Denton Black Film Festival

Before submitting, please read through all the rules and terms below. By submitting your project, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed to all the following:
After submitting if you experience a change in email address, you must notify us @ dbfffilmmaker @gmail.com. If your film is selected for the festival and we are unable to reach you, your film may be dropped from the line-up. We strongly suggest you also include a phone number where you can be reached in case we need to get in touch with you for time sensitive matters. We will not share your number.

Film Submission Rules & Terms (See Screenplay Rules Below)
Filmmakers of all races and ethnicities are welcome to submit when at least one of the following three criteria is met.
1. Written, directed, or produced by Black filmmakers; or
2. Prominently feature Black actors; or
3. Feature subject matter which relates to the Black community or Black experience.
Eligible films are:
• Open to U.S. and international entries.
• Films made in a language other than English must have English subtitles.
• Films submitted through FilmFreeway with paid submission fees are eligible for the competitive awards program, but may not have had commercial distribution and must be completed after January 1,2022.
• Invitational films may be included in Festival programming but are not eligible for awards.
• If you have previously been an Official or Invitational Selection you may request an alumni discount code at dbfffilmmaker@gmail.com.
• Films must be submitted through FilmFreeway with an online screener with HD, and preferred methods YouTube, or Vimeo.
•Films should be completed when submitted. For any exceptions you must contact us at dbfffilmmaker@gmail.com prior to submitting. If not, they will be marked disqualified, and the submission fee will not be returned.
• Selected films will be provided at the filmmaker’s expense in the specified exhibition format by the date specified by DBFF.
• College student and Texas High School category films must provide proof of student status at the time of production by uploading a copy of a dated student ID or unofficial transcript showing to FilmFreeway or sending this documentation to dbfffilmmaker@gmail.com. This proof should be provided when the film is submitted for consideration.
• Press kits, photo materials, trailers, teasers, or any other promo materials should be provided through FilmFreeway at the time of submission.
• Film submissions attest original work with no disputes regarding ownership or copyright. The submitted work does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and DBFF.
• Submitted films may be utilized for promotional purposes of the Festival, limited to private screenings, and preview-only copies for press and supporters, unless otherwise arranged with DBFF.
• Submission fees are non-refundable, and once submitted a film may not be withdrawn without a written request and then at the sole discretion of DBFF.
Liability:
• All submissions and selected entries will be handled with the utmost care. However, DBFF cannot accept responsibility for losses, damages or additional charges incurred during shipping, due to file errors, due to authoring errors, due to normal wear and tear, or due to equipment failure.
• DBFF is not responsible for any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) arising from or in connection with any claim (including those of third parties) involving music clearances, copyright, trademark, credits, publicity of any film submitted to or screened by DBFF.
Reproduction Agreement:
• Submission grants DBFF and its affiliates permission for accepted films (3 minutes maximum) and related marketing and promotional materials to be reproduced and distributed solely for purposes of promotion of the festival.

TEXAS SHORT SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS RULES & TERMS
Filmmakers of all races and ethnicities are welcome to submit when at least one of the following three criteria is met.
1. Must have a Black writer, or if multiple writers the principal writer is Black.
2. Prominently feature Black characters; or
3. Feature subject matter which relates to the Black community or Black experience.
Eligible Screenplays:
• Must be written by at least one writer who resides in Texas... Be prepared to provide Proof of Residency.
• Submissions must be received via FilmFreeway on or before the deadline dates with a paid fee. Entry fees are non-refundable.
• Once submitted a screenplay may not be withdrawn without a written request and then at the sole discretion of DBFF.
• Screenplays may be up to a maximum of 20 pages in length and uploaded in a PDF formatted according to current industry standards. You may consult popular screenwriting tools for assistance.
• Pages should be numbered in the top right-hand corner.
• All material must be original, and all rights must be wholly owned by the writer(s)
• Scripts that have already been produced are ineligible.
• Material must be submitted by the writer. If written by a team, must be submitted by one of the writers with written consent from the others. The title page should only contain the name of the project and not include the writer(s) names.
• No revisions or missing pages will be accepted once a submission has been received.
• If a writing team is chosen as a winner or otherwise receives any award and/or prizes will be presented to the writer submitting the project.
• Co-writers will be given credit in the winners list, announcements, and awards.
• Any dividing or sharing is the responsibility of the team in accordance with any agreements.
• We strongly recommend that submitters copyright their materials with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or register with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) prior to submitting their script to any competition. Contact a lawyer with any questions.
Liability:
• All submissions and selected entries will be handled with the utmost care. However, DBFF cannot accept responsibility for losses, damages or additional charges incurred during shipping, due to file errors, due to authoring errors, due to normal wear and tear, or due to equipment failure.
• DBFF is not responsible for any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses(including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) arising from or in connection with any claim (including those of third parties) involving music clearances, copyright, trademark, credits, publicity of any film submitted to or screened by DBFF.
Reproduction Agreement:
• Submission grants DBFF and its affiliates permission for accepted films (3 minutes maximum) and related marketing and promotional materials to be reproduced and distributed solely for purposes of promotion of the festival.