2010 SUBMISSION FAQs PAGE
*Please consult the Submission guidelines page included with the Submission Form for questions you don't find here.

Q: Why should I submit my film to Salem Film Festival?
A: We may be a young festival, but in only four short years we've established a festival that has been recognized by industry professionals as a festival to watch. We appreciate the work and care you've put into your film and will treat it (and you!) with the respect it deserves.

Q: What is your criteria for film length?
A: Short films must be under 40 minutes in length; feature films are 40 minutes or longer. We have accepted films in our festival that are anywhere from less than 2 minutes to well over 2 hours in length.

Q: Do you waive entry fees for filmmakers who have been accepted into your past festivals?
A: Yes, when you submit, please be sure to list under 'other' at the bottom of the submission form the reason your entry fee is not included with your film. Please be sure to include film title and year accepted.

Q: If I submit my film on the very last day will it have a lesser chance of being accepted?
A: Absolutely not. Though we suggest you send your film far in advance of the postmark deadline for which you have registered, our dates have been set to allow for respectful consideration of all films that have been submitted.

Q: Do film submissions need to be received by the entry deadline or postmarked by the entry deadline?
A: Your film must be postmarked on or before the date that corresponds with the deadline you've chosen to submit your film.

Q: How and when will I know if my film has or has not been accepted?
A: If you have supplied us with the proper contact information on your submission form, you will be notified by August 31, 2010. Please don't call or e-mail before then, because we won't have an answer for you yet.

Q: Do you have restrictions on national or regional premieres?
A: We will never include or dismiss a film solely based on its premiere status, however we do like to include premiere information in our program whenever applicable. For your film to be considered, it cannot have been publicly screened in Salem or within 30 miles of Salem prior to 10/22/10. Feel free to e-mail us if you have specific questions.

Q: May I submit more than one film?
A: Yes. Each film needs to be accompanied by its own submission form, plus multiple submissions are eligible for a discount of $5 per subsequent entry. Be sure to list under 'other' at the bottom of the submission form the reason your entry fee amount is less than the correct amount to submit. (i.e. if you submit more than one film prior to our early deadline when the fee is $25, the first entry fee is $25 and each subsequent film, with its own submission form, will need an entry fee of $20 each.) Fees for submissions sent together may be combined into one check or money order.

Q: Do you accept music videos?
A: Yes! We will consider your music video, but in the Professional categories, music videos will not be considered for competition purposes at this time. They will, however, be eligible to compete in the NW Emerging and Youth & Amateur categories.

Q: Do you accept rough cuts?
A: Yes, but your film should be at least 90% complete. All final edits and production changes must be completed and an exhibition copy received by our October 1, 2010 deadline. Please include a note with your screening copy explaining what remaining work you have to do on your film.

Q: My film was made in 2005... can I still submit it?
A: No, in order to be eligible for the Salem Film Festival, your film must have been completed 24 months prior to our festival's opening date.

Q: I grew up in Oregon, but now live in New York. Am I eligible for your Northwest Emerging Artist Competition?
A: Not unless your movie was fimed in the Pacific Northwest. This unique competition was established to showcase the creative and inspired work of serious filmmakers, regardless of age, who either live in the Pacific Northwest or who shot on locations in this same area. For the purpose of this competition, Pacific Northwest is defined as Northern California, Oregon, Idaho or Washington. More information can be found on our Northwest Emerging Artist page here.

Q: I am a film school student interested in your Youth & Amateur Competition, but I feel my film would also qualify in the Northwest Emerging Artist Competition. Can I submit the same film to both?
A: Yes. Each film needs to be accompanied by its own submission form and fee, plus multiple submissions are eligible for a discount of $5 per subsequent entry. Be sure to list under 'other' at the bottom of the submission form the reason your entry fee amount is less than the correct amount to submit.

Q: Will my screeners be returned to me?
A: Only if you include a SASE with your submission.

Q: Does each film actually get screened? Or are some automatically rejected without even being opened?
A: Our programming committee screens each and every film that is submitted for consideration in our festival!

Q: My film was rejected last year. Can I submit it again this year?
A: Absolutely. There is always the possibility that we loved your film, but we obviously have only a specific number of slots to fill in our program and a variety of genres to cover. We ask that if you've made significant changes to please send a letter with your submission letting us know of the changes.

Q: Do you accept international films?
A: Yes, both domestic and international films are screened.

If you don't find the answers to your questions here or on the Submission Guidelines sheet included with the Submission Form, feel free to contact our Festival Director and Lead Programmer with your questions.

Loretta Miles, Festival Director & Lead Programmer
PO Box 551
Salem, OR 97308
loretta@salemfilmfestival.com