Routes to Roots Film Festival

GENERAL RULES

R2RFF does not currently accept documentary submissions in any category.

R2RFF accepts the following:
Narrative feature films (50 minutes or longer)
Narrative short films (30 minutes or less)
Children’s short films (10 minutes or less)

Narrative Feature and Narrative Short films must feature one or more of the following:
Strong rural theme(s)
Strong rural setting(s)
Rural life
*Films with a theme of Returning to Roots must also satisfy one or more of the themes listed above.
Rural = in, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the city.

Children’s Short films may be any genre, sub-genre or style (with the exception of documentary). While films adhering to the above listed themes are preferable, films of all themes are welcome. Films from this category will be shown during one of two film blocks: 1) family friendly (suitable for people of all ages, including the very young), and 2) Junior & Intermediate (suitable for ages 9 and up).

R2RFF features but is not exclusive to new filmmakers.

New Filmmaker: having made fewer than three films in any one of the following three categories, Narrative Feature, Narrative Short and Children’s Short. For example a filmmaker may have made several short films, but is submitting their first feature film to R2RFF. The term filmmaker includes, but is not exclusive to, writer, director, and director of photography.

Films completed after Dec. 31st 2013 are eligible.

While films that have received a major theatrical release in Ontario are not eligible, if your film received a limited release it may still be eligible. Please contact Elana Post elana.post@r2rff.com. Festival screenings are not considered as theatrical releases.

Films that have received other forms of distribution, such as subscriber television or online platforms, are eligible. R2RFF must be informed of all forms of distribution your film has received, or is scheduled to receive leading up to and including the dates of R2RFF. Please note that a film’s ability to generate audiences is a programming consideration.

Should the submitted film not adhere to the rules, R2RFF retains the right to disqualify said film and is under no obligation to contact the submitting party and/or refund the submission fee.

Selection and Notification:

1. Submissions will be reviewed by a selection of judges appointed by the R2RFF Programming Committee, a committee of the working Board of Directors of Routes to Roots Film Festival.

2. Filmmakers will be notified on or before Sept. 3rd, 2019.

3. All communications will be sent electronically. Please make sure the email address and phone number provided as the submission contact on the entry form are correct.

4. If selected for R2RFF, acceptance of the invitation to screen at the festival must be received on or before Sept. 10th, 2019 by 3pm. One's acceptance of the invitation to screen at R2RFF signifies that the filmmaker, or their legal representative, agrees to allow R2RFF to screen the accepted film a maximum of three times over the course of the festival. This allows R2RFF the option of including all accepted films in one or more R2RFF Education Outreach programs.
*All Education Outreach programs are offered free of charge to local students and students in neighbouring communities.

5 a. If selected for R2RFF, exhibition copies must be delivered by September 18th, 2019.
b. All files sent with a download expiry date must set the expiry date to the day after R2RFF closes.
c. If the exhibition copy is a DCP and is required at another destination between September 30th and November 3rd, 2019, R2RFF must be notified a minimum of 3 weeks before said DCP is required at its next destination.
d. All files sent for foreign language films must include subtitles in English. Please contact elana.post@r2rff.com if your film or a section of your film is meant to be viewed without subtitles for artistic purposes.

6. For promotional and judging purposes exhibition copies must be accompanied by a link to a password protected site where festival organizers, jury members and press can view your film. The link and password must remain accessible to R2RFF until October 27th, 2019 at 11:59pm.

7. Filmmakers or their representatives, of selected films must cover the cost of shipping to the festival. The festival will cover return shipping.

8. Blu-ray and QuickTime compliant files are accepted, but DCP format is strongly preferred. All files sent with a download expiry date must set the expiry date to the day after R2RFF closes.

9. At the time of acceptance, the following electronic promotional materials must be delivered via an easy to use press kit: a short synopsis, a minimum of one (1) still photograph from the film, a list of the film’s credits, links to any social media sites or reviews related to the film, a list of awards (if any) the film has received, a list of all places the film has or will have screened prior to R2RFF 2019. *It is preferable that a link to a press kit containing the above listed materials be added to your FilmFreeway page.

10. If selected by R2RFF, a short clip or clips from the film (up to two minutes), in high resolution, must be made available to R2RFF by September 18th, 2019, preferably via a downloadable link included on your FilmFreeway page and as part of your press kit. These will be used for promotional opportunities.

11. Promotional materials of films selected for R2RFF become the property of R2RFF and can be used to promote R2RFF in all media, including film, television, radio, print, and the Internet, during and extending beyond the current year.

12. R2RFF reserves the right to place a film in a different category than what it was originally submitted for.

Submission Rules

1. Submissions are accepted through FilmFreeway

2. Submissions must include:
• Name and nationality of key creative credits (Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Composer and Lead Performer) and the primary country (countries) where your film was filmed/produced. This information will be used for statistical and promotional purposes.
• A short synopsis
• Running time with credits
• Screening history (links must be included for all films made available online)
- Any changes to the screening history (post-submission) must be provided to the festival
• A press kit is not required at the time of the submission, but will be required upon selection

3. Submission fees are not refundable

4. If you are a filmmaker that was born, has resided, or currently lives in Norfolk County, ON CANADA we have a special entry fee waiver code for you. Please contact elana.post@r2rff.com

5. If you are unable to pay the submission fee because you are submitting from a country currently sanctioned or embargoed by the US government, please contact elana.post@r2rff.com

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Routes to Roots Film Festival will make every effort to ensure the safe keeping of all films and videos submitted for exhibition. However, the applicant, in applying to the Festival, agrees to release the Festival, its Officers, Directors and other representatives from any and all claims arising in any way from the submission of materials by, or on behalf of, the Applicant, whether film, video or otherwise to the Festival.

Your submission implies that you have the legal right to represent and submit this film for consideration, along with your acceptance of R2RFF regulations. By submitting to the festival, you confirm that the film is authorized to use all images, sounds and music appearing in the film. Your submission also implies that you have read and understood the festival regulations. You agree to allow R2RFF to screen your film a maximum of three times over the course of the festival. Finally, you agree to allow R2RFF the use of your film and publicity materials from your film for promotional purposes.