FAQs
FILM ENTRY: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. When is the next festival?
Melbourne International Film Festival 2010 will run from Thursday 22 July to Sunday 8 August, 2010.
2. When are the submission deadlines for MIFF 2010?
We have early bird entry and late entry.
• Early Bird entries are shorts and features received by 29 January 2010
• Late entries are entries received after 29 January, with the ***NEW DEADLINE closing on FRIDAY 2 APRIL 2010***
3. What are the entry fees?
Early bird entry fees are:
Shorts - AUD$55
Features - AUD$65
Late entry fees are:
Shorts - AUD$60
Features - AUD$70
4. Are the deadlines postmarked?
Yes, your package has to be postmarked by 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.
5. Am I able to have the entry fee waived?
No. Unfortunately 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.
6. How do I submit my film?
Online, it’s easy and takes approximately 10 minutes. Due to the large amount of submissions we receive, this is the easiest, most efficient way to keep track of them all.
7. How do I pay the entry fee?
You can 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.
8. 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 specified on the entry form (please ensure this email is in working order).
This email will outline the details you have submitted to MIFF and will act as the receipt of your payment. Please print this email and send it along with your preview DVD.
You will be notified of whether your film has been selected at the discretion of the festival. If your film has been unsuccessful you will be notified by email by mid-June, 2010.
9. Does MIFF have a competition?
Yes, but only for short films. Details will be announced early in 2010.
We don’t have a competition for feature films.
10. How does MIFF define a ‘short’ and a ‘feature’?
Features are films of 31 minutes or more, for entry and categorisation purposes.
Short films are under 30 minutes.
11. 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 follows our requirements (outlined below).
12. 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.
Please ensure your DVD is clearly labelled with the label included in the automated response emailed to you when you successfully submitted online. This includes information such as: film title; main contact email and telephone number; director’s name and length in minutes.
13. What formats do you accept for selected films?
If your film is selected, MIFF will accept the following formats:
-35mm prints
-16mm prints
-Digital Betacam PAL
-Digital Betacam NTSC
-Betacam SP PAL
-Betacam SP NTSC
We DO NOT accept HD CAM SR.
14. What else should I include with my submission?
All we require, once you have completed the online submission process, is your DVD preview screener and a copy of the email that was sent to you after finishing the online entry. Please do not send any press kits or publicity materials at this stage.
15. Will you return my DVD preview screener?
No, we do not have the resources available to do this.
16. What is the shipping address for submission packages?
If you are sending your package by post, please send to:
Melbourne International Film Festival - 2010 Film Entry Department
GPO Box 4982
Melbourne
VIC 3001
Australia
If you are using a courier, please send to our street address:
Melbourne International Film Festival - 2010 Film Entry Department
Level 5, 225 Bourke Street
Melbourne
VIC 3000
Australia
17. Will you notify me once you have received my film?
Due to the volume of submissions the festival does not confirm receipt of parcel. We recommend you choose the registered mail option to keep track of your parcel. However, you may email submissions@melbournefilmfestival.com.au with the name of your film and the director to receive confirmation 10 days after the submission was sent.
18. 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 automated email response that you have printed and send it in along with your preview screener. We will make any changes to our database once the submission has been received. Alternatively, email submissions@melbournefilmfestival.com.au with film name, director's name and the corrections.
19. How many films can I submit?
You may submit as many films as you like providing that each of the films meet 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 rather than on a compilation.
20. Can I resubmit my film from last year?
No. Films must have been completed after January 12, 2009 and must not have already been presented in any other form or duration, not even as a work-in-progress.
21. Can I submit a work-in-progress or a ‘rough cut’? Is it possible to get an extension for an unfinished film?
You can submit a rough cut, but please include a note outlining the work still to be completed, and the selection panel may take this into account when viewing the film. Unfortunately we can’t provide any extensions and you will need to provide a final cut to the Festival by the 1st May, 2010 to be eligible.
22. 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.
23. 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 14 2010 are ineligible for entry.
24. 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 subtitles.
25. When will I hear if my film is selected?
All applicants will be notified by mid-June 2010 by email if they have been selected. Please ensure that the email address provided is correct and operational at that time. If your contact email changes it is important that you let us know.
26. 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.
27. 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 it prior to sending us the print/tape.
If you need further assistance after reading this information, please call the festival office on +61 8660 4888 or email us at submissions@melbournefilmfestival.com.au
ENTER HERE:
To enter a film for MIFF2010, you must have a MIFF Profile.
You can log in to your MIFF profile here:
http://tickets2.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/corporateDB/accountLogin.aspx
If you have a profile, but can't remember the password, you can recover the password here:
http://tickets2.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/corporateDB/AccountRecover.aspx
If you don't have a MIFF profile, you can create one here:
http://tickets2.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/corporateDB/accountRegister.aspx
Once you have logged in, click the Register Film link and follow the instructions.
You will also have to validate your email address - please ensure you use a valid email address, or registration cannot take place.
Good luck!