RULES
COPA SHORTS STUDENT FILM FEST – NOVEMBER 7, 2020
CSSFF’s mission is to encourage filmmakers, especially those starting out. We want films and screenplays to be creative, original work that families with children under 18 years of age can feel comfortable watching or seeing in a table read.
Please follow these rules:
1) NO PROFANITY! Films with nudity, profanity or excessive violence will not be screened. Our reviewers will determine this with a final decision by the festival directors.
2) Films MUST be 2-20 minutes or less; screenplays MUST be 20 pages or less.
3) Projects must have been completed and submitted prior to a student entering college.
4) Film submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway only. Films should be the highest HD quality that the filmmaker can provide; films selected will be required to be submitted in pro-res 422.
5) Screenplays must also be submitted to FilmFreeway only in Hollywood style format. Use of screenplay software is highly recommended. Page count of 20 pages does not include the cover page.
6) All submitted materials, films and screenplays, must be in English or with English subtitles.
7) All projects must be created since January 1, 2019. Student submissions end on July 31, 2020. If your project is accepted for screening at CSFF, the film submitter will be notified on or before September 18, 2020. (Submission fees change as the deadline nears. See FilmFreeway.com/CopaShortsFilmFest for fees and deadlines.)
8) Please designate in your FilmFreeway listing the primary genre of your film: animation, comedy, documentary, drama, Native American, sci-fi, foreign, etc.
9) COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK -All elements of a film or screenplay must be original. OBTAINING CLEARANCE FOR Copyrighted and licensed items, INCLUDING MUSIC, the use of trademarked (brands) and copyrighted material is the filmmaker’s responsibility. SOURCES FOR MUSIC AND OTHER COPYRIGHTED/TRADEMARKED ITEMS SHOULD BE SHOWN IN THE FILM CREDITS. Plagiarism is not acceptable. Any infringements of these rules and legal requirements are not the responsibility of Copa Shorts Film Fest, Inc., but of the filmmaker(s.) (Original music is highly encouraged.)
10) A filmmaker whose film has been accepted for the festival will be awarded one free Filmmaker pass that will allow entrance to all events at festival (film blocks, parties, awards ceremonies.) Additional filmmaker passes are available for purchase.
11) Entry fees are non-refundable. No refunds will be issued for any reason.
12) Once Copa Shorts Film Fest has accepted a film or screenplay for inclusion in the festival, the filmmaker understands and agrees to allow showing of the project for use by CSFF for PR/media. At time of acceptance, still photos and trailers are requested as media kit materials, along with producer, director, screenwriter contacts and location of the film.
Plan to join us for a great experience with film showings, screenplay table reads, Q & A participation, parties, and awards!
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COPA SHORTS FILM FEST - November 7-8, 2020
Copa Shorts Film Fest on November 7 and 8, 2020, will be showing films from middle school, high school, college students and other professional filmmakers. In our previous festivals, we’ve shown a diverse mix of local films and those from all over the world – and we’d like to keep it that way! Our “Best of the Fest” for 2019, “Sundown,” came from the United Kingdom and our Audience Choice was awarded to a California film, “Tin Can.”
We are accepting film and screenplay submissions for COLLEGE LEVEL AND PROFESSIONAL FILMMAKERS AND SCREENWRITERS NOW and continue until July 31, 2020. Please join us for Copa Shorts Film Fest 2020 for the great films, workshops, party, and awards!
Here are the rules for Copa Shorts Film Fest 2020:
1) Due to the family friendly nature of Copa Shorts Film Fest, films with nudity, profanity or excessive violence will not be screened. Our reviewers will determine this with a final decision from the festival directors. Make it easy on yourself - NO PROFANITY.
2) Films must be 2-20 minutes; screenplays, 20 pages or less, which excludes the cover page.
3) Film submissions are accepted via FilmFreeway only. Films should be the highest HD quality that the filmmaker can provide; films may be required to be submitted in pro-res 422, if accepted.
4) Screenplays must be submitted to FilmFreeway only in Hollywood style format. Use of screenplay software is highly recommended. Page count of 20 pages does not include the cover page.
5) All elements of a film or screenplay must be original, copyright approved, or licensed. That includes music, use of trademarked and copyrighted material. Plagiarism is not acceptable. Any infringements of these rules and legal requirements are not the responsibility of Copa Shorts Film Fest, Inc., but of the filmmaker(s.)
6) All submitted materials, films and screenplays, must be in English or with English subtitles.
7) All projects must be completed since January 1, 2019. Submissions for college and professional films and screenplays begin on August 26, 2019 and end on July 31, 2020. If a film has been completed after a filmmaker or screenwriter has graduated from college, he/she should submit the work in the professional category. See FilmFreeway.com/CopaShortsFilmFest for fees and deadlines. Filmmakers and screenwriters whose work is chosen for the festival will be notified on or before September 18, 2020. At that time, films selected will be required to be submitted in pro-res 422.
8) All elements of a film or screenplay must be original. Copyrighted and licensed items, including music, the use of trademarked (brands) and copyrighted material is the filmmaker’s responsibility. Plagiarism is not acceptable. Any infringements of these rules and legal requirements are not the responsibility of Copa Shorts Film Fest, Inc., but of the filmmaker(s.) (Original music is highly encouraged.)
9) While we appreciate the opportunity to premiere your film, we do not require premiere status.
10) A filmmaker or screenwriter whose film or screenplay has been accepted for the festival will be awarded one free Filmmaker pass that will allow entrance to all events at the festival (film blocks, parties, awards ceremonies.) Additional filmmaker passes are available for purchase.
11) Entry fees are non-refundable. No refunds will be issued for any reason.
12) Once Copa Shorts Film Fest has accepted a film or screenplay for inclusion in the festival, the filmmaker understands and agrees to allow showing of the project for use by CSFF for PR/media and other festival-related events. At time of acceptance, still photos and short videos are requested as media kit materials, along with producer, director, screenwriter contacts and location of the film.
We are excited to see your creative works and share them with the world! We look forward to enhancing your road to a successful film and career.
Join us! We honor your creative work with film showings, participation in Q & A sessions to allow audiences to learn more about your screenwriting and filmmaking projects, a catered party to mingle and network, and an awards ceremony.