WHAT ARE THE SUBMISSION DATES & FEES FOR THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL 2009?

2009 Call for Entries: January 1st-July 15th, 2009

VFF09 Promotional Deadline - Postmarked no earlier than January 1st, 2009 and RECEIVED by January 31st, 2009 - ALL Submissions - FREE. (Free entries are limited to one(1) short or feature per filmmaker.)

VFF09 Early Deadline - Postmarked between Sunday, February 1, 2009 - Saturday, March 14th, 2009 - ALL Submissions - $25

VFF09 Standard Deadline - Postmarked between Sunday, March 15th - Tuesday, June 30th - ALL Submissions - $50

VFF09 Late Deadline - Postmarked on/after July 1st and RECEIVED by Wednesday, July 15th - ALL Submissions - $100 (WTF?? VFF gives you 31 days to submit your film for free! If cost is an issue, please submit your film next year.)

WHEN IS THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL?

The dates for the 9th Annual Valley Film Festival are September 30th - October 4th, 2009

WHERE IS THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL?

We've found a permanent home at The El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District. Located at 5269 Lankershim Blvd., between Magnolia and Chandler Blvd.'s, and across from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The El Portal is an authentic movie house built in 1918 and a rare find in Los Angeles.

WHERE CAN I GET THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSION APPLICATION?

There are two ways of getting your hands on an application:

1.) Download the application off the website

2.) Send a self addressed stamped* envelope to:

*Foreign applicants must include an International Reply Coupon for the appropriate postage amount, U.S. $2.10 (as of 12/15/08)

WHERE DO I SEND MY COMPLETED SUBMISSION PACKAGE*?

All checks or money orders in U.S. dollars only and made payable to: COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL

All international submissions must clearly mark "NO COMMERCIAL VALUE" on the
outside of package(s).

*For overnight and messenger deliveries, please e-mail info@valleyfilmfest.com or call 818.754.8222.

IN WHAT FORMAT SHOULD I SUBMIT MY FILM?

All submissions to The Valley Film Festival must be made on DVD Region 0 (NTSC) or Region 1. Please DO NOT send The Valley Film Festival your master.

WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD I INCLUDE WITH MY SUBMISSION?

Submission packages should include:

- ONE (1) DVD - Region 0 (NTSC) or Region 1. (Please make sure the full title of film, total running time & contact information is on the face of the DVD.)

- ONE (1) completed application per film. (Please complete ALL fields, especially the 50 words or less synopsis.)

- Check or money order, for appropriate fee, per film, made payable to COMMUNITY PARTNERS FBO THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL (to pay by credit card, please contact VFF at info@valleyfilmfest.com for appropriate form)

- A one-page synopsis of film, key cast & crew. (Please do not include a traditional press kit at this time. If more information is needed, we will contact you. This cuts down on printing/ postage costs for the filmmaker and keeps our offices clutter free!

DOES THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL HAVE AN AWARDS COMPETITION?

Yes, the "Ten Degrees Hotter" award is bestowed on one short and one feature from our competitive section, as chosen by our panel of judges.

Additionally, an award is given to short films, in the non-competitive section, as chosen by the audience.

HOW MANY FILMS WILL THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL PROGRAM?

The Valley Film Festival's general programming policy is to showcase, at the very most, eight short & eight feature films in the "Ten Degrees Hotter" competitive program.

In 2008, we showcased a total of 36 films. In 2007, we screened 50!

WHAT TYPES/GENRES OF FILMS DOES THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL SCREEN?

Made in the (818) - The film (narrative or documentary) must take place in, or be about, the San Fernando Valley. OR, the director and at least one of the other principals (producer, writer, etc.) must be current residents of the San Fernando Valley.

Foreign/World Cinema - The film (narrative or documentary) must originate from outside of North America (United States and Canada) and must have English subtitles.

Girls on Film - The film (narrative or documentary) must be directed by, and at least one of the other principals (producer, writer, etc.) must be, a woman.

Silver Reels - The film (narrative or documentary) must be directed by, and at least one of the other principals (producer, writer, etc.) must be over the age of 65.

Documentaries - All filmmakers with documentaries that do not meet the "Made in the (818)", "Foreign" or "Girls on Film" requirements are invited to submit under this genre. Please do not use this genre to submit a "Mockumentary" - please use the "Other" category.

All filmmakers with narratives that do not meet the "Made in the (818)," "Foreign," or "Girls on Film" requirements are invited to submit their work under the following genres:
-Adult/Erotica
-Animation
-Comedy
-Drama
-Experimental
-Family
-Horror
-Mockumentary
-Music Video
-Musical
-Rockumentary
-Sci-Fi
-Student
-Thriller
-Trailer
-Viral
-Other

WILL THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL CONSIDER WORK THAT DID NOT ORIGINATE ON FILM?

Of course! The Valley Film Festival's selection committee will consider all film, digital and video projects.

WHAT FORMATS WILL THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL SCREEN DURING THE FESTIVAL?

Though we were fortunate enough to screen on 35mm our first year, The El Portal is not equipped with 35mm projection capabilities...at this time. We've successfully screened on BetaSP and DVD. We use a Christy 5000 Lumins projector that displays a clear, crisp image and have a kick-ass state-of-the-art sound system. We prefer to screen shorts on BetaSP and features on DVD.

IF MY FILM IS ACCEPTED INTO THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL, WILL (818)/THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL PAY FOR MY PLANE TICKET/TRAVEL/LODGING?

No. The Valley Film Festival is a not-for-profit organization struggling to stake its claim in the world of cultural grants. We rely on individual donations and the thinning bank account of our founder. Perhaps one day we will be able to compensate the travel expenses of filmmakers, but for now we can only make suggestions on where to fly into and cool, inexpensive places to stay.

IF MY FILM IS ACCEPTED INTO THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL, WILL (818)/THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL PAY FOR SHIPPING AND INSURANCE?

No. The entrant will be responsible for ALL SHIPPING FEES. The Valley Film Festival cannot be held liable for print/video materials which may be lost or damaged in the shipping to/from and during festival.

HOW WILL THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL KEEP ME UPDATED IN ANY CHANGES ON SUBMISSION, FESTIVAL & SCREENING DATES AS WELL AS FESTIVAL PROCEDURES?

The Valley Film Festival will communicate any changes to festival programming policy primarily through your e-mail address.

If you do not have an e-mail address, we will contact you via the telephone number provided.

If you should move, change e-mail addresses or telephone numbers, you MUST inform us of your new information.

Additionally you can learn about new policies and general festival updates from our website or by calling our hotline, 818.754.8222.