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Submissions for the 2015 festival are now closed. Watch for our schedule announcement September 1st!

HCFF is an annual juried showcase for international comedy films that have been produced for any delivery mode – broadcast, theatrical release or the web. If it delivers the Ha Ha - it’s in!

Comedy film-making is tough work and often gets relegated to a single segment of most film festivals…at HCFF we think Comedy films need to start man-spreading…and lady-spreading too. HCFF will combine film screenings with live comedy performances from invited Stand-up, Solo, Sketch and Improv acts over the course our 3 day festival. We're going to create the funniest Comedy Film Festival happening in Hamilton on Oct 1-3, 2015 on Dundurn St North. We’ll brag more after our first year!

We welcome films that have premiered, or will premiere at other festivals or online. However, films that premiere at The Hamilton Comedy Film Festival with be granted special consideration with regard to selection and promotion.


GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION

We welcome films that have premiered, or will premiere elsewhere. However, films that make their premiere at The Hamilton Comedy Film Festival with be granted special consideration with regard to selection and promotion.

Web Series/Podcasts can submit episodes individually or combined. Combined pieces will be judged on the merit and suitability of the work as a whole. The submission’s running time must not exceed 29 min.

Student produced shorts must be under 29 min, have a university header on submitted screeners and must be provide university adviser contact information with the submission.

Taped Live Comedy Performance: Taped Live Performance of an individual artist or ensemble whose performance has been captured in front of a live audience in a single appearance. Maximum 60 minutes.

Submission Payment Categories:

FEATURE LAUGHS (60 MIN OR MORE)
THE MIDDLER (30-59MIN)
SHORT LAUGHS (5-29 MIN)
GUFFAWS (UNDER 5 MIN)

We are also accepting applications for the Live Performance Slots during the festival. See our website for more information: www.hamiltoncomedyfilmfestival.com

Awards & Prizes

Audience Choice Award
Best Guffaw
Best Short
Best Middler
Best Feature
Best Live performance on tape
Best Writing
Best Student Film
Best One Liner

Rules & Terms

THE HAMILTON COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

By submitting a film into HAMILTON COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL (HCFF) you and your entire team agree to the following conditions/release:

• All films must be in the Comedy genre for consideration.

• Film entrants must submit via filmfreeway.com

• Payment of submission fee does not guarantee inclusion in our festival. All entries will be subjected to a juried selection process according to criteria of the HCFF organizers. Only selected finalists will have their entries screened during the festival.

• Multiple entries are permitted, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry and fee.

• All fees are non-refundable.

• We will endeavour to respond to all applicants as to their status but depending upon number of entries may not be able to do so.

• All entries must be submitted on or before August 1, 2015. Once entries are selected for screening, they are considered as final. No reedited versions will be accepted after the deadline. Entries may not be withdrawn after the Aug 7, 2105 deadline has passed.

• If your film is chosen as an official selection HCFF does not compensate for travel, accommodations, or appearance fees unless otherwise offered.

• Entrants accept that in exchange for the opportunity to have submissions screened at HCFF there is no promise of payment, in any form, for likeness, image, biography, recording, equipment, or for any other contribution by HCFF.

• HCFF reserves the right to make schedule changes and may at any time revoke a film screening, festival passes, accommodations, and any other filmmaker agreements for any reason.

• Once the film is accepted to Hamilton Comedy Film Festival, DIGITAL COPIES and/or PRESS SCREENERS (DVD) will be required. The HCFF reserves the right to rescind any screening engagement if the film is not delivered on time.

• All entries must be in English or SUBTITLED in English or DUBBED in English, unless special arrangements have been made with festival.

• HCFF accepts no responsibility for lost, stolen or damage of entries during shipment to or from THE HAMILTON COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL
• All films selected for screening at the festival grant THE HAMILTON COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL the right to use stills and excerpts of up to two minutes for promotional and archival purposes.

• The entrant(s) agrees that all copyright in the sound recordings and footage belongs to them or has been used with permission and/or under license of the owner. Moreover all actors and persons appearing in the film have given consent to appear. The entrant agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless HCFF, its officers, agencies, employees and sponsors from any claims by third parties alleging that the entrants content or material infringes on any third party’s rights.

• Exceptions to the festival regulations must be authorized by one of the Festival Directors.
• By submitting my film, I hereby certify that I am over eighteen years of age. I have read the foregoing release/authorization/agreement and warrant that I fully understand the contents thereof. I am authorized and give consent for everyone (including but not limited to performers, writers, directors, technical crew, distributors) who contributed to all ENTRY(IES) and all materials submitted with this application to the HAMILTON COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL