12th Edition Film Festival Moves to May, Adds Limited Theatrical Release to Grand Prize Package
The Dallas International Film Festival announces a “Call for Entries” for the 12th edition of the film festival which will take place May 3-10, 2018.
DIFF moves to a month later in the calendar year and also announced the grand prize for the Narrative Competition winner is a limited national theatrical release through their partner, Studio Movie Grill.
Led by Executive Director Johnathan Brownlee and Artistic Director James Faust, DIFF screens feature films, short films, broadcast television and streaming content for one of the most enthusiastic and savvy audiences in the country. Dallas is noted for its red carpet entrances, entertaining Q&As, press junkets, filmmaker panels, social events, and community involvement with daily filmmaker liaison services provided for its attending filmmakers.
During the past 11 years, the Festival has featured the finest in U.S. and international cinema, including more than 1,800 films representing over 60 countries, and has presented more than $750,000 in awards. The Festival completed a successful 2017 run with 173 films from 27 countries and attendance of over 27,000.
Faust said, “For more than a decade now, the Dallas International Film Festival has been a leader in the state of Texas and the Southwest, introducing audiences to the best of international and independent cinema as well as promoting the work of Texas filmmakers.”
Competitions include:
Narrative Feature Competition
Documentary Feature Competition
Texas Feature Competition
Shorts Competition
Animation Competition
Other film categories featured at the Festival are:
World Cinema
Premiere Series
Almost Midnight Specials
Latino Showcase
Family Friendly
Maverick
Deep Ellum Sounds (Music Films)
The Festival presents the following awards:
Grand Jury Prize — Narrative Feature presented by Studio Movie Grill (winner receives a limited theatrical release)
Grand Jury Prize — Documentary Feature
Grand Jury Prize — Texas Competition, presented by Panavision (winner receives a camera rental package valued at $30,000)
Grand Jury Prize – Short Film
Grand Jury Prize – Animated Short Film
Grand Jury Prize – Student Short Film
GENERAL RULES
- Premiere status is taken into consideration for every submission in each category strand with priority given to Dallas/Ft Worth Premieres, Southwest Premieres, US Premieres, North American Premieres, and World Premieres.
- In order for feature films to be considered for competition, a Dallas/Fort Worth Premiere is required.
- Films must not have had major theatrical release or US broadcast airing prior to the festival.
- Films must not have had DVD sales on the internet prior to May 3, 2018.
- More than one entry may be submitted. Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.
- Films must be completed after February 1, 2017 in order to be considered for the 2018 DIFF.
- Work-in-progress submissions are accepted. Updated versions of a submission may be sent until February 3, 2018. After that date, DIFF is under no obligation to view any new version.
- If your film is selected, you will be asked to provide a digital press kit which includes: headshot and filmography of director, color and/or B&W stills from the film, screeners for press, and a video trailer (cleared for broadcast).
- If you choose to use Withoutabox’s secured online screener, the film must be uploaded by the application’s corresponding submission deadline in order to be considered. Your submission application will not be processed otherwise.
- All submission deadlines are POSTMARK deadlines.
- Any films submitted without a paid entry fee by the given deadline will be disqualified from the submission screening process.
- All film entries selected for the festival grant DIFF the rights to use footage, stills, titles and information from the film for promotional purposes.
All filmmakers will be notified by (approximately) April 3, 2018 via email.
Submission Deadlines
- Early Bird: December, 15, 2017
- Regular: January, 26, 2018
- Late: February 2, 2018
For more information please contact submissions@dallasfilm.org.
ABOUT THE DALLAS FILM SOCIETY
The Dallas Film Society celebrates films and their impact on society. A 501(c)(3) non- profit organization, the Dallas Film Society recognizes and honors filmmakers for their achievements in enhancing the creative community, provides educational programs to students to develop a better understanding of the role of film in today’s world, and promotes the City of Dallas and its commitment to the art of filmmaking. The annual Dallas International Film Festival is a presentation of the Dallas Film Society and has been named by Movie Maker Magazine as one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World.” In addition to producing one of the largest festivals in the Southwest, the Society produces numerous year round events, film screening series and programs in partnership with arts organizations around the city. The offices of the Dallas Film Society are located at 110 Leslie Street, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75207. For more information about the Dallas Film Society and its ongoing events, visit www.dallasfilm.org or call (214) 720-0555.
