Submission Questions

 

When is the next festival?
CIFF 2011 will run May 11-21, 2011 in Cannes, France. The same time as the Festival de Cannes (the main Cannes Film Festival)

Where is the CIFF Villa?
The CIFF Villa, which is the focal point of the Cannes Independent Film Festival, is located about 15 minutes walk from the Palais des Festivals.

Does CIFF pay the costs of attending the Festival?
CIFF does have some budget for helping attendees with travel, but you should anticipate paying your own way.  In 2011, eight teams of filmmakers will be invited to live at the CIFF Villa free of charge for one week.  The selection committee chooses which films will be given this opportunity.

How many films get screened at CIFF?
In 2010, CIFF screened 40 feature length films, and 87 short films.

Where are the selected films shown?
The majority of films are shown in the 50 seat screening room at the CIFF Villa.  During the 2010 festival, eight CIFF films were also shown in the Palais des Festivals, and other top screening sites in Cannes.  2011 CIFF screenings at the Palais des Festivals will be paid for by and arranged though our sponsor, The Independent Festival Film Company, which participates in the Marché du Film.

Who attends CIFF screenings
Screenings at the CIFF Villa in 2010 were attended by a mix of sales agents, buyers, investors, producers (including some big Hollywood ones such as Tim Van Rellim, producer of A KNIGHTS TALE), other filmmakers participating in the festival, and industry people and film fans looking to watch great movies in Cannes.

Is CIFF associated with the main Cannes Film Festival?
No, not at all.  CIFF is entirely independent of the Cannes Film Festival and is not associated in any way.

What about the Cannes Short Film Corner?
No, that's not us either.

Does CIFF pay for filmmakers' participation in the main Cannes Film Festival?
No.  Acquiring festival accreditation for the Cannes Film Festival, if you wish it, is your job.

So, are you guys Slamdancing the Cannes Film Festival?
Some participants have made that analogy.

Will I receive feedback or comments on my film submission?
No. Due to the high volume of submissions received every year, we are unable to provide feedback on your film.

What is the shipping address for packages?
Mail your screeners to:
CIFF
Studio 21
456 Strand
WC2R 0DZ
London, UK

What are the screening formats for selected films?
At the CIFF Villa we screen digitally or from DVD/Blu Ray.  We accept both NTSC and PAL. If your film is accepted, our Screenings Dept will discuss screening formats with you. Other formats, including 35mm, are possible for our other screening venues.

Can I release my film theatrically or on broadcast television before the Festival?
Entries shall not have theatrical release before the last day of the festival. Previous screening at other festivals, home country TV broadcasts, as well as industry, press, and private screenings are OK.

Which Preview Copy Formats do you accept?
Entries must be submitted on DVD. CIFF accepts both PAL and NTSC formats. Region 1 (US&Canada) Region 2 (Europe) and Region 0 (no region) are preferred but we accept DVDs in all regions. We recommend that you TEST your disk on a stand-alone DVD player BEFORE sending it to our offices.

Can I submit a work-in-progress or "rough cut"?
Works-in-progress are welcomed. Our programmers are very used to watching rough cuts, and will judge the film accordingly.

Will my screener be returned to me?
No. Due to the large volume of titles received by our Submissions team, we are unable to return your screeners.

Do you waive fees for starving student filmmakers and/or established artists?
No. The reality is that it costs time and money for us to administrate the entire film submission process. We’re not getting rich, but we do have to cover our basic costs.

I have two shorts and they’re both on one dvd. Do I have to send them as separate entries?
Yes. Each work you submit must be submitted separately, and only one submission per dvd.

Do you consider requests for deadline extensions?
MAYBE. Please contact us if you need an extension. Before requesting an extension, please understand that the later we receive your film, the less time we have to view it. This means that your video can be viewed fewer times and by fewer people on our programming team.

Should I send a publicity kit with my submission?
No. We will require an electronic press kits ONLY if your film is selected. In keeping with our efforts to become a carbon neutral festival, we request that you do not send press kits, photo stills or any other propaganda materials.

I don't know if my short film is narrative or experimental. In which category should I submit it?
You decide. Generally, films we place in the experimental category are those with no narrative thread.

What is in it for filmmakers who submit?
if you've made a brilliant indie film on a shoestring budget, but couldn't get into the main Cannes Film Festival, and you'd still like your film to screen during the festival, and be a part of the whole Cannes hub-bub, and get top industry people to watch your film, CIFF gives you the chance to do so. We run a the same services anyone would expect from an indie film fest, but we do it in the middle of the biggest film industry gathering there is. With everything going in in Cannes at the time, participating in CIFF will give you a better insight into the business end of filmmaking than you'd learn in 3 years of film school.