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Film Entry: Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next festival?

Melbourne International Film Festival 2011 will run from Thursday 21 July to Sunday 7 August, 2011.

When are the submission deadlines for MIFF 2011?

We have three entry deadlines for the festival:

Early bird entries open Monday 11 October 2010 and close Friday 26 November 2010.

Regular entries open Saturday 27 November 2010 and close Friday 18 March 2011.

Late entries open Saturday 19 March 2011 and close Thursday 31 March 2011.

What are the entry fees?

Early bird entry fees:

Shorts AUD$65                                   

Features AUD$75

Regular entry fees:

Shorts AUD$70

Features AUD$80

Late entry fees:

Shorts AUD$90

Features AUD$100

Are the deadlines postmarked?

Yes, your package has to be postmarked on or before the deadline date to be accepted.  Any packages posted after this date will not be accepted and you will be notified of this by email upon receipt of the package.

Am I able to have the entry fee waived?

No, we’re unable to waive the entry fee as we rely on these fees to administer the large numbers of entries we receive.  Sorry, no exceptions.

How do I submit my film?

Online, it’s easy and takes approximately 10 minutes.  Alternatively MIFF has a Withoutabox profile – you can find the link on our submissions page.

How do I pay the entry fee?

You pay online when completing your application using VISA or Mastercard.  If the full amount is not paid, we will be unable to process your film and you will be notified by email.

I have completed the online application, what should I do now?

Once you have successfully completed ALL the film details online, an automated email will be sent to the email address you provided when you registered (please ensure this email is in working order).

The attachment to this email will outline the details you have submitted to MIFF and will act as the receipt of your payment.  Please print this attachment and send the relevant pages, along with your DVD, to the submissions department.

Does MIFF have a competition?

Yes, but only for short films – we do not have a competition for feature films.

 For more information on our shorts competition please refer to our regulations page here 

How does MIFF define a ‘short’ and a ‘feature’?

Features films are 31 minutes or more, for entry and categorisation purposes.

Short films are 30 minutes or less.

Which film category should I choose?

MIFF accepts short and feature fiction, animation, documentary and experimental films.

These categories are mainly for administration purposes, so should you be unsure about which category your film fits into, please select the most appropriate, and the programming team will amend these details at our discretion.  Choosing the wrong category, or being unsure about the category, will not affect your selection eligibility.

Does the film have to be shot with specific equipment?

No, this doesn’t matter to us.  What does matter is that the film format adheres to our requirements (below).

Which format should the preview copy be?

Preview screeners must be on DVD, and we accept both NTSC and PAL formats.

Please test your DVD on a stand-alone DVD player before sending it in, as technical problems will delay/affect your submission.

 Please ensure your DVD is set to ‘all regions’.

Make sure your DVD is clearly labelled with label included in the email attachment.  This includes information such as film title, main contact email and telephone number, director’s name and running time.

What formats do you accept for selected films?

If your film is selected, MIFF will accept the following formats:

  • 35mm print
  • 16mm print
  • Digital Betacam PAL
  • Digital Betacam NTSC
  • Betacam SP PAL
  • Betacam SP NTSC

We DO NOT accept HD CAM SR.

What else should I include with my submission?

All we require, once you have completed the online submission process, is your preview DVD and a copy of the email attachment that was sent to you after you finished your online entry process.  Please do not send any press kits or publicity materials at this stage.

Will you return my DVD preview screener?

No, we do not have the resources available to do this.

What is the shipping address for submission packages?

If you are sending your package by post, please send to:

Melbourne International Film Festival – 2011 Submissions

GPO Box 4982

Melbourne

VIC 3001

Australia

If you are using a courier, please send to our street address:

Melbourne International Film Festival – 2011 Submissions

Level 5, 225 Bourke Street

Melbourne

VIC 3000           

Australia

Will you notify me once you have received my film?

Due to the volume of submissions the festival receives, we do not confirm receipt of submissions.  We recommend you choose the registered mail option to keep track of your package.  However, you may email submissions@melbournefilmfestival.com.au with your film title and director’s name to receive confirmation 10 days after the submission was sent.

I have made a mistake on my online form. What should I do?

Please do not start a new submission for the film.  Instead, make a note of the correction by hand on the email attachment pdf, which you will print out and send in with your DVD preview screener.  We will make any changes to our database once the submission has been received.  Alternatively, email submissions@melbournefilmfestival.com.au with film title, director’s name and the correction/s.

How many films can I submit?

You may submit as many films as you like providing each of the films meets the submission criteria and you have completed an online submission form and paid the entry fee for each film.

Please ensure that each film is on its own DVD.  MIFF will not accept compilation DVDs.

Can I resubmit my film from last year?

No.  Films must have been completed after 11 January 2010.  MIFF does not accept films previously submitted, even with significant changes.

Can I submit a work-in-progress or a ‘rough cut’? Is it possible to get an extension for an unfinished film?

MIFF encourages filmmakers to submit films that are as close to finished as possible, as this is in everyone’s best interest.  Should the version you are sending not be complete, you need to contact the submissions department first to discuss your options.

Can I submit my film if previously screened at other festivals?

Yes, as long as the screenings weren’t within the state of Victoria, Australia.

Can I submit my film if it was released theatrically, on DVD, or broadcast on TV or online before the festival?

No.  Any films broadcast on Australian television, released theatrically or on DVD for sale or rental, or available online prior to September 9 2011 are ineligible for entry.  This includes films on Youtube, Vimeo or any video-on-demand sites.

If my film is not in English, do you require English subtitles?

Yes, your film will be ineligible for selection if it is a foreign language film without English subtitles.

When will I hear if my film is selected?

All applicants will be notified by mid-June 2011 by email of MIFF’s programming decisions.  Please ensure that the email address provided is correct and operational at that time.  If your contact email changes it is important you let us know.

If my film is not selected, may I speak with a programmer for feedback?

No, unfortunately, due to the number of submissions we receive we are unable to correspond with each applicant in these circumstances.

If my film is selected, does MIFF provide screening tests prior to the film’s screening?

No.  We do not have the facilities to provide any screen tests.  If you are concerned about your film, please check the print/tape prior to send it to MIFF.

 

If you need further assistance after reading this information, please email the submissions department at submissions@melbournefilmfestival.com.au or call us on +61 8660 4888.


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