Beneathearth Film Festival

Why Submit

• Because most festivals can only reach so many people several films come and go, missing out on a larger audience. So we're accepting films from 1990 to 2012 and are using the Web to bring those films to an audience they have yet to reach.
• We know that film relies heavily on word-of-mouth. No matter how big a film's advertising budget, if people aren't talking about a movie, tickets won't sell. So unlike other festivals, we've comprised our Grand Jury of film reviewers (who collectively reach over 1.1 Million people each month) with the goal of getting the Web talking about the winning films.
• We collate the Grand Jury reviews for our winners to include in their press kits.
• Being online means your film is viewed by a global audience. Our site visitors come from 90 different countries.
• If selected as a finalist, your film will only be showcased online for a limited time, up to 31 days to be exact, a window small enough to still allow for distribution.

Categories

• Feature Film (over 60 minutes, all genres)
• Narrative Short (under 60 minutes, all genres)
• Documentary Short (under 60 minutes, all genres)
• Animated Short (under 60 minutes, all genres)
• Music Video (music video under 15 minutes, all genres)
• Experimental Short (under 60 minutes, all genres)

Awards

A Best Film and Audience Award is given out in each category. The Best Film is determined by Grand Jury vote while the Audience Award is determined by public vote.

Our Grand Jury will also determine a Best Film Overall Award will be determined across categories and will receive a $1000 cash award.

All winners, both Best Film and Audience Award winners, will receive the opportunity to have their film reviewed by our Grand Jury.

Deadlines

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Standard Time) on the defined deadline day. Entries submitted through Without A Box must be submitted by 11:59 PM PST. The mailed portion of an entry must be postmarked by the deadline day.

• Early Bird Deadline: June 1, 2012
• Regular Deadline: July 31, 2012
• Late Deadline: August 15, 2012
• Extended Deadline: August 31, 2012

Fees

Each entry must be accompanied by the appropriate entry fee. Entry fees are not refundable. Fees cover submission, notification that your entry has been received and notification of the result. These fees may be paid by credit card through Without a Box (WAB) or PayPal on our online form (VISA, MasterCard, or American Express) or paid by Money Order. Make money orders payable to Beneath the Earth Films.

• Early Bird Deadline: $30.00 (with WAB discount)
• Regular Deadline: $35.00 (with WAB discount)
• Late Deadline: $40.00 (with WAB discount)
• Extended Deadline: $45.00 (with WAB discount)

Without a Box Discount

A $5 discount can be applied to the entry fee for entrants with upgraded projects submitting via Without A Box.

Student Discount

An additional $5 discount can be applied to the entry fee for student entrants. Students must submit proof of their student status (i.e., copy of student ID, transcript, etc.) with their submission to qualify. The film will only qualify for student status if the director of the film is a matriculated student at a college or university. A student need not be enrolled in a film and television program to receive the discount, they must simply be enrolled in a college or university.

International Entries

For all entries outside the U.S., Money Orders are accepted provided that the money order is drawn on a U.S. correspondent bank and is in U.S. dollars.

Guidelines

• All films can be entered, regardless of previous screenings and awards.
• Beneath the Earth accepts films produced in 1990 through 2012.
• Films may not be widely commercially available on video/DVD in the U.S. before being submitted to the festival.
• Contestants can submit (1) one film to multiple categories, (2) multiple films to the same category (3) or multiple films to multiple categories. Each category submission, however, requires a separate entry form and fee.
• Films can be submitted on DVD (NTSC or PAL). Please do not send film prints, master tapes, or other originals.
• The production's title must be on each case and DVD.
• Films can also be submitted through online methods i.e. the Without A Box screener, a password protected link on a video hosting site like YouTube or Vimeo or a digital format of the film can be submitted via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or a file transfer site (i.e. YouSendit).
• If submitting a digital version of Your film, acceptable formats are .mov, .wmv, .flv.
• All entries must be either in English or contain English subtitles.
• The Festival also requests press materials if available.
• All entrants must agree to the Festival Terms before submitting their entries.
• Please submit a copy of the online form receipt along with the submission.
• If you want your screener returned, you must include a self-addressed, stamped and padded envelope.
• Only complete entries (including entry form, payment, and screener) will be processed.
• It is advised that you keep a photocopy of the completed application for your own reference.
• Beneath the Earth is not responsible for items that are lost in USPS or other delivery services. You are encouraged to secure delivery confirmation to ensure receipt of your submission.

Shipping

The cost of shipping an entry to the Festival must be paid by the entrant. Collect or COD shipments will not be accepted. All international entries must be sent "free domicile" with all transportation charges, duties, and taxes prepaid by the shipper.

Announcement of the Winners

At the end of September you will be notified via email that we have received your submission and whether or not you've been selected as a finalist.

IMDB Qualifying

Beneath the Earth Film Festival is an IMDB qualifying festival. All Eligible films entered are granted a NO Hassle title page on IMDB.com.

Submit

Submit your film through our form or Without a Box.