Eligibility:
- Open to independent, experimental, and underground filmmakers working outside of commercial settings.
- Open to submissions from filmmakers worldwide. However, priority will be given to local artists residing in Charlotte, NC or Atlanta, GA and their surrounding areas.
- Submissions must adhere to the “midnight” cultural guidelines, which prioritize DIY, queer, horror, experimental, and animated works.
- No corporate or studio productions will be accepted.
- No premiere requirements.
- Student entries are welcome.
Midnight Cultural Guidelines:
“Midnight” culture is rooted in the legacy of midnight movies, films that were screened after hours because they were too strange, subversive, or unmarketable for mainstream audiences. It embraces the outsider form of filmmaking, including campy, horror, queer, adult, DIY and experimental works that challenge the more traditional conventions of film. The goal of this festival is to encourage artists and filmmakers to create self-made, transgressive, and imperfect works.
Submission Guidelines:
- Submit via FilmFreeway.
- Films should not exceed 2 minutes in runtime.
Entry Fees:
- There is no cost for submissions.
Selection Process:
- Our goal is to screen the majority (if not all) of the submitted works as long as they adhere to the “midnight” cultural guidelines. However, if the number of submissions exceeds the available screening time, the selection will prioritize the most unconventional and culturally relevant works.
- We will prioritize films by filmmakers who will be in attendance at the festival, our goal is to foster a community of filmmakers in the area who will encourage dialogue amongst themselves. Filmmakers who are not local and will not be in attendance are highly discouraged from submitting.
- Official selections will be notified by December 14 via email.
- All programming decisions are final. However, if you are seeking feedback on a rejected submission, email us at info@midnighthomemovies.com and we will try our best to get back to you.
Screening Format:
- Accepted formats: MP4, MOV
- Please export your film at 30 fps to keep projection smooth and synced across our setup.
- Screening will take place at the Independent Picture House on December 19.
- Please ensure your file is delivered or uploaded by December 6. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Recognition:
- This is a non-competitive festival.
Rights and Permissions:
- Filmmakers retain full ownership of their works.
- By submitting, you grant the festival permission to:
- Screen the work during the festival and other potential community screenings.
- Use stills or clips (under 30 seconds) for promotional purposes.
- The festival makes no claims of distribution or ownership.
Code of Conduct:
The festival has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination, or hate speech. While we strive to be a platform for unconventional and even at times, controversial content, respect is non-negotiable.
Liability:
- The organizers take all reasonable precautions but are not responsible for lost or damaged materials.
- Submission implies full acceptance of these terms and an understanding that this event is artist-run and community-funded.
