Submission Criteria
The Spotlight on Documentary section of the Independent Film Week Project Forum presents Feature Works-in-Progress only. This includes a range of documentaries from those in the earliest stage of production to documentaries at the rough or final cut stage. For Spotlight on Documentaries we select work from both veteran documentarians and emerging talent. Projects are selected on artistic merit and the potential of the project to benefit from the Spotlight on Documentaries program.
Spotlight on Documentaries is for:
* U.S. filmmakers only (‘U.S. filmmakers’ means: U.S.-born, or U.S. resident; projects submitted through open submissions must have a U.S. director or lead producer attached; a select number of non-U.S. projects are considered through IFP’s international partners only.)
* intended feature length projects (50 minutes or longer)
* projects that are in production or post-production, but not yet complete, with sample material to submit
Completed films (features or short films), proposals or treatments (without material shot), and documentary series are not eligible for Spotlight on Documentaries. Projects cannot have screened publicly in any previous event or been submitted to festivals prior to June 2012.
Documentary projects previously selected for Spotlight on Documentaries are ineligible to submit in subsequent years.
Application Guidelines
Please read all FAQs & Guidelines before beginning application.
It is strongly advised that you first review the application and prepare your materials, as many fields have word count limits. Prepare written application materials in a separate text document, then use this to come back and complete your online application. All projects must be submitted via online application. Applications must be complete and all pertinent materials and fees must be received by the IFP for your submission to be considered. A complete application includes:
•Online Submission Form; find the application here
•Paid application & membership fee
•Two DVD copies of your project entry
Written application must be submitted online by midnight on the deadline, and DVDs must be postmarked by the deadline (May 3rd Early / May 24th Late Deadline).
When applying, if you have problems with the application, contact the Filmmaker Registration Coordinator: FilmmakerReg@ifp.org or call 212-465-8200 x208
Online Application
The online application consists of:
* Contact information and bio for the Submitter.
* Name and bio of all key creative crew attached to the project. (100 words per bio)
* Project technical details
* Log Line: one or two sentence encapsulation of your project (25 words);
* Synopsis: A stand-alone synopsis of your project. (60 words);
* Project Summary: A detailed summary which includes story, characterization and other creative aspects of the project (500 words);
* Director’s Statement: A vision statement describing stylistic and technical intentions, artistic influences, and marketing elements (500 words) ;
* Financial/Development information. We require a breakdown of all “Financing in Place” and monies being sought. Amounts and specific sources should be listed. All projects must have some financing in place, even if only your own personal funds.
DVD Submission
In addition to the online application you must submit two (2) Region 0 or Region 1 DVDs (NTSC) of your film for application purposes. You can submit any sample reel or rough cut of the project. If you are submitting a trailer of 4 minutes or less, you will need to submit at least an additional 10 minutes of material.
Note: At the time of submission, the selection of material submitted does not have to be in the final form which would be presented if accepted into Independent Film Week.
Upon completion of the online application, you will receive an email detailing the application with instructions to mail 2 DVDs of your sample reel and two copies of your application to:
IFP / Independent Film Week
68 Jay Street, Suite 425
Brooklyn, NY 11201
ATTN: Spotlight on Documentaries Submission
Shipping
Written application must be submitted online by midnight on the deadline, and DVDs must be postmarked by the deadline (May 3rd Early/ May 24th Late Deadline). All shipping and postage costs for submission requirements or additional materials to and from IFP will be paid by the filmmaker. IFP will not accept COD shipments.
Access to your Information
For accepted projects, information entered in the on-line application, including financial information, will be printed in the Spotlight on Documentaries Dossier, which is made available only to the attending industry interested in meeting with your project. Limited information on key creative team and project summaries will also be printed in the Independent Film Week Catalogue and on the Independent Film Week website. IFP will NOT make Financial/Development information available to the public.
If your project is accepted into the Project Forum, you will have a limited opportunity to make changes before publication. IFP reserves the right to copy-edit synopses and biographical material where necessary.
If your project is accepted to the Independent Film Week, you will be asked to also submit a 2-to-3-minute trailer which will be made available to registered doc buyers to assist them in planning their meeting requests.
Acknowledgement of Receipt
Shortly after submitting your online Application Form, you will receive an automated email notification acknowledging that your information has been received.
When applying, if you have problems with the application, contact the Filmmaker Registration Coordinator: FilmmakerReg@ifp.org or call 212-465-8200 x208
Acceptance Notification
All submissions will be notified of acceptance or rejection by the end of July. Preliminary calls from the IFP concerning your entry do not indicate acceptance. If your project is accepted, you grant us permission to showcase your project at the Independent Film Week.
DVDs of projects not accepted to the Independent Film Week will be destroyed.
Confidentiality
Spotlight on Documentary submissions are screened by the Independent Film Week Screening Committee. Submissions are confidential and are not made available to anyone outside the Independent Film Week Committees. Projects that are finalists for Awards will be sent to appropriate jury members for consideration.
Independent Film Week is attended by select members of the press but is not open to film/television critics for review purposes. Films are not available for review.
Acknowledgement of Support
Projects that are selected for Independent Film Week’s Project Forum are required to acknowledge IFP support by the use of the IFP logo in the end credits and marketing materials of the completed work in the form “Support provided by IFP” including the IFP logo.
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