1. Submission Deadlines
Submissions will be accepted from until 31 December.
The regular deadline is 31 October.
The late deadline is 31 December.
Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance.
2. Submission Format
Selected films must be submitted via wetransfer or similar transfer website with digital copies. The screeners must be clearly labeled with:
-the film title
-directors name
-running time.
We require the film, a trailer (if available), portrait poster, landscape poster, 3-5 stills, press kit
3. Submission Eligibility
There is no premiere policy. We accept any film of any age.
Filmmakers are required upon acceptance to have a complete press kit assembled with stills and poster images, trailer, synopsis, log line and social media handles.
All of your press materials must be uploaded to the film’s corresponding FilmFreeway profile. This includes EPK/press kits (as PDF should include synopsis of the film, a film poster image or photo to represent the film (for our marketing/promotions), and a photo of the lesbian filmmaker(s) and filmmaker BIO (which may be used in our marketing/promotions). Images must be 300dpi or higher. High quality stills and trailers make a significant difference in press coverage for accepted films.
Film submissions are accepted by cis and trans lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual female filmmakers whose film shows women loving women on screen, either a lesbian or bisexual storyline; or that portrays a lesbian or bisexual character as a strong supporting character.
The acceptable format for exhibition in our festival is a Digital File (H.264). We strive to make our festival as inclusive and accessible as possible, and as such all screening copies must have English subtitles (.SRT file or embedded subtitles are accepted).
- See Sapphicservices.com for subtitle creation support
5. Film Classification and legals
Please label your submissions clearly with the appropriate film classification or if child safe or only suitable for adults. When submitting your film, you certify that all film and music rights have been obtained and are in accordance with UK Copyright laws.
6. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for SaFFlicks Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable. Once a film is submitted for entry, it may not be withdrawn and film submission fees will not be refunded.
7. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs for the submission package and, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all additional materials sent to and returned from SaFFlicks must be borne by the submitting party. SaFFlicks will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. SaFFlicks will not absorb any fees incurred in British customs. All charges must be pre-paid. SaFFlicks will not accept submissions if customs and delivery fees have not been paid by the submitting party.
Submission packages from outside the UK must be labeled 'Trade Sample' on any customs label and, for customs purposes, must be given a value of no more than US$10.
8. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
-Quality of narrative and production values
-Relevance to the target audience and festival.
9. Notification
SaFFlicks endeavours to complete all selection procedures by 31 July and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time. Successful submissions will receive a Filmmaker Festival Pack that will include guest accreditation, contact information and how to make the most of participating in the Festival.
All FilmFreeway submissions will be marked "In Consideration" once payment, entry forms, and an online link of the film have all been received. Entrants will be notified of festival selections by 31 January via FilmFreeway.
10. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a digital screener, preferably a high quality mp4 or mov in order to be screened at the LFEST Film Festival. The film title and director's name MUST be clearly labeled in the file name. DVD is accepted.
SaFFlicks is an outdoor film festival, hence facilities do NOT support DCP, Blue-Ray, tape, 35mm, Super 16mm, 8mm or double-head formats.
All screener copies of films selected to screen at the festival must be received at the submissions address no later than 15 February.
11. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of Lesflicks and SaFFlicks. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, Lesflicks and SaFFlicks reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Lesflicks and SaFFlicks will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.
12. ROUGH CUTS & WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
Rough cuts and works-in-progress are eligible for submission only if completed by 30 June.
The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless SaFFlicks Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
SaFFlicks Film Festival is run by the founder of Lesflicks, but inclusion in this festival does not equate to distribution of your film, and does not take away any of your ownership of your film. We may offer you the opportunity to place your film with Lesflicks in the future but this is just an introduction, and is by no means guaranteed or required. We are pro-good practices and keep our film festival and our streaming platform businesses separate. We are also available to help break down distribution queries and answer any concerns or questions. We know that distribution can be complicated.
You can find out more about Sapphic Services here: https://sapphicservices.com
You can find out more about Lesflicks here: https://www.lesflicks.com
