Submissions for the 2008 Festival’s Wisconsin’s
Own, Wisconsin Student Shorts, and Open Reel categories closed on December 31,
2007. Thank
you to all the filmmakers who have shared their work with us this year.
The call for entries for the 2009
Wisconsin Film Festival will be posted in September 2008. To get up-to-date news
for filmmakers, join the email list by adding your address using the form to
the right.
The Wisconsin Film Festival welcomes narrative,
documentary, experimental, and animated films or videos of any length.
There are three categories:
- Wisconsin’s Own (films of any
length from filmmakers with “Wisconsin ties”)
- Wisconsin Student Shorts (films under 60 minutes by Wisconsin college students or Wisconsin residents
attending college in another state)
- Open Reel (general submissions of any
length, open to all)
We talk about whether films are “a good fit” for the Wisconsin Film Festival,
because it’s hard to define or predict whether something will work in the
program.
We present quality work that may not otherwise
be seen in commercial theaters, and projects outside the mainstream film
industry. We are looking for competence in the filmmaking craft;
work that has vision and spirit; original subjects and well-told stories;
and diverse voices.
The audience is terrific. Attendance in 2007 was 28,700
over just four days. Many folks have been coming since the beginning, and many
make the Festival a priority on their spring calendar. We look for films
that represent different facets of filmmaking, from polished productions
to no-budget gems. Each year’s selection of films is a blend of significant
pictures scouted from around the world, combined
with smaller, under-the-radar works that illustrate a variety of filmmaking styles.
If your film is selected — that unpredictable “good
fit”
— we’ll work hard to ensure that your film is always safely cared
for, that your screening is promoted equally in the Festival program, that we
build a good audience, and that the screening is on time with the best possible
picture and sound quality.
See last year’s complete
film list for a sense of what makes up the Wisconsin Film Festival program.
There are many festivals that share our same interest in sustaining what’s good about
motion pictures. We’re not unique. But the Wisconsin Film Festival is frequently
described as having a relaxed, informal atmosphere, which is certainly true.
We don’t do red carpets, gala events, or have VIP
access. Why? Because the audience knows that what matters is what’s on screen.
This Festival is about bringing great motion pictures — large and small — to
Madison for well-organized screenings in front of enthusiastic (and
usually sold-out) crowds. It’s not about celebrity culture or people paying to
get special access. Ticket prices are low ($7, or $4 for students) and are available
to all.
The theaters are all legit auditoriums, ranging from
155 seats to 1500+. We don’t use make-shift screening locations in places not
suited for film. Whenever possible, films are screened on 35mm or 16mm (in 2007
there were seven film venues). Theaters dedicated to video are equipped for the
Festival with high-quality professional projectors and decks that show clear,
bright images (no HD, though). And all these theaters are close enough to easily
walk between.
Some festivals rely entirely on submissions for their titles.
Others barely bother. A portion of the Wisconsin Film Festival program always
comes from this submission process, as part of our commitment to showcasing emerging
talent.
There is no specific quota to be met in any category, nor
in feature-length vs. short films. Each work is judged solely on its individual
merit. Films shown in other festivals or in limited noncommercial exhibition
are eligible. Preference is given to films without significant exposure in Wisconsin
markets prior to the Festival.
We watch everything that is submitted. We do not farm out
“prescreening” to others (for the Wisconsin categories there
is a prescreening process by Festival staff before films are seen by the jury;
see the downloadable guidelines for more info).
And we write original descriptions of each film for the
program guide, because the audience wants to know what we like about your movie.
If your film is selected, a certain number of tickets to
your film’s
screening(s) will be reserved along with a ticket package for other films.
We of course encourage anyone connected to the production to attend, but the
Festival can only set aside a small number of tickets for each filmmaker. The
Wisconsin Film Festival regrets that it is not able to financially support the
travel expenses of all filmmakers. Acceptance of your film into the Festival
program should not be interpreted as also including travel costs or other expenses.
Your film must have been completed after January 1, 2006.
You can submit more than one film, as long as each work
meets the applicable criteria. Each film must have its own submission form, entry
fee, and DVD/VHS tape.
The Festival will not consider:
- Commercials or advertisements. Music videos. Instructional,
industrial, medical, or institutional films. Video games. Stand-alone trailers.
Films with prior significant theatrical
exhibition, commercial TV broadcast or webcast, or commercial video distribution.
- Films submitted to the Wisconsin Film Festival in
past years.
- Films
completed before January 1, 2006.
- Work that will not be completed by February
15, 2008. The Festival does not include “works in progress” in its
final program.
Feature films (60 min. or more): $30
Short films (less than 60 min.): $20
Student films (any length): $10 (with photocopy of valid student ID)
Student status is counted when your film was created. If
you made your film when you were a student, and have now graduated,
you may still submit that film as a student.
Submissions for the 2008 Festival’s Wisconsin’s
Own, Wisconsin Student Shorts, and Open Reel categories closed on December
31, 2007.
Everyone will be notified of their film’s status
(accepted or not accepted into the Festival) no later than February 15, 2008.
At that time we’ll also notify any Wisconsin filmmakers who are receiving
awards for their work.
Feel free to call (877-963-3456 or 608-262-9009) or email if
you have questions — we look forward to seeing your work!
Meg Hamel, festival director
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