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>>>>> ––––––---- ABOUT THE ENTRIES
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WHAT COUNTS AS HIGH SCHOOL? AND WHAT COUNTS AS COLLEGE?
>> High School entries are produced by filmmakers between the ages of 14 and 19-years-old who completed their project while not currently enrolled in an institution of higher education. If a filmmaker is currently home schooled, they can compete here.
>> College/University Student entries are those film produced and completed while enrolled in an institution of higher education. This includes community colleges.
>> For both: projects need not have been created for a class. We accept all entries regardless of whether the project was associated with course work.
DOES IT MATTER WHEN I MADE MY PROJECT?
>> Yes. Films that have been completed since April 2025 will be considered for inclusion in the Foxtail Film Festival.
>> If a filmmaker completed a project as a high school student and is, at the time of submitting to the festival, currently attending college, please submit that project in a High School category.
WHAT'S THE TIME LIMIT?
>> All submitted films should be 16 minutes or shorter including credits.
WHAT’S THE SUBJECT MATTER FOR ENTRIES? WHAT ABOUT CATEGORIES?
>> Subject matter can be on anything.
>> The filmmaker can choose which category they want their film to be considered.
NARRATIVE - any scripted film with live actors regardless of genre (comedy, drama, horror, etc.).
DOCUMENTARY - any non fiction story using real people as subjects. Re-enacted scenes using actors are permissible if used sparingly in conjunction with the actual subjects.
ANIMATION/EXPERIMENTAL - any film using primarily traditional or digital animation techniques. Live action elements are permitted as long as the animation drives the work (e.g., music videos, experimental films, etc.).
>> Winners chosen in each category will receive a "best of" award for their films.
CAN I SUBMIT A ROUGH DRAFT?
>> We will only look at your film one time. If you submit a Rough Draft, that is the version that we review to include in our festival. It is probable that we will not screen your film immediately after you submit it, allowing for updates to the online file.
WHAT ARE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT THE FILMMAKER OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF?
>> Films must be appropriate to screen for a general audience. Please be mindful to refrain from content that might warrant an R rating, given the festival’s inclusion of high school filmmakers and attendees.
>> Filmmakers are responsible for all copyright clearances and releases for actors/performers' likenesses.
>> For evaluation, preference may be given to films in each category that were created in Illinois. But! The festival also welcomes entries from around the region, country, and world.
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>>>>> ––––––---- SUBMISSION PROCESS
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HOW WILL FILMS BE SUBMITTED?
>> All films must be submitted online via FilmFreeway. No other form of submission will be accepted.
>> If your film is selected for the festival, you will be asked to supply a digital file of your film promptly. If you do not deliver the video file by the designated time, your film could be disqualified from the festival.
>> If your project included a large group, please designate one (1) person to submit your project ... and only one (preferably the director, producer, or crew member most able to attend). If you are a faculty member submitting a film for your students, please clearly identify that in your film’s submission along with how to contact those filmmakers.
>> Multiple submissions of the same project will not receive multiple opportunities to participate.
HOW MANY FILMS CAN I SUBMIT?
>> An individual filmmaker can submit up to 3 submissions. A filmmaker part of a group counts separately.
>> Submit one film per submission fee
DOES IT MATTER WHEN I SUBMIT MY PROJECT?
>> We have a rolling submission deadline.
Early Bird: Projects submitted before December 31, 2025 will receive the Early Bird submission discount.
Regular Deadline: January 31, 2026
Late Submission Deadline: March 01, 2026, where fees increase.
WHAT DO I NEED TO SUBMIT?
>> Submit your information and video link now via FilmFreeway.
>> If your film is accepted, we will request a digital copy of your film as well as other marketing materials. Please do not submit those additional materials until requested.
>> Entries selected for the 2026 Festival will be asked to submit an exhibition video of the film in the proper file format (H.264). Failure to comply with technical specifications or by the requested date may result in the removal of the film from Festival competition.
>> Selected films will be screened in-person at the historic Normal Theater. After films are accepted, Foxtail Film Festival (FFF) reserves the right to screen them outside of the festival for class demonstrations, or promotion via our social media channels.
WHO ARE YOUR SCREENERS?
>> Illinois State University students enrolled in a Film Festival Management and Curation course will be screening all entries. Faculty members in Mass Media, Theater, Art, and Anthropology, as well as honoree board members, will pre-screen entries for adherence to rules/categories. Faculty and other film/media professionals will ultimately approve all festival selections.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM ACCEPTED?
>> We will notify filmmakers through FilmFreeway. We will also post accepted films on our Social Media pages. We will alert all filmmakers by the end of March if they are accepted.
>> Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the festival! After each film block, the filmmakers will be invited to the stage for a Q&A session with the audience. There will also be an opening night reception.
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>>>>> ––––––---- FILMMAKER RIGHTS
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DO YOU TAKE AWAY MY RIGHTS AS A FILMMAKER?
No. Filmmakers own all rights to submitted films.
However, by submitting you agree to allow the Foxtail Film Festival to use your film in its entirety both for educational and promotional purposes in our classrooms and on our social media channels. Please notify us in writing within 6 months after the festival if you prefer to limit our use of your film for future educational and promotional purposes.
