Rules & Terms - SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
By submitting your film*, screenplay* or both to CIFF, you acknowledge that you have read the rules and agree with them. If you have questions, contact us.
If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by the Cowpokes Int'l Film Festival: You also must be prepared to supply at least three electronic images (publicity stills) either in jpeg or PDF format, 300dpi, for publication purposes. Press kits would be helpful, but not required.
Films that have previously aired on US television prior to the Festival, or are available for continuous online viewing for FREE (Youtube, Vimeo or Facebook) to the public in their entirety are NOT eligible. All films as well as screenplays must be completed no earlier than 2015.
All film finalists are required to provide two high resolution DVD, Blu-Ray, MP4, MOV or DCP files. If you send files, they must be mailed to us on a thumbdrive. If you have short films under 30 min, we might can download them. We cannot download feature films. Your copies will not be returned unless a prepaid SASE is sent to us.
Entrant will allow usage of clips from the film for promotional use on television, radio, in print and at live Festival events. All entries must be in English, contain English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
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 festival committee will accept the version submitted. Completed work or replacement copies MUST be uploaded or in our hands no later than October 13th, 2020.
Cowpokes Int'l Film Festival (CIFF) and BrenRock Productions LLC is not responsible for incorrect wording in publications or on awards if the entry information is incorrect or illegible.
All entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover registration, notification that your entry has been received and notification of results. These fees must be paid during the entry process.
By entering the COWPOKES INT'L FILM FESTIVAL competition, all entrants agree to hold harmless the COWPOKES INT'L FILM FESTIVAL, BrenRock Productions LLC, Grand Theatre, owners, employees, associated Boards of Directors, Officers, Staff and Volunteers from all losses, damages, rights, claims, and actions of any kind arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from participation with the festival.
You must execute a release agreement wherein you accept responsibility for obtaining any and all clearances necessary to exhibit your film at Cowpokes Int'l Film Festival, warrant you have the rights necessary to exhibit your film; and indemnify and hold harmless Cowpokes Int'l Film Festival, its parent company BrenRock Productions LLC., affiliates, subsidiaries and any of the respective officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising from exhibition of your film at the Cowpokes Int'l Film Festival.
SUBMITTERS, IF YOUR FILM(S) IS SELECTED, YOU'LL RECEIVE TWO (2) FREE FILM SCREENING PASSES FOR THE WEEKEND SCREENINGS AND AWARD SHOW ON SUNDAY! Details at http://www.cowpokesfilmfestival.com
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LYRICS/SONGWRITING Each Lyric entry submission must be original works, under 3 pages and must be in a PDF format. All genres are welcome.
SONGWRITING/MUSIC All genres welcome. Each music entry submission must have a song title, and the name of artist(s) or band attached. Sound quality can be studio, live, or demos. Format: .mp3 file is preferred, but we also accept .wav. PLEASE do not submit music videos, as there is a different category already listed for that. Each song entry must be no longer than 5 minutes.
POETRY All genres of poetry are welcome. Any length from single stanza to 5 pages is accepted as long as it is NOT a compilation of Several works. PDF format please.
PHOTOGRAPHY Photography stills must be unique/original work that tell a story. Either a single photo or multiple photos in the same series (up to 6 photo maximum per submission). JPG or PNG format please. Photography can include: Wedding, Event, Portrait, Product, Fine Art, Fashion, Architectural, Travel, Advertising or Lifestyle, Photojournalism, Pet, Sports, Scientific or Specialty Photography are all welcome. We want to see your story as you tell it through your camera lens. Submitter must have rights/releases to submit the work.
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SCREENPLAY SUBMISSION RULES:
What are the judges looking for? They'll be judging based on:
PREMISE/CONCEPT
The idea behind the story. What the movie is about. The “hook.”
PRESENTATION
Standard spec screenplay or teleplay format (12 pt. Courier font, correct margins, etc.), as well as spelling, punctuation, grammar, and usage.
STRUCTURE
The framework of the script. Effective use of three-act (most common), odyssey, linear, or non-linear story progression.
PLOT
The actions, events, conflicts, and turning points that propel the story forward. How the story unfolds (points for originality/unpredictability).
PACING
The timing of the action, unfolding of plot elements, and character development.
CHARACTERS
Personalities that are distinctive, compelling, multi-layered, and unpredictable. A protagonist and antagonist with clear and active goals.
DIALOGUE
Voices that are natural, succinct, and unique to each character. Use of language that effectively reveals character and moves the story forward.
THEME
The underlying message of the story as revealed through plot, dialogue, and visual elements.
STYLE/TONE
Overall quality of the writing. Tone that is appropriate to the material and narrative that is distinct, cinematic, and effectively conveys the mood or “feel” of the movie.
COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL
Audience appeal and box-office potential.
If selected, do Screenplay finalists win a pass? Yes. They'll win two SSUFF weekend passes allowing access to all film festival screenings and the Award Show. Details at sunnysideupfilmfestival.com
Is there a PRIZE for winners? Yes. Screenplay winners will win trophies!
Are there qualifications for scripts? No. All genres accepted.
Fees are submitted online. No waivers. No Refunds.
Format: All entries must be written in English and submitted as a PDF file less than 5 MB, size 12 Courier font, standard industry format. Title of script only on title page: no author name. Pages should be numbered. MovieMagic Screenwriter, Final Draft, or Celtx are suggested software programs. All screenplays must be completed no earlier than Jan 1st 2015.
Original: All entries must be original works by the applicant.
Coauthors: If a screenplay has more than one author, it is up to the authors to decide who will be the primary contact e-mail.
English: All entries must be submitted in English.
Pages: (approximate numbers) Short Scripts: 50 pages or less. Feature Scripts: 51 or more.
Title Page: Include title only. The author’s name should not appear on the title page or anywhere on the script, to preserve anonymity and fairness.
Accepted are: All genres and sub-genres.
Disqualifications: Submissions ARE NOT disqualified for minor formatting errors (title page, software or length.)
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"NOVEL MANUSCRIPT" - RULES:
Westerns or Any Genre!
Submissions are accepted in PDF only. Several short stories in one novel is not permitted and will be disqualified. Material must be submitted by the Author or their representative.
Corrected pages of the entered material are not allowed. Proof read carefully before submission. All ownership and rights to the material submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders unless and until the rights holder settles negotiations of any proposed deal for partnership or transfer of rights.
The material submitted must not be encumbered by any obligation to, or option held by, a third party prior to entering the competition.
Material must include Title, Logline (one to three sentence description of the book), and Synopsis Outline.
The novel manuscript finalists and winner(s) in various categories will be chosen based on the following criteria: originality, perceived entertainment value, plot, characters, goal, conflict, theme & setting.
All entries must be original works by the entrant, in English.
Plagiarism, which includes the use of third-party characters or another person’s universe, without written permission, will result in disqualification.
Work submitted can be published or unpublished (see both categories when submitting and choose the one that falls under your work). Please let us know if your novel is published or unpublished when you are filling in your bio, details, etc., on FilmFreeway, as there will be awards for the winners of both published and unpublished work.
Applicants may submit multiple applications, however, each application must be complete with entry fee. Each submission must be uploaded separately.
Any novel manuscripts written before January 1st, 2015 will not be accepted. Your novel must be a close to minimum of 8,000 words or roughly 18 pages single spaced or 30 paged doubled spaced, and not exceed close to 120,000 words or roughly 267 pages single spaced, or 439 pages double spaced. We prefer that you use a twelve point Times New Roman in black type only. Courier and Arial fonts is also acceptable.
If selected as a finalists, does the person that submitted the novel get film festival passes? Yes, the submitter would get two CIFF passes allowing access to various film festival screenings for Sunday Nov 15th 2020, including the award show. Only two FREE passes are allowed per finalists/submitter.
Is there a PRIZE for novel manuscript winners? Yes. Winners in various western & all genre categories, will be presented trophies or awards at the Award Show.
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The submitter agrees to indemnify CIFF against any and all claims, expenses, losses, or liabilities that may be asserted against CIFF in connection with the Material or any use thereof, including, without limitation those arising from any breach of the warranties and promises given by the submitter.
The submitter releases and discharges CIFF from any and all claims and demands and will not assert, maintain or assist any party in asserting or maintaining any claims or demands against CIFF in connection with the Materials, including, any and all claims for libel, rights of publicity, theft or misappropriation of ideas or trade secrets, or infringement of copyright and other intellectual property rights.
The submitter agrees to warrant that he/she is the sole owner and author of the described material or has the official representation of the co-author, and has the full right and authorization to submit the material to CIFF.
The submitter has retained a copy of the Material and agrees that CIFF shall not be obligated to return the Material to the submitter. The submitter releases CIFF from all liability if the Material is lost, misplaced, stolen or destroyed.
The submitter acknowledges that CIFF is under no obligation to use the Material in any manner and further represents and warrants that the Material is original, that the submitter has the right and authority to submit the Material to CIFF on the foregoing terms and conditions, each and all of which shall be binding on the submitter, his/her agents, heirs, successors, licensees and assigns.
REFUND POLICY
All entries are non-refundable.
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