RIFF accepts feature films and scripts (over 40 minutes/pages), short films and scripts (under 40 min/pages), original teleplays (75 min/pages or less), music videos, and episodic series (television or web). Please check appropriate length entry upon checkout and ensure you submit your project in the correct category.
Works in progress are accepted at the time of entry, however, a final must be uploaded to FilmFreeway no later than the final entry deadline and an email must be sent to our office alerting us at info@richmondfilmfestival.com. If a work in progress, please also notate that in your cover letter on the submission.
All entrants must submit their entry form and payment online then submit your film or script electronically through the submission site. If mailing, you must include your submission entry number, film title, and contact information. Address: Richmond International Film Festival, 3126 W. Cary Street, #605, Richmond, VA 23221. The festival is not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit. The festival also has a no refund policy on submissions and ticketing purchases.
*The festival reserves the right to alter the dates at its own discretion due to seen or unforeseen reasons such as COVID-19 or other necessary reasons. In the rare case any dates are altered, all submitters and Official Selection will be notified of the new festival dates once the adjustment has been made through the email address that the submitter provides to RIFF via their FilmFreeway application. Please note: the festival does not provide any refunds for any reason, including any changes made to festival dates, the schedule, ticketing, badge purchases, travel, or otherwise. In the case of inclement weather in Richmond, Virginia or any state of emergency due to ensuing or unforeseeable events or otherwise, the festival may also consider a hybrid model or postpone the festival to a later date but it would be within the same year permitting state and city approval.
All applicants (s) testify to be at least 18 years or older and warrant as the author of submitted material that they are the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal and equitable rights thereto with the full and exclusive rights to submit material to the competition.
If submitting to more than one category, you must fill out a separate entry form and submit the appropriate entry fee for each. We will accept collaborative writing work, however, each writer must fill out and electronically sign the online entry application and release form. If selected as a winner, it is up to the winners to split the prize money equally between them.
SCREENERS & DCP. RIFF must receive all submission material electronically through the submission platform. All preview media must be labeled with your entry number, film title, running time, and personal contact information including email address. If selected as Official Selection, most festival venues require a DCP and you will be notified as to what formats will be accepted for your respective venue.
If mailing any materials, please label the outside of your package: FOR PREVIEW ONLY – NO COMMERCIAL VALUE. Your preview material will not be returned, so please do not send master copies. When possible, please include your full press kit electronically through your submission. Do not send printed media kits or other marketing material via mail.
Submissions may not be withdrawn without reason once completed, and entry fees are non-refundable. The competition is not responsible for submitted materials that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit.
RIFF accepts film and all related submissions that have not been distributed publicly, streamed online, or shown in a public setting within 60 miles from Richmond, Virginia. A world premiere is not required. Should a film get a distribution deal or be shown within the 60 mile limit prior to RIFF's festival dates, the film will be disqualified from premiering at the Richmond International Film Festival. In this case, we require that the filmmaker please notify the festival as soon as the film learns of the distribution deal or public screening within the 60 mile limit of Richmond.
ONLINE SCREENER FORMAT. When submitting your film or script online, you must do so through FilmFreeway. For scripts, we also accept entries through Coverfly. All other sites are ineligible.
Non-English language films must have English subtitles. Final exhibition exports must be in a DCP format for all theatres.
Scripts submissions must be submitted in a PDF, preferred format. Other formats that will be accepted are Final Draft or Microsoft Word file. If submitting by mail, it must be typed in English, and printed on single or double-sided paper; it must be 3-hole punched with pages numbered; be headed by the title page, which includes title of work and WGA registration number if applicable; font must be 12-point Courier, Courier New or Courier Final Draft (please no exceptions). If the script is based on a true story, it should be noted on the title page. The festival reserves the right to disqualify the entry if the above procedures are not followed.
Applicant understands that it is their sole responsibility to copyright and protect their own submitted material. Submissions must be the original work of the applicant(s). We do not accept adaptations. Submissions may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other fiction or nonfiction material, published or unpublished, produced or un-produced that is not already in public domain. If it is in public domain, it is eligible for the contest.
Multiple entries are permissible but each entry must be accompanied by a separate signed entry form and a separate entry fee.
Film projects must be completed on or after March 1, 2023 to be considered for the 2024 Richmond International Film Festival. Exceptions: Due to the pandemic, we have been more lenient on completion dates. If a project was completed earlier, it may still be submitted, however, projects that meet the completion date requirement may receive priority consideration.
RIFF does not require a world or U.S. premiere, but the films that do may receive priority consideration in some cases. However, films must not have received distribution or a Richmond premiere of any kind prior to the 2024 RIFF.
Screenplay entrants must not have already received a prize that includes a 'first look' clause, an option, or any other quid pro quo involving the writer's submitted entry to the Richmond International Film Festival. If a screenplay becomes optioned or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the festival judging period, the applicant must notify us and that entry will no longer be eligible for an award. Entry fees cannot be refunded.
All submission forms must be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway (films and screenplays) on or before the Early, Regular, Late, Final or Extended entry deadline, and the entry fee paid in full in order to qualify for the respective submission rate. Online entries may be submitted up until midnight Eastern Time on the final or extended deadline date. Any entries submitted or payments postmarked after the extended deadline will be disqualified. RIFF reserves the right to extend the entry deadline.
All entrants understand and agree that there are a diverse amount of story contexts and ideas, and in no way is RIFF or The Moving Image Xchange LLC responsible not now or in the future of borrowing or stealing from an idea, copy written concept, or storyline from an entry.
Entry fees are payable through FilmFreeway.
Each applicant will receive an e-mail notifying them of the competition results. It is the filmmaker and writer's responsibility to keep their personal contact information that is on file with us and the submission service updated and current. RIFF has no responsibility for correspondence that is misdirected as a result of writer(s) failure to provide us with current contact information. We also encourage entrants to add RIFF to your email address list to ensure email correspondence is not sent to spam or bulk mail.
All winners are responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding. The festival is not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.
Should an entrant win an award at RIFF, they will receive the award when present at the annual red carpet awards. If not present, it is up to the recipient to arrange their own shipping and/or creation of the physical trophy award via Fed Ex or another carrier.
Contest applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the Jurors.
RIFF does not provide exhibition screening fees. If entering the festival, you understand that if selected as Official Selection, the festival has the right to screen your project during the festival. Official Selection are responsible for their own personal travel and accommodation expenses, however, hotel discounts and VIP Access badges are provided to the Official Selection (up to 2 complimentary badges to features and 1 to shorts). Other cast and crew are offered discounts during the advanced ticketing period.
RULES & LICENSING AGREEMENT Please read and understand the Festival Rules, Guidelines, & Licensing Agreement. By submitting your entry to the Richmond International Film Festival, you expressly acknowledge and agree to be bound by these terms. Failure to adhere to these guidelines or rules & licensing agreement will result in disqualification and forfeiture of an entry fee and/or eligible prize.
PROMOTION, PUBLICITY, MARKETING. Entrants permit the Richmond International Film Festival to use their name and/or likeness, contact information provided by the participant, title of the work submitted, its logline, trailer, and the Grand Jury results for publicity and promotional purposes. Through various phases of the judging process, submitted material may be exposed to a network of influential third parties and Jurors, but such third party participations are not guaranteed. The Richmond International Film Festival may provide, though not obligated, applicant’s contact information and submitted work to any interested parties, and turn all remaining correspondence over to you. RIFF does not attest to or guarantee the validity of any subsequent agreements between applicant (s) and said parties.
THEATRICAL SCREENINGS. The Richmond International Film Festival reserves the non-exclusive right to screen and showcase all submitted films during the festival. All ticket sales and proceeds are property of the Richmond International Film Festival.
INDEMNIFICATION. Applicant (s) indemnify and hold harmless The Richmond International Film Festival, its judges, The Moving Image Xchange LLC, affiliates, staff, sponsors and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims based on stories or films submitted to the Richmond International Film Festival.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW; FORUM. Entrant expressly acknowledges and agrees that the Richmond International Film Festival shall be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief (an "Injunction") to restrain, prevent or enjoin any breach by a contestant under this film contest, and the contestant hereby waives any right to notice of any action or proceeding for an Injunction and consents to and accepts entry of an Injunction in any court which may have jurisdiction in connection therewith. The prevailing party in any legal proceeding brought pursuant hereto shall be entitled to recover all of its attorneys' fees and all other costs related to such a legal proceeding. Unless otherwise stated herein, this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia (without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof), and the contestant hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Richmond County, Virginia. By submitting my project to the Richmond International Film Festival, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, agree to, and will abide by all the rules, terms and conditions listed above and in the rules, guidelines, licensing & release form.
