FILM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
1. Films must be directed by an auteur who identifies as Black and is of African descent.
2. Films must be directed by a Black auteur who lives in Texas.
3. Films must be under 25 minutes.
4. Films must not have had commercial distribution, been showcased online, or screened publicly in Central Texas prior to the festival date.
5. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
FOR PROOF OF TEXAS RESIDENCY INCLUDE PHYSICAL TX ADDRESS ON FILM FREEWAY PROFILE OR ADD ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TO THE PHOTOS SECTION OF YOUR FILM PAGE:
1. Up-to-date driver’s license.
2. Recent Texas voter registration card.
3. Current enrollment at a Texas college.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. All submitted films must be provided via an accessible online link. If a password is required to screen your online link, we must receive the password via your submission.
2. All selected films must be submitted as an Apple ProRes 422 HQ file.
3. All selected films must be emailed to ryan@blackauteurfilmfestival.com by June 9, 2025.
FESTIVAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. All selected filmmakers must provide 1 movie poster.
2. All selected filmmakers must provide 1-3 movie stills.
3. All selected filmmakers must provide 1-3 headshots.
DISCLOSURES:
1. BAFF may attempt, but is under no obligation, to contact the applicant to gain access to the provided film links or fix films who do not meet our technical requirements.
2. We reserve the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees, any film link, file, or password that does not work correctly.
3. We also reserve the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees, any film that does not meet any of the above requirements.
4. While filmmakers are not required to attend the festival, films who do not have filmmakers in attendance may be moved to an online only screening. Our priority will be to screen films directed by Black auteurs attending in person in the AFS Cinema theater.
5. Submission fees and festival tickets are non-refundable.
6. Upon film submission, filmmakers grant permission to show images from the film and filmmaker likeness in order to promote the festival.
7. Upon film submission, filmmaker agrees to indemnify and hold the Festival harmless from and against any loss, liability, judgment, cost, expense, or lawsuit.
8. All film rights remain with the filmmaker. The Festival retains zero ownership, only permission to screen and promote submitted films on behalf of Black Auteur Film Festival.
