everyone else, helping artists create the perfect look that matches their story. Red Giant develops tools that make the filmmaking process faster, more secure, more accurate and just more fun. For over 10 years, we have built software for motion design, color correction, visual effects and photography that is used for everything from major motion pictures to worldwide television programming to web production.

Film Convert - www.filmconvert.com

Add real grain to your footage, and render at up to 4k. Unlike other plugins that simply overlay film grain, FilmConvert realistically models the amount of grain required for each color and exposure level in your image. FilmConvert™ models the characteristics of digital sensors, and provides a complex algorithm to transform digital footage to match your favorite film stocks. FilmConvert is available as Stand-alone software as well as a plugin for After Effects, Premiere, Final Cut, Motion, Vegas and Photoshop.

Partners:

Mental Health Channel - www.mentalhealthchannel.tv

An Austin, Texas based film production company dedicated to providing high quality content that informs and educates about a wide variety of mental health issues while empowering people to live happier, healthier lives.

Unlocked Films - www.unlockedfilms.com

A European based documentary collective that produces cutting edge films that speak primarily to the experience of being an outsider, far away from your homeland.

Prizes

Best Feature Narrative:
-Westcott Flex 1x1 X-Braket Mount Daylight Set ($1000 value)
-TBA

Best Feature Documentary:
-One full version of the Red Giant Magic Bullet Suite

Best Short Narrative:
-Full version of Final Draft screenwriting software
-DSLR Z-Finder Pro (Zacuto)

Best Short Documentary:
-Full version of Final Draft screenwriting software
-DSLR Z-Finder Pro (Zacuto)

Best Short Animation:
-Full version of Final Draft screenwriting software
-DSLR Z-Finder Pro (Zacuto)

Best Short Experimental:
-Full version of Final Draft screenwriting software
-DSLR Z-Finder Pro (Zacuto)

*Zacuto Award for Innovation in Filmmaking:
This award is open to all filmmakers who submit. It includes:
-$300 purchasing credit (with Zacuto)
-$1000 rental credit (with Zacuto)
-Promotion bundle - featured filmmaker spotlight with newsletter placement and cross-platform social promotion

*Note: We only accept films via online screener (i.e. youtube, vimeo). Physical screeners (DVD, Blu-Ray) will not be accepted. You must submit your online screener via FilmFreeway.

IMPORTANT:

By submitting your film for consideration to the CineAid Film Festival, you are acknowledging that you have the full authority to do so, and that the film is legally cleared for potential film festival exhibition. Additionally you acknowledge that you have all the rights to music, releases for actors/participants, and other legal permissions required for exhibition. CineAid is also granted permission to utilize the submitted film and related materials for promotional purposes. You shall also indemnify the CineAid Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos submitted.

RULES & GUIDELINES:

-All entries must be in English or contain English subtitles.
-All submissions must be accompanied by corresponding submission fee.
-Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway
-Physical screeners (DVD, Blu-Ray) will not be accepted.
-Entries must be received no later than February, 2025.
-Short films must be under 30 minutes.
-Feature-length films must be at least 60 minutes.
-No works in progress will be accepted.
-Films screened online are still eligible for submission.
-Submissions must be accompanied by basic press kit: director bio, synopsis, 2 production stills (300 dpi), logline.
-Selected films will screen in the beautiful city of Austin, TX