There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit. Fees are non-refundable. Payment in US dollars may be made online only.
All packages and inquiries should be addressed to:
International Black Film Festival
Attn: Film Competition Division
810 Dominican Drive
Nashville, TN 37228
Films entered into competition, whether international or from the US must be directed, produced, written or principally acted by an artist of African Descent. The festival does not accept films made before July 2020.
All entries must be submitted via online screener or mailed on Blu Ray for judging, evaluation, audience feedback, and competition. Upon acceptance, the festival utilizes a
digital file in mp4 or .mov format for screening. DCP formats are utilized for unique cases only. Filmmaker must make arrangements with festival staff to screen all formats other than Blu Ray or Digital File. The primary contact listed on the application will receive the letter of acceptance via email.
• Feature films and short films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for Festival presentation.
• For submission purposes, online formats may be of works-in-progress, films with temporary soundtracks, or digital outputs and should first be tested and in excellent condition before submitting.
• Filmmakers must deliver final format (as indicated above) for Festival screenings. No exceptions will be permitted.
• Student entries must be works shot, directed, and produced by the student. Adult supervision must be limited to an advisory capacity.
• For all submissions include the running time on the Blu Ray
• Indicate the region-coding of the disc, and, if the DVD is in PAL format, print “PAL” on the disc.
• If submitting a work-in-progress, indicate the elements that are incomplete on the Blu Ray.
**Competition films must NOT have received a contract from or been released via social media platform, streaming company, by a major or independent distribution or broadcast company. You may clarify questions of eligibility prior to submission of entry by e-mailing us at info@ibffnashville.com.
SUBMISSION MATERIALS
• Completed submission with fee
• If not able to upload via online screener due to geographical location. Please mail preview Blu Ray to address above. ( Region 1 and NTSC preferred).
• Entry fee payment via online with FilmFreeway or in package with submission
• One press kit (Poster Art, Trailer, Synopsis, Director Bio and Pic) must be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway at the time of entry. Films that do not have press materials will be disqualified from selection.
ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT (EPK) REQUIREMENTS
Upon submission to FilmFreeway, your EPK is required and must be uploaded at the time of submission. If you do not have an EPK the festival may have the resources to assist you with putting one together. There may be a fee for this service. Email us at ibffnfilms@gmail.com for details.
See requirements below.
• Synopsis of film (50 words or less-Very Important!)
. Film Poster Art
• Director Biography (Maximum 250 words)
• Hi-resolution photo of Director (300 DPI – 1 photo only)
• 3 to 5 hi res still photos
• One 30-90 second trailer via vimeo or youtube link
FINAL SCREENING FORMATS & REQUIREMENTS
If your film is selected for exhibition, please be advised that the festival will require:
• A Blu Ray and digital link. DCP will be accepted for special cases only. Please make sure to properly finalize any DCP files and Blu Rays. The festival will let the designated person know if there are any issues when conducting tech runs.
• Electronic Press kits with photo stills (color and black & white)
• Headshots of Director(s) (1 photo only)
• Biographies of Director(s)
• Film trailers, clip reels, posters, postcards, and EPKs, if available.
INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES
All international entries must be seen “free domicile” to the festival address, with all transportation charges, duties and taxes prepaid by the shipper. We cannot accept entries shipped via air-freight if customs and delivery fees have not been paid. All entries from outside the US should be sent Air Mail Registered or by a parcel or express service. Non-English films must have English subtitles.
EPISODIC SUBMISSIONS
There may be 1-2 episodes of a series, depending on length selected for exhibition during the festival. Episodic submissions will be limited to duration of 1 hour.
ADULT CONTENT
IBFFN will review and make a determination if it is believed that adult content (i.e. language, sexual content, nudity, violence) is not acceptable for the festival. If accepted, and is determined that content is not family- friendly, it may be screened at a later time slot. However, the festival does reserve the right to refuse any submission if deemed unfit for our viewers.
OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
If your film is selected to screen in the festival, the film programming team will start regular communications with you either individually or as a collective group via email entered in on film freeway. We ask that you please respond to emails within a timely manner, typically 48 hours. If the festival programming team does not hear from you for specific requests, your film may be in jeopardy of being removed from the festival as an official selection. The festival will request for film materials to be uploaded to a secure drive that will be used by various divisions within the festival team ( i.e. marketing, registration and box office and operations). Materials should be uploaded to designated location within 1 to 5 days of the initial request.
Right after selection notices are sent, the film programming team will ask you to upload to your specific folder:
- Poster Art
- Film Stills
- Trailer
- Directors Bio
- Lead Cast Photos
- Group Photo (If you have one)
SELECTION OF AWARD WINNERS AND PRIZES
Films will be previewed and selected by a jury. One award winner winner per genre will be selected and awards and/or prizes will be given for each genre to the DIRECTOR during the festival awards ceremony. Separate awards/prizes may be given to students and/or children in each genre.
AWARD WINNERS
Awards are given in each category above. If your project wins an award the director may designate a member of the cast or crew to receive it if he/she is not present. The director may request for the award to be mailed but will be responsible for any shipping fees. Fees may be sent to the festival via cashapp, paypal or money order.
RETURN OF FILMS
Film sent in Blu ray format are not returned to filmmaker unless a special request is made to Festival Management before the festival begins. Festival staff do not have approval to release films to any member of the filmmakers party during the film festival. The filmmaker will be responsible for any expenses for the return of films in any format. Filmmaker must send any mailing fees to the festival via cashapp, paypal, money order.
