We want to be upfront with our rules, and we are putting this information here because we’ve found some people to be dishonest in their submission practices. By submitting to our film festival, you have up until the close of our submission date to withdraw your film.
After that, you will be required to give us a high-resolution digital copy of your film, if we decide to use your film. Now, let’s say that you are a filmmaker, it’s after our stated submission date and you get signed by a distribution company.
First, congratulations, we are truly happy for you and if this distributor requires a screening fee, then we truly understand and you will need to email us at info@strasburgfilm.com and depending on how close it is to our film festival, we are happy to release you from consideration.
We want to work with you and for you to be successful.
But understand this, we will not pay a screening fee under any considerations. Our goal is to raise funds for the local arts.
Our Festival strives to present the most interesting and thought-provoking films. We seek out films that both entertain audiences and challenge them to widen their perspectives.
Submissions can only be made online at filmfreeway.com.
NOTE: Choose one category for your submission. If you choose multiple categories you will be disqualified.
1. Organization
The Strasburg Film Festival the main event that we - 501 (3) c Shenandoah Film Collaborative, Inc. (The Organization) - put on each year for our residents in Shenandoah County, Virginia as well as anyone who would be willing to travel to our humble community.
This is an all-volunteer organization, and any funds that are donated or raised is given back into programming or to our charity of focus, which is explained further on down.
We decided to use the word “Collaborative” in our organization name because it embodies what we aim to achieve – for us to become successful we need multiple parties to work together for producing an excellent product.
We want to show the next generation that there are many ways of expressing one’s interests.
Our organization serves Shenandoah County, Virginia, which is New Market to Strasburg and everywhere in between.
2. Mission
We have two areas of focus:
1) Offer opportunities for residents to experience the wonders of film and filmmaking that is not a byproduct of Hollywood. We use our extensive movie catalog and connections with filmmakers to:
- Increase economic development for businesses
- Raise funds for non-profits or civic organizations
- Enhance educational curriculum for entities that have expressed an academic interest in filmmaking.
2) Raise funds and awareness for the Shenandoah County Public School System theater/drama-related programming.
In early November we host the Strasburg Film Festival. This is an annual event within the town of Strasburg, VA that encourages filmmakers to submit their works of art so that all people will have an opportunity to enjoy their creativity. When we mean “all”, we achieve this by keeping ticket costs low or offering free tickets to families who are on a tight budget.
3. Notification of Series Status
The Organization will inform all entrants whether their submissions have been accepted or not through FilmFreeway
4. Entry Fee
There is no fee.
5. Eligibility
• The Festival accepts submissions that fit into the parameters that are established in each category.
• All submitted material must have a copyright date of 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, or 2015,
• All films whose original language is something other than English must be subtitled or dubbed into English
6. Selection Criteria
• The action of the film should be stories that are culturally authentic, timely, and of universal appeal.
• Film content should be creative, highly original, and demonstrate artistic and technical mastery.
Content must not include:
• Excessive or gratuitous violence, nudity, or profanity as we will be showing these films in an outdoor setting.
• Content that advocates and supports racial, cultural, religious, or gender bias.
7. Formats and Print Traffic
Upon acceptance into our Film Series, the Event Manager will contact the submitter about appropriate exhibition copies of their film.
8. Acceptance
Acceptance is determined by several citizens from within our area.
9. Correspondence
All correspondence to the Shenandoah Film Collaborative management, including entry forms and support materials, must be in the English language.
10. Rulings
The Festival/Event Committee and Shenandoah Film Collaborative Board of Directors reserve the right to rule on cases not covered by these regulations.
11. Fees
Screening fees will NOT be paid by the Shenandoah Film Collaborative for usage. if selected to screen in the festival, the filmmaker grants the Shenandoah Film Collaborative the right to screen the film, even if they withdraw. They agree to follow all rules when they submit.