The Vermont International Film Festival is all about films that tell a story that is worth telling. Although we show both documentaries and fiction films, features and shorts, our audience is always clamoring for more documentaries. They are thirsty for films that raise questions about the world we live in, that challenge them to think and do so in a compelling way.
We look after our filmmakers and ensure a great interaction with our audience. Our daily cocktail hour is a festival favorite - an opportunity to engage and get feedback.
The documentary strand in the festival is competitive and this daily event as well as Q&As are your opportunity to promote your film and get votes.
If your film is selected, we host you in a hotel for up to 2 nights and, depending on your domicile, we also pay for your travel expenses .
If you are looking to spread your message and enter a discussion about your film, this is the festival for you.
A separate competitive strand in the festival is the Regional Film Showcase - films from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Québec. This is an opportunity to show your film and meet other filmmakers from Northern New England and Québec. There will be networking opportunities and cash prizes.

Awards & Prizes

1. General Competition: Audience Favorite by popular ballot- cash prize $500.

2. Regional Filmmakers' Showcase
All films selected are eligible for the following awards:

* Maine Public Award, $500 cash award- citation tbd
* James Goldstone Award, $500 cash award given to an Emerging Vermont Filmmaker and sponsored by Bill Stetson & VTIFF.
* Zero Gravity Award, $500 cash prize for the Most Innovative film.
* VT PBS Made Here Award, $500 cash prize for Best Documentary
* Hawk Award, $350 cash prize for Best Screenplay, sponsored by Hawk Ostby.
* Interstate Awards, $250 cash prize - best film from each of the 4 regions
* Hotel Vermont Award, $250 cash prize, given to a film that creates the Best Sense of Place.
* Urban Rhino Award, $250 cash prize given for Best Cinematography.
* VCAM Audience Favorite Award, $250 by popular ballot.

Rules & Terms

VTIFF does not accept works-in-progress.
All submitted films must comply with the Submissions Guidelines including deadlines, exhibition format, entry material, etc., as detailed in our listing. Please check our website for further details (vtiff.org).
1. For the Festival we accept documentaries of any style. Films must be 70 minutes or longer. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2017.
2. For the Regional Film Showcase we accept films of any style and and any length 5 minutes and over.

Rules affecting both submission categories:
We are offering secure online screening of submitted films through FilmFreeway.com and we strongly encourage you to take advantage of this fine service. Submission fees vary by deadline so make sure to upload your film prior to a particular deadline to qualify for that fee level. In no case will your film be considered if you upload it after the final deadline of the Extended Window.

Any films submitted without a paid entry fee by the given deadline will be disqualified from the submission screening process.

Because of the heavy volume of submissions, we will not email you when we receive your submission. Once it is securely up on FilmFreeway, you can safely assume we have been notified by the platform.

Films submitted must be available in English or in the original language with English subtitles.

Submit your film as early as possible, please. This gives us more time to consider your work.

Entry fees are payable by credit card or Paypal to VTIFF and are non-refundable. Fees for foreign entries should be paid by credit card or Paypal in U.S. dollars, again payable to VTIFF.

Entrants are responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses, royalties, release forms, clearances and permits necessary to present their work. The Vermont International Film Festival is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits or royalty infringement related to the work. If your work is accepted into the Festival, we must be able to screen it without any encumbrances whatsoever.

Accepted films must be available in the designated exhibition formats: BluRay or DCP.

Accepted films may screen in limited engagement theatrically prior to Festival exhibition, but cannot already be involved in clearly monetized distribution deals in the USA, e.g., iTunes, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Cable VOD, PBS broadcast or cable telecast, prior to October 18, 2018. Distribution deals concluded prior to the Festival but that don't go into effect until after the Festival do not affect consideration for acceptance at VTIFF.

Notification of acceptance will be emailed. We ask you not to call the Festival office. All correspondence will be done through email and only with the original submitter.

If your film is selected, you will be asked to provide a digital press kit which includes: headshot and brief bio of director, color and/or B&W stills from the film, brief description of the film (75 words max) and a video trailer (downloadable and cleared for use on the Festival website).

The date, time and location of the screenings of films are solely at the discretion of the Vermont International Film Festival.

If a film is invited to participate in the Festival, the film must be shipped prepaid, insured and packed in proper containers.
• VTIFF will be responsible for return shipping charges of films screened at the Festival. VTIFF will not pay for international shipping of domestic films.
VTIFF does not assume any liability for damage to prints due to improper containers or otherwise. All films in our possession will be insured against damage or loss while participating in the festival.
VTIFF is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademarks, credits or royalty infringements related to the work. Submission of an entry to this Festival signifies that the entrant understands, accepts and agrees to these conditions.
Materials of all submissions become the property of the VTIFF, and can be used for review purposes and to promote the film and programs of the Society in all mediums including film, television, radio and the Internet.