Hamilton Film Festival - Canadian Film Market

TERMS for 2019 coming soon.

PAST TERMS FOR 2018
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
It is recommended that you print this / view this and check off all the requirements one at a time, make notes, before submit and/or contact us with questions.

WHAT WE ACCEPT
All film lengths and genres will be considered. Selection is at the final discretion of the programming team. DARKNESS is the main theme this year, but your film does not have to fall under this category as we have many opportunities to screen.

PREMIERE STATUS
We require a Hamilton Ontario area premiere status. Films that have, or will, screen in the Hamilton area prior to this festival will not be selected. Special circumstances may be considered. The festival is rapidly growing and your film will have greater publicity, and opportunities exclusive to HFF that other festivals in the area do not offer. By considering our event as your primary festival in the area, you are making a choice that will benefit your film. All selected films get special access passes, opening up your visit to any opportunities we bring. And we do bring them!
(Toronto is not included as being in our area) If you have questions about this, contact us.

WHAT EVENTS CAN I SUBMIT TO
Either one, or both!

Hamilton Film Festival - Public screenings, Juried selections, ALL selected films get a special pass for films and events!

Canadian Film Market - Not public, not juried, automatically available for online screening access to industry professionals / distributors / agents, ALL entries will get a special pass for special events, screenings and Market Guide access (industry contacts and participants)
If submitting to the Canadian Film Market, your contact information will be added to the Market Guide, should an industry professional wish to access this. If entering the Market, you will also get a contact guide so that you may reach out to the industry professional.

SUBMISSION DETAILS
The Canadian Film Market and the Hamilton Film Festival make NO guarantees that your film will be acquired (MARKET) or selected (FESTIVAL).

By submitting, you agree that you have full rights to be able to submit your work, for viewing in either the CANADIAN FILM MARKET or the HAMILTON FILM FESTIVAL, and that you have obtained all necessary rights to be able to submit for exhibition.

OBLIGATIONS
Once a film is programmed in the FESTIVAL it may NOT be removed. If you want to remove your film you MUST do it before the final deadline. After the final deadline, a film is considered entered and we will begin programming immediately, at our discretion, with no further contact required as to your inclusion in the festival. (You may see your film listed as being programmed before you have been contacted - check your inbox). Once a film is programmed, you will receive a welcome package with all the information you need to attend and any further materials you need to submit.

HAMILTON FILM FESTIVAL SCREENER FORMATS
We prefer to view online screeners only.

If you must mail a screener, please send only DVD or BLURAY to:
Hamilton Film Festival
Staircase Theatre
27 Dundurn St. N
Hamilton On L8R 3C9
CANADA

Preview discs will not be returned unless accompanied by a S.A.S.E.

EXHIBITION FORMATS
Currently, Bluray and file format (Quicktime, Mpeg, Mov)
We currently do not accept PRO-RES
DCP may be an option once we know what films go to theatres with DCP capability.

If you do not supply us with an Exhibition copy by the deadline, we will screen the version we have. Please note: If you want us to use a VIMEO for exhibition, make sure your profile allows the DOWNLOAD option.

Delivery details will be listed in your acceptance letter and will include request for press access / screeners and links to excerpts for press.

PRESENTATION
The Hamilton Film Festival is a service-based arts event and we do so in the following ways. A theatrical screening, promotion & visibility, post-fest alumni promotion, access to industry professionals, quality networking, engaging experiences, special access to screenings and events. We also have prize opportunities, official laurels and some year-round opportunities that come our way! (For example, we have worked with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra to book HFF alumni filmmakers who create original films to be screened with a live orchestra) We are also in touch year-round with many organizations that hire filmmakers, or offer paid screenings and we look directly our alumni to give back those opportunities.

INFORMATION
While we will do everything we can to protect your information, what happens with it when another person has it in their possession (like a film catalogue, or screener access) it is impossible for us to manage and therefor, The Hamilton Film Festival and the Canadian Film Market, and it's employees and volunteers can not be held liable for what happens to your information once released.

Thank you for reading and we look forward to seeing your work at the 13th Annual Hamilton Film Festival and the 3rd Canadian Film Market.

F.A.Q.
Q) Why would I want to submit to both FESTIVAL and MARKET?
A)Having a selection in the festival tells buyers that your film has been filtered by a jury of
your peers.

Q) Why would I NOT want to be in the MARKET?
A) You may already have distribution and you may also have a strategy that includes festivals only.

Q) Why would I opt into the MARKET only, not the FESTIVAL?
A) You may not want your film displayed to the public and may wish to keep your premiere status for another festival. Your contact info and screener is for the Canadian Film Market participants only. Participants will be know as the year rolls out.

Q) If I submit to the Canadian Film Market, do I get a Market Badge?
Yes, in the past we have charged extra for this but we are now offering it. We have increased the price slightly (by only $10 per film) so that you automatically receive a badge, should you wish to attend and get the Market Guide.