Being a new PROSPECTive filmmaker is tough, especially during a pandemic! But we know that great films take more than big budgets and A-list celebrities; they need SPARKLE!

We're movie people. We love the sense of community created through the shared moviegoing experience. The Prospector is celebrating the super hero genre this Spring with a fun and thematic short film festival - The Super Prospect Hero Film Festival! The festival will bring the sparkle of independent and amateur films to the big silver screen! All submitted films MUST BE family friendly and super hero themed.

The Super Prospect Hero Film Festival will screen at 10am and will be hosted at the Prospector Theater - a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to providing competitive and inclusive employment to people with disabilities through the operation of a first-run movie theater in Ridgefield, CT. Just an hour train ride from New York City, the Prospector Theater is a premium, four-screen movie theater equipped with state-of-the-art moviegoing technologies. Our model is a solution to the unemployment epidemic facing Americans with disabilities - 82% of whom lack meaningful employment. Your submission fees will help to support our mission as we curate an inclusive and accessible forum for independent filmmakers to showcase their hard work.

We vow to screen every film submitted to us. Communication with submitting filmmakers will be prompt and efficient. There will be no pre-programmed films in our festival. Social media presence, cast list, and budget will have no bearing on film selection. Our selections will be based solely on the content of your submission. We have hosted over 20 short film festivals and several international film festivals since opening the Prospector in November of 2014, and we are eager to bring your film to the big screen!

Every selection will receive a Prospector International Film Festival Laurel. Festival winners in attendance of the audience choice awards will receive a personalized Prospector swag bag filled with Prospector Theater goodies. Additional laurels will also be awarded, attendance not required.

Open to all filmmakers creatively representing the film community. Entrance fees are non-refundable.

As a condition of entering the Prospector International Film Festival (PIFF), you hereby certify that:

1. All accepted films must submit a .mp4 or .mov by June 5th at midnight. All non English speaking films must have English subtitles.

2. We accept films both new and old. There are no constraints on when films are made.

3. You grant us the right to publish your trailer and film poster on our website and social media (including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter).

4. By sending your film you confirm that there are no copyright infringements on your behalf, and we take no responsibility in this matter. You are also the sole creators of the film, short, new media, music which you have submitted to the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival. You warrant as sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal right and title thereto have absolute authority to submit the enclosed material to Super Prospect Hero Film Festival. You warrant as sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal right and title thereto have absolute authority to submit the enclosed material to Super Prospect Hero Film Festival.

5. We accept online screeners.

6. By submitting you agree to our terms and conditions. You hereby grant the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival the non-exclusive right to use my name, photograph, and likeness in connection with any and all publicity and promotional activities regarding the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival.

7. I have read, understood, and complied with all eligibility requirements of the categories for which I would like this film to be considered and to the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this document are true.

8. This film is not subject to litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.

9. I am duly authorized to submit this film to the Festival and its Competition and understand that the Festival holds the right to screen my film for Festival screening and promotional purposes and to extract clips from this film for promotional purposes. I understand this may include online streaming of clips on Festival or Festival sponsor sites.

10. I understand that the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival is not responsible for any type of damage to or loss of the print during screenings, at any other time during the course of the Festival, while the film is in the Festival’s possession or while en route to or from the Festival, and I release the The Prospector from any and all liabilities regarding damage to or loss of the print while en route to/from the Festival or while it is in their possession. You also understand that the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival will not return and is not obligated to return my film or any other materials I/we have submitted to the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival.

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

12. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. The Super Prospect Hero Film Festival expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

13. In the event the designated party is unable to attend the screening or awards ceremony, I understand that the director and/or producer of the film as listed in the credits of the film shall accept any and all awards in their stead.

14. If selected as a participant in the Festival, television ready media clips of the film must be provided by the date provided on notice of selection if requested. You shall be solely responsible for taking all necessary steps to establish and protect my/our copyright in the submitted material, and the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival shall have no obligation with respect thereto. The Super Prospect Hero Film Festival shall have the right to reproduce all or part of said material for use in its publicity and any and all related communication directly associated with the Super Prospect Hero Film Festival.

15. If selected as a participant, I will deliver the film in the format requested by the deadline, set at the time of acceptance.

16. Films must be 1 to 5 minutes in length and must be family friendly.

17. You will indemnify and hold harmless Prospects, Opportunity and Enrichment, Inc., its’ officers, directors, employees and assigns, its judges, sponsors, and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses including legal expenses arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims based on material submitted to Super Prospect Hero Film Festival.

18. You have read all of the festival rules, regulations and releases, understand them, and have complied with them. I/we understand that the festival rules, regulations, and releases may change or be updated and that it is my responsibility to read, understand and comply with any changes or updates

19. Entrance Fees are non-refundable.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Outstanding communication and a great opportunity to have your film shown on the big screen. Thanks for screening and awarding my film!

    November 2022
  • Nicole Rinaldi

    Honestly one of the coolest theaters I've ever been to- rivals alamo draft house for sure with those vintage reclining seats! They had adorable gift bags for the filmmakers, a fun step-and-repeat for photos, and were very welcoming. Also surreal to have my short play before a screening of Marcel the Shell with Shoes on.

    Let them know if you're coming in from NYC because they know the shortcuts!

    October 2022
  • Sas Carey

    I loved this festival and am grateful to have had my film Gobi Children's Song screened there. The venue is beautiful, the organizers on top of the program. The huge containers of popcorn lasted us a week. And the prospectors are just great. It all opened my heart.

    October 2022
  • Jonathan Fisher

    An inspiring festival with a unique mission. Delighted to have our short doc screened before an appreciative audience with a great slate of films and to have participated in a penetrating Q&A. And great popcorn!

    October 2022
  • Daniele De Muro

    Honoured to have my short film"Horizon" at this beautiful Festival. I hope to submit a new project next year.

    October 2022