Film Guidelines


The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing emerging film talent and independent films. Our goal is to create a forum by bringing upcoming filmmakers and industry professionals together for a weekend, staged in the Big Bear Lake Community.

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 2008, 2009 or 2010. All film entries must be submitted on DVD (you must make sure the DVD plays on all DVD players) to be considered for selection and received by the postmarked by the early(February 1), regular(April 2) or no later than the late entry deadline of May 15, 2010. (Please, NO PAL submissions).

Submission tapes will not be returned unless requested with an enclosed Self-addressed stamped envelope or tape box followed by an e-mail to -email-.

If selected, a BetaSP, DigiBeta or DVD must be in the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival office by August  28, 2010.

There is a non-refundable $35.00 early entry by February 1; $40 regular entry fee by April 2; $45 late fee postmarked by May 15 and $65 Withoutabox late fee by May 22. 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 web site. The determination of the winners is final.

Jury Award categories: Best Feature Film; Best Short Film; Best Student Film; Best High School Student Film; Best Documentary; Best Animation Film, Family Film Award and Best Cinematography Award.

Audience Award categories: Best Feature Film; Best Short Film; Best Student Film; Best Documentary; Best Animation; Best High School Student Film and Best Film Shot in Big Bear.

Sidebar Showcase - Audience Award category: Films about cars.

Selected film entries will be notified by August 17, 2010 via a phone call or email and listed on the accepted 2010 films on the Web site. 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 2010 Filmmakers:
Filmmakers accepted and are attending the festival are responsible for their travel, lodging, and all other expenses.

Filmmakers accepted into the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival will be entitled to the following:

- Two filmmaker badges per submitted film (all festival films FREE at the Village Theaters and Performing Arts Center).
- Two invitations to attend the "invitation only" Filmmaker/Industry VIP networking breakfast on Saturday morning.
- One ticket to the Opening Night Gala on Friday night
- One ticket to the Wrap Party on Saturday night
- FREE Admittance to panel discussions & Seminars
- FREE Admittance to the Hospitality Suite for sodas and snacks.
- FREE admittance to the Sunday morning screening of winning films at the PAC.
- One Filmmaker promotional bag of stuff and festival program per film.

You may purchase additional Opening Night Gala 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 prints to the Film Festival. Snail mail is fine as long as we receive films by the deadline. 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. 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 DVDs, BetaSPs, DigiBeta mailing containers and labels.

Film prints 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 print and other film materials, en route or otherwise, during the course of the Festival's possession of the print.

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:

Monika Skerbelis
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival
P.O. Box 1981
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315-1981

To send your film via Fed Ex, UPS, courier service or to find out more information, send an email to our programming director at BigBearFilmFest@aol.com or visit our website at http://www.BigBearLakeFilmFestival.com