The Reel Genius International Film Festival (RGIFF) sets out to discover up-and-coming filmmakers and give their artistry the opportunity to be shown publicly through one of our festival's screenings. We also encourage our young filmmakers, high school and college students, to submit their short films through our EMBARK program. We know many good films go unseen so we want to offer an opportunity for some of those films to receive a little shine if all our qualifying standards are met. To be considered for an award through our EMBARK program, films must be submitted by US residents only; However, all international student films will be considered for screening. We hope to make this a festival like no other within the Greater New England area. You still have plenty of time to create something wonderful so go dust off that camera and grab your crew to earn your right to be called a Reel Genius!
Participation Awards
Please Note: Reel Genius International Film Festival does not waive entry fees. RGIFF believes waiving entry fees hurts the integrity of the competition. The same rules and entry fees should apply to all applicants so no one film is favored over another. In a similar respect, RGIFF does not invite films to be in competition. Only films that are paid submissions will be considered for competition.
We understand the financial constraint of filmmaking and costs of submitting to Festivals and we still hope you can find it in your budget to submit your film.
2018 FILM COMPETITION GENERAL RULES:
• Films must be submitted on DVD NTSC (please test before sending) upon selection and as an online screener and be available for screening as a digital file. Please note: we do NOT screen HD-CAM, or DCP when considering films for our competition. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file, online link, DVD or Bluray, do not submit your film.
• Films must have been completed after January 1, 2013. Films must be available for screening during the Reel Genius International Film Festival, June 25-29, 2015.
• Narrative and Documentary films with U.S. distribution (obtained prior to being selected for RGIFF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for a special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.
• Short Films that have played in various festivals in a theatrical setting to a public audience prior to January 1, 2013 are not eligible to be screened at the Reel Genius International Film Festival. This includes Shorts Nights, public cast and crew screenings, or other festivals. The ONLY exception is that a short may play as part of a class screening for the EMBARK Program.
• We strongly prefer Feature Films be at least 41 minutes to 2 hours. While we will accept features that have played at other festivals or screened publicly in a theater, the film’s premiere status will be taken into account when making final selections. We prefer World, North American and US Premieres, and, all things being equal, will often opt to program the film that has not yet had a release over one that has played several festivals.
• If a filmmaker is unsure whether to submit their film in the Narrative Feature category or in one of the genre categories (Dark Matters or Comedy Vanguard), we recommend the latter. However Reel Genius International Film Festival reserves the right to switch the entry category to fit programming needs and interests. Films will not be penalized if the festival chooses to change the category.
• Please include in your cover letter if your film was SHOT IN NATIONALLY (include locations) or made by NATIONAL FILMMAKERS. We have special Out-Of-Competition categories for which your film may be eligible if it is not selected for the competition, and we don’t want to miss your film!
• Reel Genius International Film Festival reserves the right to change submission category at their discretion.
• Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees.
NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Films must be feature-length narratives, 41 minutes or longer.
Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
NARRATIVE SHORT FILM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less.
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
NARRATIVE STUDENT SHORT FILM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Films must be short narratives of 40 minutes or less.
• Films must be New Haven premieres. We highly prefer the short to be at least a CT Premiere.
• Open only to students (must include proof of enrollment from accredited university or college).
• The film must be the work of a current student or completed during the time the filmmaker was a student.
ANIMATED SHORT FILM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
• Films must be animated short narratives of 40 minutes or less. Please note: Animated films over 40 minutes should be entered in the Narrative Feature category.
• Open to any form of animation. Animated Shorts must be narrative works only, no experimental pieces.
• Films must be New Haven Premieres. We highly prefer the short to be at least a CT Premiere.
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILMS REQUIREMENTS
• Films should document a solid narrative structure and relay a fully-formed and impactful story.
• Films must be documentaries, 41 minutes or longer.
• CT Premieres strongly preferred, though World/North American/US Premieres are ideal
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM REQUIREMENTS
• Films must be short documentaries, 40 minutes or less.
• Films must be premieres. We highly prefer the short to be at least a CT Premiere.
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
DARK MATTERS FEATURE REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be stories that are easily identified as belonging to the horror, thriller, or sci-fi genres and embody dark themes, unconventional subject matter, or suspenseful sensibilities.
• Films must be feature-length narratives, 60 minutes or longer.
• CT Premieres strongly preferred, though World/North American/US Premieres are ideal
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
COMEDY VANGUARD FEATURE REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be original narrative films that encompass all forms of the comedy genre, where the only thing that outweighs the humor is the story.
• Films must be feature-length narratives, 60 minutes or longer.
• CT Premieres strongly preferred, though World/North American/US Premieres are ideal
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.
COMEDY SPOOF SHORT/FEATURE REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be creative narrative films that encompass all forms of the original film being spoofed, where the only thing that outweighs the humor is the story.
• Short films must be 40 minutes or less.
• Feature films must be feature-length narratives, 60 minutes or longer.
• CT Premieres strongly preferred, though World/North American/US Premieres are ideal
• Open to anyone who wishes to enter.