The Royal Film Commission Jordan | OPPORTUNITIES BULLETIN #210 November 2020

N.B. The information below is provided directly by the organizers of events, festivals, audio-visual organizations or independent film projects. The Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) cannot be held accountable for it.

In this bulletin:

1. Call for submissions: Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2021
2. Call for entries: Sheffield Doc/Fest
3. Call for submissions: The First Time Filmmaker Showcase
4. Call for submissions:  Montreal International Animation Film Festival
5. Call for submissions: Santa Barbara International Film Festival
6. Call for submissions: The Women’s Voices Now Online Film Festival
7. Call for submissions: Toronto Short Film Festival

The 2021 Hot Docs Festival is scheduled for April 29 - May 9. Given the ongoing reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival is currently planning a hybrid festival experience that offers both online steaming and in-cinema screenings, held in accordance with applicable public health guidelines. Should the situation with the pandemic change, contingency plans will be in place to expand or limit in-cinema presentations, as required.

Eligibility:

• Must have been completed after January 1, 2020
• Features and mid-length films must be at minimum Ontario premieres (i.e. cannot have been screened publicly in Ontario prior to the 2021 Festival, including broadcast versions of any length or in any language)
• Short films must be at minimum Toronto premieres (i.e. cannot have been screened publicly in Toronto prior to the 2021 Festival. Short films available online are considered Toronto premieres.)
• Features and mid-lengths must not be available online in any form, for any period of time, to Ontario audiences prior to the 2021 Festival (this includes DVDs for purchase or VOD of any length or language) - not applicable for short film submissions
• Must be in English, subtitled in English or English versioned (non-English language films may be submitted with an English transcript; however, if selected for Hot Docs, it must be subtitled or dubbed into English at the applicant’s expense)
• May not have submitted to the Festival previously in any stage of completion (i.e. films that were submitted as rough cuts will not be reconsidered)

For more information please visit: https://www.hotdocs.ca/i/submit-a-film

Through supporting and sharing non-fiction storytelling, Doc/Fest aims to provide a creative space for discovery, challenge and collaboration. As an internationalist and inclusive festival, the Doc/Fest embodies a commitment to equality and access for all communities, bringing together established or new creative voices, and our host city to shape and question stories of the world we live in.

The Sheffield Doc/Fest Film programme offers filmmakers a place for inspiration, debate, growth and challenge and a relevant international platform to launch their films and art works. It engages audiences with a multitude of forms, ideas, ways of doing and thinking, through World, International, European and UK premieres, and through its historical and retrospective programmes. The festival screens over 180 films of all lengths – with the 2020 programme encompassing works from 50 countries around the world, with 49 spoken languages represented.

Sheffield Doc/Fest looks to question the boundaries of documentary through a programme that challenges trends, brings diversity and enriches debate. The festival invites audiences to engage with experiences and stories from different parts of our world and to join the makers in inspiring moments.

Please first read the entry guidelines below which will give you further information about the eligibility criteria, selection process and notification dates :

Film Entry Guidelines 2021

Deadline: January 15, 2021

For more information, please visit: https://sheffdocfest.com/view/entries

3. Call for submissions: The First Time Filmmaker Showcase

You will be joined by other first-time filmmakers in similar positions as yourself, looking to gain an insight into the film industry and how it runs. As well as giving you the support you need to get your work seen, it is also crucial that you meet with other filmmakers in the industry, build relationships for potential collaborations, and receive constructive feedback on your work. At this showcase, you will meet with producers and storytellers from all sections of the industry, all keen to see your project and support your future ambitions.

This initiative has been created to give filmmakers on their initial journey the showcase, the tools, the platform and advice to build their careers from the right starting point, helping first-time filmmakers to realise their professional lives within film.

Rules & Terms:

Invitations will only be offered to filmmakers (and their production teams) who have been selected by the in-house judges during the submissions process.

No other restrictions for your work. This includes your works premier status, it's age and/or whether your work has been made available online.

Deadline: December 1, 2021

For more information, please visit: https://filmfreeway.com/FirstTimeFilmmakerShowcase

ANIMAZE is the Montreal-based international animation film festival and industry conference providing a showcase for animators and animation producers to showcase and market their works including technology and anything animated in the digital landscape as a digital art or even for research purposes in the field of science.

Filmmakers are invited from all over the world to submit their works in a wide range of genres and styles. The festival converges in Montreal and in Cannes France as Animation Day in Cannes, engaging audiences developing new opportunities in the fastest growing and morphing cinema art form; animation.

ANIMAZE is registered non-profit organization with feature animation film as its prime focus. ANIMAZE is an animation industry conference, workshops for animators, producers network, cocktail networking and ANIMAZE DAZE international co-production incentive. For independent filmmakers festival strategy workshops.

Deadline: January 15, 2021

For more information, please visit: https://filmfreeway.com/MontrealInternationalAnimationFilmFestivalANIMAZE 

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is an eleven-day event held in the seaside city of Santa Barbara, California.

SBIFF has devoted sections for documentaries that address social justice issues, nature and oceanography, food and wine, and the performing arts. In addition to showcasing a diverse spectrum of films, tributes and galas. SBIFF also offers seminars with industry professionals including Directors, Writers, Producers and Women in the Business Panels, as well as Q&A sessions with a diverse selection of filmmakers.

SBIFF has established itself as one of the premiere international film festivals and look forward to building on that success in 2021 and creating opportunities for participants to network with some of the world's leading independent distributors and filmmakers. In addition to expanding the slate each year to highlight emerging genres, styles and regions, SBIFF is growing a free children's educational and community outreach programs which cumulatively serves over 18,000 students and families.  

Rules & Terms:

• Entry fee is non-refundable.
• Priorities are for US and World Premieres.
• Films that have been publicly broadcast in the United States and/or films that are publicly streaming online prior to the 2021 film festival are not eligible.
• Finished projects must be completed no earlier than November 2019 to be eligible for the 2021 film festival.
• No music videos or commercials.
• More than one entry may be submitted.
• If your feature film is selected, you will be asked to provide: digital stills from the film; digital press materials; and three 27x40 printed poster (no other poster size will be allowed).
• Films produced in languages other than English must have legible English subtitles.

Deadline: December 11, 2020

For more information on these and other SBIFF programs at www.sbiff.org

The Film Festival promotes women women’s and girls’ rights around the world, by:

• Providing a platform for emerging filmmakers telling essential, authentic stories
• Supporting them with cash prizes and visibility
• Connecting them with each other

Eligibility:

To be accepted into the festival, your film must:

• Address or shine light upon issues affecting women and/or girls through a social-change lens.

There is no time limit by which the film must have been completed, but preference will be given to relevant and salient subject matter.

Deadline: December 16, 2020

For more information, please visit: https://www.womensvoicesnow.org/film-festival-info/

7. Call for submissions: Toronto Short Film Festival

The 2021 Toronto Short Film Festival will have space for dozens of short films, music videos and short documentaries. The festival is open to any film in any genre under 50 minutes in length. The festival prioritizes low-budget films of independent spirit and exciting new talent.

Rules & Terms

The Toronto Short Film Festival is open to short films from any country which are under 50 minutes in length.

Deadline: December 11, 2020

 For more information, please visit: http://www.torontoshort.com/submit/