Filmmaker Guidelines

The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival is open to U.S. and Foreign films in eight categories: Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, Animation, Student Films and Family Films. Each year we also have a special sidebar showcase that puts a special emphasis on cultural films or films of a certain niche.

To be eligible, a film entry must have been completed in 2011, 2012 or 2013. All film entries must be submitted on DVD (you must make sure the DVD plays on all DVD players & we require 2 copies of the DVD submitted in separate sleeves/cases) to be considered for selection and received by the postmarked by the early (February 8), regular(May 3) or no later than the late entry deadline of May 31, 2013. (Please, NO PAL submissions).

Submissions will not be returned unless requested with an enclosed Self-addressed stamped envelope or tape box followed by an e-mail to programming@bigbearlakefilmfestival.com

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If selected, a digital media film (.MP4) and a backup DVD/Blu-Ray must be in the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival office by August  26, 2013.

There is a non-refundable $35.00 early entry by February 8; $45 regular entry fee by May 3; $50 late fee postmarked by May 31 and $70 Withoutabox late fee by June 17. Entries must be submitted with the processing fee. We encourage you to provide all information via withoutabox. Make sure your entry is postmarked by the entry due date.

Award Categories: Unless Big Bear Lake International Film Festival is given instructions, all film entries will be considered for the Jury and Audience Award competition. Jury Award winners will be selected by a panel of active film industry professionals. All films go through a screening process and are reviewed by at least three film industry professionals. Winners agree to participate in the publicity for the Festival as well as other promotional events, including the website and festival print materials. The determination of the winners is final.

Jury Award categories:

• Best Feature Film
• Best Short Film
• Best Student Film
• Best Documentary
• Best Animation Film
• Family Film Award
• Best Cinematography Award.

Audience Award categories:

• Best Feature Film
• Best Short Film
• Best Student Film
• Best Documentary
• Best Short Documentary
• Best Animation
• Best High School Student Film
• 3D Film
• Best Big Bear Connection Film

Selected film entries will be notified by August 19, 2013 via a phone call or email and listed on the accepted 2013 films on the website. Jury Award and audience award winners will be announced at the film festival. A “bear” statuette with the Director’s name and film title will be awarded to the winners. Some Award categories may have prize sponsors providing gifts. One “bear” statuette and one prize (if there is a prize sponsor for the category) will be given to the individual “Director” designated on the official entry form.

Accepted 2013 Filmmakers:
Filmmakers accepted and planning to attend the 2013 festival are responsible for their travel, lodging, and all other expenses.

You may purchase additional Opening Night Gala, Centerpiece Reception and Wrap Party tickets in advance with a discount for your guest(s).

Films which have been broadcast on television, cable or have had a theatrical release prior to the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, are NOT eligible for any competition but may be screened, out of competition, at the discretion of Big Bear Lake International Film Festival.

Non-English language produced films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.

All entrants certify that they have been given full rights to use any and all music in their films.

Filmmakers will be expected to Fed/Ex or UPS their films to the Film Festival. USPS is fine as long as we receive films before the deadline. Upon request, The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival will provide return shipment of films as long as they are being shipped within the continental U.S.A. and NOT an overnight or RUSH delivery and provide a self-addressed envelope with postage. The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival will NOT incur the cost of shipment outside of the U.S.A. Fed/Ex or UPS account number must be provided.

Film Producers/Distributors are responsible for insurance and shipment costs of films to Big Bear Lake International Film Festival.

The title of the work and name of entrant, email and return address must be on all DVD. Blu-Ray and Digital Media Files (.MP4) mailing containers and labels. Digital Files (.MP4 must have title, aspect ration indicated on the file)

Films and other film material will be handled with utmost care, but neither Big Bear Lake International Film Festival staff nor supporting Theater organizations can assume responsibility for damage or loss of the film and other film materials, en route or otherwise, during the course of the Festival’s possession of the film.

All stated information, eligibility and submission guidelines, terms and conditions of entry, and entry information is subject to change by the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, without notice.

Film screeners and entry submission forms along with entry fee should be sent to:

(USPS deliveries)
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival
P.O. Box 1981
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315-1981

OR:

For FedEx/UPS deliveries, please note the delivery address on withoutabox.com or email programming@bigbearlakefilmfestival.com