Because of the Covid 19 pandemic, we will be transitioning the 2020 FESTERFEST to a virtual setting. We will be launching our new site in October. Notices for the 2020 film festival will go out in LATE SUMMER, and we ask that you please be patient with us, while we orchestrate this change. We're so disappointed that we won't be able to see you this year in person, but we will do our best to bring Butte, Montana to you.

Due to the overwhelming demand and submissions of horror & horror based comedies within the Covellite International Film Festival, we created a true home for the genre we love.

We will be showcasing a series of selected works, featuring the most hair-raising, bone-chilling, blood splattering fun we can source from around the globe.

Set at the historic Covellite Theater of Butte, Montana.
We are set up to screen a variety of formats on a 20 foot screen along with a brand-new digital sound system.
300 - seat theater
Lounge area with bar and separate viewing area

3 nights of shorts as well as double-features and a midnight showing, in a town where everyone has a ghost story.

FF20: MADE THE CUT
All Official Selections will earn the rights to place the coveted “Made The Cut” FF laurels on their posters, websites, and any other promotional material they see fit.

FESTER'S FEATURE FILM PRIZE
Considered the grand prize of feature length film. Special laurels will be presented as well as a physical award for the recipient of the prize.

FESTER'S SHORT FILM PRIZE
Considered the grand prize of short length film. Special laurels will be presented as well as a physical award for the recipient of the prize.

AUDIENCE AWARD: SLAUGHTERED
Considered the grand prize for a humorous or over the top feature or short. Special laurels will be presented as well as a physical award for the recipient of the prize.

GENERAL RULES
FESTERFEST will take place in Butte, Montana from October 29th - October 31st, 2020.
FESTERFEST is an extended programming block of Covellite International Film Festival [https://filmfreeway.com/CovelliteInternationalFilmFestival]
If your work does not fit our genre requirement with FESTERFEST please consider submissions to CIFF.

"FESTERFEST", "FF20", "FesterFest.com", "FFest.co", & "Festival"
Some things we would like to see:
• Teaser/Trailer ONLINE with WORKING Link [No Teaser/Trailer needed for short-films]
• 5 stills from each submission Min Dimensions: 1716 by 741 pixels
• Poster Completed Min Dimensions: 633 by 841 pixels but equal aspect ratio if larger
• Full credit listing in PDF – Director, Cast, Crew, Producers, ETC.
• Well written synopsis; but not a play by play of the scenes

1. Submission Deadline:
June 26, 2020 - Eager to Be Deadline
August 28, 2020 - Undead Deadline
September 25, 2020 - The Final Damned Deadline

FESTERFEST endeavors to complete all selection procedures on September 25th, and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time.

2. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via a link with password (Vimeo) or the FilmFreeway online screener only.
See (6) for related.

3. Submission Eligibility
- Must fit into our required genre guide as defined [https://festerfest.com/genre-guidelines/]
- All submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2010.
- There is no premiere policy for submission.
- Feature-Films & Short-Films submitted to screen in the FF20 will be shown on the evening determined most appropriate by Festival programmers, at their sole discretion.
- Feature-length films (40 minutes or longer)
- Short-Films (Under 40 Minutes)

4. Premiere Status
- There is no premiere policy.

5. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for FESTERFEST / FF20 are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.

6. Physical Submissions
Submissions will not be accepted, at this time.
FF20 screens films as digital files during the Festival and does NOT screen films on Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP.
If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file for exhibition, DO NOT SUBMIT your work.

7. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Strength of story
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production
- Overall appeal of niche genre and specifics requested.

8. Festival Standards
We strongly encourage filmmakers to submit their film only after it is fully finished and will judge each submission as a completed work, whether it is or not. Once a film is entered, we will not update the submission with a more recent cut. Should the film be accepted to play during the Festival, the filmmaker will have the opportunity to supply the Festival with their most recent version.

In the event of a password change or link change after submitting, you must email FESTERFEST at info@ffest.co immediately with that change so we may update your record. If the Festival is not notified of the change and the link is found to be inactive or the password to be incorrect, the submission may be deemed ineligible.

All submitted films whether accepted or not should assume they have granted permission to FESTERFEST to use snippets, scenes, images, & stills for promotional resources. Inclusion of said material does not dictate that your submission was accepted to FESTERFEST.

Short films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival may be considered for exhibition during the Festival, but will be ineligible for Jury Awards. We prefer that shorts not be publicly available online.

9. Festival Screenings and Scheduling
FESTERFEST has the capability to screen hi-res digital formats. Our facilities do NOT support 35mm, Super 16mm or double-head formats.

FESTERFEST’s A/V needs will be taken care of by in-house A/V support, to give the filmmaker and film viewer the best possible film experience.

FESTERFEST aspires to provide the best quality projection possible but will not be held liable for any failure in the technical quality of the projection, nor will fees be refunded in any such case. FESTERFEST assumes that the submitting party or filmmaker(s) or entrant(s) or print source company has insured for damage and loss of the festival print or tape.

Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of FESTERFEST. While every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, FESTERFEST reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. FESTERFEST will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.

No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection.

10. Festival Jury Prizes
Jury prizes for FESTER FEATURE FILM PRIZE, FESTER SHORT FILM PRIZE, AUDIENCE AWARD: SLAUGHTERED.

11. Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY
Remakes will not be accepted.

Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.

Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. FF20 expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

DVDs and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.

FF20 has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.

FF20 explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by FF20, CIFF or by its volunteers.

The judges’ decisions are final.

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND FF20 AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.