Download the entry form: BFF 2010 Entry Form – Short Film Section

FAQ’s FOR SHORT FILMS

WHAT MAKES A FILM SUITABLE FOR THE BUSH FILM FESTIVAL?

The film must have had no prior public screenings; must be less than seven minutes and must contain the Bush Film festival signature Item (BSI).  Keep it M15+ or lower rating suitable for our family friendly festival, and that’s about it!

The BSI was introduced to encourage production some of the films received may be heavily inspired by the BSI and others have only small and sometimes hidden references to it. But of course it all comes down to the interpretation. The bush Film Festival helps test the creativity of professional and amateur filmmakers all over the country by challenging them to reference BSIs into their film entries. It’s surprising how filmmakers interpret and incorporate the BSI into their film.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE BUSH FILM FESTIVAL 2010?

The deadline for entries is 5:00pm Friday 26th February 2010. NO EXCEPTIONS.

WHEN IS THE BUSH FESTIVAL HELD?

Bush Film Festival is held in March each year. The 2010 festival will be held on Sunday 7th March.  Monday 8th March is a public holiday in Victoria so come along and enjoy a great evening in downtown Mildura!

WHAT IS THE BUSH FILM FESTIVAL SIGNATURE ITEM (BSI) FOR 2010?

The 2010 BSI is “SMOKE”. Filmmakers may incorporate the BSI into their film in any way they choose – we strongly encourage a creative interpretation of the word!

WHY DOES MY FILM HAVE TO FEATURE THE BSI & HOW CAN I USE IT?

The BSI shows that your film was made specifically for the festival – as one of Bush Film festival aims is to encourage production, not just exhibition. Try to make a film that stands on its own feet and include the BSI as part of the background somewhere. This will also enable your film to have a life after the Bush Film Festival. Occasionally a film based around the BSI is brilliant so don’t let us stop you if yours is one of these!

HOW DO I SUBMIT A SHORT FILM

Fill out the entry form send it to the festival office along with two DVD copies of your film.  Stay tuned to this space for more info!

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM LENGTH FOR NEC BUSH FILM FESTIVAL FILMS?

7 minutes INCLUDING titles and credits.  Any films over 7 minutes will not be eligible for judging.

IS THERE A MINIMUM LENGTH?

No.

CAN I SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE FILM FOR COMPETITION?

Yes – there is no restriction on number of entries.

DOES THE BUSH FILM FESTIVAL ACCEPT METROPOLITAN ENTRIES?

Yes.

DOES BUSH FILM FESTIVAL ACCEPT ANIMATIONS AND CLAYMATIONS?

Yes.

DOES BUSH FILM FESTIVAL ACCEPT DOCUMENTARIES?

Yes.

ARE THERE OTHER RESTRICTIONS?

The Bush Film festival must be your film’s first public screening. This means that the film must not have been screened at any other film festival, on free-to-air or pay TV, the Internet, in cinemas or any other public arena. This restriction does not include cast and crew screenings.

CAN I RE-EDIT A FILM THAT HAS ALREADY SCREENED SO IT FITS THE BUSH FILM FESTIVAL GUIDELINES?

NO! We consider this a different version of the same film, therefore if it has screened previously, it is not eligible for Bush Film Festival

WHAT FORMAT DO I HAVE TO SHOOT ON?

You can shoot on any format you like (or can afford) – from 35mm to Mini DV or mobile phone… whatever is available and within your means.

WHAT FORMAT DO YOU ACCEPT FOR ENTRY?

You must hand in 2 x DVD,  viewing copies. You may record on to any DVD disc that you like e.g. DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, etc. However, Bush Film Festival will NOT accept DVD-RAM. We highly recommend that you do a playback test on a DVD player BEFORE you submit your film.

Further info about DVD formats can be found at http://www.dvdrw.com/information/cetips1.htm

DOES BUSH FILM FESTIVAL PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON SWEARING OR SEXUAL/VIOLENT CONTENT?

The Bush Film Festival receives an M 15+ classification rating from the Office of Film and Literature Classification, so we advise you follow these guidelines. For a complete rundown of the guidelines please visit http://www.oflc.gov.au.

DOES IT COST ANYTHING TO ENTER?

No, it is completely free to enter.

DO I NEED TO APPLY FOR AN ABN NUMBER/REGISTER FOR THE GST?

If you are making your film for Bush Film Festival as a hobbyist – i.e. you are not a professional filmmaker, then it is not a necessity to register for an ABN/GST. If your film makes it to the finals a staff member will discuss your options with you at this time. This is due to the fact that we distribute the finalist and short listed films following the festival. This distribution activity may attract a financial return for the filmmaker (albeit limited!). To obtain professional advice with regard to ABN/GST registration, we recommend you contact your accountant or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 28 61.

DO I HAVE TO OBTAIN COPYRIGHT CLEARANCE FOR THE MUSIC?

YES! The filmmaker must own all copyright for or have written permission to use music, performance and script. If you would like further advice on music, performance or script clearances consult our filmmaker representative on 0422 899000

CAN I USE ANY PIECE OF MUSIC AS LONG AS I HAVE PERMISSION?

You can use most pieces of music granted you have received the necessary permissions. Well known/published music can become very expensive to use. You will need to have cleared rights to use the piece of music in “all media” and in “all territories” (please see BUSH FILM FESTIVAL ENTRY FORM terms and conditions). Bush Film Festival has a network broadcast of the event as well as acting as a Distributor for finalist and short listed films following the festival. You must have cleared all music in order to participate in such activities.

It is important to note that you are not just asking for a “festival clearance” of the music. AMCOS administer the rights for production music libraries and they do have a special festival rate for production music. However, this does not apply to Bush Film Festival films simply because the demand for the films extends beyond the night of the festival.

Try to use local music in your film.   Get on BFF’s Facebook page to get in contact with other sound artists and musicians who are keen to be involved in an entry.

Local musicians and composers can benefit from Bush Film Festival, as well as every one else, and it is usually easier to organise. Don’t limit the life of your film by making hasty music choices or leaving this till the last minute. Music should be one of the first things you consider when planning your production.   Contact us for clarification on any of the above (see “Contacts” page).

WHAT ARE THE PRODUCTION STILLS USED FOR?

If your film makes it to the finals we will require still of the entrants. The stills you provide will be used in publicity materials produced by Bush Film Festival and in our festival catalogue.

WHAT RATIO WILL MY FILM BE SCREENED AT?

Bush Film Festival screens all films in 16:9 ratios. (Letterboxed 4.3 formats are acceptable and will not be distorted for viewing)

WHAT IF MY FILM CONTAINS SUBTITLES?

This is fine; however please bare in mind the film is screened outside in a very large environment, with many audience members a great distance away from the screen. You should double the size of subtitling and avoid yellow shades. White on black is best in terms of visibility.

Conditions of Entry For Short Films

1. Only Australian entries are eligible for the Bush Film Festival competition.

Bush Film Festival is open to all film genres.
If you are unsure of eligibility, please contact the Festival office.

2. The producer grants the Bush Film Festival the rights to:

(a) Exhibit the film in the Bush Film Festival and any subsequent tour
(b) Reproduce the film for inclusion as part of a compilation
(c) Exhibit the production either in part or in total for promotional purposes.

3. The producer warrants to the Bush Film Festival that they have obtained all the necessary permissions to enter this film and that the film does not infringe the rights, including copyright, of any third party.

4. Entries will not be considered valid until the entry fee has been paid. Entries may not be withdrawn once payment is made.

5. Entries, including a completed entry form, 2 DVDs (PAL) must be received by 5pm, Friday 26th February 2010.

6. For our selection process, we require 2 copies of your film on DVDs formatted where possible for multi-zone or for Zone 4. DVDs should be labelled with the title and cases should be labelled with the title, filmmaker’s name, phone number and email.

Check DVDs before sending to make sure they play in their entirety on consumer DVD players and they are glitch-free

7. If your film is selected for the competition you will be sent notification of confirmation no later than 5th Mar 2010.

8. All submitted materials will be returned to the nominated return address if stipulated on your entry form.

9. The Bush Film Festival will pay for the return of participating films for the Festival within Australia. Forwarding films to the Festival is the responsibility of the filmmaker.

10. Whilst the Bush Film Festival will take due care of material entered, the Festival will not be responsible for any loss and/or damage to DVDs, tapes or any submitted material while they are in the possession of the Bush Film Festival.

11. The Bush Film Festival reserves the right to tour a selection of films featured in the Festival. All films entered in the Bush Film Festival must be available for touring. Tour films will be returned after the tour concludes.

12. The Bush Film Festival will only screen productions finished on DVD. If you have any problems, questions or need assistance with these formats please email the Bush Film Festival or phone our film representative on 0422 899 000.

13. Entries are no be no longer than 7 minutes in duration including credits

14. The film must contain reference to the signature item which for 2010 is “SMOKE”, the signature item must be incorporate into the film in some manner. A wide and varied artistic interpretation of the signature item is encouraged.