2012 Thin Line Film Fest
Official Rules
Thin Line Film Fest accepts submissions between June 1, 2011 and November 30, 2011.
All submissions are currently handled through a partnership with Withoutabox.com. Please click the "Submit via Withoutabox" link under "Submit Your Film" to begin the application process. You will be required to create a free account with Withoutabox.com in order to complete the submission process.
Any person may submit a film for consideration. Thin Line Film Fest accepts submissions from any country and in any language (must be subtitled in English).
Promotional, instructional or industrial films, and raw documentation of performances are not eligible.
Submission does not guarantee selection into the festival. The Programming Committee selects only 30-40 films each year.
There are two categories of submission: Feature and Short. Features are any film 40 minutes in length or longer. Shorts are any film 39 minutes in length or less.
There are four submission deadlines: the Early Deadline is August 31, the Regular Deadline is September 30, the Late Deadline is October 31, and the Extended Deadline is November 30. Submission fees vary by deadline. See "Fees & Deadlines."
Only students with a valid student ID may submit as a student. The advantage of doing so is a small discount in the submission fee for the Late Deadline and you are eligible for any student awards. Films submitted by students are only eligible for student awards.
In 2012 we are increasing the number of awards. We will be awarding our two traditional awards: the Thin Line Best Documentary Award and the Euline Brock Audience Choice Award. In addition, we have added the Denton Award; a $1,000 cash prize.
Thin Line Best Documentary Award - The overall best documentary will be determined by a panel of judges. Only films pre-selected by the festival programming committee will be eligible for this award. The winner will be chosen based on the following characteristics: 1. Be technically and creatively well-rounded and consistent. 2. Contain innovative elements that utilize the array of directorial decisions and creativity including, but not limited to: interview techniques (if there are interviews), narrative flow (traditional or not), overall style and approach to subject matter, as well as interest and importance of the content, subject, and people or things involved in the film. 3. Judges will NOT judge based on personal beliefs about the subject matter itself or any ethical concerns privately held by any one jury member. Winners will be announced at the Closing Night party February 19th. Feature Winner will receive a $10,000 credit with Panavision. Short Winner will received a $5,000 credit.
Euline Brock People's Choice Award - Ballots are passed out to every person that enters the theater and then collected following the film. Ballots are counted and the film with the highest number will be announced at the Closing Night party held February 19th. Winners will receive a prize valued at $500.
Submissions must include four DVDs (Region 0 or Region 1 NTSC). Each DVD must have a case. We prefer the plastic clam shell cases. All other types of cases subject the disc to scratches during transport. All entries must be labeled with the title, running time and WAB# (This is the # assigned to your submission by the Withoutabox.com system). This information must be on the DVD itself. Please DO NOT write on the case. Please do not send retail boxes. All we need is the DVD. We only watch the movie.
THIN LINE FILM FEST will make every attempt to contact you if there is damage to an entry, but cannot be held responsible if entry is not considered due to poorly recorded or unplayable media.
Filmmakers may submit more than one film; but each must be accompanied by its own Entry Form and Entry Fee.
THIN LINE FILM FEST will not assume responsibility or accept shipments incurring expenses for terminal charges, duties, taxes or customs brokerage. Please indicate on your shipping bill that all transportation and customs charges will be billed to the sender.
The Entry Fee is non-refundable.
DVDs and submitted materials will not be returned. Please do not send film prints, master tapes or other originals. If you require confirmation of receipt, please include a self-addressed and stamped postcard.
All submitters will be notified of their status on or near January 4, 2012 via e-mail. Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing
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.
Send all entries to:
Thin Line Film Fest Submissions
Texas Filmmakers
5012 Pebble Beach Tr
Denton, TX 76208 USA
Phone & Fax: 888-893-4560
Questions?
E-mail
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with "SUBMISSIONS" in the subject line.
If selected, you will be asked to provide an exhibition format of your movie no later than January 31, 2012. Filmmakers are responsible for shipping costs. All selected filmmakers will receive two complimentary passes to the festival as well as tickets to their respective screenings. Thin Line Film Fest highly encourages its selected filmmakers to attend the festival. Difficult programming decisions are sometimes based on whether or not the filmmaker will be present. Hotel and Ground Transportation is provided for all filmmakers. Air travel stipends are available on a case-by-case basis. Filmmakers are sometimes asked to participate in some form of additional activity such as a workshop or community outreach.
If your film is not selected, we encourage you to submit again next year. Often, films that don't quite fit the format of this year's program, will work perfect in next year's. There is no limit to the number of times you can submit a particular film.
The following is a copy of the TERMS OF ENTRY that each entrant must agree to as a part of the submission process through Withoutabox.com
TERMS OF ENTRY:
By submitting this application, I understand that I am agreeing to the following:
I own or control the copyright in and to, and am duly authorized to submit this movie to THIN LINE FILM FEST, and to the best of my knowledge, all statements on this application are true;
This documentary is not subject to any claims or litigation and is not threatened by any claims or litigation;
If this documentary is selected for screening at THIN LINE FILM FEST, I grant THIN LINE FILM FEST the right to screen this documentary at the Festival;
I understand and agree that my film entry, if selected for the Festival, may be used for promotional purposes for THIN LINE FILM FEST and/or its partners; and I grant THIN LINE FILM FEST and its partners the rights to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film for such promotional purposes;
Should this documentary win any award, I am authorized and/or empowered by all parties legally representing this entry to receive all cash prizes and awards and to distribute them appropriately;
I fully indemnify and hold THIN LINE FILM FEST and its partners harmless from:
a) damage to or loss of the film print or videotapes en route to or from THIN LINE FILM FEST or during the course of THIN LINE FILM FEST'S possession of the entry; and
b) from any claims which may arise in connection with my documentary film.