The submission period is currently closed.
Call for entries for the 2013 festival begins September 1, 2012
Filmmakers
The Charlotte Film Festival is committed to rewarding independent movie makers everywhere whom, despite their challenges and restrictions, are able to produce movies rich with stories that not only entertain but also touch us on a deeply human level. Last year we screened 69 films in five categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Student Film.
The festival hands out awards in 11 categories. For a listing, please scroll down to the bottom of this page.
Criteria
Our criteria for selecting films for competition is as follows:
Documentaries (features and shorts):
- Representation of original ideas
- Importance and relevance of the subject matter
- Objective treatment of the subject matter
- Creative use of the medium as an art
Narrative-style films (including animations, features and shorts):
- Representation of original ideas
- Creative use of the medium as an art
- Strength of the story and acting
- Innovative use of the available technology
How to Enter
The Charlotte Film Festival ONLY accepts paperless entries submitted on the Web at Withoutabox.com
Withoutabox provides cost-saving, online entry allowing you and us to process your film more quickly and with greater accuracy. Withoutabox users enjoy the advantages of Extended Deadlines and Online Press Kit submissions. Furthermore, filmmakers with an upgraded project on Withoutabox receive up to $15.00 off their entry fees.
Entry Deadlines & Fees
NOTE: All deadlines are “Received By” deadlines. They indicate the dates that films must be DELIVERED BY, either at our post office box or at our office address.
No exceptions. No deadline waivers. Entry fees are non-refundable.
| Early Bird Deadline – May 31, 2011 | Regular Fee | WAB Discounted |
|---|---|---|
| Narrative & Documentary Features | $40 | $35 |
| Narrative, Animated & Documentary Shorts | $25 | $20 |
| Student Films | $25 | $20 |
| Regular Deadline – July 31, 2011 | Regular Fee | WAB Discounted |
| Narrative & Documentary Features | $45 | $40 |
| Narrative, Animated & Documentary Shorts | $30 | $25 |
| Student Films | $30 | $25 |
| Late Deadline – September 30, 2011 | Regular Fee | WAB Discounted |
| Narrative & Documentary Features | $50 | $45 |
| Narrative, Animated & Documentary Shorts | $35 | $30 |
| Student Films | $35 | $30 |
| WAB Extended Deadline – October 31, 2011 | Regular Fee | WAB Discounted |
| Narrative & Documentary Features | $75 | $60 |
| Narrative, Animated & Documentary Shorts | $60 | $45 |
| Student Films | $60 | $45 |
Enter now through Withoutabox »
Entry Rules
- Submission deadline dates.
April 1, 2011 – Entry period starts
May 31, 2011 – Early deadline
July 31, 2011 – Regular deadline
September 30, 2011 – Late deadline
October 31, 2011 – Final deadline for Withoutabox entries - All deadlines are “Received By” deadlines. They indicate the dates that films must be DELIVERED BY, either at our post office box or at our office address. No exceptions. No deadline waivers.
- Entry fees are non-refundable.
- Preview copies must be submitted on NTSC DVD (Region 0, Region 1). However, please note that the Narrative Short and Documentary Short categories only accept secure online screeners.
- Exhibition copies format varies according to the category of the selected film. See specific categories for details.
- A completed entry form and appropriate fee (payable to Indie Film Force, Inc. in U.S. dollars only) must accompany your entry.
- Neither preview nor exhibition copies of entries will be returned, unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Eligible works must have been completed after June 2009 and must not have been publicly screened in the Charlotte, North Carolina area prior to the 2012 festival dates.
- Accepted running times are as follows:
NARRATIVE and DOCUMENTARY FEATURES: 50 minutes or longer
NARRATIVE , ANIMATED and DOCUMENTARY SHORTS: 49 minutes or shorter
STUDENT FILMS: 100 minutes or shorter - Works in Progress are accepted only if submitted by the regular deadline. ‘Work in Progress’ or ‘Rough Cut’ must be clearly marked on the videotape or DVD. The final cut must be RECEIVED by October 31, 2011. Entry fees will not be refunded for entries that fail to submit a final cut by the required date.
- Projects in a foreign language must have English subtitles prior to submission.
- YOU MUST SUBMIT 2 DVD COPIES OF EACH FILM ENTERED FOR CONSIDERATION. We will NOT replace your original entry with an upgraded version after the deadline, unless your film is selected for exhibition.
- All exhibition copies must be received by January 31, 2012 for inclusion in the festival.
- If you are entering a student film, you MUST include a copy of the student’s I.D. with your entry package. The student needs to be credited in the film as Director or Producer.
Enter now through Withoutabox »
Our Awards
The Charlotte Film Festival presents 15 awards (10 juried and 5 audience choice). They are:
- Indie Film Force Award – Best Narrative Feature
- Indie Truth Award – Best Documentary Feature
- Indie Spirit Award – Best Narrative Short
- Indie Focus Award – Best Documentary Short
- Indie Hope Award – Best Student Film
- Indie Magic Award – Best Animated Short
- Best Actor Award – in a short OR feature-length fictional film
- Best Cinematography – in a fictional film
- Best Cinematography – in a documentary film
- Best Music – in any category
- Audience Choice Award Best Narrative Feature
- Audience Choice Award Best Documentary
- Audience Choice Award Best Short Film
- Audience Choice Award Best Animated Film
- Audience Choice Award Best Student Film
