Ely Film, Art, and Music Festival does not waive entry fees UNLESS you are a STUDENT under 18 in Nevada.
Ely Fam Festival believes waiving entry fees for professional independent and college level film students hurts the integrity of the competition. The same rules and entry fees should apply to all applicants so no one film is favored over another.
In a similar respect, Ely FAM Festival does not invite films to be in competition.
Only films that are submitted will be considered for competition.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY.
Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023.
Films must be available for screening during the Ely FAM Festival March 8, 9, and 10, 2023.
Films that have been submitted to Ely FAM Festival in previous years are ineligible to be resubmitted.
Films with US distribution (obtained prior to being selected for Ely FAM Festival screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for a special screening.
Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival.
Films that have screened on US network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.
Short Films that have played in Ely, NV. in a theatrical setting to a public audience prior to March 8, 2024 are not eligible to compete at Ely FAM Festival. The ONLY exception is that a short may play as part of a class screening for an accredited university’s film program.
We prefer that shorts be Nevada premieres.
Short films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival may be considered for exhibition during the Festival, but will be ineligible for Jury Awards.
We prefer that shorts not be publicly available online.
Online, private screenings through a festival’s online program do not count as publicly available online.
Feature films must be at least a Nevada premiere.
Ely FAM Festival will not screen features in competition that have played at other Nevada festivals or screened publicly in a theater in Nevada (including a one night only screening in a rented space) prior to March 08, 2024. We prefer World, North American, and US premieres and all things being equal, will often opt to program the film that has not yet had a release over one that has played at several festivals. If a film is screened online as part of a festival’s program that will count as a local premiere to the physical address of the festival played through.
Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a film’s eligibility.
Ely FAM Festival reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
Films that are selected to screen at the Ely FAM Festival may not necessarily be selected to be “in competition” for awards purposes. Notifications regarding potential selection for competition status possibly may occur subsequent to notifications of acceptance for exhibition.
ORIGINALITY AND PERMISSIONS; INDEMNITY
Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.
Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. Ely FAM Festival expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Films that have not received a full color edit, or sound edit are eligible for submission. Ely FAM Festival prefers picture-locked submissions for the consideration process. Ely FAM Festival's focus is on story, technical changes such as color or sound will not affect the final decision of any film. Should the film be accepted to play during the Festival, the filmmaker will have the opportunity to supply the Festival with their most recent version.
Filmmakers who are unsure whether to enter their film into the Feature Category or one of the genre categories (Western, Drama, Comedy, Musical, Romance, SCiFi, or Horror) should select the genre category so the film will be watched with that in mind. Ely FAM Festival reserves the right to switch the entry category or otherwise assign a category to fit programming needs and interests, and films will not be penalized for the original submission selection.
Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by Ely FAM Festival in connection with the dispute.
You MUST include your physical address either in your entry or in your cover letter. Please do not submit a film without giving us your address, which we need for our records.
Please include in your cover letter if your film was SHOT IN Nevada (include locations) or made by NEVADA FILMMAKERS.
SELECTED FILMS AND WINNERS
Ely FAM Festival has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.
Ely FAM Festival explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by Ely FAM Festival staff or by its volunteers.
Winners will be announced on March 9, 2024. The judges’ decision is final.
Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.
RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DVDs and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.
COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
