RULES AND REGULATIONS 2020
1. GENERAL
1.1 The 2nd edition of PLONS! - International Short Documentary Film Fes5val Leeuwarden will be held in Leeuwarden at Scheepsatelier Eestroom on October 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2020. 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 15th of january until the 1st of june 2020.
2.2 Submission is free of charge.
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:
www.filmfreeway.com
Submissions per email won't 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 COMPETITION (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 45 minutes (including credits) with a production date no earlier than January 1st 2018. Only 1 film per director!
- 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 45 minutes (including credits) with a production date no earlier than January 1st 2018. Only 1 film per director!
- SPECIAL PROGRAM: CHILDREN & YOUTH (see point 4.16)
A special afternoon program for our young audience with documentaries suitable for children and youth (between age 4-16). Submission is open only for short documentary films of maximum 45 minutes (including credits) with a production date no earlier than January 1st 2018. Only 1 film per director!
- SPECIAL MIDNIGHT PROGRAM: COMIC TRASH MOVIES (see point 4.22)
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 45 minutes.
4.3 The production date for all submissions must be aVer 1st of January 2018.
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 45 minutes.
4.11 The production date for all submissions must be after the 1st of January
2018.
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 PROGRAM: CHILDREN & YOUTH
4.16 Submission is open only for documentary films suitable for children and/
or youth from age 4 - 16 years.
4.17 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.
4.18 Maximum dura)on of films is 45 minutes.
4.11 The production date for all submissions must be after 1 January 2018.
4.12 Submission is open for films of any country in the world.
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.
SPECIAL MIDNIGHT PROGRAM: COMIC TRASH MOVIES
4.22 Submission is open for films of any genre (documentary, fiction or experimental), any production date or any country in the world.
4.23 Submission is open only for films with an absurd, bizarre, comic or twisted vibe. Surprise us!
4.24 Maximum duration of films is 20 minutes.
4.25 There are no premiere requirements.
4.26 All non-English films must have English subtitles. Dubbing is not acceptable.
4.27 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. AWARDS
5.1 PLONS! has two award categories:
- JURY AWARD (300 EURO CASH)
- AUDIENCE AWARD (200 EURO CASH).
Films that are selected for the International Documentary Competion and the Special Program: Water are all eligible to compete for these two awards. Films that are selected for the Special Program: Children & Youth and the Special Midnight Program: Comic Trash Movies are not eligible to compete for these awards.
The JURY will consist of three independent (local) filmprofessionals and will be announced later on this year.
6. SELECTION
6.1 Submitters will be notified of programming decisions by august 1st 2020
latest. Our decision is final and cannot be negotiated.
6.2 PLONS! is under no obligation to provide comments or feedback regarding the submiWed film to the applicant or any other representative of the submitted film.
6.3 It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to secure clearance from all copyright holders of materials and music included in the submiWed film.
6.4 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.
6.5 PLONS! reserves the right to disqualify any film with unauthorized copyrighted materials or music.
7. SCREENING FEES
7.1 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.
8. EXHIBITION
8.1 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.
8.2 The screening format of the films must reach the fes)val at September 1st 2020 at the latest.
8.3 PLONS! has the right to schedule up to two screenings during the festival. And up to two screenings during the Best of PLONS! tour in the region in april 2021.
9. REQUIRED MATERIALS AFTER SELECTION
9.1 At least 3 film stills (jpeg, high resolu)on, at least 300dpi or 2Mb each)
9.2 One photo of the film’s director (jpeg, high resolu)on, at least 300dpi or 2 MB each)
9.3 One poster file of the film (digital, printed or both) if available.
9.4 Separate electronic press kit (EPK) if available.
9.5 One high quality (1080p) video file of the trailer (preferably max 1 minute).
9.6 One high quality (1080p) video file of the film.
9.7 The required materials must reach the fes)val as soon as possible after confirmation of the selection results.
10. SHIPPING & INSURANCE
10.1 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.
10.2 When the film can only be shipped physical the submitter must notify the festival’s organization to discuss the possibilities.
11. TRAVEL AND STAY FOR FILMMAKERS
11.1 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.
12. WITHDRAWAL
12.1 Once the film's submitter has confirmed the festival’s decision to select
and show the film it cannot be withdrawn.
13.PUBLICITY
13.1 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.
14. AGREEMENT
I, the Submitter, have the sole and exclusive ownership of all rights related to the submiWed production and/or have the full authority to submit the production to PLONS! and bind all other third par)es 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 submiting the film, I understand, accept and agree to comply with this Agreement.
