Submit a Film
Call For Entries Now Open - Submissions are now being accepted for the 49th Ann Arbor Film Festival, the longest running independent and experimental film festival in North America. We seek new independent works that explore boundaries, challenge audiences, experiment with style and technique or inspire with creativity. We consider all genres, lengths, styles and formats, including 16mm, 35mm, super-8mm, video and HD video. Work must be completed in 2009 or more recent (films not accepted from 2008 or prior).
The 49th AAFF will provide at least $18,000 in cash awards to more than 20 filmmakers, serves as a qualifying festival for Academy Award® nomimation in the short film category and provides touring opportunities for select filmmakers. The 49th Festival will take place March 22 - 27, 2011 in downtown Ann Arbor, MI. Please visit here to learn more about the 49th Festival.
Please read our guidelines prior to submitting a film.
To download our paper submission form, please click here.
To submit your film(s) via Withoutabox.com, please click below:
Festival Deadlines and Fees
Early Deadline --- August 16, 2010
$30 Shorts / $40 Features
(Must arrive in office by August 23, 2010)
Standard Deadline --- October 4, 2010
$40 Shorts / $50 Features
(Must arrive in office by October 11, 2010)
Late Deadline --- November 4, 2010
$50 Shorts / $60 Features
(Must arrive in office by November 11, 2010)
Entering the Festival
You must complete an entry form for each film submitted. Entry fees are per film entered, and must accompany the entry form or online confirmation. Make checks/money orders payable to the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Films previously entered may not be resubmitted without substantial changes.
Screening Rules
Entries are accepted in the following formats: DVD, 16mm and Online Screeners (only accepted when submitted via Withoutabox.com). Please note: Region free NTSC DVDs are preferred for screening purposes, though we do accept PAL and region 1. We do not accept Blu-Ray discs, VHS or video data files for screening purposes.
Entries are accepted in one of two categories: short and feature length. Short films are under 60 minutes in running time. Feature films are 60 minutes or longer in running time.
DVD Screening
DVD(s) and cases must be labeled (preferably using permanent marker/ink) with film title, filmmaker name, phone and email. Please place DVD(s) in a DVD sleeve, no hard plastic cases of any kind.
16mm Screening
If you would like the festival to preview a 16mm print of your film, please contact the festival directly to make arrangements.
Shipping
Please refer to the information below regarding necessary shipping materials.
Include
- 16mm or DVD of film
- Entry Form/Confirmation and Payment
- Synopsis (no more than 125 words please)
Do Not Include
- Plastic DVD cases (DVD sleeves only!)
- Press kits of any kind*
- Packing popcorn or
styrofoam
Shipping Addresses
Please refer to the information below regarding where/how to ship your film(s).
Via USPS (Snail mail):
Ann Arbor Film Festival
P.O. Box 8232
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Via Courier Service:
Ann Arbor Film Festival
308 1/2 S. State St., Suite 22
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Selected Films
All submitting filmmakers will be notified regarding acceptance by February 18, 2011, by the email address provided at the time of submission (please add "mail@aafilmfest.org" to your email address book to ensure receipt of notification).
If your film is selected for the festival program, you must provide an exhibition copy (16mm, 35mm, s8mm, Digital File, Beta) by March 1, 2011 unless otherwise informed.
