2012 Competition          Entire Info Package

General Information | How To Enter | Production Types & Categories 
Entry Material Specifications | Fees & Payment Information | Shipping Information

    Withoutabox 2012 Entry System Now Live 

Mission & Objective
Acknowledging creative excellence in Corporate, Documentary, Educational, Entertainment, Television and Student productions. Established in 1967.

About the Festival
The U.S. International Film & Video Festival has been in continuous operation since 1967. The Festival offers five mini-competitions in one by recognizing outstanding Corporate, Educational, Entertainment, Documentary and Student productions. Entries are judged against peers, meaning Corporate competes with Corporate, Educational against Educational, and so on.

What Else Sets Us Apart
The Festival grants Gold Camera, Silver Screen and Certificate of Creative Excellence awards. Judges do not have to make awards in each category. As a result, the top award in a category is not necessarily a Gold Camera, but may be a Silver or Certificate winner. Conversely, more than one Gold, Silver or Certificate may be presented in a category. Our Judges are located around the world and decisions are made based on both effectiveness and creativity.
Expanded Submission Formats:
Entries are welcome in all electronic media; if there is a question about a medium, contact filmfestinfo@filmfestawards.com.

• Film
• Video (DVD)
• Digital
• Broadcast
• Online
• Apps (Applications for smartphones and mobile devices such as tablets)
• Video Games - for all platforms, i.e. PC, Online, Console. (Training films also can be entered in other categories, such as Corporate and Education. Video Games, within the context of this festival, are all types, for training, education, entertainment, and documentaries.)
• Interactive CD-ROM and DVD-ROM

 

• First-Place Gold Camera Statuette
• Second-Place Silver Screen Statuette
• Third-Place Certificate for Creative Excellence
• Student Award Certificate
• Best of Festival (Grand Prix) Awards Best of Festival awards are presented to an outstanding entry from among the Gold Camera winners in each production type (Corporate, Educational, Documentary, Entertainment). These winners are selected by members of the International Quorum of Motion Picture Producers (IQ), a global peer network of production company owners.
• Special Award: One World Award
  The One World Award honors a production that demonstrates international cooperation and global understanding. The Award is sponsored and presented by the International Quorum of Motion Picture Producers (IQ), an organization of established producers who seek to support and improve international communications. Established in 1966, IQ is headquartered in Zurich. See iqfilm.org. 
  

• Eligible Productions: The Festival is open to Corporate, Documentary, Educational, Entertainment, Television and Student productions.
• Eligible Production / Release Dates: Entries must have been produced or released between September 1, 2010, and March 1, 2012, and may not have previously been submitted into the Festival.
• Deadline: The entry deadline is March 1, 2012.
• Late Entry: Entries finalized after March 1, 2012 will be charged an additional 15% of the entry fee.
• Entry Confirmation: An entry acknowledgment will be emailed to all entrants within two weeks of receipt of entry.
• Duplication of Entries: Entrants agree to allow entries to be duplicated for judging purposes and to permit winning entries to be displayed to public audiences and/or shown on television for promotion and publicity purposes with entrant assuming any union fees or talent residuals if applicable. Winning entries will be retained by the Festival Library for promotional and educational use.
• Judging Results: Judging results will be sent to all entrants in May 2012. Judging results cannot be released unless entry fees are paid in full.
• WITHDRAWING AN ENTRY: Within 24 hours of finalization, an entry may be withdrawn (subject to a $100 processing fee, see REFUND POLICY). Entry withdrawal requests must be received via email (KristenGluckman@filmfestawards.com) within 24 hours of finalization.
• REFUND POLICY: Refunds are only issued for entries withdrawn within 24 hours of finalization and are subject to a $100 processing fee. Refunds will NOT be issued for entries withdrawn after 24 hours of finalization.
• Privacy Statement: Our privacy statement is available at filmfestawards.com.

• Eligible Submission Formats: Include (but not limited to) Film, Video or DVD, Digital, Broadcast, Online, Apps, PC, Console, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM.
• Language: Entries must be submitted in English, have English subtitles, or be accompanied by an English script.
• Multiple Entries: The same production may be entered into different Categories and/or Production Types. Each entry will be considered a separate entry and will require additional submission materials and entry fees.
• Student Entries: The Student Entry fee is US$75 per entry. Students may enter work done for a class project, an internship, as spec work or for a client as long as the student is not a paid employee in the film industry. All Festival Rules & Regulations, Entry Material Requirements, Categories, Payment and Shipping instructions apply to Student entrants. A photocopy of the entrant’s valid Student ID must be e-mailed to the Festival Office to: KristenGluckman@filmfestawards.com. Winning Student entries will be awarded a “Student Award” Certificate.
• Entry Submission: Entries must be submitted in one of the following formats: NTSC DVD, PAL DVD*, DVD-ROM and CD-ROM the exception is for the Video Game formats discussed above. (*NOTE: Conversion fees apply for entries submitted on PAL DVDs.)
• Liability: The Festival assumes no responsibility for productions submitted in the incorrect category. Reasonable care will be exercised to protect entries from damage or loss. The Festival, its management, or judging committees cannot assume liability for either.
  

• Award Statuettes and Certificates: All awards will be engraved / printed and presented to the name of the "Entrant Company" as listed in the entry credits, NOT the name of the entrant contact. Personalized duplicates, in individual names, can be purchased once judging results have been released. Awards will be shipped to the entrant at the entrant’s expense beginning in July 2012.
• DUPLICATE AWARDS: Duplicate awards for any year may be purchased at any time. Duplicates can be personalized in an individual’s name as long as the person was credited to the entry.

• Entry Fees: Entry fees must be paid in U.S. Dollars and at the time of entry. Judging results will not be released until all fees are paid in full.
• Wire Transfers: The Festival accepts Wire Transfers for entry fee payment. A US$45 Wire Transfer Fee will be added to the entry fee total for each wire transfer received. Following submission of your entry, you must request Wire Transfer details from the Festival Office. Contact: KristenGluckman@filmfestawards.com.

Entry Packages: Entry Packages must be received within 7 days of entry finalization online.
(WAB Entrants should label entries with the WAB Tracking number.)

We recommend shipping by air courier, not post.

U.S. International Film & Video Festival
Attn: Entry Department
713 South Pacific Coast Highway, Suite A
Redondo Beach, California 90277 USA
(310) 540-0959

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1. REVIEW
   Review the following information before you begin your entry:

• General Information
• Entry Material Specifications
• Production Types & Categories
• Fees & Payment
• Shipping Information

1. ONLINE ENTRY SYSTEM
   http://entry.filmfestawards.com
   Click Register to create a new account.
   If you have already registered, enter your email address and password to log into the entry system.
    
2. CREATE ENTRY
   Click Create New Entry to begin. The online entry system will guide you through all the necessary information to provide for each entry. Repeat this step for each new entry.
    
3. FINALIZE ENTRIES
   There is no need to finalize each entry separately. Click Pending Entries to view a list of the entries that have been created. You may click Edit to make any necessary changes to the entries needed. Click on the checkbox next to each entry, and click Finalize.
   (NOTE: if a checkbox does not appear next to an entry, this means that the entry has incomplete information, and is not yet ready to be finalized. Click Edit to submit all required information.)
    
4. PAYMENT
   Select a payment method:

• Credit Card - Visa, MasterCard, American Express
• Check or Money Order - By U.S. Bank Draft in U.S. Dollars
• Bank Transfer - An additional feel of US$45 per Bank Transfer will be added to the total.

5. SHIPPING
   If your entry includes DVDs or CDs, they should be received in our office within 7 days of entry finalization. We recommend shipping by air courier, not post.

U.S. International Film & Video Festival
Attn: Entry Department
713 South Pacific Coast Highway, Suite A
Redondo Beach, California 90277 USA
(310) 540-0959



6. ENTRY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
   Entries will be acknowledged and confirmed via email once your Festival entry fees have been paid, and physical entries (if applicable) have been received in our office. Review the entry acknowledgement email and make any necessary corrections (e.g., Title, Contact Information, etc.).

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PRODUCTION TYPES & CATEGORIES

Select ONE (1) Production Type and ONE (1) Category per entry

 

CORPORATE
Internal and external communications by companies, communities, educational institutions or countries (including promotions, profiles, products and services, history, etc.)

EDUCATION
A production that instructs

ENTERTAINMENT
A production that entertains (including sporting events)

DOCUMENTARY
A production of non-fiction content

STUDENT
Students may enter work done for a class project, an internship, as spec work or for a client as long as the student is not a paid employee in the film industry. 

CORPORATE
Internal and external communications by companies, communities, educational institutions or countries (including promotions, profiles, products and services, history, etc.)

NOTE: Apps and Games are now being used for all of the categories below and should be entered accordingly.

ADVERTISING/MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
Sales, Product and Promotion-Oriented, Infomercials, etc.

1. Business-to-Business
2. Business-to-Consumer

COMMUNICATION
Training, Safety, Human Resources, Recruitment

3. Employee/Internal-Oriented communication
4. Dealer, Distributor, Franchisee
5. Investor Relations

6. PUBLIC RELATIONS
   Brand Image, Crisis Management, Community Relations, Political Campaigns, College Admission, etc.  

7. SPECIALTY PRODUCTIONS
   Meeting Presentations/Conferences; Trade Shows/Fairs; Museums, Kiosks, Visitor Centers, etc.
    
8. MEDICAL FILMS
    
9. TOURISM FILMS
    
10. FUNDRAISING/DEVELOPMENT
     
11. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES/CONCERNS
     
12. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / NONPROFIT
     
13. BONUS FEATURES (i.e., B-roll or “The Making of…,” etc.)

CRAFT / PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

14. 3D
15. Animation
16. Cinematography
17. Direction
18. Editing
19. Sound Design
20. Music – Adaptation
21. Music – Original
22. Set Design
23. Special FX
24. Humor
25. Writing, Concept
    

EDUCATION
A production that instructs

NOTE: Apps and Games are now being used for all of the categories below and should be entered accordingly.

26. Pre-School, Kindergarten
27. Primary/Elementary School
28. Intermediate/Middle School
29. Secondary/High School
30. College/University/Tertiary/Graduate/Post Graduate
31. Professional Development & Continuing Education
32. Personal Growth & Development, How-to, Instructional
33. Religion, Ethics, Humanities
     
34. BONUS FEATURES (i.e., B-roll or “The Making of…,” etc.)

CRAFT / PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

35. 3D
36. Animation
37. Cinematography
38. Direction
39. Editing
40. Sound Design
41. Music – Adaptation
42. Music – Original
43. Set Design
44. Special FX
45. Humor
46. Writing, Concept

Note to Educators: Non-instructional productions, i.e., “College Films” (Admission, Fundraising Campaign) should be entered in the CORPORATE production type, 6. Public Relations or 10. Fundraising/Development.
 

ENTERTAINMENT
A production that entertains (including sporting events)

NOTE: Apps and Games are now being used for all of the categories below and should be entered accordingly.

TELEVISION: REGULARLY SCHEDULED ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMS & SPECIALS

Action/Adventure Animation Biography Children’s Situation Comedy (“Sitcom”) Dramatic Comedy (“Dramedy”) Crime Drama Family Horror Performing Arts (Musical, Concert, etc.) Mystery Reality Competition Program Reality TV

Sci-Fi Thriller/Suspense Variety War Western Sports Interview/Talk Game Show Cooking Home Improvement / Real Estate Mini-Series TV Movie Telenovelas

TELEVISION: MUSIC VIDEO

74. Music Video
    

TELEVISION: PROMOS

75. News Promo
76. Entertainment Program Promo
77. Information/Magazine Program Promo
78. Sports Program Promo
79. Contest/Special Promo
80. Website Promo

TELEVISION: OPENERS & IDENTS

81. Station/Image Promo
82. News Program Opener & Titles
83. Entertainment Program Opener & Titles
84. Information/Magazine Opener & Titles
85. Sports Program Opener & Titles
86. News/Programming ID
87. Station/Network ID
    

TELEVISION: ONLINE PROGRAMMING

88. Online News Program
89. Online Entertainment Program
90. Online Sports Program
91. Online Instructional Program

FILM & VIDEO

92. Feature Film
93. Short Film
94. Trailer
     
95. BONUS FEATURES (i.e., B-roll or “The Making of…,” etc.)

CRAFT / PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

96. 3D
97. Animation
98. Cinematography
99. Direction
100. Editing
101. Sound Design
102. Music – Adaptation
103. Music – Original
104. Set Design
105. Special FX
106. Humor
107. Writing, Concept

DOCUMENTARY
A production of non-fiction content

NOTE: Apps and Games are now being used for all of the categories below and should be entered accordingly.

TELEVISION: DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMS
Specials, Mini-series, Ongoing series, etc.

108. Arts
109. Biography
110. Cultural Issues
111. Current Affairs
112. Docudrama
113. Environment, Ecology
114. Health, Medical
115. History
116. Nature, Wildlife
117. Political, Government
118. Religion
119. Science, Research, Technology
120. Social Issues
121. Sports, Recreation
122. Travel

TELEVISION: TV NEWS

123. Investigative/Special Reports
124. Continuing News Stories
125. Breaking News Reports
126. News Features/Segments
127. Public Affairs Programs
128. Political Campaigns
129. News Specials
130. Newscasts
131. Analysis/Commentary
132. Financial Programs
133. Magazine Format
134. Sports Programs
135. Entertainment Programs

FILM / VIDEO / DIGITAL: DOCUMENTARIES

136. Feature (over 30 minutes)
137. Short (under 30 minutes)
      
138. BONUS FEATURES (i.e., B-roll or “The Making of…,” etc.)

CRAFT / PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

139. 3D
140. Animation
141. Cinematography
142. Direction
143. Editing
144. Sound Design
145. Music – Adaptation
146. Music – Original
147. Set Design
148. Special FX
149. Humor
150. Writing, Concept
     

STUDENT
Students may enter work done for a class project, an internship, as spec work or for a client as long as the student is not a paid employee in the film industry.

NOTE: Apps and Games are now being used for all of the categories below and should be entered accordingly.

151. Student Productions

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Entries must be submitted in ONE (1) of the following formats:

• NTSC VIDEO DVD (region-free)
• PAL VIDEO DVD* (region-free)
• URL (NO download links; URL must be fully functioning webpage,
  including embedded video playback where applicable)
• DVD-ROM
• CD-ROM

* Entries submitted in PAL VIDEO DVD format are converted to NTSC for judging purposes.
A Conversion Fee will be charged based on the length of the entry. See Fees & Payment.

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(All fees are to be paid in U.S. dollars)

ENTRY FEES (Corporate, Documentary, Education, Entertainment)
Entry up to 30:00 minutes....... $375
Entry over 30:00 minutes......... $475

ENTRY FEES (Student)
Any length.................................. $75

PAL gNTSC Conversion Fees
for entries submitted on PAL DVD only

Entries submitted in PAL DVD format are converted to NTSC DVD
for judging purposes. Conversion fees are based on the production length.

Entry up to 30:00 minutes.......... $90
Entry over 30:00 minutes.......... $150

Late Fee
for entries finalized AFTER March 1, 2012
add 15% of entry fee (NOT including Conversion Fee)

Bank Transfer Fee
for payments made via Bank Transfer only)
$45 per bank transfer

PAYMENT METHODS

• CREDIT CARD
  Visa, MasterCard, American Express

• CHECK or MONEY ORDER

By U.S. Bank Draft in U.S. Dollars
Payable to:  U.S International Film & Video Festival
                  713 South Pacific Coast Highway, Suite A
                  Redondo Beach, CA 9077-4233 USA

BANK TRANSFER
Please contact the Festival office (filmfestinfo@filmfestawards.com) for complete bank account details for Bank Transfer. An additional feel of US$45 per Bank Transfer will be automatically added to the total.

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If your entry includes DVDs or CDs, they should be received in our office within 7 days of entry finalization. We recommend shipping by air courier, not post.

U.S. International Film & Video Festival
Attn: Entry Department
713 South Pacific Coast Highway, Suite A
Redondo Beach, California 90277 USA
(310) 540-0959

NOTE: If you submitted entries with URLs (i.e., no CDs or DVDs), AND you paid for the entry fees online via Credit Card, there is no need to send in anything.

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