Here we have answers to frequently asked questions about the SXSW Film Festival submission process. To reveal an answer, simply click on a question that you may have.
When and how may I submit my film for the 2010 festival?
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Submissions for the 2010 SXSW Film Festival began on August 3, 2009. The last minute postmark deadline for film submissions is December 11, 2009. Understand that entries post-marked after December 11, 2009 have no guarantee of being viewed for judging.
I have completed the application process. When can I expect to hear from you regarding the status of my entry?
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We will notify you when we receive your entry or if your entry is incomplete. All filmmakers will be sent notification of their film's final status no later than February 16, 2010. Notifications are sent out on a rolling basis after our first deadline (November 5, 2009). INSIDER TIP: No news is good news. If you haven't heard from us, it means your film is still in the running. Please don't call us panicked unless you still haven't heard from us at all by February 16.
I don't seem to be receiving emails from SXSW. What's the problem?
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Some spam filters and gray listers may filter out automated communications. Please add the following email addresses to your spam filter’s list of approved senders to be sure our messages reach you: webmaster@sxsw.com, reg@sxsw.com, housing@sxsw.com, sxsw@sxsw.com.
Is there any way I can find out the status of my entry early if I call and harass you daily?
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NO WAY! Please don't try. We send out rolling notifications as often as twice daily, so each filmmaker will know the status of their film almost as soon as we do.
I know I'm going to attend SXSW regardless of whether my film is accepted or not. Should I register for the conference now while it's cheaper, or wait until I hear whether my film has been chosen?
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Register later. If your film or title sequence is accepted, you will receive complimentary registrations. If your film or title sequence is not accepted, you will still be offered the lowest registration rate of the season regardless of your notification date.
What format should I use to submit my film? Can I send you my print for preview?
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We only accept NTSC Region 1 or 0-compatible DVDs for preview. We cannot view PAL or BETA tapes, VHS tapes or PAL DVDs. Please be sure to label the spine of your DVD with the project's title. If your film is selected to show at SXSW, we will work with you to ensure it is screened in the most appropriate format.
I don't know if my film is narrative or experimental. In which category should I submit it?
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You decide. You cannot submit in two categories. Generally, films we place in the experimental category are those with no narrative thread. We do not consider silent films, mockumentaries, or films that use unconventional narrative techniques to be experimental (we consider all these examples to be narratives). If we feel that a film has been submitted to the wrong category, we will change it to whichever category in which we think the film will do best.
What is the difference between a short and a feature (in terms of running time)?
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Everything under 40 minutes is a short. Although please keep in mind, the shorter your short, the more of a chance it'll have to get programmed. Screening time for shorts is limited. Longer shorts are at a disadvantage just based on time allowances alone. The longer it is, the more outstanding and unique it has to be.
Do you waive fees for starving student filmmakers and/or artists?
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No.
I have two shorts and they're all on one DVD. Do I have to send them as separate entries?
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YES. Each work you submit must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee. One submission per DVD, please. And be sure to label the spine of the DVD with the film title.
What's the difference between a "registration" and a "submission"?
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A "registration" is a badge that film fans, individuals in the film industry - and filmmakers too - purchase to attend and participate in SXSW Film conference panels, workshops, mentor sessions, the Trade Show, Film Festival, Awards Show, and other special parties.
A film "submission" is the way to be considered for a screening slot at the SXSW Film Festival. You do not need to purchase a registration badge to submit a film. The lowest registration rate of the season is held for submitting filmmakers, so you can wait until instructions arrive with your notification to register if you choose to.
You will be able to purchase a registration at the discounted rate once you are notified about the status of your entry - even if we don't notify you until February. So we suggest you wait to hear from us. We cannot refund registrations purchased at higher rates.
If your film is not selected, attending SXSW as a registrant is still a great way to network and pick up filmmaking and marketing tips.
When do you need to have my DVD screener?
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Entries must be postmarked by November 5 for the early deadline, postmarked by December 3 for the final deadline, and postmarked by December 11 for the last-minute deadline.
You include two addresses to send material to: a P.O. Box and a street address for overnight delivery. Will you be more impressed if I overnight our package?
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NO. We much prefer for you to send your package to our P.O. box, but some folks insist on overnighting their package, so we also include our street address.
Will I hear from SXSW after I submit my application?
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Yes, we will send you confirmation email when we receive your application form AND DVD tape. Keep in mind that it can take a few days or sometimes weeks for us to reconcile your materials with our database, as we expect to receive a high volume of submissions for 2010.
Can I get a deadline extension?
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MAYBE. Please contact us if you need an extension. Before requesting an extension, please understand that the later we receive your film, the less time we have to view it. This means that your video can be viewed fewer times and by fewer judges. Films arriving late cannot receive equal consideration.
My film isn't ready yet. Should I send the rest of the materials (application, etc.) first and send the video later?
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NO. All materials relevant to your film must be sent in the same package. Under no circumstance will we accept DVDs that are postmarked after the December 11 deadline, even if we have already received the application. If you apply online, please be sure to send a completed hardcopy version of your confirmation e-mail with your DVD.
Whom should I put down as the Primary Contact?
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Whomever is going to be our sole contact person for the next five months. Status of your entry will not be divulged to anyone but this contact person. Make sure we can easily reach this person by phone and email (particularly email!) for the next five months. Please understand that in most cases, this contact will be the ONLY person SXSW is in touch with before the festival.
My film won't be done in time for your deadline. Can I just send you a trailer/the screenplay/publicity materials now and the completed film later?
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NO. We must have a DVD copy of the most complete version of your work as possible. DVDs containing only trailers will not be considered.
My film won't be done in time for your submission deadline. Can I submit a rough cut?
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YES, but keep in mind that there will be no guarantee that we'll have time to view a finished product if you send us a new DVD or tape after late December. Also keep in mind that your film has a better chance of acceptance if we view a finished product.
I submitted a rough cut last year and it wasn't chosen. Can I resubmit?
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YES. You can resubmit as many times as you'd like from year to year, and we have shown many films that were submitted as works in progress and turned down in previous years.
Do you play works in progress?
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NO. Your film MUST be finished and ready to be shipped to us at least two weeks before the festival begins.
Should I send stills with my entry?
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NO. In keeping with our effort to become a carbon neutral festival, SXSW requests that you do not send hard copies of the following items with your submission: press kits, photo stills, or any other extraneous material.
Should I send a SASE for the return of my video?
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NO. Any materials you send us will not be returned. Please do not send us your one and only DVD copy (sounds silly, but it's been done before).
What do you mean my materials may be copied for SXSW's non-commercial purposes?
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From time to time submitted films need to be dubbed in order to expedite the pre-screening process, and, if your film is selected, press materials may need to be copied to distribute to the press. Copying of materials may not be limited to these examples, but we will usually contact you if we feel the need to duplicate your materials for any other purposes.
I had a cast and crew screening of my film in Austin, but it hasn't played anywhere else in Austin. Does this mean it's ineligible for SXSW?
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NO, your film is still eligible. Only films that have played in Austin in a theatrical setting to a general-public audience are ineligible (the only exception to this rule is shorts that have played solely in conjunction with the University of Texas). Cast and crew screenings do not rule your film out.
Do you have a separate category for student short films?
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No, except for the Texas High School student films. Otherwise, student and non-student films are considered and shown together.
Will my film have to be a World premiere to show at SXSW?
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No, we don't exclusively show World premieres at SXSW. We'll consider work screened elsewhere. However, it is very competitive, and we do show a lot of world premieres. Priority is given to new work.
I submitted a rough cut and now I want to submit a more polished finished version instead. Can I send a replacement copy?
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Yes, you can. If you decide to submit a replacement copy, please label the DVD and case "REPLACEMENT COPY" with the DATE OF THE CUT.
Please keep in mind that if you submitted your rough cut it may have already been watched by the selection committee. This means that the replacement copy may only be watched once, or may not be watched at all. Please send your most final and complete version the first time if possible.
More Questions?
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E-mail us at film@sxsw.com. We will do our best to give all inquiries a timely response.
