• Films must be submitted on DVD or Blu-Ray (please test before sending) or as an online screener and be available for screening as a digital file.
• IMPORTANT NOTE: TBT & Film Festival is not responsible for the streaming quality of Secure Online Screeners. If you choose to submit a Secure Online Screener and would like to guarantee the quality of your submission, TBT&FF strongly suggests you submit a DVD in addition to your Secure Online Screener submission.
• Films must have been completed after JANUARY 1, 2015. Films must be available for screening during the TBT&FF in Jasper, Alabama on June 10-11, 2016.
• Narrative and Documentary films with U.S. distribution (obtained prior to being selected for TBT&FF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for a special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.
• We prefer shorts be Alabama Premieres.
• We strongly prefer Feature Films be Alabama Premieres. While we will accept features that have played at other Alabama festivals or screened publicly in a theater in Alabama, the film’s premiere status will be taken into account when making final selections. We prefer World, North American and US Premieres, and, all things being equal, will often opt to program the film that has not yet had a release over one that has played several festivals.
• Aside from minor post-production additions like color correction and sound mixing, we do not accept works-in-progress and will not update a submission with a more recent cut. Please do not submit your film until it is complete.
• Please include in your cover letter if your film was SHOT IN ALABAMA (include locations) or made by ALABAMA FILMMAKERS. We have special Out-Of-Competition categories for which your film may be eligible if it is not selected for the competition, and we don’t want to miss your film!
• TBT&FF reserves the right to change submission category at their discretion.
• Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees.
Narrative Feature Film Entry Requirements:
*Films must be feature-length narratives, 41 minutes or longer.
*Alabama Premieres strongly preferred, though World/North American/US Premieres are ideal
*Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Narrative Short Film Entry Requirements:
• Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less.
• We highly prefer the short to be at least an Alabama Premiere.
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Narrative Student Short Film Entry Requirements:
• Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less.
• We highly prefer the short to be at least an Alabama Premiere.
• Open only to students (must include proof of enrollment from an accredited high school or accredited university or college).
• The film must be the work of a current student or completed during the time the filmmaker was a student.
Animated Short Film Entry Requirements:
• Films must be animated short narratives of 40 minutes or less.
• Open to any form of animation.
• We highly prefer the short to be at least an Alabama Premiere.
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
Documentary Short Film Requirements
• Films must be short documentaries, 40 minutes or less.
• We highly prefer the short to be at least an Alabama Premiere.
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
What to Send, Returns, and Acknowledgments:
Please send a screening copy of the film in DVD, playable on standard DVD players (not a data disk with a file of the movie) or Blu-Ray. Send your synopsis and, if desired, a cover letter introducing you/your film. DVDs will not be returned under any circumstances. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard, or email address for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.
