LightReel Film Festival

SUBMISSION RULES

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
We strongly encourage you to review these rules carefully prior to submitting your film or screenplay. The submission of your project acknowledges that you have read and agreed to all the following rules and terms. Once projects have been submitted by our final deadline and adhere to the following terms, they will be considered for inclusion in the LightReel Film Festival.

Filmmakers acknowledge that they have read and accepted the Rules and Terms of the LightReel Film Festival. They also certify that they hold all rights for the presentation of their film and screenplay and that all rights and permission have been made. All films and screenplays accepted into the LightReel Film Festival are not subject to nor are threatened by any litigation. Upon accepting these conditions, filmmakers and screenwriters transfer the right to use excerpts of submitted films, stills, screenplays, and trailers, for the purpose of publicity and marketing of the film on the various social networks, on the website of the festival, as well as on other non-commercial purposes related to the promotional of the event to the LightReel Film Festival. Filmmakers hereby agree to indemnify The LightReel Film Festival, if said rights have been not properly administered.

If you have any further questions, please visit our FAQ page: http://www.lightreelfilm.com/submission-faq/

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Beginning on September 11, 2023, The LightReel Film Festival will accept entries with a completion date after January 1, 2023. Film and screenplay submissions to the LightReel Film Festival must not be scheduled for theatrical release or television broadcast prior to June 3, 2024. No submissions should have been publicly screened in Washington, DC.

For a film or screenplay to be under consideration for the festival, each submission must be accompanied by a submission fee both paid in full and featuring a working screening link or screenplay. In addition, all films and screenplays submitted must be free from any legal disputes and third-party claims. All rights for music, screenplays, and public exhibition should also be cleared by submitting filmmakers. Only when all necessary materials have been received will the submission be officially “In Consideration.”

The filmmaker or screenwriter is responsible for ensuring that all submission requirements are met, which includes contacting the LightReel Film Festival after seven (7) days to discuss the next steps to move their film or screenplay into the “In Consideration” category if it has not been posted within a week.

If the film or screenplay has not been listed “In Consideration” within SEVEN business days of submission, it is the submitting party's responsibility to contact the LightReel Film Festival to find out the next steps to move the film into the consideration category. On April 5, 2024, filmmakers will be notified if their film or screenplay has been accepted into the LightReel Film Festival.

Filmmakers are not required to send press kits and cover letters, but they are appreciated, screenwriters are required to submit their screenplays, electronically. We DO NOT accept hard copies but if you wish to submit either, please attach it to your submission.

SCREENERS
The festival STRONGLY prefers filmmakers to submit online screeners, via either a password-protected Vimeo link or by uploading directly to FilmFreeway. Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that their screener link and password remain active through June 14, 2024. If a password or URL changes after submission, filmmakers are encouraged to email the festival immediately. The festival will attempt to contact filmmakers for an update if we discover an error with the screener submission.

Filmmakers who fail to respond by the final submission deadline will automatically be disqualified, without refund of submission fees. All online submission screeners MUST be available to stream. The festival does not accept any submissions that must either be downloaded or have watermarks for public presentation.

SUBTITLES
All foreign-language film submissions must be submitted with English subtitles. Any submission that does not provide working subtitles will be automatically disqualified without a refund of submission fees.

PREMIERE STATUS
*All narrative features or documentary films must be theatrical premieres in the District of Columbia.*

Short films are exempt from this requirement, but a District of Columbia premiere is strongly preferred. The festival will program some short films online on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing feature film submissions that have NOT been released online, on VOD, or on DVD to the public in the District of Columbia.

If a submitter’s film is selected for another District of Columbia festival, it is the submitter’s responsibility to notify the LightReel Film Fest of any updates as they occur in the premiere status.

*On rare occasions, exceptions to this rule may be made solely at the discretion of the festival programming staff. Feature films that are not District of Columbia premieres will NOT be eligible for competition. In addition, any films that have acquired U.S. distribution of any kind prior to selection at the LightReel Film Festival will not be eligible for competition.

SCREENPLAYS
All screenplays/teleplays (collectively, “Scripts”) submitted must be in English.

Scripts must not have been optioned or sold prior to October March 15, 2024. Applicants must notify LightReel Film Festival (“LFF” or the “Festival”) of any changes in status following submission.

All submissions must be accompanied by the appropriate submission fee PER ENTRY and if submitting by mail a completed entry form including authors’ original signatures. Please do not send a photocopy of your signature. Make checks or money orders payable to “LightReel Film Festival, 6801 Oak Hall Lane, Suite #7032, Columbia, MD 21045.” Only US money orders will be accepted.

Festival reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.

Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY

Scripts must be the original work of the applicant(s). If based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, the applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation or rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigate or attest to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE APPLICANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Additional Information

If a submission involves two or more writers as applicants, the prize and any reimbursements will be divided equally among them.

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 the Festival in connection with the dispute.

No revisions or missing pages will be accepted once an entry has been received.

Awards are based solely on the overall merit of entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.

The Festival strongly suggests that applicants copyright their materials with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or register their screenplay/teleplay with the Writers Guild of America, East, or Writers Guild of America, West. Please consult an attorney regarding any questions about these.

FEATURE SCREENPLAY AWARD RULES

All General Rules listed above apply.

The Feature Screenplay Competition is only open to writers who do not currently earn a living writing for film or television.

SHORT SCREENPLAY AWARD RULES

All General Rules listed above apply.

The Short Screenplay Competition is only open to writers who do not currently earn a living writing for film or television.

Short scripts that have already been produced are ineligible.

TELEPLAY AWARD RULES

All General Rules listed above apply.

The Teleplay Competition is only open to writers who do not currently earn a living writing for film or television.

No show bibles, treatments, or reality show formats will be accepted for the teleplay competition.

GENERAL FORMAT RULES

Screenplays/teleplays should be formatted according to current industry standards.

To follow standard guidelines for format, consult any popular screenwriting or teleplay writing text for assistance.

Font size must be 12 point and in Courier type.

Feature Screenplays must be approximately 90-120 pages in length.

Short Screenplays must be 5 – 40 pages in length.

Teleplays should be the appropriate length depending on the format. The recommended length for single-camera sitcoms is approximately 22-40 pages and 45-70 pages for single-camera one-hour programs. The recommended length for multi-camera sitcom pilots is approximately 52-58 pages.

Pages must be numbered in the top right-hand corner.

NO REVISIONS OR MISSING PAGES WILL BE ACCEPTED ONCE ENTRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

MAILED-IN SUBMISSIONS FORMAT:

Pages should be two or three-hole-punched, bound between cardstock covers, and fastened by two or three metal brads.

Pages may be double-sided.

Only the TITLE of the screenplay should appear on the front stock cover (legibly written or typed).

A second title page with all contact information (TITLE, AUTHOR, AUTHOR’S ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, E-MAIL ADDRESS, and a BRIEF SYNOPSIS) should be included but kept separate from the script. The author’s name must not appear elsewhere in the script to preserve anonymity in the judging process.

Payments made with a check are subject to our Bounced Check Policy: If we receive a returned check from our bank for a payment you made, you will be invoiced for the original amount of the check plus a $40 bank fee. The payment of the invoiced amount will be due within 30 days of the invoice date. We will not re-submit the original check, nor will we accept another check for repayment. Repayment must be made by money order or cashier’s check.

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS FORMAT:

Scripts must be in PDF format and under 5MB.

Only the TITLE of the screenplay should appear on the front cover page.

The author’s name, contact information, or any other information that may reveal the identity of the writer(s) must not appear anywhere in the script to preserve anonymity in the judging process.

Selected Scripts and Winners

The 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 readers or judges;

ii) notes relating to the submitted material;

iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.

Finalists will be announced on April 5th, 2024.

The judges’ decision is final.

Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.

RETURNS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Scripts will not be returned under any circumstances.

Please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your screenplay/teleplay (mailed-in entries only).

Online submissions will receive a confirmation email.

Semifinalists (Sweet 16 and Elite 8) notification letters will be sent via email during April 2024. The finalists and winners will be contacted via email on May 1st.

QUESTIONS?

For questions regarding submissions and special inquiries and for script reading inquiries and opportunities, please contact our Screenplay Programmer: Subrina Wood at subrinaw@gmail.com

DEADLINES
It is the filmmaker’s responsibility to closely keep track of deadlines as they consider submitting their project within a certain window. All deadlines are set for 11:59 p.m. EST.
Any submissions with an unpaid balance after a deadline will be required to pay the following deadline’s submission fee. Failure to pay the appropriate fee may result in disqualification without a refund.

ACCEPTED FILMS
The deadline for all works that are selected for inclusion in the festival is April 5, 2024.

If your film is accepted into the LightReel Film Festival, filmmakers will grant the festival the right to utilize an excerpt from said film submitted for exhibition for promotional purposes.

All accepted films will screen at least once during the festival, with the option of an encore screening for select films/shorts blocks that win festival jury awards. All scheduling is purely at the discretion of the LightReel Film Festival staff.

The festival will only return submission flash drives upon request and local filmmakers are encouraged to pick up their drives. International submissions sent on flash drives will not be returned to the festival highly recommended filmmakers submit their work online. All flash drives that are in possession of the festival after a year will be destroyed.

SCREENING FEES
The LightReel Film Festival DOES NOT PAY SCREENING FEES. Filmmakers who submit their films acknowledge that the festival will not pay to present their work. **NO FEE WAIVERS**

COPYRIGHT & LEGAL TERMS
Filmmakers acknowledge that by entering their film for consideration at the LightReel Film Festival, they authorize that their work is cleared for festival exhibition. They also accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property contained therein.

Filmmakers associated with the project shall indemnify and hold harmless the LightReel Film Festival, FAAAF, and any representative or affiliates from and against all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.

REFUNDS & DISQUALIFICATION
Once a project is listed “In Consideration” on FilmFreeway, the festival is unable to offer refunds for any reason, including (but not limited to):

- Submission to the wrong category
- Change in premiere status or distribution
- Duplicate submissions
- Failure to pay the full submission fee by the final deadline
- Failure to provide a working screener by the final deadline
- Project’s failure to comply with submission Rules & Terms
- Rejection from the festival
- Withdrawing your submission for any reason (including changes of heart)

The LightReel Film Festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission without a refund of submission fees.

DATES & DEADLINES

Opening Submission Date | September 11, 2023
Super Early Submission Deadline | October 22, 2023
Early Deadline | December 17, 2023
Official Submission Deadline | February 18, 2024
Late Submission Deadline | March 15, 2024
Notification Date | April 5, 2024