Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
4.4$
A documentary film greater than 40 minutes in length
06 Apr 2020
Call for entries
25 May 2020
Early deadline
22 Jun 2020
Standard deadline
01 Jul 2019
Late deadline
01 Jul 2020
Festival closed
01 Sep 2020
Notification date
06 Oct 2020
11 Oct 2020
Cash Prizes: 8,000$
The Chagrin Documentary Film Festival is extremely pleased to present significant cash prizes to CDFF award-winning documentary filmmakers as part of the 2020 Festival. The winners will be announced at the Festival Awards ceremony on Saturday, October 10, 2020 and funds totaling $15,000 will be presented.
ANNOUNCING: In recognition of CDFF's mission to honor the passion of the documentary filmmaker, Gravitas Ventures will guarantee distribution in the United States with a non-binding offer (from Filmmaker perspective) for distribution into over 100 million homes for winners of both The Best of Fest and Emerging Filmmaker Awards. Gravitas Ventures will further guarantee that they with release the films within 6 months of the festival dates.
** CDFF reserves the right to schedule additional screenings of award-winning films.
- The David Ponce Best of the Fest award will include a $5,000 prize.
- True to its mission to support and empower filmmakers to tell their stories, the Festival’s Emerging Filmmaker Award winner will be presented with a $1,500 prize.
- A $1,000 prize will be given as part of the award for these additional categories: Best Feature, Best Student, Social Awareness, Local Documentary, Human Spirit Award and Short Documentary.
- The Audience Choice award winner will receive $500.
The Chagrin Documentary Film Festival (CDFF) is a celebration of the spirit of the documentary filmmaker, video artists and those working with the moving image from around the world and around the corner.
GENERAL RULES
1. Dates and Venue
(CDFF) will take place in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA between October 6 and October 11, 2020.
2. Competition
The Festival reserves the right to place entries into alternative categories if they feel it is to the benefit of the title. Each submission must be entered separately. Entries will be assessed and successful submissions will be programmed for screening and enter the Festival competition.
3. Formats
For the selection process, we accept online screeners ONLY.
Please note: if accepted, we require a ProRes file 1080 either via upload or thumb drive.
ACCEPTED FILMS NOT IN THE REQUIRED FORMAT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM COMPETITION AND SCHEDULE.
Please address your entry to:
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival
PO Box 239
Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022
4. The Festival committee reserves the right to invite films for the competition and program. The final award-winning entries will be selected by a Festival Jury. The winners in each category to be announced on Oct 6, 2020 in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, USA. CDFF reserves the right to schedule additional screenings of award-winning films.
5. Entry Returns
Submissions copies will not be returned unless requested. To ensure your submission copy is returned include a postage paid envelope.
6. Screenings
It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure that films for screening are deposited with the Festival organizers at least 30 days before any scheduled screening. The Festival DOES NOT pay screening fees.
7. We reserve the right to use submissions for festival publicity and marketing purposes. Submitted films may be used for Festival and post-festival screenings for 12 months.
8. The administrator's decision is final.
Chagrin Documentary Film Festival (CDFF) is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes for a period of 12 months. The Festival does not pay screening fees for any film submitted to the festival.
The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
By submitting, you indemnify and hold harmless the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival 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.
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
A documentary film greater than 40 minutes in length
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
A documentary film which is the first by the director or directors of the film. Film lengths of 30 minutes or more.
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
A documentary film on any subject with a length of less than 40 minutes
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
A documentary film with the primary subject matter dealing with an environmental issue or topic. Length of 30 minutes or greater.
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
A documentary film with the primary subject matter highlighting the power of the human spirit or a story which demonstrates the human spirit. Length of 30 minutes or greater.
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
A documentary film directed by a student enrolled in high school or college level study. Film may be of any length.
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
A film produced by a filmmaker who resides in Northeast Ohio or a film which deals directly with local (Ohio) subject matter.
Submissions deadline
01 Jul 20
Mockumentary genre films : fictional films that follow the conventions of a documentary with an element of comedy , irony or sarcasm.
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