Will the SAICFF accept a work-in-progress or rough-cut of my film?
The SAICFF does not accept work-in-progress submissions. If selected as a semi-finalist the version of the film that was originally submitted will be the version judged and shown at the Festival.
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Are animated submissions accepted?
Definitely. They may be submitted for any of the categories (Feature, short, documentary, commercial advertisement, promotional media). You can read more on the Film Categories page.
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Do you accept films in languages other than English?
Yes, we accept foreign language films. We do, however, request that English subtitles be made available.
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Doesn’t “theological accuracy” depend on denomination? Is there such a thing as “sound biblical worldview” in today’s mish-mash of religion?
Yes, we believe that there is such a thing as objective truth and sound theological worldview. Our standard for interpretation of what constitutes such is the Word of God. In stating that we will be evaluating a film for theological accuracy, we do not mean to imply that it is the purpose of this film festival to nitpick over micro-points of Christian theology. On the other hand, we do believe that Christian films should communicate reality consistent with the fundamentals of orthodox Christianity. For example, orthodox Christianity maintains that God is a Trinity, that there is no mediator between God and man but Jesus Christ, that our God is a sovereign God, that man is a sinner in need of redemption and that the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, all-sufficient standard for doctrine and practice. (You can read more statements on biblical orthodoxy on the Vision Forum Ministries site.) It is our prayer that our filmmakers will do no violence to the precious truths of Scripture, but will in fact make films which resonate with the Word of God.
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Is it acceptable to send a Digital 8 tape instead of MiniDV or a VHS tape instead of a DVD?
Regretfully, we do need to stick to our format guidelines. If you do not have the tools to produce and render to DVD, you may need to contact a local company that could handle the transfer for you. This can usually be done for a reasonable fee.
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Is it possible to get a copy of the SAICFF logo for use in an official Trailer Competition entry?
Yes. The logo artwork is available through the Image Logo Page page.
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Under what category would a "book-to-film" production go?
"Book-to-film" productions are strongly encouraged and can be submitted under the Short Film, Documentary, or Feature Film categories. Book to film adaptations will only be considered if the book is either in the public domain or accompanied by written permission from the copyright holder of the original material.
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Some DVD players are unable to play newer DVD formats, such as DVD-R and DVD+R. How can player compatibility be guaranteed?
It is our intention that our judges will be able to view the DVDs on newer players. As a preventitive measure, you may want to test your DVD on one or more DVD players. We do not anticipate problems, but if they arise we will take measures to work with our applicants to find simple solutions to the problem.
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What are the legalities surrounding the usage of music and sound that one has not recorded or performed personally? Must one own the rights to a performed piece of music or a sound effect if intended for use in film?
Our concern is that you take due diligence to make certain that you are not using material that belongs to others without appropriate permission to do so. Written permission from the person or company who holds the rights to a work normally satisfies the copyright requirement.
The nature of a film festival is that it is not just “family and friends” but the general public. If your film is selected as a finalist, it will be shown at the festival. Because, for example, the festival requires the sale of tickets, your film must only include sound and images which you have produced yourself, purchased, or been given the rights to use.
Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of this festival to offer training on federal copyright and intellectual property laws. We are not establishing the rules on these matters, only asking that you follow the laws of intellectual property. If you have a question regarding copyright law, you may need to consult an attorney or do the online research to see what requirements are appropriate for your goals.
Music and sound is a challenge for the low-budget independent filmmaker, but it is one which must be creatively surmounted. Three options should be considered: (a) Create your own soundtrack; (b) Purchase stock sound and music from one of the many online resources which license the use of such; and (c) Write and get permission from the source whose music you would like to use.
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What aspect ratio should be used in submissions? Widescreen or full-screen?
Submissions may be sent in any standard aspect ratio — for example, 4:3 or 16:9 (standard NTSC television picture and widescreen, respectively). Choose what you believe will offer the best presentation of your film.
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Why wasn't my film selected as a semi-finalist?
It is the policy of the SAICFF not to comment on reasons for acceptance or rejection. Films are evaluated based on their technical merits, their adherence to the Objectives and Guidelines, and the Entry Rules. Competition each year is extremely rigorous, and we receive many more films than we are able to show.
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My film was not selected last year. Can I submit it again?
Yes, but only if it has changed significantly. The new version must be a complete reworking of the previous version that was submitted—not simply minor tweaks or edits.
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My film was not selected. Can I get feedback from the judges concerning my film?
Regretfully, no. Due to the large number of submissions received we are unable to provide any feedback concerning films submitted. To learn more about the criteria used to evaluate film submissions we encourage you to download the audio message How to Win the $101,000 Best of Festival Award (track #16) from BlueBehemoth.com. We also recommend that you consider attending the Christian Filmmakers Academy where we specifically address these issues in detail.
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