Frequently Asked Questions about Submitting Entries to the TriMedia Film Festival
- Do you accept films in languages other than English?
- Some DVD players are unable to play newer DVD formats, such as DVD-R and DVD+R. How can player compatibility be guaranteed?
- Do you accept book-to-film productions?
- What aspect ratio should be used in submissions? Widescreen or full-screen?
- I want to exhibit my film or TV entry in a format not listed in the submission rules. Who do I contact for permission?
- Do you accept entries directly, rather than through WithoutABox?
- Can I get my screening copy or exhibition copy back?
- What in the heck is "WithoutABox"?
- Why the content guidelines?
- What if I miss the postmark deadline for my entry?
- What should be in my press kit?
- My film/TV entry runs longer than the 90-minute limit. May I submit my entry anyway?
- I want to send you a package via an overnight delivery service. Which address should I use?
- Do you accept films in languages other than English?
- Yes, we accept and fully embrace foreign-language films. However, English subtitles or dubbing must be included in your submitted project.
- Some DVD players are unable to play newer DVD formats, such as DVD-R and DVD+R. How can player compatibility be guaranteed?
- It is our intention that our judges will be able to view the DVDs on newer players. As a preventive measure, you may want to test your DVD on one or more DVD players. We don’t anticipate problems, but if they arise we will try to work with our entrants to find a solution to the problem.
- Do you accept book-to-film productions?
- You bet! Please make sure you have the proper rights and releases to use the work.
- What aspect ratio should be used in submissions? Widescreen or full-screen?
- Submissions may be sent in any standard aspect ratio — for example, 4:3 or 16:9 (standard NTSC television picture and widescreen, respectively). Choose what you believe will offer the best, most appropriate presentation of your work.
- I want to exhibit my film or TV entry in a format not listed in the submission rules. Who do I contact for permission?
- Contact Francie Glycenfer, the Executive Co-Director for film/TV programming, at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
. If you have your heart set on exhibiting in a non-standard format, you must get permission in advance, so we recommend getting permission before entering your work in our festival. It costs extra to locate, rent, and operate special exhibition equipment, so we may not be able to accommodate your request. If you are approved, you must agree to pay the media shipping costs both to and from the festival.
- Do you accept film/TV entries directly, rather than through WithoutABox?
- Regretfully, no. The administration headaches are too great if we allow multiple submission avenues. Membership in WithoutABox is free, and you get a lot of benefits by being part of a vibrant independent film/TV community.
- Can I get my screening copy or exhibition copy back?
- Regretfully, no. It’s just too much of an administrative headache for us, so please, don’t send us your only copy of anything. And please don’t ask us to make an exception just for you, not even in your most winning or desperate tone.
- What in the heck is "WithoutABox"?
- WithoutABox.com is a Web site for filmmakers and film festivals to make connections. It serves as an internet-based network for independent filmmakers and their films to directly access film festivals, film buyers, and film audiences, and to manage transactions from a central console. Filmmakers enter information about their film once; then they can submit to any of the thousands of festivals worldwide they might be interested in. You can sign up here.
- Why the content guidelines?
- We’ve set our content guidelines for three reasons: community, sponsors, and philosophy. First, we sought input from all facets of the Northern Colorado community in creating this event. One of the results was that the guidelines are a better reflection of the community’s interests and activities. Second, the TriMedia Film Festival sponsors are community businesses that care about their corporate image, and prefer to be associated with works that meet community standards. Lastly, the festival organizers believe that filmmakers sometimes use language, nudity, or violence as the "easy way out" instead of telling a good story, and that filmmakers who can create edgy, thought-provoking films that meet our content guidelines should be given a place to showcase their work.
- What if I miss the postmark deadline for my entry?
- You run the substantial risk of your entry being disqualified. We will try to work with you to deal with problems, such as asking you to pay the later-deadline fee before we screen your entry, but we can’t make extraordinary concessions because it throws a wrench into our administrative and screening processes.
- What should be in my press kit?
- At a very minimum, we need 3 or 4 high-resolution stills from your film or TV work, a good synopsis, and brief biographies of the principal producers, directors, writers, and stars (or interview subjects). We’re even happier with more stills from your entry, plus behind-the-scenes shot or two, stories from the making of the film, where the idea came from, etc. We also like to know if you’ve won awards at other festivals (and if so, which), or whether your work will be a Colorado, U.S., North American, or world premiere. The more you give us, the easier it is for us to publicize your entry in our festival.
- My film/TV entry runs longer than the 90-minute limit. May I submit my entry anyway?
- Yes, but keep in mind that entry fees are non-refundable. If your entry is only a couple of minutes too long, we’ll probably send it on to our screeners. Any longer than that, however, and we’re very likely to decline. And please, don’t lie about the runtime — DVD players have counters that tell us how long we’ve been watching, and dishonesty makes us testy and strongly inclined to decline the entry.
- I want to send you a package via an overnight delivery service. Which address should I use?
Please use this address for all entry materials:
TriMedia Film Festival
2614 S. Timberline Rd., Suite 109, PMB# 274
Fort Collins, CO 80525-3403
U.S.A.
Please remember to put the project title and your full WAB entry number (if you have one) on everything, especially the outside of the package.
