EQUUS Film & Arts Fest

TERMS & CONDITIONS

All information by EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST, whether publicly posted or not, is subject to change without prior notice.
All decisions will be made by the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest and all decisions are final.
Thank you and “Good Luck” from the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest herd.
Pony On!

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Each entry must be accompanied by a completed entry form and all applicable entry fees. Entries must be submitted as a DIGITAL FILE that can be direct downloaded. 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 selection of production images are required.

EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST does accept films that are Works-In-Progress.
(this work may be submitted as a trailer or short film)
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).

EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST’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 EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST Programming Committee reserves the right to determine the eligibility of any project submitted. Only works completed in 2005 to 2020 are eligible for the competition phase. Any application materials sent to the EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST will not be returned. If confirmed receipt of entry is required, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard.

You hereby grant EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST 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 EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST, you grant to EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST 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 EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST, whether by physical or electronic delivery, publicly, at EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST’s sole discretion to promote, market and advertise the festival. EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST may also use excerpts from trailers of submitted films for promotion, to market and advertise the EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST. You also authorize EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST to place your images and synopsis on our website, Social Media, Twitter, Pinterest and Face Book pages. Films are reviewed by EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST with the intention of selecting screeners for the EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST and the work will not be divulged to any persons not affiliated with EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST 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 EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST events, locations, exhibitions and tours throughout 2020 – 2025.
**Filmmakers are always welcome and encouraged to join us at these events.

**IF YOUR FILM IS AVAILABLE FOR FREE ON THE INTERNET, EQUUS RESERVES THE RIGHT TO PLACE YOUR FILM ON THE EQUUS FILM CHANNEL PLATFORM FOR VIEWERS TO WATCH. **

LIABILITY: We do NOT return your films. Do not send original media. Please keep the EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST 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 Digital Files or DVD, Blu-Ray disc back-up copies to accompany all exhibition formats. By entering your film, you agree to work with EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST 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 & Arts Fest, you authorize that your work is cleared for festival exhibition and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein. Entry into the EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST constitutes permission to exhibit your work at the EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST.

ENTRY FEES:
Checks or money orders must be made payable to “EQUUS Film & Arts Fest”.
Submission Opening Date – JANUARY 15, 2020
Regular Deadline – MAY 15, 2020 - $100
Final/Late Deadline – SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 - $125
Notification Date – SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
Event Date – NOVEMBER 13 -15, 2020

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.

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 & Arts Fest - c/o Julie Martin – Executive Assistant to the Director / 5N334 Foxmoor Drive / 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 EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST19 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 one week after you have completed and submitted your online entry form, you will receive an email confirmation. If more than one week has 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 is functional and the link and password submitted are accurate. The password protected link must be active at least through JANUARY 31, 2021. 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 EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST will make no cuts or changes. Festival selections will be announced on or around SEPTEMBER 21, 2020. 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 DIGITAL FILES (Blu-Ray or DVD (NTSC) or other approved media (please contact EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST festival coordinator for other options).

The EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST 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 & Arts Fest 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 & Arts Fest, 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 EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST 2020.

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 & Arts Fest films, commercials, music videos, trailers and others with FREE access on the internet will also be loaded onto the EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST Vimeo Channel for viewing. https://vimeo.com/equusfilmfestival
4) All submitted materials will be retained in the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest Archives.

ALL EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST ENTRIES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR ENTRY TO THE EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST ONLINE PLATFORM.

WINNIE Award Winners not present to collect their Awards can have them shipped.
In the Continental USA - $30
Outside USA - $60

ALL EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST ENTRIES WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR ENTRY TO THE EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST ONLINE PLATFORM.
PLEASE CONTACT LISA at lisa@equusfilmfestival.net FOR MORE INFORMATION.
EQUUS FILM & ARTS FEST ONDEMAND PLATFORM - https://filmfestivalflix.com/festival/equus