Submission Notes:
(Please read all sections carefully before submitting)
1. Only digital screeners via FilmFreeway.com will be accepted at this time.
2. The filmmaker/submitter claims total legal responsibility and ownership of all submitted works and the copyrights contained therein.
3. All foreign language films MUST contain English subtitles.
4. The filmmaker/submitter acknowledges that all work submitted to Champions is for the purposes of evaluation an exhibition only and not intended to be marketed, sold, distributed, or broadcast by Champions in any capacity outside of the festival itself.
5. Champions will notify any individual filmmaker/submitter by email on or before the notification date to update the judging status of a submission.
6. Upon selection for the festival, filmmaker/submitter is to provide a DCP copy of the work at a quality of 1080p or better for the purpose of exhibition at the festival.
Submission Guidelines:
Narrative Feature-- Any non-documentary film with a running time over 45 minutes is eligible for narrative feature film selection and all applicable festival awards including Best Narrative Feature.
Narrative Short-- Any non-documentary film with a running time under 45 minutes is eligible for narrative short film selection and all applicable festival awards including Best Narrative Short.
Documentary Film-- Documentary films of any kind with a running time under 60 minutes will be eligible for selection and all applicable festival awards including Best Documentary Film.
TV/Web Pilot-- Any stand alone episode of a television program or new media project under 45 minutes will be eligible for selection and all applicable festival awards including Best TV/Web Pilot. Once again, that it does not have to be an “episode one” or the actual pilot episode of the show. Just be sure to include a note of any backstory or character info that can aide us in our evaluation.
Screenplay-- Only unproduced, feature length screenplays of 60 to 120 pages will be accepted in PDF format only. Writers Guild number must be printed on the cover page if applicable. All acceptable submissions will be eligible for the Best Unproduced Screenplay award and the $5000 filmmaking grant.
FAQ'S:
Q--Can I submit more than one film?
Yes. You can submit as many entries as you wish.
Q--Is there an exclusive festival premiere policy?
No. The film could have already appeared and premiered in any number of festivals. Also, a submitted TV/Web series can already be running.
Q-- Can I submit an unfinished film?
You can definitely submit a work in progress. Just make a special note to us in the submission. (ie “not sound mixed”, “not color corrected”, “it's a rough cut”, ect.)
Q-- Can I submit my student film?
Of course! However, we do not have a designated category for student films at this time so they will have to be entered in the narrative feature, short, documentary and or TV/Web categories if applicable.
Q-- Can I submit an animated film?
We would like that very much! However, we do not have a designated category for animated films at the moment so they will have to be entered in the narrative feature, short, or TV/Web category if applicable.
Q-- Will I be contacted by Champions weather my film is accepted or not?
Absolutely! Champions will contact ALL submitters via email on or anytime before the notification date.
Special Note: Rejection or disqualification from the festival will not result in a refund of submission fees.
