BFC : Naked Freedom Film Festival : Tickets & Venue Info : Programming Schedule : Guidelines

911 and BFC Present:

Naked Freedom Film Festival

May 15-16, 2004
Seattle, Washington, USA

Please post and forward this information to other interested parties.

Official Description, Guidelines & Submission Instructions

Naked Freedom Film Festival, debuting on May 15-16, promises to be the most comprehensive and diverse collection of films to date exploring naked expression in its many colors. Three unique shows will play at two distinctive Seattle venues: the Seattle Art Museum and 911 Media Arts Center. Films will explore themes of body acceptance, body art, public lands advocacy, exploitation, taboo, recreation, emerging body-positive cultures, and the use of the naked body to seek social justice. The films showcase historic moments and the many colorful personalities involved in the spread of body-positive culture.

Call for Entries

2004 will be handled in a different manner than in years to come with regard to submissions. Most filmmakers/copyright holders will be contacted directly and selections will be made based on the Selection Committee's working knowledge of films either in existence or in production that meet the theme requirements of the festival.

If you wish to have your film considered for 2004 Naked Freedom Film Festival, ("NFFF" or "the festival"), please send us details of the film (including a synopsis and/or press kit) as soon as possible, preferably by e-mail. When sending details of your film, it would be most helpful if you could let us know if it will be shown at any other film festivals as it is possible that our selectors could view the film there.

The films are selected by our Festival Selection Committee which evaluates each film, looking for excellence in quality and originality.  Works in-progress and work that did not originate in film will also be considered.  All genres of film and/or video are accepted.  All lengths of time are also accepted, just keep in mind some people have less patience than others and may not even finish watching an entry if they grow disinterested.

Submission Guidelines

Requirements:
The Naked Freedom Film Festival accepts all films and videos that can lay claim to a “naked freedom” theme, with an emphasis on activities on public lands. This can be anything from a documentary about a cultural event to a animated short about a family that is in hot water because of their household nudity. The primary setting for the work should be public, or if not, with a unique perspective on naked freedom or body acceptance in general. Works can be completed in any year, in any country, at any length.

The festival will consider all films and videos regardless of any commercial, theatrical or television play in the US. 

All films and videos in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for festival presentation unless dialogue is non-essential to comprehension of film.

Submission Instructions

(2) For viewing purposes please send screeners of completed films in one of two formats: 1/2 inch NTSC VHS cassettes or NTSC DVD discs. We prefer viewing DVD. Make sure region codes are encoded for USA region 1 or are all-region encoded. Other formats require prior approval.

Filmmaker's identification must be clearly written on the screener case and the cassette/disc. If you are submitting more than one film, you may include them all on one reel, but please label the tape/disc clearly and remember to complete separate submission forms for each film. Screening cassettes and discs must be labeled with the film title, running time, and contact information (name, address and phone number) in long form on cassette case or DVD jewelbox and then in an abbreviated form on the cassette or disc directly (just enough so we can match them up when necessary).

(3) Publicity materials, such as press kits, are welcome but not necessary at time of submission. Any extra materials may be be discarded.

Shipping information, Deadlines & Entry Fees

The closing date for 2004 submissions has not been established. Submissions must be received by (not postmarked by) April 2004. Late submissions will not be considered and screeners cannot be returned without prior arrangements. Cassettes and discs should be insured by the sender, if they are considered valuable.

All international deliveries must be marked clearly as: "No commercial value, Non-pornographic, For cultural purposes only".

Deadlines:

All submissions must be shipped prepaid & arrive at the NFFF Selection Committee by their respective deadlines:

Early Deadline: TBD
Final Deadline: April 2004

Entry Fees for submissions:

Due to the late nature of festival organizing and the submission process ** THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE FOR 2004 ** However, we will gratefully accept donations to help cover costs of the festival. Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Does not in any way affect screening eligibility.

Checks can be made out to Body Freedom Collaborative (the organization producing the festival) and sent to the BFC PO Box address at the bottom of the page or included with submissions/final prints. Donations can also be made on BFC's web site at http://bodyfreedom.org

Feature (41 minutes or more) $35 (Fees waived for 2004 festival)
Short (41 minutes or less) $15 (Fees waived for 2004 festival)

Shipping information for entries:

Due to high number of entries, the Festival can not return preview tapes/discs and supporting material unless accompanied by a self-addressed, prepaid (stamped) shipping envelope. Please do not send film prints, master tapes or other originals. For security reasons, unexpected packages from unsolicited entries may not be opened without prior arrangements.

Please use only plastic or bubble pack cases when shipping submission material. PLEASE DO NOT USE FIBERFILL ENVELOPES AS THEY DAMAGE TAPES/EQUIPMENT. The Festival is not responsible for damage to tapes incurred in shipping.  

Submission Receipt Acknowledgment
If you would like to receive confirmation of your submission, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard.

MAIL ALL ENTRIES TO:

NFFF 2004
[address will be provided via e-mail]

(see bottom of page for e-mail address)
http://bodyfreedom.org

Early entry is strongly encouraged! We appreciate receiving entries as early as possible. There is a $15.00 late fee for films submitted after April 2004, without prior arrangement.

Permissions:
By submitting to the Festival, the filmmaker (or their representative) agrees that:

1. The Festival is permitted to use the submitted video and any and all press materials of all selected entries for publicity and promotional purposes (unless specific arrangements are made otherwise);
2. The Festival/Body Freedom Collaborative is permitted to retain the submitted video for inclusion in our non circulating library (unless specific arrangements are made otherwise);
3. That the person signing the entry form is legally authorized to enter this film in the Festival.

Selection:
All submissions will be reviewed by the Naked Freedom Film Festival 2004 Selection Committee. All selections are at the sole discretion of the Selection Committee and are scheduled at the discretion of the Festival Coordinators. Festival Coordinators retain the right to make changes to the published schedule at any time and for any reason. Films may be screened more than once, or not at all. Films initially selected to screen that do not screen will be returned, with shipping paid by the Festival.

Notification

Selected films will be announced before the festival date. At that time, all filmmakers will be notified via e-mail as to whether their films have been accepted. If you do not hear back, please feel free to contact the Selection Committee at any time via e-mail (see bottom of page for e-mail address).

Screening Requirements

If film is selected to play at the Festival:

Filmmakers must contact the festival coordinators and discuss delivery of the final format for festival screening (and other formats if requested for promotional use).

Films can be shot in any medium. If selected, a final print in either NTSC MiniDV cassette or NTSC DVD format must be must be available by April, 2004 at the filmmaker’s expense, except by prior arrangement. Due to initial budgetary restrictions, we are not accepting final prints in composite 8mm, 16mm, 35mm, Beta SP, Digi-Beta, or High Definition video at this time, except by special arrangements. In the case of films put on DVD we prefer that you use the highest quality settings for MPEG-2 compression. We also prefer that the disc be authored professionally with a menu system and chapter markers (if over 10-15 minutes). Make sure DVD region codes are compatible with USA region 1 or are all-region encoded. PAL encoded video media will not be accepted, except with prior approval by the Selection Committee. All final prints and format information should be cleared for final selection with the Selection Committee before sending.

All films and videos in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for festival presentation unless dialogue is non-essential to comprehension of film. The festival does not pay rental fees for submitted work that is programmed. Be sure to indicate aspect ratio of your film/video, sound format, as well as any other special screening/presentation information we might need to know. Filmmakers are also encouraged to send a backup version of their final screening media in case of failure during screening. (If on motion picture film, an NTSC video version is recommended)

Entries MUST include a film synopsis, a complete cast/credits list, stills, and (optional) a self-addressed stamped post card (to confirm receipt of final entry). Stills sent on CD or DVD discs or through e-mail (see address at bottom of page) should be at least 300 dpi resolution jpeg (.jpg) or tiff (.tif) files. Specific resolution information will be provided. The synopsis should be a well-written, concise description of the basic plot and premise of your film. Maximum synopsis length is 150 words for features, 50 for shorts.

The synopsis and stills may be used in the program guide and will be available to distributors, members of the press and filmmakers.

If submitting more than one film, a separate completed entry form is required for each one.

A complete list of festival screenings and awards you have won for the selected film and past films. Indicate premiere status for festival showing on entry form. Previous theatrical runs and/or other festival screenings determine premiere status

Any additional promotional materials available (i.e. posters, trailers, QuickTime video clips on CD or DVD, et cetera.) Filmmakers are also asked to provide material for web promotion including web size digital images (such as from stills, posters, et cetera) and appropriate credit lines and web links for web use.

All above materials are non-returnable EXCEPT by prior arrangement with Festival Coordinators.

All entries selected grant the festival the right to use footage and/or titles and information from the film/filmmakers for festival promotional purposes in any and all media, unless indicated otherwise on entry form. The festival encourages filmmakers to allow and send a portion, edit, or trailer of the film on digital video so clips can be used in festival promotions. Examples of such promotions would include: as a part of a trailer distributed on CD, DVD, web or as a festival teaser introduction.

Filmmaker must attest that he/she holds the exhibition rights to the film/video being entered. The festival is not responsible for notifying any other parties of entry status or determination of ownership verification, the "Contact Person" (listed on entry form), accepts all responsibility in this matter. Filmmaker holds the festival harmless from damage to or loss of the print en route or otherwise during the course of the festival's possession of the film; and agrees to provide the festival a print of the film at filmmaker's own risk and/or provide own insurance to cover loss and/or damage of the print. Filmmaker understands/agrees that acceptance of film does not guarantee airline or hotel accommodations for talent or production crew.

Artists whose works are chosen for the festival will be notified before the festival date. Works not selected for the festival will be returned within a reasonable amount of time only if the shipping & handling fee is included with the entry: $15 for US entries (returned via UPS), US $20 for Canadian entries (returned via US Post). Works received without the fee will be held until later for in-person pickup.

Questions should be addressed to festival e-mail address (see e-mail address at bottom of page) with subject line: NFFF submissions

Filmmakers & Guests

A festival comes alive with its guests! Which makes it all the more unfortunate that the festival's budget is too small to be able to invite all filmmakers to Seattle and assume their travel and hotel costs. Nonetheless, some arrangements and accommodations MAY be possible but must be negotiated with Festival Coordinators.

Included with the invitation to show the work at the festival is an opportunity to speak at audience discussion of screening. Filmmakers or producers must announce their intention to attend the festival preferably three months before the actual date of the festival to help assure time is available at the venue.

The Festival Committee encourages any filmmaker who can make the trip to join us in Seattle. Filmmakers may also want to contact cultural and government agencies in their home countries which might be able to provide them with sponsorship for travel. All filmmakers in attendance are invited to participate in festival events.

Festival, Tour, Awards & Honoraria

COMPETITION

There is no scheduled competitive event for NFFF 2004

FESTIVAL TOUR

There is a possibility that the Festival Coordinators MAY attempt a small tour of selected films in other cities. If this happens, USA and International Tour cities will be announced before or after the festival and are subject to change. All selected films will screen in Seattle, but programs in other tour cities may vary.

As our festival continues to grow, we are playing with the idea to expand the tour beyond the USA. Not all selected films will screen at all locations, and filmmakers will be notified via email if their films are selected for possible screening outside of Seattle. Filmmakers, of course, may decline to have their film/video tour with the festival beyond Seattle.

PLEASE NOTE

Festival Submission Guidelines are firm, but Festival venues, dates, awards, travel awards, etc. are subject to change at any time.

Naked Freedom Film Festival 2004 is produced by

Body Freedom Collaborative (BFC)
P.O. Box 15364
Seattle, WA 98115 USA
(do NOT send films/video to the above address, only materials which can fit in a bendable envelope 8.5" x 11" or smaller)

E-mail may be sent to NFFF coordinators at

http://bodyfreedom.org