Submission Guidelines

All films submitted to Charleston International Film Festival are selected by our festival selection committee, which evaluates each film, looking for excellence in quality and originality in new independent cinema. The festival will showcase 40+ of the most auspicious non-studio films, which include features, shorts and documentaries. The 2008 Charleston International Film Festival will be held on May 1 - 4, 2008.  All winners will be announced at the Closing Awards Ceremony to be held on Sunday, May 4th, including the winner of the Screenplay Competition.  Please see all guidelines and requirements below.

Requirements for Film Consideration

The following materials must be received by March 1, 2008:

• Screener (VHS or DVD – NTSC format only)
• Completed submission forms
• Submission fees

Film Status:

• Feature films must be 50 minutes and over in length.
• Short films must not exceed 50 minutes in length.
• The festival will accept films of all genres.
• The festival will consider all films regardless of any commercial, theatrical or television play in the US.
• World and US premieres are not required.
• All films in a language other than English must be subtitled in English for festival presentation.
• Works-in-progress will be considered.

Upon acceptance, filmmakers must deliver final format for festival screening.

Requirements for Selected Films

The following is a list of items needed for films, which will be screened at the 2008 CIFF.

• For maximum exposure of your film, the festival will require 2 press kits with photos and stills (color or black and whites), clip reels, film trailers, posters and postcards.
• Biographies and headshots of the Director and Writer of your film.
• Synopsis of film (3 sentences or less)
• Final format of your film

**All Submission Fees Due by March 1, 2008**

Do not send cash.  Payment in US dollars may be made by check, money order, Visa or MasterCard. Checks or money orders should be made payable to Charleston International Film Festival in US Dollars only. International entrants who do not pay by credit card must use an international money order paid in US dollars through a US bank.

Film Entry Fees:

• Feature films & Documentaries:
  Received by February 1st - $50
  Received by March 1st - $70

• Shorts:
  Received by February 1st - $40
  Received by March 1st - $60

The Festival is not responsible for the damage to tapes incurred in shipping. All preview tapes and submitted press materials will not be returned. Absolutely no exceptions will be permitted.

Screenwriting Competition

The festival is also accepting screenplays for its screenwriting competition. Awards will be given at our awards night ceremony held on May 4th, 2008 and winners will be announced on our official website.

We will be accepting screenplays of all lengths and genres. Fee to enter the screenplay competition is $45. All screenplays must be submitted by hard copy and received no later than February 1, 2008.