Grand Rapids Film Festival

PO Box 1772
Grand Rapids MI 49501
U S A
Phone: 616-451-2700
Fax: 616-301-1500
info@grfilmfestival.com
http://www.grfilmfestival.com

 

Feature

“We realized that the important thing was not the film itself but that which the film evokes.”
~Fernando Solanas
From social to humanitarian issues, from politics to prejudice…we are looking for films that educate, inspire as well as entertain. The art of storytelling is a passion that is designed to share. You are asking your audience to invest a certain amount of their life to watch the sum of your passion… what will the take-away be for them?
Specific Rules for this Category:
•Maintain the GRFF rules and terms/conditions
•Minimum of 60 minutes

Documentary

“In feature films the director is God; in documentary films God is the director.”
~Alfred Hitchcock
The documentary category is designated for submissions that blend insightful probing of the truth with creative expression that best tells the story it uncovers. This category is not an editorial as much an insight that allows the viewer to come to their own objective conclusion. As the truth of the subject matter is revealed, it should educate and challenge the viewer.
Specific Rules for this Category:
•Maintain the GRFF rules and terms/conditions
•Minimum of 60 minutes

Animation

“My road is towards the creation of a fresh perception of the world. Thus I decipher in a new way the world unknown to you.”
~Dziga Vertov
Developing artificial images to communicate that which real life cannot. We are looking for animations that take the audience to a level of identification that real-life would struggle to reveal. With that said, show us a new level animated storytelling. Oh and by the way…there is nothing wrong with eye-candy!
Specific Rules for this Category:
•Maintain the GRFF rules and terms/conditions

PSA

“You have only 30 seconds in a TV commercial. If you grab attention in the first frame with a visual surprise, you stand a better chance of holding the viewer. When you advertise fire-extinguishers, open with the fire.”
~David Ogilvy
We are looking for attention grabbers that leave us wanting more. What can you do with 30 seconds? We are looking forward to finding out!
Specific Rules for this Category:
•Maintain the GRFF rules and terms/conditions
•Maximum of 30 seconds

Student Short Film

“Style is something that's extremely important, but it must grow naturally out of who and what you are and what the material calls for. It cannot be superimposed.”
~William Friedkin
The student categories of feature, documentary and music video will be held to the same guidelines as the professional entrants but because they will be judged separately we looking for peer to peer impact that will make an imprint on your culture.

Student Documentary

“Style is something that's extremely important, but it must grow naturally out of who and what you are and what the material calls for. It cannot be superimposed.”
~William Friedkin
The student categories of feature, documentary and music video will be held to the same guidelines as the professional entrants but because they will be judged separately we looking for peer to peer impact that will make an imprint on your culture.

Student Music Video

“Style is something that's extremely important, but it must grow naturally out of who and what you are and what the material calls for. It cannot be superimposed.”
~William Friedkin
The student categories of feature, documentary and music video will be held to the same guidelines as the professional entrants but because they will be judged separately we looking for peer to peer impact that will make an imprint on your culture.

Short Narrative

“Reality changes; in order to represent it, modes of
representation must change.”
~Bertolt Brecht
Make no apologies for submitting a short! You know what you want to say. You use well the resources that are available, just remember, The art of storytelling is a passion that is designed to share. You are asking your audience to invest a certain amount of their life to watch the sum of your passion… what will the take-away be for them?
Specific Rules for this Category:
•Maintain the GRFF rules and terms/conditions
•Maximum of 30 minutes

Documentary Short

“Reality changes; in order to represent it, modes of
representation must change.”
~Bertolt Brecht
As with the full-length documentary category, the short category stands by the same principles of researching and communicating the truth of a given subject in a creative way that enhances the understanding. These submissions can be just as powerful as full length submissions because they are straight to the point!
Specific Rules for this Category:
•Maintain the GRFF rules and terms/conditions
•Maximum total run time of 30 minutes

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
To stimulate and perpetuate the creative talent of aspiring and professional filmmakers, and to give them a venue to express their voice through the cinematic arts. A voice that resonates with the family through films that are inspiring and challenging. We also want to connect them to other filmmakers, publishers and distribution opportunities.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Film Festivals! The very thought is magical – promising to connect movie lovers to an exciting venue experience and great independent films.
Arts and cultural offerings have been shown to increase a communities' quality of life; arts that reflect a communities values and ideals. The statistics are overwhelming that the most attended – the most profitable – movies that filmmakers’ produce are those that are family oriented.
The GR Film Festival was created to:
1.Benefit the Filmmaker.
To stimulate and perpetuate the creative talent of aspiring and professional filmmakers, and to give them a venue to express their voice through the cinematic arts. A voice that resonates with the family through films that are inspiring and challenging. We also want to connect them to other filmmakers, publishers and distribution opportunities.
2.Benefit the Audience.
Give the viewing audience quality independent movies that are raising the bar. Movies that are message driven and that the family can enjoy and invest in.
3.Benefit the Community.
A film festival brings fun, newcomers, dollars, exposure and recognition to Grand Rapids. To continue to elevate Grand Rapids to a proper reflection of who we are – what we can be – in the area of cinematic arts. Also, the film industry is a growing asset for economic development in our state, helping to attract an educated and creative workforce.
ORGANIZERS
Corey Niemchick (President)
GENERAL RULES
All projects developed, produced and/or distributed prior to three years of film festival. In other words, for the 2009 competition, all works must have been completed no earlier than August 2006. Any work completed before that will be considered ineligible.
The DVD must be clearly labeled with Entrant’s name, film title and running time. All films must be submitted on 3 NTSC DVD's or Blue Ray DVD's and must be accompanied by a completed entry form and payment of the non-refundable fee. Films may be submitted on withoutabox.com, or by mail to: Grand Rapis Film Festival, PO Box 1772, Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Cost of shipping is the responsibility of the entrant. C.O.D.’s will be refused. The festival cannot accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials while in transit.
For entry fees please enclose on check for the total amount of all entries with a copy of each Entry Form, together, in an envelope marked “Payment”. (Make checks payable to: Grand Rapids Film Festival) Payments can also be made via credit card through withoutabox.com.
Entry fees are non-refundable and submission does not guarantee that the entry will be accepted to the festival for a screening.
Although every possible care will be taken with entry DVD's while in our possession, we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage. Do not send original prints or tapes.
All films will be viewed by the festival jury. All nominees will be notified by e-mail and awards will be given to the films selected as best in category.
All entrants agree that clips of their film and other material relating to their project may be used or published in promotional materials for the festival.
If selected, the GRFF requests five press kits (is not required) to include production stills, director bio, production notes, full cast & crew credits and QuickTime trailer.
All entries must be postmarked on or before the intended deadline to qualify, July 24thth deadline.
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***WHAT IS THE DOVE FOUNDATION OPTION?***
The Dove Foundation is a national nonprofit organization that identifies and promotes family entertainment. The foundation awards its signature blue and white Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to those productions that meet its guidelines.
The Dove Seal has become the most sought-after endorsement by filmmakers trying to reach the faith and family audience. It has been recognized for over 18 years as the reliable symbol of wholesome entertainment by the industry's most influential leaders. Movie studios and DVD distributors frequently search though Dove’s online reviews (200,000+ monthly hits) for new products that their companies can bring to market.
Dove is one of our consulting partners for the GRFF. We are simply referring filmmakers to the Dove Foundation if they would also like to have their film reviewed and critiqued by Dove for a possible Dove Seal award. THIS HAS NO BEARING ON YOUR SUBMITTAL TO THE GRFF. IT IS MERELY AN OPTION FOR YOU TO CONSIDER THAT COULD PROVIDE ADDED VALUE TO YOUR FILM IN THE MARKETPLACE. The $100 fee goes directly to the Dove Foundation. You still send the GRFF this extra DVD(s) and GRFF will deliver this extra copy (if option is checked) to the Dove Foundation. Once their reviews are complete, they will contact you whether your film was awarded their seal or not. To learn more go to www.dove.org.
You can always skip this option and submit a separate DVD directly to Dove at http://www.dove.org/producers.asp?ArticleID=25

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Submission to the Grand Rapids Film Festival constitutes an agreement with all festival terms and conditions, and permission to exhibit the work during the festival if selected. Entrants warrant that they have the legal right to submit their work to GRFF, that all statements made in this application are true and accurate, and that all necessary rights and clearances have been secured to screen the work at the festival. GRFF reserves the right to determine the final eligibility of any work submitted, for any reason or no reason. Eligible works must have been completed no earlier than August 1st, 2006. Work accepted to screen at the festival will be categorized in competitive and non-competitive categories at the sole discretion of GRFF. If film is accepted, entrant agrees to ship exhibition materials to the festival at their own expense, to arrive at the GRFF office by Friday, August 7th, 2009. GRFF can only provide return shipping via ground delivery within the United States. Although every possible care will be taken with exhibition material in our possession, GRFF does not accept responsibility for loss or damage. My film, if selected for competition or other screening, will be available in the exhibition format specified above by August 7th, 2009. I permit GRFF to use my film, if selected, for its promotional reel and to use press stills from my film for Festival promotional materials, such as the GRFF website and newspaper articles. The GRFF has the right to keep a copy of your film for archival purposes, and will not publicly screen it without permission of the filmmaker(s). Final programming decisions will be announced on or before Wednesday, August 5th, 2009. Entry fees are non-refundable, and submission does not guarantee that the entry will be accepted to the festival for a screening. By signing this document, I agree that I have read the above terms and conditions of the 2009 Grand Rapids Film Festival, and that I fully understand and agree to their terms.