EQUUS Film Festival

TERMS & CONDITIONS

All information by EFF, whether publicly posted or not, is subject to change without prior notice.
All decisions will be made by the EQUUS Film Festival (EFF) and all EFF decisions are final.
Thank you and “Good Luck” from the EQUUS Film Festival team.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Each entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form and all applicable entry fees. Entries must be submitted on Blu-Ray or DVD. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English. Please include a 3-line synopsis of your film. A digital image of your cover art and a minimum of 4 submission copies of your DVD or Blu-Ray are required.

You may send in a DVD that is hand written. We do not select our films based on the packaging.
EFF does accept films that are Works-In-Progress. (this work may be submitted as a trailer)
Only one movie per DVD and only one film per application.
If entering more than one movie, you must submit each separately. Each project is judged solely on its merits.

The Festival requires that all films be submitted additionally via a password-protected streaming URL link. Please prepare this link in advance of beginning your online film entry form. (If you are unable or unwilling to submit your film by URL link, please contact the Festival coordinator to discuss an alternate method of entry).

EFF’s publicity and marketing teams will create a promotional campaign for “Official Selection” films on our FaceBook page. To assist in this campaign, participating filmmakers will be responsible for providing the following materials if selected to participate:
Digital images
Digital Press Kits
NTSC DVD or Blu-Ray or Digital File media screeners of their film
NTSC DVD or Blu-Ray copy of trailer and film clips
Any other marketing materials you wish to be used to promote your film
Upload film for Film Festival Formatting with password protection
Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter links

ENTRY REGULATIONS: The EFF Programming Committee reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project submitted. Only works completed in 2005 to 2018 are eligible for the competition phase. DVD’s, Blu-Ray’s and any application materials sent to the EFF will not be returned. If confirmed receipt of entry is required, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard.

You hereby grant EFF the right to utilize any excerpt from your submitted film for promotional purposes. The individual or company submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. By submitting your film to this competition you agree that, if your film is selected by EFF, you grant to EFF a Non-exclusive license to use, display and exhibit your name, trade names, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, still images, moving images, audio sounds, your submitted film, material, information, and/or any other things received by EFF, whether by physical or electronic delivery, publicly, at EFF’s sole discretion to promote, market and advertise the festival. EFF may also use excerpts from trailers of submitted films for promotion, to market and advertise the EFF. You also authorize EFF to place your images and synopsis on our website, Twitter, Pinterest and Face Book pages. Films are reviewed by EFF with the intention of selecting screeners for the EFF and the work will not be divulged to any persons not affiliated with EFF unless first permitted in writing by a legally authorized representative of the work.

You also understand that the Official Selection and WINNIE Award winning entries will be presented at other EFF events, locations, exhibitions and tours throughout 2018 – 2023. Filmmakers are always welcome and encouraged to join us at these events.

LIABILITY: We do NOT return your films. Although every possible care will be taken with DVD’s, Blu-Ray’s, and films while in our possession, we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage. Do not send original media. Please keep the EFF notified of any address/phone number changes.

EXHIBITION FORMATS: Acceptable exhibition formats vary by venue and may include (but are not necessarily limited to) DVD and/or Blu-Ray disc or Digital File. The festival requests DVD, Blu-Ray disc or Digital File back-up copies to accompany all exhibition formats. By entering your film, you agree to work with EFF to provide compatible exhibition format(s) and back-ups.

RELEASES and COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL:
If your film contains any copyrighted material (music for example) the filmmaker will be responsible for securing the licensing rights.
Upon entering your film in the EQUUS Film Festival, you authorize that your work is cleared for festival exhibition and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein. Entry into the EFF constitutes permission to exhibit your work at the EFF.

ENTRY FEES:
Checks or money orders must be made payable to “EQUUS Film Festival”.
Submission Opening Date – January 1, 2018
Early Bird Deadline – February 14, 2018 - $50
Regular Deadline – June 1, 2018 - $75
Final/Late Deadline – July 1, 2018 - $100
Notification Date – September 1, 2018

Fees are (non-refundable) – Credit Card payments have additional fees for processing.
• Fees for entries from outside the United States must be paid by international bank draft/money order payable from a U.S. bank, PayPal or FilmFreeway.
• You can also pay with credit card using PayPal. PayPal users – we will send you an invoice.
• Credit Card and PayPal payments have an additional fee for processing.

SHIPPING:
Cost of shipping is the responsibility of the entrant. DVDs must be sent to the festival prepaid. C.O.D.'S will be refused. All DVD's/Blu-Rays must be labeled with the title of the entry, running time, and the name of the director.
The EFF cannot accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials while in transit.

Submit ALL Films Online to FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/festival/EQUUSFilmFestival
MAIL ALL ENTRIES TO (Copy and DVDs, Blu-Rays or Digital File):
EQUUS Film Festival - c/o Lisa Diersen / 42W580 Empire Road / St Charles, Illinois / 60175 USA

Please note: Do not use registered or certified mail.
Use First class, Priority, Airmail or Media Mail. FedEx, UPS and DHL also accepted.

ENTRY MATERIALS:
All entries must include the following:
(1) An official EFF18 online entry form, properly completed. (Please mail hard copy)
(2) As applicable, a password protected streaming link of the film.
(3) As applicable, the entry fee(s) for the film submission (see the “Entry Fees” section above), which are payable ONLY by check or credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, TCB, or Discover). If submitting a student short film, a scan of the student ID or enrollment verification may be provided. If using PayPal, invoice will be sent and additional fees will apply.
Please note that only DVDs, formatted for NTCS or Blu-Ray, will be accepted for physical submission; all other formats will NOT be accepted.

Note: It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your online entry form is properly submitted. Approximately 48 hours after you have completed and submitted your online entry form, you will receive an email confirmation. If more than 48 hours have passed and you have not received an email confirmation, you may email the festival at lisa@equusfilmfestival.net or call at 630-272-3077. It is also your responsibility to ensure the streaming link (or DVD / Blu-Ray, as applicable) is functional and the link and password submitted are accurate. The password protected link must be active at least through JANUARY 31, 2019. Regardless of your method of entry, the Festival MUST receive all entry materials no later than the deadlines referenced above. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission, without refund of any kind, if it is not completed in accordance with these Entry Rules and Regulations.

SELECTION and NOTIFICATION:
All entries will be viewed by the selection committee. The EFF will make no cuts or changes. Festival selections will be announced on or around September 1, 2018. Email will be used to notify all entrants. Selected film names and trailers will also be posted on our website, Twitter feed and Facebook page. The festival does not pay rental fees for submitted work. If selected, exhibition format is Blu-Ray or DVD (NTSC) or other approved media (please contact EFF festival coordinator for other options).

The EFF strives to serve the interests and needs of equine filmmakers, connecting artists with audiences, exhibiting and promoting new films and filmmaking talent, and nurturing a creative community by facilitating relationships that last well beyond each year’s festival. We curate for quality, not quantity. The EQUUS Film Festival is hosted in a world-class destination. If your film is selected, we would expect you to attend and present your film to the horse lovers who live in and/or are visiting. And, YOU can expect first-rate hospitality, appreciative audiences, networking events, awards, and the opportunity to explore the most celebrated city in the country.

RE-ENTRY:
If your film was submitted and considered for previous editions of the EQUUS Film Festival, you may re-enter it if you have made significant changes and if all applicable eligibility requirements are met at the time of entry for EFF18.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
1) You must fully comply with these Submission requirements, including all deadlines, film length, entry material and other requirements.
2) Non-English language works must have English subtitles at the time submitted. Dialogue lists will not be accepted.
3) Selected EQUUS Film Festival films, commercials, music videos, trailers and others with FREE access on the internet will also be loaded onto the EFF Vimeo Channel for viewing. https://vimeo.com/equusfilmfestival
4) All submitted materials will be retained in the EQUUS Film Festival Archives.

ALL EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL ENTRIES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR ENTRY TO THE EQUUS FILM FESTIVAL ONLINE PLATFORM.
PLEASE CONTACT GAYLE GARI AT pcasstgayle@gmail.com FOR MORE INFORMATION.