PLONS! INTERNATIONAL SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL 2023.
We are Frans & Froukje, initiators of PLONS! International Short Documentary Film Festival. The 4TH edition of our film festival takes place at Scheepsatelier Eestroom; a 38 meter long Belgian cargo ship transformed into a cinema and cultural hotspot. Especially for our festival, the ship moors in the center of Leeuwarden. Here you can, under the wooden shutters and next to the warm stove, enjoy our International Documentary Program in which short documentaries from countries worldwide can be seen. Thanks to the unique location of our film festival on a ship, there will also be a special focus in our program on water; films in which the tension between water as a friend or an enemy will be sensible. There is also a special midnight program for the real night owls in which the weirdest, funniest and most absurd comic trash movies are shown.
When selecting films, attention is paid to both subject and theme, as well as the artistic quality of the film. Documentary films with a creative form, both in cinematography and sound, are preferred, so that we constantly try to explore and push the boundaries of documentary film as a form. In this way we hope to make the audience of Leeuwarden and beyond just as enthusiastic for the documentary film as we ourselves already are!
Rules and regulations 2023
GENERAL
1.1 The 4th edition of PLONS! - International Short Documentary Film Festival Leeuwarden will be held in Leeuwarden at Scheepsatelier Eestroom on Oktober 6, 7 and 8, 2023. The festival is organized by Stichting Thuishaven, with the support of Scheepsatelier Eestroom.
1.2 PLONS! is seeking for cinematographic, creative documentaries in a broad understanding of the word documentary. Priority is given to documentaries that challenge the traditional borders of the genre, whatever the subject or form. We strongly insist that the Festival is not seeking news reports, current affairs programs, promotional or corporate films. Videoclips and works of pure fiction will not be accepted (with exception for the SPECIAL MIDNIGHT PROGRAM).
2. SUBMISSION DEADLINE & FEES
2.1 The Festival is accepting films from the 1st of February until the 1st of June 2023.
2.2 Submission costs 5 EURO’s per film.
2.3 Incomplete entries will not be accepted. Works in progress may be accepted when the work is in a final stage of completion (for example: picture lock version without final sound design).
2.3 All films can be submitted in one way:
www.filmfreeway.com
Submission per email will not be accepted.
2.4 All submissions must include a secure working online screener link. It is the submitters responsibility to make sure this link is workable until the end of the festival.
3. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES
3.1 The festival accepts submission in four categories:
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM (see point 4.1)
A selection of beautiful, moving, amazing or groundbreaking documentary films from countries worldwide. Priority will be given to creative and cinematic documentaries, innovative in subject and form. Submission is open only for short documentary films of maximum 30 minutes (including credits) with a production date no earlier than January 1st 2020. Children’s films are also accepted!
SPECIAL PROGRAM: WATER (see point 4.8)
Due to our location on a ship and taking place in a water region, our festival has a special focus on water. Submission is open only for documentary films concerning the theme of water. Water as a friend or an enemy. Films about water issues or taking place on or around the water, please surprise us with your view on this theme. Submission is open only for short documentary films of maximum 30 minutes (including credits) with a production date no earlier than January 1st 2020. Only 1 film per director!
SPECIAL MIDNIGHT PROGRAM: COMIC TRASH MOVIES (see point 4.16)
A crazy late night program full of absurd, comic and insane short films that completely turn the world upside down for a very short while. Films that show the absurdity of life, people and our strange habits. Who will make you forget who or where we are for a moment. Films that above all make you laugh uncontrollably. Submission is open only for short films of maximum 20 minutes (including credits). Works of any genre, also fiction, are accepted!
4. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
4.1 Submission is open only for documentary films, in the classical or the non-classical sense of the word. Only one film per director is accepted. Priority will be given to creative documentaries that will push the boundaries of the form even further.
4.2 Maximum duration of films is 30 minutes.
4.3 The production date for all submissions must be after 1st of January 2020.
4.4 Submission is open for films of any country in the world.
4.5 There are no premiere requirements.
4.6 All non-English films must have English subtitles. Dubbing is not acceptable.
4.7 The submitting party must have the authority to submit the film to PLONS! and the exclusive rights (including all music clearance rights) to screen the documentary film in the Netherlands.
SPECIAL PROGRAM: WATER
4.8 Submission is open only for documentary films concerning the theme of water, in the broadest sense of the word. Films taking place on the water or films about water. Water as a friend or an enemy, please surprise us with your view on this theme.
4.9 Submission is open only for documentary films, in the classical or the non-classical sense of the word. Only one film per director is accepted. Priority will be given to creative documentaries that will push the boundaries of the form even further.
4.10 Maximum duration of films is 30 minutes.
4.11 The production date for all submissions must be after the 1st of January 2020.
4.12 Submission is open for films of any country in the world.
4.13 There are no premiere requirements.
4.14 All non-English films must have English subtitles. Dubbing is not acceptable.
4.15 The submitting party must have the authority to submit the film to PLONS! and the exclusive rights (including all music clearance rights) to screen the documentary film in the Netherlands.
SPECIAL MIDNIGHT PROGRAM: COMIC TRASH MOVIES
4.16 Submission is open for films of any genre (documentary, fiction or experimental), any production date or any country in the world.
4.17 Submission is open only for films with an absurd, bizarre, comic or twisted vibe. Surprise us!
4.18 Maximum duration of films is 20 minutes.
4.19 There are no premiere requirements.
4.20 All non-English films must have English subtitles. Dubbing is not acceptable.
4.21 The submitting party must have the authority to submit the film to PLONS! and the exclusive rights (including all music clearance rights) to screen the film in the Netherlands.
5. SELECTION
5.1 Submitters will be notified of programming decisions by August 1st 2023 latest. Our decision is final and cannot be negotiated.
5.2 PLONS! is under no obligation to provide comments or feedback regarding the submitted film to the applicant or any other representative of the submitted film.
5.3 It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to secure clearance from all copyright holders of materials and music included in the submitted film.
5.4 The Submitter warrants to keep PLONS! indemnified against all claims for the unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted materials or music within or relating to the submitted films.
5.5 PLONS! reserves the right to disqualify any film with unauthorized copyrighted materials or music.
6. SCREENING FEES
6.1 The Submitter acknowledges that PLONS! is a non-profit organization and does not pay any screening fees. Although for the future we hope to work out a system where submission fees can flow back directly to the selected films.
7. EXHIBITION
7.1 Due to the location of our cinema on a ship, we are not able to exhibit films in the DCP format or with 5.1 surround sound. Therefore we will need a digital file of the selected film with Cinema Stereo Sound. Accepted formats are: .mov (Prores 422 or H264) or .mp4. Complete details will be provided upon selection to the submitter.
7.2 The screening format of the films must reach the festival at September 1, 2023 at the latest.
7.3 PLONS! has the right to schedule up to two screenings during the festival. And up to two screenings during PLONS! On Tour in the region in September/Oktober 2023.
8. REQUIRED MATERIALS AFTER SELECTION
8.1 At least 3 film stills (jpeg, high resolution, at least 300dpi or 2Mb each)
8.2 One poster file of the film (digital, printed or both) if available.
8.3 One high quality (1080p) video file of the trailer (preferably max 1 minute).
8.4 One high quality (1080p) video file of the film.
8.5 The required materials must reach the festival as soon as possible after confirmation of the selection results.
9. SHIPPING & INSURANCE
9.1 Shipping instructions will be sent to the film supplier once the film has been selected. We strongly recommend submitters to make sure that all the required materials are being sent to us digitally instead of physically packaged.
9.2 When the film can only be shipped physical the submitter must notify the festival’s organization to discuss the possibilities.
10. TRAVEL AND STAY FOR FILMMAKERS
10.1 PLONS! cannot guarantee selected filmmakers to cover their travel or accommodation costs during the film festival. We will, however, do everything we can to financially support filmmakers who would like to come to Leeuwarden during the festival. If you wish, we will discuss the possibilities after the announcement of the selection.
11. WITHDRAWAL
11.1 Once the film's submitter has confirmed the festival’s decision to select and show the film it cannot be withdrawn.
12.PUBLICITY
12.1 Upon selection, PLONS! is authorized to use the publicity materials related to the film (i.e. press kits, posters, stills, etc.) for promotional purposes and to broadcast or screen clips up to a maximum of three minutes.
13. AGREEMENT
I, the Submitter, have the sole and exclusive ownership of all rights related to the submitted production and/or have the full authority to submit the production to PLONS! and bind all other third parties with an interest in the film (director, producer, sales agent or film distributor) to this Agreement.
I undertake that the information provided in this Entry is complete and correct. By submitting the film, I understand, accept and agree to comply with this Agreement.
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Plons isn't your typical festival. It's not a market where people try to sell their (future) films, it's not a competition where everybody sees each other as rivals for the awards. It's not a place where the film's topics are favoured over the quality of cinematography, perspective and narration. And what a relieve that can be!
The organisation of the festival has a background in and has a passion for creative and author documentary. This shows in their selections of well thought-out films from all over the world.Location-wise it's a one of a kind experience. Our films were shown in the hull of an old cargo ship, that was transformed in a cinema. Technically not the most advanced of cinema's you'll see, but they make up for it with flair and uniqueness. The screenings were informal and cosy, with the chance to get a beer in between films. They took the time for a long and thorough Q&A, which we as directors appreciate a lot, since they tend to be mostly short and shallow.
All in all a great experience and a good opportunity to see the beautiful North of The Netherlands, in stead of getting stuck in busy Amsterdam!
February 2022 -
Felix Voogt
Visiting this festival was an amazing experience. What a cozy idea to watch films on a ship together with a very enthusiastic and curious audience, mainly consisting of filmlovers from the North of the Netherlands, but also from abroad. Partly thanks to the good atmosphere, the threshold was low for this audience to get involved with the makers. That is why this event gave me the opportunity to really discover the true impact of the film on it's viewers. The organisation was also very friendly and attentive, it was their first edition, but everything went smoothly. Thanks, for me and my film, it felt like coming home.
January 2020
