FAQ's

WHEN ARE THE SUBMISSION DEADLINES AND WHAT ARE THE FEES?

These are the dates your packages must arrive at our office in Decatur, Georgia. These are not postmark deadlines.

EARLY SUBMISSION DEADLINE: If your film is completed, send it in early!

U.S. & INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES

U.S. & INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS

OFFICIAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: This is the deadline for films submitted in good standing to arrive in our office. We are open until 6 pm, so you are welcome to bring it by. We appreciate timely submissions so that we can carefully and thoroughly consider your work.

ALL U.S. & INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS

U.S. & INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMS & DOCUMENTARIES

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS DEADLINE: This is the deadline to upload pictures, cast list, long and short description, rights available, director bio and headshot to the website. We prefer this information be uploaded, not sent on paper. If you have an actual photographic production still without a corresponding high resolution digital file, you may mail it in with your submission.

WHAT ARE THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMS?

PREMIERES: An Invitation-Only category of Galas and Special Events featuring films from established directors and production companies.

DRAMATIC AND DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION: One of the best-known and most publicized categories of the festival, exclusively featuring films made in the United States. In this program, 4 Dramatic films and 4 Documentary films compete for Jury and Audience Awards in each category. To be considered for the Dramatic and Documentary Competition, your film must be a WORLD PREMIERE. Films that are not world premieres will be eligible only for other programs in the festival. Eligibility requirements are strictly enforced. Please read these requirements before screening your film at other festivals.


NON-COMPETITION SECTION: A section dedicated to the promotion of independent film. Eligibility requirements are not as strict as the Competition sections - films are allowed to have screened at two other film festivals.

MIDNIGHT SCREENINGS: A series of films that play well at midnight. These are often edgy, sometimes shocking, most always fun. A good place to find the new cult classic.

SHORTS: Culled from the more than three thousand submissions a year, approximately 20 shorts are selected to play before features or in one of five programs. This is a popular and exciting section of the Film Festival that has launched the careers of many writers and directors. Short films may have screened at other festivals, but not been broadcast on television. They may have been broadcast on the Internet.


DO I HAVE TO PICK THE PROGRAM I WANT TO SUBMIT TO?

No. If your film is selected for the Festival, our Programming Staff will determine which program best suits the project. The important thing is to complete the application in its entirety so we have all the information we need.

IS ELIGIBILITY DIFFERENT FOR EVERY PROGRAM?

Eligibility does change per program.
No films may have been broadcast on television. Feature films in any category may not have been broadcast on the Internet. Short films may have been broadcast on the Internet.
Premieres is by invitation only.
Dramatic and Documentary competition films must be world premieres.
Except for short films, films in any of the other programs cannot have played in more than two other festivals. Short films are not limited by the number of festivals at which they have been screened.
Please be aware that in all categories, world premieres and U.S. premieres are preferred.

HOW DO YOU DISTINGUISH "SHORTS" FROM "FEATURES"?

The requirements are different for narrative films and documentaries.

NARRATIVE FILMS
69 minutes or less running length is considered a SHORT
70 minutes or more running length is considered a FEATURE
DOCUMENTARIES
49 minutes or less running length is considered a SHORT
50 minutes or more running length is considered a FEATURE

HOW DO YOU DECIDE IF A FILM IS "AMERICAN" OR "INTERNATIONAL"?

We don't necessarily make this distinction based on locations, actors, subject matter, or script.

Our general rule is any film with 51% or more American financing will be considered an American film. (If you feel your film is an exception to this rule, you may explain why in the text box that is provided on the application).


CAN I SUBMIT MY FILM WITH A "TEMP TRACK" OR "SCRATCH MUSIC"?

"Temp Tracks," "Scratch Music," or "Temp Sound" will be accepted. Again, you should always list directly on the tape box which elements are missing.

MUST I HOLD ALL THE RIGHTS TO THE MUSIC IN MY FILM?

Sundance is not responsible for the rights to the music in your film. You must secure permission from the owners of the music. Many rights-holders will offer the option of "festival rights" which are often less expensive.

DO YOU PROJECT DIGITAL AT THE FESTIVAL?

With the stability of digital standards and equipment changing every year, it is our policy to pursue the latest technology possible - which means we announce our digital projection options only to films that have already been accepted into the Festival, thereby allowing filmmakers and producers the digital choice as they make arrangements to screen at our venues.

As a reference point only, we have projected digital in the past in HD CAM format, Non-Anamorphic, and 1080i/16:9 60i.

HOW MANY FILMS CAN I SUBMIT?

As many as you like. However, each submitted film must have its own VHS tape or DVD, completed Submission Form, Entry Fee, and Supplemental Materials. DO NOT put multiple projects on the same screening tape or DVD (if you do – we will only consider the first project on your tape).

SO WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? WHAT KIND OF FILMS STAND OUT?

We celebrate the independent spirit of great stories. Diverse voices and films that push the limits of style and narrative also excite us.

WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF MY FILM WAS SELECTED?

We will contact you via email the first week of April. Please make sure that the email address you provide will be operational at that time.


DO YOU ACCEPT SUBMISSIONS ON DVD?

Yes, but since universal technical standards don't yet exist for burning and copying DVDs, please read the following carefully. The Breather Film Festival invites all projects in all categories to submit on DVD with the following conditions:

DVDs should be submitted in plastic safe cases. These are the industry standard push-button hub, literature clip, full sleeve for artwork, dark plastic cases. Size is 5 1/4" by 7 1/2". No other cases of any kind will be accepted. If you do send an alternate case it will be discarded and replaced. Please don't waste money or efforts on artwork that fits other cases.

DVDs must be formatted for Region 1 or 0/North America. No other regions are accepted in the submission process, including international projects.

DVDs must be formatted in MPEG video using the codec of your choice. Neither QuickTime (.mov) or Microsoft (.avi) DATA files are accepted.

DVDs should not include labels or stickers of any kind: only laser printed artwork, if any, should be on the disc itself. Many consumer labeling products (like stickers) can actually damage the disc and make it unplayable in our systems. If you are burning a consumer disc please write your Project Title, Contact # on the disc with a black Sharpie pen.

PLEASE test your consumer-burned DVD on several makes and models of players BEFORE sending it to our offices. If in doubt, always send a VHS tape as back-up. Technical problems can delay the completion of your submission.

IF I SUBMIT MY INFORMATION ONLINE AND THEN DON'T SEND A TAPE OR DVD, CAN I GET A REFUND ON THE APPLICATION FEE?

No. The application fee is non-refundable.

If you need further assistance after reading the information above or would like to be put on the Sundance Institute mailing list call the Breather offices at 404-377-6889