FILM SOCIETY CINEMA
FILM SOCIETY CINEMA
FILM SOCIETY CINEMA
FILM SOCIETY CINEMA
FILM SOCIETY CINEMA
FILM SOCIETY CINEMA
House of Pleasures
March 30–April 5
Showtimes 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 (2:00 & 4:30 shows only on April 3)
March 30–April 5
Showtimes 2:00, 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 (2:00 & 4:30 shows only on April 3)
SF INT'L FILM FESTIVAL
Merrill Garbus (tUnE-yArDs) with Buster Keaton Shorts
Monday, April 23, 8:00 PM
Monday, April 23, 8:00 PM
SF INT'L FILM FESTIVAL
The Love Song of R. Buckminster Fuller
Tuesday, May 1, 7:00 & 9:00 PM
Tuesday, May 1, 7:00 & 9:00 PM
Call for Entries FAQs
How do I enter my film or video in the San Francisco International Film Festival?
Read the call for entries information thoroughly, submit an application online or via some kind of mail service and send in a printed application with your materials. Do not send DVDs in CD cases!
What films are eligible for submission?
Entries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2011. See entry form for further details.
What if I can’t I get the online entry form to open?
Don’t panic, we still want your submission. Send an email with your name to gga@sffs.org describing your problem. If all else fails, we will send you a hard copy.
What formats do you accept?
All feature entries must be on DVD (region 0 or 1 only). Short films submitted through Withoutabox can be uploaded through the Withoutabox website. Shorts submitted through the SFFS website must send a preview copy on DVD. During the Festival, we have the ability to screen video (DigiBeta, HD) and 35mm.
Should I be concerned about premiering my film at another festival and blowing my chances at getting into the San Francisco International Film Festival?
Our Festival does not have any formal premiere policies for short films. Documentary and narrative features cannot have shown anywhere in the Bay Area (from the Napa Valley to Santa Cruz) prior to our Festival (this includes any other Bay Area festival showings). Our feeling is that the SFIFF is a place where new filmmakers can debut their work to a prestigious body of jurors, industry people and viewers.
What do I do after I’ve filled out or submitted the form?
Enclose a copy of your online entry confirmation with your submission on a labeled DVD (region 0 or 1) with Amaray case that meets criteria (see below) and the applicable entry fee, if not already paid. Be sure to sign the form. Do not send original materials.
Where do I send my material?
Send all material to our office:
San Francisco Film Society
SFIFF55 Entries
39 Mesa Street, Suite 110
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA 94129
Ship your DVD in a bubble-pack envelope; fiberpack envelopes can cause damage to tapes and equipment. If you want to submit your package in person, check the directions to our office in the Presidio. The Film Society office is open Monday–Friday, 9:30 am–6:00 pm.
How do I know if my DVD has been received?
We can not confirm receipt of entries due to the high volume of submissions. If you want receipt of delivery, send a self addressed, stamped postcard, which we will send back to you.
Can I submit more than one project?
Yes, but they must each have separate entry forms and be on a separate DVD. Of course, you will also need to send in the appropriate entry fee for each project.
When is the submission deadline?
There are four deadlines. The early deadline for all films is Monday, October 3, the regular deadline is Monday, November 7, the final deadline for shorts is Monday, December 5, the final deadline for features is Monday, December 12. As long as the entry fee has been paid and your package arrives in the office by these deadlines, your film will be considered for the Festival.
Is there a difference if I apply earlier?
Yes. First, it’s cheaper. Second, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your film is already entered into the Festival and will be watched by programmers that are better rested. Having said that, if you really think you’ll have a significantly improved version of your film ready for the late deadline rather than the early one, then by all means go for the late one.
Can I send in a rough cut of the film?
Yes, we accept rough cuts or works in progress. However, we will not accept or review replacement DVDs unless an SFFS programmer contacts you for a new version.
What are the submission fees?
See the entry form or the Entry Fees page for fee information.
Is my film eligible for a cash prize?
Probably. See the entry form for cash prize information.
Do you accept films on DVD for preview?
Yes, but since universal technical standards don’t yet exist for burning and copying DVDs, read the following carefully.
The Festival invites all projects in feature categories to submit on DVD with the following conditions: DVDs must be submitted in plastic safe cases. These are the industry standard push-button hub, literature clip, full sleeve for artwork, dark plastic cases. Size is 5.25" by 7.5". Don’t waste money or efforts on artwork that fits other cases.
DVDs must be formatted for Zone 1 (North America) or Zone 0 (region-free). DVDs must not include labels or stickers of any kind: Only laser-printed artwork, if any, should be on the disc itself. Many consumer labeling products (like stickers) can actually damage the disc and make it unplayable in our systems.
If you are burning a consumer disc, write your project title and a contact phone number on the disc with a black Sharpie pen. Test your consumer-burned DVD on several makes and models of players before sending it to us.
Because of the high volume of entries, we cannot notify all filmmakers if their DVD is scratched or can not play, so ensure that what you are sending has been tested.
Can you return my screener if I don’t get into the Festival?
No, we do not return DVDs. If you would like to pick up your copy after the festival, indicate ‘pick up’ on the entry form.
When are the selections made?
Filmmakers will be notified by the end of March of the disposition of their submission.
Will I be able to get feedback if my film is not selected?
Unfortunately, no. Our selection process takes over four months and involves many dedicated volunteers from the Bay Area media community. In order to maintain the integrity of the screening process, we can not provide feedback or notes.
Once I’ve submitted, should I call you about my film?
If you’ve got any new, relevant information for us during the selection process (new contact info, you just got into another festival, the film got distribution), send the information to gga@sffs.org with the title of your film as the subject.
When and where is the San Francisco International Film Festival held?
The 55th Festival will be held April 19–May 3, 2012 at several locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
How do you prepare participating filmmakers for the Festival?
For the filmmakers who are based in San Francisco, we have a pre-Festival get-together to answer questions and concerns. For out-of-towners, we will send information packets and are available to answer questions via email.
Who is on the juries that select the winners during the Festival?
Juries change yearly and usually have a mix of distinguished and discerning filmmakers, film critics and film industry people on each one.
Will I get reviews if I screen at the SFIFF?
Variety and the Hollywood Reporter review most of the competition features that premiere at the Festival. Filmmakers have also gotten blurbable quotes (if not full reviews) from such sources as indieWire, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Reel.com and Filmstew.com, to name just a few. We have in-house publicists who will work with filmmakers to help facilitate reviews and other press.
OK, I still have some unanswered questions. How can I contact you?
Email your questions or comments to gga@sffs.org or mail us at:
Programming Department
San Francisco Film Society
39 Mesa Street, Suite 110
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA 94129.
Read the call for entries information thoroughly, submit an application online or via some kind of mail service and send in a printed application with your materials. Do not send DVDs in CD cases!
What films are eligible for submission?
Entries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2011. See entry form for further details.
What if I can’t I get the online entry form to open?
Don’t panic, we still want your submission. Send an email with your name to gga@sffs.org describing your problem. If all else fails, we will send you a hard copy.
What formats do you accept?
All feature entries must be on DVD (region 0 or 1 only). Short films submitted through Withoutabox can be uploaded through the Withoutabox website. Shorts submitted through the SFFS website must send a preview copy on DVD. During the Festival, we have the ability to screen video (DigiBeta, HD) and 35mm.
Should I be concerned about premiering my film at another festival and blowing my chances at getting into the San Francisco International Film Festival?
Our Festival does not have any formal premiere policies for short films. Documentary and narrative features cannot have shown anywhere in the Bay Area (from the Napa Valley to Santa Cruz) prior to our Festival (this includes any other Bay Area festival showings). Our feeling is that the SFIFF is a place where new filmmakers can debut their work to a prestigious body of jurors, industry people and viewers.
What do I do after I’ve filled out or submitted the form?
Enclose a copy of your online entry confirmation with your submission on a labeled DVD (region 0 or 1) with Amaray case that meets criteria (see below) and the applicable entry fee, if not already paid. Be sure to sign the form. Do not send original materials.
Where do I send my material?
Send all material to our office:
San Francisco Film Society
SFIFF55 Entries
39 Mesa Street, Suite 110
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA 94129
Ship your DVD in a bubble-pack envelope; fiberpack envelopes can cause damage to tapes and equipment. If you want to submit your package in person, check the directions to our office in the Presidio. The Film Society office is open Monday–Friday, 9:30 am–6:00 pm.
How do I know if my DVD has been received?
We can not confirm receipt of entries due to the high volume of submissions. If you want receipt of delivery, send a self addressed, stamped postcard, which we will send back to you.
Can I submit more than one project?
Yes, but they must each have separate entry forms and be on a separate DVD. Of course, you will also need to send in the appropriate entry fee for each project.
When is the submission deadline?
There are four deadlines. The early deadline for all films is Monday, October 3, the regular deadline is Monday, November 7, the final deadline for shorts is Monday, December 5, the final deadline for features is Monday, December 12. As long as the entry fee has been paid and your package arrives in the office by these deadlines, your film will be considered for the Festival.
Is there a difference if I apply earlier?
Yes. First, it’s cheaper. Second, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing your film is already entered into the Festival and will be watched by programmers that are better rested. Having said that, if you really think you’ll have a significantly improved version of your film ready for the late deadline rather than the early one, then by all means go for the late one.
Can I send in a rough cut of the film?
Yes, we accept rough cuts or works in progress. However, we will not accept or review replacement DVDs unless an SFFS programmer contacts you for a new version.
What are the submission fees?
See the entry form or the Entry Fees page for fee information.
Is my film eligible for a cash prize?
Probably. See the entry form for cash prize information.
Do you accept films on DVD for preview?
Yes, but since universal technical standards don’t yet exist for burning and copying DVDs, read the following carefully.
The Festival invites all projects in feature categories to submit on DVD with the following conditions: DVDs must be submitted in plastic safe cases. These are the industry standard push-button hub, literature clip, full sleeve for artwork, dark plastic cases. Size is 5.25" by 7.5". Don’t waste money or efforts on artwork that fits other cases.
DVDs must be formatted for Zone 1 (North America) or Zone 0 (region-free). DVDs must not include labels or stickers of any kind: Only laser-printed artwork, if any, should be on the disc itself. Many consumer labeling products (like stickers) can actually damage the disc and make it unplayable in our systems.
If you are burning a consumer disc, write your project title and a contact phone number on the disc with a black Sharpie pen. Test your consumer-burned DVD on several makes and models of players before sending it to us.
Because of the high volume of entries, we cannot notify all filmmakers if their DVD is scratched or can not play, so ensure that what you are sending has been tested.
Can you return my screener if I don’t get into the Festival?
No, we do not return DVDs. If you would like to pick up your copy after the festival, indicate ‘pick up’ on the entry form.
When are the selections made?
Filmmakers will be notified by the end of March of the disposition of their submission.
Will I be able to get feedback if my film is not selected?
Unfortunately, no. Our selection process takes over four months and involves many dedicated volunteers from the Bay Area media community. In order to maintain the integrity of the screening process, we can not provide feedback or notes.
Once I’ve submitted, should I call you about my film?
If you’ve got any new, relevant information for us during the selection process (new contact info, you just got into another festival, the film got distribution), send the information to gga@sffs.org with the title of your film as the subject.
When and where is the San Francisco International Film Festival held?
The 55th Festival will be held April 19–May 3, 2012 at several locations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
How do you prepare participating filmmakers for the Festival?
For the filmmakers who are based in San Francisco, we have a pre-Festival get-together to answer questions and concerns. For out-of-towners, we will send information packets and are available to answer questions via email.
Who is on the juries that select the winners during the Festival?
Juries change yearly and usually have a mix of distinguished and discerning filmmakers, film critics and film industry people on each one.
Will I get reviews if I screen at the SFIFF?
Variety and the Hollywood Reporter review most of the competition features that premiere at the Festival. Filmmakers have also gotten blurbable quotes (if not full reviews) from such sources as indieWire, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Oakland Tribune, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, Reel.com and Filmstew.com, to name just a few. We have in-house publicists who will work with filmmakers to help facilitate reviews and other press.
OK, I still have some unanswered questions. How can I contact you?
Email your questions or comments to gga@sffs.org or mail us at:
Programming Department
San Francisco Film Society
39 Mesa Street, Suite 110
The Presidio
San Francisco, CA 94129.