Our 2020 Filmmaker submissions have now closed. Announcements coming shortly
Categories
Feature Films
A Feature Film has a total running time over forty (40) minutes in length.
Short Films
Short films are considered to be all films under forty (40) minutes in length.
Films for Young Audiences
Films of any length that have a special appeal for youth or young audiences.
Student Films
Student Short films are considered to be films under forty (40) minutes in length, made while the filmmaker was in college or high school when film was made.
Multicultural Film Entries
A Multicultural Film is a film of any length representing cultural diversity in ethnic origin, in particular for our 2020 season highlighting Asian culture, with preferred focus on Chinese or Korean roots. Film must have either English Subtitles or be dubbed in English.
Documentaries
This category is for documentaries of any length.
Maryland Films
This category is for films of any length that were made in Maryland.
AWARDS & PRIZES
Cash Best Of Fest prize, Anchor Trophies and Laurels Awarded:
Best of Fest Award
Best Director
Best Student Film
Best Actor Short Film
Best Actor Feature Length
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
Audience Choice Award
ENTRY FEES
Fees vary depending on category and submission deadlines. Early submissions offer a lower fee structure.
| EARLYBIRD DEADLINE | TYPE | STANDARD FEE | STUDENT FEE | FF GOLD** |
| January 4, 2020 | Feature Films | 25.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 |
| Short Films/Student Shorts | 15.00 | 15.00 | 10.00 | |
| Films For Young Audiences | 25.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | |
| Multicultural Films | 25.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | |
| Documentary Film | 25.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | |
| Maryland Films | 15.00 | 10.00 | 8.00 | |
| REGULAR DEADLINE | ||||
| January 24, 2020 | Feature Films | 30.00 | 20.00 | 23.00 |
| Short Films/Student Shorts | 20.00 | 20.00 | 15.00 | |
| Films For Young Audiences | 25.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | |
| Multicultural Films | 30.00 | 20.00 | 23.00 | |
| Documentary Film | 30.00 | 20.00 | 23.00 | |
| Maryland Films | 20.00 | 15.00 | 13.00 | |
| LATE DEADLINE | ||||
| February 14, 2020 | Feature Films | 35.00 | 25.00 | 28.00 |
| Short Films/Student Shorts | 25.00 | 25.00 | 20.00 | |
| Films For Young Audiences | 25.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | |
| Multicultural Films | 35.00 | 25.00 | 28.00 | |
| Documentary Film | 35.00 | 25.00 | 28.00 | |
| Maryland Films | 25.00 | 20.00 | 13.00 | |
| EXTENDED DEADLINE | ||||
| March 6, 2020 | Feature Films | 40.00 | 30.00 | 33.00 |
| Short Films/Student Shorts | 30.00 | 30.00 | 25.00 | |
| Films For Young Audiences | 25.00 | 15.00 | 18.00 | |
| Multicultural Films | 40.00 | 30.00 | 33.00 | |
| Documentary Film | 40.00 | 30.00 | 33.00 | |
| Maryland Films | 30.00 | 25.00 | 16.00 | |
| **Film Freeway GOLD members get an additional discount off of regular submission fees. |
GENERAL RULES
(See TERMS AND CONDITIONS below for full details)
Films must be a premiere in Columbia, Maryland.
Entry fee is non-refundable.
Entry fee is non-refundable.
Narrative and documentary feature films must have a run time of a minimum of 40 minutes. Narrative and documentary short films must have a run time of under 40 minutes.
Press Kits are not required, but requested with each entry.
Online Screener Submissions preferred, however DVDs are accepted.
All films submitted must be free from any legal dispute and filmmaker must have cleared all rights for music and public exhibition.
Student Films/Student Entry Fees: Student will be considered by High School and College/University students who have completed the film primarily through a course of film study. STUDENT ENTRIES MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PHOTOCOPY OR SCAN OF A CURRENT AND VALID STUDENT ID CARD OR A LETTER FROM AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL VERIFYING ENROLLMENT AT THE TIME OF FILMING.
Submissions to the Columbia Film Festival must not be scheduled for theatrical release and/or must not be scheduled for broadcast on television prior to June 30, 2020
Submissions must be in English or subtitled in English.
Columbia Film Festival will notify Filmmakers by approximately March 23, 2020 if their film has been accepted to the Columbia Film Festival.
Columbia Film Festival reserves the right to modify its format, film categories and programming as required.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
To the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this document are true. I have read, understood and complied with all eligibility requirements of the categories for which I would like this film to be considered, and I agree to the terms outlined in the General Festival Rules for the Columbia Festival, Inc. dba Columbia Film Festival I further represent that:
- I am duly authorized to submit this film to the Columbia Film Festival and, if selected as a participant, will deliver the Exhibition Format DVD, Blue-Ray or .MOV (Quicktime) copy to the Festival office no later than May 1, 2020.
- The Columbia Film Festival is accepting entries with a production completion date of January 1, 2018 or later. Do not submit works-in-progress, rough cuts or incomplete films.
- A film will not be considered in multiple categories. The entrant must select the appropriate category at time of submission.
- Films must be a premiere in Columbia, Maryland.
- Student Films/Student Entry Fees: Student will be considered by Hight School and College/University students who have completed the film primarily through a course of film study. ENTRIES MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PHOTOCOPY OR SCAN OF A CURRENT AND VALID STUDENT ID CARD OR A LETTER FROM AN ACCREDITED SCHOOL VERIFYING ENROLLMENT AT THE TIME OF FILMING.
- Submissions to the Columbia Film Festival must not be scheduled for theatrical release prior to June 30, 2020. Submissions must not be scheduled for broadcast on television prior to June 30, 2020. Submissions must be in English or subtitled in English.
- Narrative and documentary feature films must have a run time of a minimum of 40 minutes. Narrative and documentary short films must have a run time of under 40 minutes.
- The festival accepts both secured online and DVD screeners with a preference for secured online screeners. All DVD entries must be labeled with the title, WAB tracking number, running time and contact information (contact name, e-mail and phone number). This information must be on the DVD itself and on the outer case. Each DVD must have an individual outer case. Please do not send submissions in fiber-filled envelopes, as the dust damages DVD players.
- All DVD entries must be sent with prepaid shipping. Collect or C.O.D. (cash on delivery) shipments are not accepted. Columbia Film Festival will not assume responsibility or accept shipments incurring expenses for terminal charges, duties, taxes or customs brokerage. Please indicate on your shipping bill that all transportation and customs charges will be billed to the sender.
- Films Submitted on DVD and submitted materials will not be returned unless a pre-paid return label is included with a suitable envelope or packaging. Please do not send film prints, master tapes or other originals as entry submissions.
- Columbia Film Festival will make every attempt to contact you if there is damage to an entry, but cannot be held responsible if entry is not considered due to poorly recorded or unplayable media.
- If you require confirmation of receipt of DVD entries, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard.
- If the DVD does not play in an industry standard DVD player and final deadlines have not passed, Columbia Film Festival will make an attempt to contact the applicant based on the contact information supplied at the time of submission in order to obtain a replacement. If a replacement is not available, Columbia Film Festival reserves the right to disqualify the film without refunding the submission fees.
- Columbia Film Festival will attempt, but is under no obligation, to view a submission that arrives after the designated deadline without refund of the submission fee.
- Columbia Film Festival will notify Filmmakers by approximately March 9, 2020 if their film has been accepted to the Columbia Film Festival.
- Multiple versions of the same film will not be considered.
- All applicants must complete the official festival submission form located on FilmFreeway.com.
- A film will not be considered in multiple categories. The entrant must select the appropriate category at time of submission.
- If selected as a participant in the Festival, television ready media clips of the film must be provided by the date provided on notice of selection. I understand that the Festival holds the right to screen my film for Festival screening and promotional purposes and to extract clips from this film for promotional purposes. I understand this may include online streaming of clips on Festival or Festival sponsor sites.
- I understand that the Columbia Film Festival, Columbia Festival, Inc. are not responsible for any type of damage to or loss of the print during screenings, at any other time during the course of the Festival, while the film is in the Festival’s possession or while en route to or from the Festival, and I release The Columbia Film Festival (“Festival”) and Columbia Festival, Inc. from any and all liabilities regarding damage to or loss of the print while en route to/from the Festival or while it is in their possession.
- Submitted films that qualify based on the regulations and eligibility requirements stated here will be seen by Columbia Film Festival programming staff and be considered equally with all other submissions.
- Columbia Film Festival reserves the right to disqualify any film for non-payment of the submission fee. Columbia Film Festival will attempt to contact the applicant based on the contact information supplied at the time of submission in order to resolve non-payment status.
- Columbia Film Festival is under no obligation to provide comments regarding submitted films to any applicant. The festival is not responsible for any internal comments obtained by the applicant regarding their film.
- The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, exhibition, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. This film is not subject to litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Columbia Film Festival, Columbia Festival, Inc, it agents and representatives from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. Columbia Film Festival, Columbia Festival, Inc shall not be responsible for any expenses or related costs incurred by participants to attend Columbia Film Festival and any and all travel related expenses, meals, or other expenses shall be the sole responsibility of the participant.
- Columbia Film Festival reserves the right to modify its format, film categories and programming as required.