Submissions are now closed (as of 1/10/11, 9:00 pm).

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Submissions FAQ
 

GENERAL

The mission of the Tribeca Film Festival is to create platforms for filmmakers to reach the best possible audience for their work. Since submission of a film constitutes acceptance of these Entry Rules & Regulations (by filmmakers and their agents), please review this document carefully.

KEY DATES

• PASSED September 13, 2010 (3 pm EST) – Submissions open
• PASSED November 5, 2010 (postmark) – Early entry deadline for Features (films ≥ 40 min) and Shorts (< 40 min)
• PASSED December 10, 2010 (postmark) – Official entry deadline for then-complete Features and for all Shorts
• PASSED January 10, 2011 (arrive by) – Late entry deadline available only to those Features (narrative and documentary) completed after the official entry deadline and which have not been screened publicly or otherwise distributed anywhere
• April 20 - May 1, 2011 – 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in NYC (the “TFF11”) 

*Submissions may be in Work-in-Progress form; however, works that are not final cuts must be clearly marked “Work in Progress (WIP)” or “Rough Cut” with an indication of what will change or what is missing (e.g., temp sound, Avid output, missing animation, etc.)  Also, due to the volume of submissions, only ONE replacement copy (i.e. final cut) will be accepted and replacement copies will not be accepted after January 10, 2011 (unless solicited by the Festival).

ENTRY FEES 

• PASSED EARLY Deadline (11/5/10 postmark) – Shorts: US $25; Features: US $45
• PASSED OFFICIAL Deadline (12/10/10 postmark) – Shorts: US $40; Features: US $65
• PASSED LATE Deadline (01/10/11 “arrive by”) – Features only: US $95

Note: Entry fees are in US Dollars, are per film and are non-refundable. Read eligibility requirements carefully prior to submitting.

Students: Fee waived for student entries if a photocopy of current and valid student ID card or letter from school verifying enrollment is submitted at time of entry.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for consideration:

(1) Entrants must fully comply with these Entry Rules & Regulations, including deadline(s) and entry material requirements, selected film requirements and premiere requirements for specific TFF11 sections (see below).

(2) Non-English language works must have English subtitles at time submitted. Dialogue lists will not be accepted.

(3) Submitted works must not, prior to or (unless approved in advance by the Festival) during the TFF11, be publicly (commercially or otherwise) exhibited, broadcast or distributed in any capacity, except that:

• Shorts may be shown prior to the TFF11 on a non-commercial website only and for a set, finite, and limited period (i.e., as part of an online-only film festival)
• Works may have been exhibited theatrically and/or broadcast prior to the TFF11 in a restricted capacity (i.e., at film festivals and/or, in select instances, in limited commercial theatrical or broadcast release) provided that such exhibition was only outside of North America
• Works may still be eligible for consideration, at the discretion of the Festival’s programming team, if they are theatrically exhibited at onsite film festivals (for clarity, Features may not in any event be exhibited via the Internet) after January 1, 2011, provided that such festivals are outside of the New York City area

HOW TO ENTER

Apply online and mail all required entry materials (see below).

ENTRY MATERIALS

All entries must include the following:

(1) An online official TFF11 “Entry Form” properly completed.

(2) The entry fee(s) (or student ID photocopy), which is payable by credit card (American Express, Visa, or MasterCard, Discover). You must include a copy of your payment receipt if you have paid by credit card.

(3) TWO DVD copies of the work, formatted for multi-zone or for Zone 1 (North America) and labeled with the work’s title, running time, director(s) name(s). Entries will not be accepted for preview in any other format.

MULTIPLE ENTRIES

Each entered film must be submitted on its own DVD(s) and accompanied by its own completed “Entry Form”; please do not send a compilation DVD composed of works for separate entries.

RE-ENTRY

If your work was submitted and considered for previous editions of the Tribeca Film Festival, you may re-enter it if you have made significant changes and if all eligibility requirements are met (see above).

INVITED WORKS

Festival programmers select and invite all the films to be presented at the TFF11, with premieres given priority. Invited filmmakers will be notified (by email, phone or fax via the information in the submitted Entry Form) around mid-March 2011. Most updates and correspondence will be sent via email. Make sure to update us with any other festival invitations prior to the TFF11 at entries@tribecafilmfestival.org. TFF11 may rescind an invitation if a film’s eligibility status changes.

IF YOUR WORK IS SELECTED

If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by the Festival:

• All exhibition copies must be delivered in 35mm or HDCAM format.
• The Festival will arrange (and pay cost of) return shipping your print(s)/video(s) after the conclusion of TFF11.

(3) You must provide a properly completed and signed official TFF11 “Film Information Form” including all press and publication assets as specified in the “Materials Checklist.”

FESTIVAL SECTIONS

Works invited to participate in the TFF11 will be shown in the section determined most appropriate by Festival programmers, in their sole discretion. In 2010, Tribeca Film Festival sections included the following:*

• Open to works from all regions, but must be at least a North American “premiere” (see eligibility requirements above).
• Eligible for: Best Narrative Feature, Best New Documentary Filmmaker (for 1st and 2nd time feature directors), Best Actor and Best Actress.

World Documentary Features

• Open to works from all regions, but must be at least a North American “premiere”.
• Eligible for: Best Documentary Feature, Best New Narrative Filmmaker (for 1st and 2nd time feature directors).

Shorts (narrative and documentary)

• Eligible for: Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short and Student Visionary Award.
• Student Shorts must be produced through an accredited educational institution.
• Shorts will play either in a Shorts program or before a Feature film.

Out of Competition (all must be at least a NY “premiere” unless otherwise noted)

• Both sections are invitation-only and feature advanced screenings of anticipated films prior to their U.S. theatrical release. 

Encounters

• An assortment of documentary and narrative films with high-profile talent and notable subject matter (must be at least a US “premiere”). 

Discovery

• Premieres of works by outstanding new voices (must be at least a NY “premiere”). 

Showcase

• A selection of outstanding films previously screened at festivals around the world. 

Restored/Rediscovered

• An opportunity to glance into film history's rear-view mirror and celebrate the invaluable work of film archives worldwide. 

Cinemania

• Devoted to narrative and documentary features for late night audiences.

*The above listings are from the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Sections and descriptions for the TFF11 may be modified.

FILM SERIES AND PROGRAMS:

Works invited to participate in the TFF11 will be shown in the series/program determined most appropriate by Festival programmers, in their sole discretion. In 2010, Tribeca Film Festival programs included the following:*

• Showcase of films celebrating the spirit of competition. Line-up will be comprised of official TFF11 selections.

Tribeca Film Festival Virtual

• Created to enable film enthusiasts within the US to participate in the dynamic viewing experience of (select) Tribeca Film Festival films.

Youth Media Series (narrative and documentary – 15 minutes or less)

• Open to works made by filmmakers younger than 20 years of age and residing within the five boroughs of NYC.
• Youth filmmakers must play major creative roles on the production of the submitted works – as directors, writers, and/or editors. Any works reflecting more than 50% of creative control by filmmakers over the age of 20 will be ineligible (with preference given to films that are overwhelmingly youth made).
• Youth Media qualified works will be considered for TFI’s Youth Media Series in addition to the TFF11.

*The above listings are from the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. Sections and descriptions for the TFF11 may be modified.

AWARDS 

• In 2010, cash awards totaled $185,000 in addition to over $215,000 of in-kind services and products and art work.
• Unless otherwise agreed by the Festival in writing, awards will be given to the winning film director (as identified in the Film Information Form) and will be fulfilled approximately 16-18 weeks after the closing date of the TFF11.
• Award eligibility is subject to any restrictions or conditions imposed by applicable laws and regulations (international, federal, state or otherwise), and the award recipient is responsible for all applicable taxes, customs, tariffs, insurance and similar charges or costs (if any).
• All new Features (except those only shown in the “Gala” section or as a “Special Screening” or “Special Event”) are eligible for the “Audience Award,” regardless of section
• 2011 Awards listed in the above Festival sections and Awards sections are subject to change.

SHIPPING ADDRESS

All submissions must be sent prepaid (including any applicable customs fees) to:

Questions: Email entries@tribecafilmfestival.org or call (212) 941-2305.

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Submissions are now closed (as of 1/10/11, 9:00 pm).
Still have questions? Read the Submissions FAQ.