The Desert Rocks Film and Music Event will take place October 20, 2018 in Hesperia, CA. The Film and Music Festival will highlight independent films, music videos, and up and coming musicians.

On October 20th, we will officially launch the screenings of all the films chosen from submissions. Films will screen all day at the Cinema West Theater in Hesperia. Get ready to have a rockin’ Saturday afternoon as bands perform live and our attendees vote for who will receive the Audience Choice Awards.

Film
Best of Festival, Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Feature Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Student Feature, Best Student Short, Best Animation, Best Sidebar Film (International Cultures), Best Screenplay (storyline of completed film), and Audience Choice. If, for any reason, there are not at least three films in a category, no award will be given away for that category.

Music Video
Best of Festival, Best Music, Best Lyrics, Most Original, Best Presentation, Best Production, and Audience Choice. All music should be original music and lyrics written by members of the band. Attach a typed or hand-printed sheet with the lyrics of the music video to the submission form.

Awards will be presented to the Director of the winning films. Some award categories may have prize sponsors providing gifts. Check back often for any possible updates of additional prizes. The Best of Festival Film will receive a $1,000 prize. The Best of Festival Music Video will receive a $500 prize. There will also be a $500 Audience Choice Award prize presented to one of the bands performing live at the festival.

All juried films will be screened by at least three panelists whose decisions will be final. Audience Choice voting will be done during the festival.

A 1 year digital subscription for Videomaker Magazine (which includes both a digital download and access via our tablet app, a $20 value) will be awarded to all filmmakers that submit a film or music video to Desert Rocks Film And Music Event.

Desert Rocks Film And Music Event Inc., herein after referred to as the Festival, is open to U.S. and foreign films in these categories: Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, Animation, Student Films, Music Videos, and a Sidebar Category -International Cultures.

Entries must be submitted either online or on a DVD (Region 0 or 1). DVDs submitted must be playable on all DVD players (please test before sending) & we require 3 copies of the DVD. Please do not send original or master prints. DVDs will not be returned. You may submit more than one film or music video, but each one must be on a separate DVD and must be accompanied by its own completed Submission Form and entry fee. To be eligible, DVDs must be received by July 31, 2018. Submissions close on July 24, 2018 (or when quota has been met).

A list of finalists will be posted on the Festival website on or before August 31, 2018. Finalists will then be sent an email with laurels and further directions. If your entry is accepted as a finalist, you will be required to submit a high quality digital file of your film/music video for the festival exhibition. The digital file for your submission must be shipped or uploaded in time to reach the Festival office no later than September 9, 2018. Finalists will be given all the necessary details when contacted.

Filmmakers sending DVDs will be expected to MAIL their entries through the U.S. POSTAL SERVICE. ----- FedEx, UPS, and other shipping services WILL NOT deliver to a box number. It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to send their entries early, so their submissions are received by the deadline. Filmmakers are responsible for insurance and shipment costs. No shipment with fees due will be accepted. Ship your DVDs in a protective envelope. The Festival is not responsible for damage to submitted materials incurred in shipping.

All finalists attending the festival are responsible for their travel, lodging, and all other expenses.

Stated submitter will be considered the contact person for the film/band and thus will be the only one receiving emails and information regarding the status of acceptance in the Festival.

Finalists and winners agree to participate in the publicity for the Festival as well as other promotional events, including the web site. Permission for the Festival to use an excerpt from any accepted form (not exceeding three minutes) for promotional purposes is considered granted unless otherwise noted.

Several of the top band finalists (number of bands to be determined) will be awarded a slot to perform live at the festival. The bands chosen must confirm their attendance no later than September 9, 2018. This is an opportunity for bands to be seen by music producers who are looking for new artists to sign. If a band is not able to attend and fill the time slot, the next runner-up band MAY be offered the slot.

Music that will be performed live at the festival and all language used by the band members is required to be rated PG for general audiences, since it will be a family event. Any violation of this rating, including, but not limited to, nudity, obscene gestures, or foul language in lyrics or script used, will disqualify the bands for any and all prizes, and the band will be removed from the stage immediately. All material must be artist's original work. Music Videos submitted must be of musicians' original music and lyrics.

There will be a $500 Audience Choice prize for one of the bands performing live at the festival

Films which have been broadcast on television, cable, or have had a theatrical release prior to the Festival are not eligible.

The number of screenings, date, time and location of the screenings are at the discretion of Desert Rocks F.A.M.E.

Foreign language films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.

All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.

By submitting a completed and signed entry form I/we hereby certify that this is a submission of my/our ORIGINAL work and that there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission. I/we also warrant that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any other person, either living or dead, and I/we fully indemnify Desert Rocks F.A.M.E. Inc. against any and all claims made for such violations of the law. To the best of my/our knowledge, all of the statements made herein are true and correct. I/we understand that failure to adhere to the rules of the festival shall result in disqualification and forfeiture of the submission/entry fee. I/we agree to hold Desert Rocks F.A.M.E. Inc., as well as its officers and directors, harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses including but not limited to attorney’s fees arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, based on my/our film submitted to the festival or any subsequent developments.

For confirmation of receipt, include a self-addressed stamped postcard with each entry. The Festival will not confirm receipt of submitted materials by telephone or email.

Films and other film material will be handled with utmost care, but neither the Festival staff nor supporting theater organizations can assume responsibility for damage or loss of the film and other film materials, en route or otherwise, during the course of the festival's possession of the film.

All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by the Festival without notice.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ilia Antonenko

    Cool festival! Great communication! Thank you for the awards!

    October 2018
  • Joe Scott

    We won best feature film and best screenplay. Couldn't attend because of other commitments. The communication was excellent and the technical guidance was brill. Aiming to go next year

    November 2017
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    Response from festival:

    Joe, congratulations on your awards. So sorry you weren't able to attend. Hope to see you at our 2018 festival!

  • April Grace Lowe and Craig Jessen

    A delightful and very well organized event. The staff is extremely friendly, and the projection quality was top notch. We were honored to have our film included in the lineup.

    October 2016
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Craig. We're very happy that you could attend. Hope to see you back here next year with another one of your great films!