Submit Your Work to the TriMedia Film Festival

Call for Entries for 2010 is Open!

The call for entries for the 2010 TriMedia Film Festival is 22 February through 31 May 2010.
 
 

JUMP TO: Guidelines Judging Criteria Content Guidelines Categories, Deadlines, & Fees Rules - Film/TV Rules - Theatre Rules - Student Film Festival Philosophy

2010 Guidelines

Anyone may submit (provided you're the authorized agent for the work), and you may submit multiple entries as long as you pay the entry fee for each.

The TMFF is devoted to nurturing, promoting, presenting, and distributing truly independent films from truly independent filmmakers who know what it is to spill blood, sweat, and tears into their projects. Awards for winning entries in the TMFF include:

Festival Directors' Award - Best of Festival

Jury Award - Best Short Film

Jury Award - Best Feature Film

Jury Award - Best Documentary

Jury Award - Best TV Pilot/Special

Jury Award - Best Student Film

Jury Award - Best Theatre

Jury Award - Best Actor - Film

Jury Award - Best Actor - Theatre

Jury Award - Best All Ages Short Film

Audience Choice - Best Short Film

Audience Choice - Best Feature Film

Audience Choice - Best Documentary

Audience Choice - Best TV Pilot/Special

Audience Choice - Best Theatre

Audience Choice - Best Student Film

Audience Choice - Best All Ages Short Film

Official winners of the categories listed above will be announced at the 2010 TMFF event, 10-12 September 2010 in Fort Collins, Colorado, and posted on this Web site afterward. Other specialty or sponsored awards may be added closer to the festival.

Judging Criteria

Judging criteria include the overall quality of:

• Production Quality
• Story & Character
• Writing
• Acting
• Cinematography
• Music/Score
• Directing

• Production value on screen
• Level of difficulty
• "Watchability" or replay value of a piece
• Consistency with film festival guidelines and objectives

Content Guidelines

The TMFF is looking for works that would be rated no more than PG-13, and that avoid gratuitous sex, violence, or language. Ignoring these guidelines will make it very less likely your entry will be accepted for the festival. We also like a balanced approach to most subjects, rather than hearing only one side of the issue. For scheduling reasons, we will not accept film/TV entries that run longer than 105 minutes (1 hr. 45 mins.). Also see our Festival Philosopy section below.

2010 Categories, Deadlines, and Fees

The call for entries starts 22 February 20101 and ends 31 May 20109.

• Early entries: 22 February 2009 - 20 March 2010
• Regular entries: 21 March 2009 - 30 April 2010
• Late entries: 1 May 2009 - 31 May 2010
       (WithoutABox "upgraded" members have until 5 June 2010)

FILM (FEATURE, DOCUMENTARY, ALL AGES, INTERNATIONAL) (See Film/TV rules)

Shorts (under 30 mins.)

Early $30 Regular $40 Late $55

Full-length (31-105 mins.)

Early $40 Regular $50 Late $75

TV PILOTS/TV SPECIALS (See Film/TV rules)

Short (under 30 mins.)

Early $30 Regular $40 Late $55

Long (31-105 mins.)

Early $40 Regular $50 Late $75

THEATRE -- By Invitation Only (See Theatre rules)

Scripts (23 to 20 minutes)

Entry fee $16, and deadline is 31 May 2010

STUDENT FILMS (See Student rules)

2-30 mins.

Entry fee $16, and deadline is 31 May 2010

We will not return anything you send us, including your entry, photos, etc. While we will make every effort to stay organized, please don't send us your one and only copy of anything, because that's sure to be the one we'll lose.

We will acknowledge receipt of your entry in WithoutABox. Please use our Contact Us form to send an inquiry if your entry isn't marked as "received" in WAB within 2 weeks of sending your package. This is especially important if you're submitting your entry late in the process -- if we don't have your entry, we can't screen it.

2010 Entry Rules and Guidelines

FILM & TV Entries

1. All submissions must be through WithoutABox (WAB), using their entry forms. Registration is free, there are no extra fees to pay, and you can track your submission progress in WAB's system.
2. We encourage the submission of international film/TV entries, but all entries must be in English or have English dubbing or subtitles.
3. Film/TV entries must have been completed no earlier than 1 January 2007.
4. Film/TV entries must be available for screening during the festival, 10-12 September 2010.
5. Film/TV entries may not run longer than 90 minutes (1 hour 30 minutes).
6. By submitting a film/TV entry to TMFF, you agree to allow highlights or excerpts of your entry (e.g., a trailer) to be placed on the TMFF Web site at for marketing and promotional purposes, and on the TMFF's "Best of..." or other promotional video.
7. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee. You must send us two (2) preview DVDs of each entry, and we only accept DVDs (Region 1 or 0).
8. Write your WAB entry number (e.g., 2010-0001-TVS) on any and all preview materials you send us, especially the outside of the package and the 2 DVDs themselves. It helps us make sure your entry gets to the right people in a timely manner.
9. We will notify you that your entry has been received via WithoutABox.
10. Finalists will be selected based on excellence in conformity to content guidelines (e.g., the PG-13 rating limit), judging criteria, and festival philosophy.
11. Finalists must submit 2 exhibition copies of their entry on DVD (Region 1 or Region 0), Beta SP, or HDCAM. Please write your WAB entry number on anything and everything you send us.
12. Preview or final exhibition materials will NOT be returned. Please don't ask us. If you are pre-approved to exhibit on 35mm film, you are responsible for shipping costs both to and from the festival.
13. In accordance with both TMFF and WithoutABox policies, the entry fee is non-refundable. You will not be allowed to enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the TMFF.
14. Awards will be presented to the winning entries on 12 September 2010 during the TMFF awards presentation ceremony. All awards are based on the overall merit of the entries. The decision of the judges is final.
15. Finalists will be notified by around July 15, 2010 if their entry will be screened at the 2010 TMFF and considered with the other finalists for the top awards. Please understand that acceptance in the festival will in no way guarantee that you, your actors, or your crew will be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event.
16. All finalists will have their entries screened at the 2010 TriMedia Film Festival and will be featured in the festival program. In addition, excerpts of your work may be included in the "Best of TMFF" DVD, and/or shown at fundraiser or promotional events for the TMFF.

Please note that we may, at our discretion, accept film or TV entries that have distribution contracts, but if they have been exhibited or aired in Northern Colorado, they may not be eligible for awards.

Questions? Check the Frequently Asked Questions page first, then the WithoutABox instructions. If you still need help, use the Contact Us form to send us email.

THEATRE Entries - By Invitation Only

The TriMedia Film Festival accepts theatre entries by invitation only. We work primarily with local and regional theatre groups, writers, and others to program the original theatre track.

If you have a monologue, scene, or short play (10-25 minutes) that you are interested in producing at the festival, please email , TriMedia Film Festival Executive Co-Director, for more information. Please read the following section on what we're looking for.

2010 Entry Rules and Guidelines

1. All submissions must be through our Web site form (link coming soon), with payment through PayPal or by check. The deadline for theatre scripts is 31 May 2010.
2. All scripts must be in English, and submitted electronically in Word, ASCII text, Final Draft, or PDF form. Performance time for the script must be between 2 and 20 minutes. Scripts with fewer characters are much preferred and are more likely to be accepted.
3. Scripts must have been written no earlier than 1 January 2007.
4. Scripts must be available to be produced during the festival, 10-12 September 2010. Performance(s) will be on 11 September 2010.
5. Finalists will be notified by around 15 July 2010 if their script(s) have been accepted for production at the 2010 TMFF and considered with the other finalists for awards. Please understand that acceptance in the festival will in no way guarantee that you will be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event.
6. We will accept theatre script entries that have been produced before, but if produced for public audiences in Northern Colorado, they may not be eligible for awards.
7. You must perform your work, or arrange for other actors to perform it for and/or with you. If your work is selected, we will discuss prop and furniture requirements with you closer to the event, as well as a technical/dress rehearsal time.
8. By submitting a script to TMFF, you agree to allow videotaped highlights or excerpts of the production of your script to be placed on the TMFF Web site at for marketing and promotional purposes, and on the TMFF's "Best of ..." or other promotional DVD.
9. Finalists will be selected based on excellence in conformity to content guidelines (e.g., the PG-13 rating limit), judging criteria, and festival philosophy.
10. You may submit as many entries as you like, and perform in as many as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee.
11. In accordance with both TMFF policies, the entry fee is non-refundable. You will not be allowed to enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of TMFF.
12. Awards will be presented to the winning entries on 12 September 2010 during the TMFF awards presentation ceremony. All awards are based on the overall merit of the entries. The decision of the judges is final.
13. All finalists will produce their scripts at the 2010 TriMedia Film Festival and will be featured in the festival program. In addition, videotaped excerpts of your work may be included in the "Best of TMFF" or other promotional video.

Questions? Check the Frequently Asked Questions page first, then the WithoutABox instructions. If you still need help, use the Contact Us form to send us email.

Student Film Entries

The Emerging Talent Student Films section is for student filmmakers only. While anyone who meets our criteria may enter, we will give preference to Colorado students.

2010 Entry Rules and Guidelines

1. You must be an elementary, junior high or middle school, high school, or undergraduate student to be eligible to submit an entry in the Student Film category. You must provide us with the name of your school or learning institution, and the name and contact information for your teacher, professor, and/or adviser.
2. Any student may submit films to this category, but Colorado student films will be given preference in the final selection process.
3. You must attend the festival for the exhibition of your film to be eligible for an award.
4. All submissions must be through WithoutABox (WAB), and 2 copies of your DVD must be received by the May 31 deadline.
5. Student films entries must have been completed no earlier than 1 January 2007.
6. Student film entries must be available for screening during the festival, 10-12 September 2010.
7. Student film entries may not run longer than 30 minutes.
8. By submitting a student film entry to TMFF, you agree to allow highlights or excerpts of your entry (e.g., a trailer) to be placed on the TMFF Web site at for marketing and promotional purposes, and on the TMFF's "Best of..." or other promotional video.
9. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each entry requires its own entry fee, and you must submit 2 copies of each entry on separate DVDs.
10. Write your WAB entry number (e.g., 2010-0001-STU) and the words "STUDENT FILM" on any and all preview materials you send us, especially the outside of the package and the DVD itself. It helps us make sure your entry gets to the right people in a timely manner.
11. Finalists will be selected based on excellence in conformity to content guidelines (e.g., the PG-13 rating limit), judging criteria, and festival philosophy.
12. We will notify you that your entry has been received via WithoutABox.
13. Preview or final exhibition materials will NOT be returned. Please don't ask us.
14. In accordance with both TMFF and WithoutABox policies, the entry fee is non-refundable. You will not be allowed to enter your work unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the TMFF.
15. Awards will be presented to the winning entries on 12 September 2010 during the TMFF awards presentation ceremony. All awards are based on the overall merit of the entries. The decision of the judges is final.
16. Finalists will be notified by around July 15, 2010 if their entry will be screened at the 2010 TMFF and considered with the other finalists for the top awards. Please understand that you, your actors, or your crew will NOT be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event.
17. All finalists will have their entries screened at the 2010 TriMedia Film Festival and will be featured in the festival program. In addition, excerpts of your work may be included in the "Best of TMFF" DVD, and/or shown at fundraiser or promotional events for the TMFF.

Questions? Check the Frequently Asked Questions page first, then the WithoutABox instructions. If you still need help, use the Contact Us form to send us email.

Festival Philosophy

Our ideology stems from the following principle: STORY is vitally important.

Definition:

"Story" does not necessarily entail all those things you were taught in school about plot, point of view, characters, conflict, denouement, and so forth. We encourage rich and vibrant storytelling that piques, amuses, or provokes the viewer. There is nothing like a good story to capture the interest and imagination. The most beautifully shot work will seem empty if a story is not embraced and effectively told.

Please, though, don't neglect production values -- do your best to make sure that most of the hard-earned money for your project ends up on the screen, not in someone's pocket. Even the most richly detailed and emotionally powerful story is lost if you can't hear the actors or see what's happening. TMFF audiences have come to expect excellent production values, and your work must be up to that standard to be selected for our festival.

We like documentaries that are balanced. What does that mean? It means that if your entry blatantly advocates one side or point of view over another, it isn't balanced. We don't expect you not to have an opinion, but we do expect you to give screen time to credible opposing views. For example, if your story is about destruction of a habitat, you should include fair interviews with people who believe there are good reasons to do so.

And lastly, we're serious about our PG-13 rating limit. Based on our interaction with our sponsors, with filmmakers, and our community, there is a strong preference for knowing the work shown at the TMFF won't contain over-the-top violence, gratuitous bad words, or explicit displays of naughty bits (a.k.a., genitals). If your work contains "R"-rated content, there are plenty of other film festivals that will be happy to see your work.

One final note: If your film is not selected for our festival, it could be that your film meets all the above criteria, but we just couldn't find a place for it in the program. We wish we could show everything we like, but we only have a limited number of hours and venues, and we can't fit everything in. If your entry is turned down, it's sometimes frustruating not to know why; therefore, you may request a synopsis of comments we received from our screeners and selection committee on your work.