After having completed the application on FilmFreeway, here’s a list of the required documents: (to send by email)
- One photograph of the director (MANDATORY)
- One still of the film (MANDATORY)
- A copy of the shooting permit from the General Security Office (MANDATORY)
- A poster of the film (if available)
- Biography of the director in three languages English, French and Arabic (60 WORDS MAXIMUM)
- Synopsis in three languages English, French and Arabic (60 WORDS MAXIMUM)
- Trailer (MANDATORY)
- Two hard copies of the film to be sent to our offices (MANDATORY when requested)
VERY IMPORTANT:
THE COPY OF THE SHOOTING PERMIT IS EXTREMELY NECESSARY. IF WE DON’T RECEIVE IT, YOUR SUBMISSION WILL BE IMMEDIATELY REFUSED.
PLEASE STICK TO THE NUMBER OF WORDS GRANTED.
ANY BIOGRAPHY OR SYNOPSIS WITH MORE THAN 60 WORDS WILL BE REFUSED AND SENT BACK TO THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE APPLICATION IN ORDER TO BE CUT DOWN.
The required documents are to be sent in one time.
In an effort to cut down on waste, we ask that no printed press or promotional materials are sent to us - we will not keep anything in packages except for the DVD. Quite often, films sent to us in standard retail DVD cases will become dislodged during mailing, resulting in scratched, unplayable discs, so we recommend mailing the films in a paper sleeve or slim jewel or clamshell case. Please refrain from taping the disc to any surface or using paper label, as tape residue, paper labels and stickers may also render the disc unplayable.
Please write the film’s title and the director’s name on the face of the disc.
All submissions should be mailed to us at the address below:
Lebanese Film Festival
Rue Georges Haddad
Imm. Nahas,
Saifi
Beirut Lebanon
(Hand to porter)
For any inquiry please email us on info@lebanesefilmfestival.org
How should you submit your film?
Films should be submitted to us BOTH through FilmFreeway as a DOWNLOADABLE link along with two single DVD-R or DVD+R discs to the following address:
Lebanese Film Festival
Rue Georges Haddad
Imm. Nahas,
Saifi
Beirut Lebanon
(Hand to porter)
We would prefer that they be sent in a simple paper CD/DVD sleeve in order to cut down on waste. DVDs must be compatible with standard set-top DVD players (do not simply burn a Quicktime or AVI file to a disc as data).
Please ensure that your disc plays in a standard DVD player before it is mailed to us!
Please be sure to include both your name and the title of your film directly on the face of your DVD.
Are submissions on another format accepted?
No. Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway AND on two copies of a standard DVD-R/DVD+R or DVD-R/DVD+R Dual Layer Disc.
For the purposes of reviewing the initial submission, we cannot accept BluRay, VHS, Beta, Mini-DV, HD-CAM, 16mm, 35mm or any other format not referenced in the list above.
Are subtitles required?
We require that all films that contain significant dialogue include on-screen subtitles. They can be in Arabic, French or English, depending on the original language, but English is preferable should the original language be Arabic.
How old can a film be and still qualify for submission?
Any film submitted for LFF 2018 consideration must have been completed in 2016. If a film has been completed prior to 2016, it is no longer eligible for submission. If the film’s production took place prior to 2016 but the final cut was not yet completed, the film is still eligible.
A film has not been accepted last year. Can it be re-submitted?
Yes, but only if it has changed significantly. We are not interested in seeing the same cut again; it should be a complete reworking of the previous version that was submitted to us.
Will directors be notified if we do not receive their films?
It is your responsibility to make sure that your package makes its way to our office, and within the deadline. However, we will make sure that all films are well-received in order to proceed.
What happens if we are unable to get a DVD to play?
We will make every effort to play the DVDs, but in the event that we are unable to view a
film, we will attempt to contact the director in order to request another copy using the primary contact information provided on the application. However, there is no guarantee that we will get the replacement disc in time, and we must give preference to those who sent in a working copy to begin with. For this reason, we ask that directors make absolutely sure that their DVD plays all the way through BEFORE submission!
After an earlier submission of a film, can a newer version of the film be
resubmitted?
No. Sending in replacement cuts after you have already submitted a prior version of the film can cause a great deal of confusion throughout the screening process and it is also not fair to those who sent in a cut prior to their selected submission deadline. We will only view the first cut of the film that we receive.
Can a rough cut of a film be submitted?
Some of the films that are submitted to us are unfinished versions with incomplete or temporary sound, missing scenes, no credit or titles, unfinished effects. However, it does need to be complete enough for us to be able to make a decision.
Is a minimum age required in order to submit a film?
No, we encourage filmmakers of all ages to submit their work. However, we do have a separate category specifically related to young or student filmmakers, as long as it is a first film.
How many films can be submitted?
Filmmakers may submit as many films as they’d like, but each film should be presented with an individual application. Multiple projects should not be submitted on the same DVD. If we receive a submission with multiple films on one disc, we will only consider the first film included.
What if a contact information or anything else about the submission changes after
filling out the application?
In case of any modification, an immediate update should be made, and therefore mailed to us. We will use the public contact information from the application to contact the person in charge regarding problems with submission forms and to notify the acceptance status.
When will the acceptance results be revealed?
We will contact each filmmaker by mail on the notification date.
All e-mail addresses provided on the applications should be operational at that time. If an e-mail address changes after filling out the application, we should be informed by mail. We will not be held responsible for any failed delivery of notification. If no answer was sent from us by the end of the notification period, we should be contacted for an official notification at info@lebanesefilmfestival.org
If a film is accepted, which projection format is needed?
We accept films only in DCP.
What types of films do we look for? What stands out?
We celebrate the independent spirit of interesting and original storytelling. Diverse voices and films that push the limits of style and narrative also excite us, but there is no single aesthetic that we look for over any other. We are mainly looking for great films and interesting points of view.
If a film is not chosen, may filmmakers speak with a programmer for notes or
feedback?
Yes it is possible. Filmmakers who wish to do so should get in touch with the head of selection.
Therefore, an email of request can be sent to info@lebanesefilmfestival.org
