WAIVERS
Due to the vast amount of waiver requests we're asked for we are limiting the waiver period. Waivers will only be granted from March 15th 2025 to May 1st 2025. Please do not ask us for a waiver before that time period, we won't even look at the film until the specified dates.
ELIGIBILITY
This competition is for emerging filmmakers, student filmmakers and independent filmmakers.
For Wisconsin Spotlight. This category is only for filmmakers who presently reside in the state of Wisconsin, if you don't currently live in Wisconsin, you must enter your film through the US & International option. This category is for filmmakers currently living in the state of Wisconsin only.
Your film will be disqualified is you don't follow our rules and terms.
TYPES OF FILMS ACCEPTED
Narrative, documentary, experimental or animated films or videos up to 15 minutes in length.
All entries in a language other than English must be subtitled or dubbed in English unless dialogue is inessential to comprehension and appreciation.
We don't take:
Web series
Demo reels
Commercials
Advertisements
Video or new media games
Film with prior commercial release
Industrial and instructional films
Films over 15 minutes
Films streaming publicly
and
Films screened in the area, and Milwaukee seven months prior to the fest.
Entries that premiered in Milwaukee before our event may be considered to run out of competition at the total discretion of MSFF.
Your film must also have the rights and permission to use any copyrighted work presented in your work.
FORMATS ACCEPTED
A downloadable digital file (H .264) or as an online screener. Exhibition formats accepted are only data digital files (H. 264).
For questions on other video festival screening formats, please contact the MSFF.
ENTRY LIMITATIONS
Filmmakers can submit up to three entries. Each entry must include a separate entry and fee. Entries previously submitted to the Milwaukee Short Film Festival cannot be re-submitted. Entrants are responsible for securing all necessary rights / permissions for festival exhibition of each work submitted and all accompanying materials.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Clips from accepted films may also be used by the MSFF for festival promotion, festival program and possible televised broadcast. While the festival will take precautions to handle your film and publicity materials responsibly, the festival, its committee and staff cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to any materials entered. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Milwaukee Short Film Festival from and against any and 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.
Also, once submitted and considered we have the right to show the film, and the film maker agrees in advance to this.
NOTIFICATION DATE
Approximately 1st -July-2025 is FilmFreeway's date that they will send out notifications.
We could email you in May and up to June 30th.
The filmmaker must send their film 10 days after notified, and no later than July 1st. If the filmmaker fails to send their work on time, we will not program it. Also, we build program blocks, the file you send before July 1st will be the file that we use, please don't ask us at after that date, or weeks before the event to swap out files.
RUNTIME
Shorts: maximum 15 minutes
COMPLETION DATE
Projects completed after 01-Jan-2024
PLACE OF ORIGIN
Projects may originate from anywhere in the world
PREMIERE STATUS
No premiere requirement, but premieres are preferred and will get special consideration. If your film has played before an audience in a screening or prior festival we could pass on it.
ENTRIES MUST INCLUDE:
-Entry fee
-Film synopsis, principal cast list, and brief filmmaker bio
-Press kit
-Local Wisconsin filmmakers must supply an address to verify. We do check. Without one your film may be dis-qualified.
PRESSKIT REQUIREMENTS
A press kit is required with the entry form, including:
> Film Poster meeting social media standards
> High Rez Production Still Photos meeting social media standards - Digital
> High Rez Photo of the Director - Digital
> Biography/Filmography - Director
> Statement by the Director
> Press Clippings (Optional)
> Website info - Digital
> Social media links (Tick Tock, Instagram, Facebook, Threads)
> Trailer - Digital
INCOMPLETE ENTRIES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
If there isn't at least a synopsis, director's headshot and bio we could pass on your film.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
Entrants are invited to submit promotional materials with initial submission. After notification of acceptance into the festival, filmmakers are encouraged to provide one still each of the director and a scene from the film at 800 dpi JPEG files, for publicity. All publicity materials should be labeled with the name of the filmmaker and of the film.
Entries are eligible to be selected for programming and exhibition at the Milwaukee Short Film Festival. We also reserve the right to show the film after it is accepted into the festival, and if notified before a competing local festival accepts your film. We also reserve the right to pull a film out of our line up if the filmmaker doesn't bring forth deliverables in a timely manner.
