The 49th Chicago International Film Festival

Official Regulations

A) Guidelines

1. Films that have previously screened publicly in Chicago, aired on US television prior to the Festival, are available for purchase on DVD in North America, or are available for continuous online viewing in their entirety are NOT eligible. 
2. Films must be completed on or after July 1, 2012.
3. Films previously submitted to the Chicago International Film Festival are NOT eligible. 
4. Films must be submitted on DVD. Do not send film prints, master tapes, or other originals. 
5. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.  
6. Entrant will allow usage of clips from the film for promotional use on television, radio, in print, and at live Festival events.
7. All entries must be either in English or subtitled in English. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles are not eligible.
8. Works in Progress: While entrants are permitted to submit films that are not fully complete (i.e., without final color correction and sound mixing), please note that the programming committee will only consider the version submitted; subsequent cuts or replacement copies will only be accepted at the request of the programming committee.
9. Only complete entries (including entry form, payment, and preview DVD screener) will be processed.
10. Please submit a typed or clearly printed entry form or a copy of the online form receipt along with the submission. The Chicago International Film Festival is not responsible for incorrect wording in publications or on awards if the entry form is incorrect or illegible.
11. Students must include proof of student status at the time of production (i.e., copy of student ID, transcript, etc.). 
12. Productions in the following exhibition formats are eligible for Festival screening: 35mm, DCP, HDCAM, and Blu-ray Disc. 

B) Deadlines

C) Shipping

The cost of shipping an entry to the Festival must be paid by the entrant. Collect or COD shipments will not be accepted.

All international entries must be sent "free domicile" to the Festival office with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper. Fees charged to the Chicago International Film Festival will be refused. Be sure to include the proper customs documentation required by your shipping service. For films accepted for screening at the 2011 Chicago International Film Festival, the Festival will only cover one-way shipping costs for the public screening video or film print.

D) Judging & Selection

Feature, Documentary, Short Subject, and Student Films are selected for Festival presentation by the Chicago International Film Festival Programming Committee. If a film is selected for screening, the Festival office will contact the entrant by phone or email.

Films selected for the International Feature, Docufest, New Directors, and After Dark Competitions are judged during the Festival. All other competitive film categories, including the Chicago Award and Short Film Competition are judged before the Festival.

All entrants will be notified on or before September 13, 2013.

For publication purposes, entries selected will be required to supply three high resolution stills from the film and at least one high resolution photograph of the film's director. The Festival also requests publicity materials and a video trailer (if available). Publicity and press materials will not be returned.

E) Entry Fees

Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, notification that your entry has been received, and notification of results. These fees may be paid by check or money order, made payable to Cinema/Chicago, or by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express).  

For all entries outside the U.S., international checks or money orders are accepted provided the entry fee is at least $100.00. The check or money order must be drawn on U.S. correspondent banks only and be in U.S. dollars. If the entry fee is less than $100.00 for an international entry, you must pay by credit card.

Early Bird Rates (Postmarked by March 29, 2013)

Feature-length Narrative (category 1)	$90.00
Feature-length Documentary (category 2)	$70.00
Short Subject - under 40 minutes (category 3)	$40.00
Student Productions:
Feature-Length (categories 1-2)	$40.00
Short Subject - under 40 minutes (category 3)	$20.00

Regular Deadline (Postmarked by June 21, 2013)

Feature-length Narrative (category 1)	$100.00
Feature-length Documentary (category 2)	$80.00
Short Subject - under 40 minutes (category 3)	$50.00
Student Productions:
Feature-Length (categories 1-2)	$50.00
Short Subject - under 40 minutes (category 3)	$30.00

Late Deadline (Postmarked by July 8, 2013)

Feature-length Narrative (category 1)	$200.00
Feature-length Documentary (category 2)	$150.00
Short Subject - under 40 minutes (category 3)	$70.00
Student Productions:
Feature-Length (categories 1-2)	$80.00
Short Subject - under 40 minutes (category 3)	$50.00

F) Categories (select one)

1. Feature-length Narrative
2. Feature-length Documentary
3. Short Subject - under 40 minutes