We're always at your disposal. If you need additional assistance or have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact us at info@utahfilmfestival.com. Our team typically responds within 3-5 business days.
REFUND POLICY:
-- Because all entries are processed upon submission, no refunds will be granted under any circumstances. This policy is in place to cover administrative and processing costs associated with each submission.
ELIGIBILITY:
-- To be eligible, the submitter must have the rights or permission to submit the film for public screening in a live theatrical venue.
-- Projects from anywhere in the world are eligible; submissions do not need to be from Utah. We accept all International Films and Screenplays.
-- Locally produced Utah films seeking to screen their World Premiere with the Utah International Film Festival are strongly encouraged. A 'World Premiere' is defined as the first public exhibition of the film, and any prior public screenings (physical or virtual) may disqualify this status.
CATEGORIES
-- Choose the category that best fits your submission's format. For more information on each category, please refer to the detailed descriptions provided on our website or submission portal. You may enter the same project in multiple categories. There is an entry fee for each category you enter.
-- Each entry is judged on its own merit by our international, award-winning jury using industry-accepted standards of excellence. We reserve the right to change or modify each category, as the Utah International Film Festival committee deems appropriate.
-- A performer/on-air personality may enter multiple achievements in a performing category if the achievements are for different projects.
--We reserve the right to change or modify each category as the Utah International Film Festival committee deems appropriate.
All subcategories will be nominated by the jury, as shown below:
Director
Cinematography
Editing
Sound Design/Mixer
Music Score
Production Design
Lead Actress
Lead Actor
Supporting Actress
Supporting Actor
Actor/Actress Under 18
Ensemble Cast
SCREENPLAYS
Submissions for screenplays must include a PDF of the script. We accept produced and un-produced screenplays. The writing will be judged, not the finished film. Screenplays must be in proper screenplay format (12-point Courier font, standard margins, and industry-standard layout). All scripts must include a synopsis with the submission.
SERIES - Episodic/TV/Streaming
Submit one episode per series entry.
See the categories listing for definitions and additional explanations.
STUDENT
Student films must include proof of student status, such as a student ID.
PROGRAMMING
The Utah International Film Festival programs 100% of its film lineup through submissions. We do not program any curated content.
Jury
Our jury are active diverse practitioners in the film industry. Although not currently an Oscar Qualifying Festival, we do follow the same standards in selecting the winner for potential Oscar Qualifying categories which is: Submissions → Festival programming → Official Selections → Nominees → Jury → Oscar-qualifying winner.
FILM SCREENINGS
Films with Local World Premiere status are given priority for theatrical screenings. Films available to the public during or before the Utah International Film Festival may not have a Premiere status yet will be eligible for an award. 'Available to the public' includes any form of public distribution, such as streaming platforms, prior festival screenings, or wide releases.
SCREENING FEES
We DO NOT pay screening fees on submitted projects. By submitting, you waive any right to screening fees during the festival. Please ensure you are aware of this policy before submitting your project.
AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS & PROMOTION
All screened films are eligible for nomination at the Utah International Film Awards ceremony. All award show information will be sent to the project submitter. It is the submitter's responsibility to notify their cast and crew of any film nominations. Nominations in each sub category will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.
Press releases will be sent to international wire services and to the trades. Winning contacts will receive a laureate following the awards presentation. The laureate will include a graphic suitable for social media or promotional use. Utah International Film Festival® (or Utah Film Festival®) winners may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that they are a Utah International Film Festival® (or Utah Film Festival®) winner and, for one year after the award was bestowed, may use a replica of the Utah International Film Festival® (or Utah Film Festival®) award or logo in advertising. A ® registration mark must accompany the use of the award. For guidance on proper usage, please refer to the example provided on our official website.
BACKGROUND SUMMARY (Required)
In order to better assist the jury, we ask for a synopsis of each entry. The summary, limited to 200 words, will assist judges in evaluating your submission.
All submissions must also include the following on FilmFreeway.com:
Project link
Password (if applicable)
Email (one that is checked regularly)
Phone number
One promotional graphic (minimum), a poster WITHOUT laurels.
Credits - Specify in the FilmFreeway credits who is being evaluated with their real name (not character name). Please also include details on each person's role (e.g., John Doe - Actor, Jane Doe - Composer) to ensure accurate recognition.
*Films must be fully completed by entry deadline (NO works-in-progress) and uploaded to FilmFreeway to allow for judging.
*Films must not contain pornography, racist, sexist, offensive or defamatory statements intended to harm anybody.
*Films must not be disrespectful to anyone's privacy.
*Films with poor production standards (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions whenever applicable, or video resolution less than 1080p HD) will not be accepted.
*Do not send us cash or any payments in any forms whatsoever via email or via our postal address (all payments are made via FilmFreeway).
*Do not send us any materials (i.e: DVD, Hard Drive, Thumb Drive, Posters, etc) via our postal address.
TRANSLATION (Required if not in English)
Non-English productions must have English subtitles or overdubbing (preferred). Subtitles should be accurate and well-timed. Automated translations are not acceptable unless reviewed and corrected for accuracy.
Translations must be submitted digitally in the translation box on the entry form or as a Word document or PDF. We will not accept translations in any other format.
TROPHIES
Due to many unclaimed trophies over the past years that we now require winners to purchase any custom trophies. Winners may purchase multiple trophies. ONLY generic trophies will be provided, which include the festival logo and award category. Custom trophies, engraved with specific details, are available for $100 each.
MAILING TROPHIES
We anticipate not all winners will be present at the award ceremony to receive their award. Winners who would like their trophy mailed must contact the organizers, provide a current mailing address, and PAY ALL SHIPPING FEES within 30 days of the award ceremony. The festival will not cover any mailing costs.
CREDITS
Finalists, when notified, will be given a deadline to update and correct credits. If no corrections are made by the specified deadline, the credits listed at submission will be considered final and used on the award trophy.
SELECTION PROCESS
Films that receive top marks from our judges are official selections of the festival. Please note that judges’ feedback may be provided at the request of the filmmaker. The programming committee will then select to the line up at the festival from the official selection.
REMOVAL OF STATUS
We reserve the right to remove any project as Selected or Award Winner for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to, the absence of proper rights for the film, unprofessional behavior, or conduct that reflects negatively on the film festival or its participants. Specific examples of unacceptable behavior include harassment, inappropriate public comments, or actions that disrupt the festival.
TICKETS
All Official selections (submitter only) will be given 1 complimentary ticket to the screenings, panels, and award ceremony. Premium Events are NOT included in this complimentary ticket. Any additional attendees must purchase tickets. Nominees may win even if they are not present at the award ceremony.
VIRTUAL ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES
If a filmmaker knows they will not be at the Utah International Film Festival award ceremony they may send an acceptance speech just in case they win at the festival. Acceptance speeches must be emailed and under 60 seconds and delivered as a 1080p MP4 file. Please submit your speech no later than one week before the award ceremony to ensure it can be included in the program if you win.
FORCED CANCELATION, POSTPONEMENT or ONLINE FESTIVAL MIGRATION
In the event of forced cancellation, postponement, or an online migration, selected filmmakers may opt out of any online screening by notifying us in writing. Please note that opting out of a virtual screening will not affect your eligibility for awards.
DISPOSITION of ENTRY / ERRORS & OMISSIONS
Promotional materials submitted may be displayed or shown, for educational and/or promotional purposes as The Utah International Film Festival deems appropriate. By entering, the entrant agrees to hold Utah International Film Festival and any of its affiliated companies exempt from any costs or expenses of any claim arising out of any such use. Utah Film Festival will never sell entries nor make entries available for public viewing.
The Utah International Film Festival assumes no responsibility for the acts or omissions of those individuals or entities submitting entries pursuant to this notice. All submitting entities and/or individuals are advised to review submissions with respect to correct name credits and other information.
By submitting to the festival, you agree to have your film screened during the festival in person.
Cast/Crew Screenings: Once you are confirmed for a World Premiere, you must NOT have a cast and crew screening in Utah prior to the film’s screening at the Utah International Film Festival. If you choose to do a cast and crew screening prior to your World Premiere we may cancel your screening and you will not be issued a refund.
Film Reviews: When a filmmaker submits their project and agrees to a review on the website, they verify that they are the owner of all video, photos, and audio of the project and hold The Utah International Film Festival and the Utah International Film Awards harmless for any copyright images or audio in the promotion or exhibition of the project.
Spotlights: On occasion we will promote filmmakers, actors and crew members on our social media regardless if they are included in the film festival programming. This is with the intent to share more good in the world and promote the excellent work you are doing. However, we understand that some people find this to be odd behavior by a film festival. And we agree. It is. But we do it because we feel doing good is better than doing nothing. If you have been spotlighted and wish to have the spotlight removed, please feel free to email us and we will take down any positive post we made about you. Cheers.
