Festival start: 01 March 2022
Festival end: 13 March 2022
Cinequest was voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers. Cinequest programs 85-90% of its festival from paid submissions annually, the highest percentage of the world's most influential film festivals.
"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place." - Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner
Cinequest Film & VR Festival (CQFF) will occur both Live in San Jose / Silicon Valley and Globally via its proprietary Virtual platform. Cinequest has been a leader in building community, audiences, and opportunity for film and filmed media via groundbreaking tech and paradigms for decades and will continue the golden combination of live and online post pandemic.
Cinequest Film & VR Festival (CQFF) in San Jose / Silicon Valley: Set in the home of the world’s most influential media technology companies (Apple, Cisco, Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, LinkedIn, Occulus etc.) CQFF showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology—empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences. Last year Cinequest hosted the World or U.S. Premiere of 132 films from 55 countries including a robust showcases of Mexican, Central and South American, Spanish, Indian, and Chinese Cinema. CQFF has led the world in its showcase and implementation of the technologies that have revolutionized film making, exhibition and distribution. CQFF’s blend of the artist and innovator gains focus through its Maverick Awards. Its Maverick Spirit Awards recognizes artists (Harrison Ford, Nicolas Cage, Elle Fanning, J.J. Abrams, Tatiana Maslany, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bill Nighy, Ben Kingsley, Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee, James Franco, Neil Gaiman, and Sir Ian McKellen are among the guest recipients). Its Maverick Innovator Award recognizes technologists (including Martin Cooper, father of the cell phone, and Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple Inc.). A Maverick stands apart from the crowd willing to create and innovate from a place of personal yet global vision.
Cinequest connects artists, innovators, media, and audiences—as people converge to experience a potent mix of immersive stories from around the globe and breakthrough technologies. Yet, Cinequest’s stellar reputation not only hinges on its knack for creating a powerful line-up, but also for securing distribution for many of its honored filmmakers. Netflix, IFC Films, Amazon, MSNBC Films, Oscilloscope, Sony Pictures, Magnolia Pictures, Kino-Lorber, eOne, Lionsgate, PBS, and HBO are just a few of the many that have signed deals with some of Cinequest's success stories.
Also, as an Academy-qualifying festival for the short film categories, Cinequest is proud to honor the winners of its Best Short Narrative and Best Short Animation prizes with a shot at every filmmaker's dream...Oscar gold.
"This festival is one that sets the trends and is actually ahead of the trends. Other festivals are copying Cinequest; I see it all the time."-- Chris Gore (Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide)
Exhibiting unique social and artistic visions from around the globe, Cinequest’s dynamic festival engages audiences in thought-provoking dialogue, giving film artists and film lovers alike an opportunity to connect. Furthermore, Cinequest provides cutting edge technology and movie-making forums to empower professionals and students.
JUST A FEW OF THE BIG FILMS & VR WHICH HAVE BEEN A PART OF CINEQUEST’S PROGRAM:
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (dir. Terry Gilliam; starring Adam Driver, Jonathan Pryce)
Hotel Mumbai (dir. Anthony Mara; starring Armie Hammer, Dev Patel)
The Public (dir. Emilio Estevez; starring Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone)
Teen Spirit (dir. Max Minghella; starring Elle Fanning)
Beirut (dir. Brad Anderson; starring Rosamund Pike, Jon Hamm)
Borg/McEnroe (dir. Janus Metz; starring Shia LeBeouf)
Krystal (dir. William H Macy; starring Nick Robinson, Rosario Dawson)
Submergence (dir. Wim Wenders; starring James McAvoy)
What They Had (dir. Elizabeth Chomko; starring Hilary Swank, Michael Shannon)
The Humanity Bureau VR (starring Nicolas Cage)
JUST A FEW OF THE CINEQUEST WORLD AND U.S. PREMIERES WHICH HAVE RECEIVED DISTRIBUTION:
I Love You Both, dir. Doug Archibald (narrative, Magnolia Pictures)
East Side Sushi, dir. Anthony Lucero (narrative, Sony Pictures)
Midnight Clear, dir. Dallas Jenkins (narrative, Lionsgate)
Fixed, dir. Alonso Mayo (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Witch Hunt, dir. Don Hardy, Dana Nachman (documentary, MSNBC Films)
Mine 9, dir. Eddie Mensore (narrative, Raven Banner Entertainment)
Temps, dir. Ryan Sage (narrative, FilmBuff)
A Beginner’s Guide to Snuff, dir. Mitch Altieri (narrative, Indican Pictures)
Dear Zachary, dir. Kurt Kuenne (documentary, Oscilloscope Pictures)
Buddy Solitaire, dir. Kuang Lee (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Dependent’s Day, dir. Michael David Lynch (narrative, Freestyle Digital)
Lost Solace, dir. Chris Scheuerman (narrative, Raven Banner Entertainment)
Friends Effing Friends Effing Friends, dir. Quincy Rose (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Search Engines, dir. Russell Brown narrative, (Indican Pictures)
ToY, dir. Patrick Chapman (narrative, Gravitas Ventures)
Wake, dir. Ellie Kanner (narrative, E1 Entertainment)
Blood Car, dir. Alex Orr (narrative, TLA Releasing)
Love in the Time of Monsters (narrative, Indican Pictures)
The Skeptic, dir. Tennyson Bardwell (narrative, IFC Films)
On the Doll, dir. Thomas Mignone (narrative, Peace Arch)
El Camino, dir. Erik Weigel (narrative, Lifesize Entertainment)
Family Inc, dir. Emily Ting (documentary, Seventh Art Releasing)
Monster Camp, dir. Cullen Hoback (documentary, Lifesize Entertainment)
Critical Condition, dir. Roger Weisberg (documentary, PBS)
The Nature of Existence, dir. Roger Nygard (documentary, Walking Shadows)
The Brainwashing of My Dad, dir. Jen Senko (documentary, Gravitas Ventures)
God Knows Where I Am, dir. Jed Wider, Todd Wider (documentary, BOND360)
Bel Borba Aqui, dirs. Burt Sun, Andre Costantini (documentary, Oscilloscope)
Awards & Prizes
Festival Awards include:
* Best Feature Film: Drama
* Best Feature Film: Comedy
* Best Documentary Feature
* Best Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror Feature Award
* Global Vision Award
* Visionary Award (for the New Visions category)
* Audience Award for Feature Narrative
* Audience Award for Feature Documentary
* Best Short Narrative Film
* Best Short Animated Film
* Best Short Documentary Film
* Best College Short Film
* Best High School Film
* Best Long Form Television Episode or Webisode
* Best Short Form Television Episode or Webisode
* Best Music Video
REGULATIONS & REQUIREMENTS: Cinequest continues to present and discover hundreds of international films and filmmakers. This prestigious event gives emerging filmmakers an opportunity to gain the recognition necessary to launch distribution and promotional campaigns.
ROUGH CUTS OR WORKS-IN-PROGRESS FOR SUBMISSIONS ARE ACCEPTED AS LONG AS THE COMPLETED FILM WILL BE READY IN TIME FOR THE FESTIVAL DATES.
SCREENINGS: If selected, filmmaker authorizes Cinequest to conduct up to four (4) theatrical screenings during the Cinequest Film & VR Festival.
FESTIVAL SECTIONS: By submitting to Cinequest, filmmakers will be submitting for consideration to all of the following sections for which their film qualifies with ONE submission fee:
Narrative and Documentary Feature Films:
If submitting to any of the following categories, you need only submit once. The programming team will consider your project for any category for which is qualifies. You do not need to pay more than one fee to submit to multiple categories.
Comedy Feature Competition * Dramatic Feature Competition * Thriller, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror Competition * New Visions Competition * Global Landscapes Competition * Documentary Feature Competition
Narrative and Documentary Short Films:
Short Film Competition * College Short Film Competition * High School Film Competition
Narrative and Documentary Virtual Reality Projects (all lengths):
Virtual Reality Competition and Awards
Narrative and Documentary Television or Webisodes:
Television Episode / Webisode Competitions (Long Form or Short Form)
Music Videos:
Music Video Competition.
PLEASE NOTE: All films qualify for Audience Awards.
MARKETING AND PUBLICITY: Cinequest’s publicity and marketing teams will craft a specific promotional campaign for the film program. To assist in this campaign, filmmakers will be responsible for providing the following materials by January deadlines to Cinequest, if selected to participate:
* Digital images
* EPKs
* Secure Online Screener OR NTSC DVD media screeners of their film
* Trailers and film clips
* Any other marketing materials you wish to be used to promote your film (NOTE: The publicity team will send a more specific list once films are selected)
FILM FORMATS AND SHIPMENT: Filmmaker must provide one of the following screening formats for the Cinequest festival screening:
* DCP
If a film is selected, the participating filmmakers will be responsible for covering the costs of the shipment of the film to Cinequest. Cinequest will cover the return shipment costs to the filmmaker. If a film is being shipped to another festival, the receiving festival must pay for shipping.
RELEASE: Cinequest (San Jose) is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. 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. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Cinequest Film Festival (San Jose) 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.
DRAMATIC FEATURE COMPETITION
Short and Feature Films >45'
Fee-8%
Early55$50.6$
13 Aug 21
Standard65$59.8$
15 Oct 21
Late70$64.4$
12 Nov 21
Extended80$73.6$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
5.2$
Submit
Cinequest’s Dramatic Feature Competition is comprised of U.S. and International features demonstrating adventurous, engaging or personal stories that resonate with audiences. Films are selected based on artistic vision and/or compelling or unique story-telling. Cinequest embraces and programs a widely diverse line-up of cultural and artistic perspectives.
COMEDY FEATURE COMPETITION
Short and Feature Films >45'
Fee-8%
Early55$50.6$
13 Aug 21
Standard65$59.8$
15 Oct 21
Late70$64.4$
12 Nov 21
Extended80$73.6$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
5.2$
Submit
Cinequest’s Comedy Feature Competition looks for movies that put a smile on your face and send a packed house into hysterics. Cinequest welcomes all types of U.S. and International comedies, including the highly original to the more genre driven (such as rom-com). Both the dark and edgy as well as the uplifting and inspirational comedy can succeed; regardless, effective story-telling is applauded. At Cinequest, audiences love to laugh and celebrate humor.
Electrifying genre films have a sterling showcase via Cinequest’s Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror Feature Competition. Cinequest looks for features that blend strong story-telling and new perspectives--while thrilling or engaging audiences with exciting new worlds that push boundaries and/or comment on our culture.
GLOBAL LANDSCAPES FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Short and Feature Films >45'
Fee-8%
Early55$50.6$
13 Aug 21
Standard65$59.8$
15 Oct 21
Late70$64.4$
12 Nov 21
Extended80$73.6$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
5.2$
Submit
Global Landscapes looks at visions from around the world, and sheds light on regions, territories, or cultures that have a substantial effect on cinema. Films in Global Landscapes are selected based on creative storytelling, unique visions and/or global impact.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Short and Feature Films >45'
Fee-8%
Early55$50.6$
13 Aug 21
Standard65$59.8$
15 Oct 21
Late70$64.4$
12 Nov 21
Extended80$73.6$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
5.2$
Submit
Cinequest’s Documentary Feature Competition features an international mix of adventurous and thought-provoking films that challenge and inspire audiences. Films are selected based on high artistic merits and the discovery of a unique subject and personal vision.
NEW VISIONS FEATURE FILM COMPETITION
Short and Feature Films >45'
Fee-8%
Early55$50.6$
13 Aug 21
Standard65$59.8$
15 Oct 21
Late70$64.4$
12 Nov 21
Extended80$73.6$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
5.2$
Submit
The New Visions program focuses on film artists who tell original stories or tell them in innovative ways. This prestigious discovery section gives filmmakers an opportunity to gain the recognition necessary to launch distribution and promotional campaigns. Films are selected based on creativity and adventurous story-telling.
SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Short Films >1' 45'<
Fee-8%
Early40$36.8$
13 Aug 21
Standard50$46$
15 Oct 21
Late55$50.6$
12 Nov 21
Extended65$59.8$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
4$
Submit
Cinequest’s Short Film Competition is comprised of an international mix of adventurous and personal short films in all genres, including: Live Action Narrative, Documentary, Animation, Experimental. The selection criteria for the competition will include content, form and technical achievement.
Cinequest is honored that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has elected to recognize the Cinequest Film & VR Festival as a qualifying festival for the Short Films category for the Annual Academy Awards®. Recipients of the BEST SHORT NARRATIVE FILM and BEST SHORT ANIMATED FILM awards will qualify for consideration for an Academy Award® without the standard theatrical run provided the film complies with the Academy’s rules. For more information, please see www.oscars.org.
COLLEGE SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Short Films >1' 45'<
Fee-8%
Early35$32.2$
13 Aug 21
Standard45$41.4$
15 Oct 21
Late50$46$
12 Nov 21
Extended60$55.2$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
3.6$
Submit
The College Short Film Competition is comprised of an eclectic mix of adventurous and personal short films in all genres. All films for this section must be produced as a student but may have been completed after graduation. The selection criteria for the competition will include content, form and technical achievement.
HIGH SCHOOL FILM COMPETITION
Short Films >1' 45'<
Fee-8%
Early25$23$
13 Aug 21
Standard35$32.2$
15 Oct 21
Late40$36.8$
12 Nov 21
Extended50$46$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
2.8$
Submit
Cinequest welcomes national and international submissions of Short to Mid-Length films (up to 40 min). Cinequest seeks original and engaging films of all genres including: comedy, drama, experimental, documentary, sports, and action.
TELEVISION EPISODE OR WEBISODE COMPETITION: LONG FORM
Short and Feature Films >45' 120'<
Fee-8%
Early50$46$
13 Aug 21
Standard60$55.2$
15 Oct 21
Late65$59.8$
12 Nov 21
Extended70$64.4$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
4.8$
Submit
Accepting projects both fiction and non-fiction, the Television Pilot Competition: Long Form accepts original television and web series pilots from around the globe, in all genres. This section seeks extraordinary voices creating exciting, non-theatrical projects, including serialized television and beyond. Projects submitted for the Long Form category should be more than 45 minutes in length.
TELEVISION EPISODE OR WEBISODE COMPETITION: SHORT FORM
Short Films >1' 45'<
Fee-8%
Early35$32.2$
13 Aug 21
Standard45$41.4$
15 Oct 21
Late50$46$
12 Nov 21
Extended60$55.2$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
3.6$
Submit
Accepting projects both fiction and non-fiction, the Television Pilot Competition: Short Form accepts original television pilots and web series from around the globe, in all genres. This section seeks extraordinary voices creating exciting, non-theatrical projects, including serialized television and beyond. Projects submitted for the Short Form category should be no longer than 45 minutes in length. Short form content will be shown as part of a series program.
MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
Short Films >1' 15'<
Fee-8%
Early35$32.2$
13 Aug 21
Standard45$41.4$
15 Oct 21
Late50$46$
12 Nov 21
Extended60$55.2$
19 Nov 21
Submissions deadline
19 Nov 21
Save up
3.6$
Submit
Visually inventive music videos from the U.S. and around the world will be selected for the Music Video Competition. Selections will range from classic form to the more innovative and stylish, as we showcase the scope of music video culture. Projects submitted should be 15 minutes or fewer.
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods.
-8%
Festhome holds accountable fees festivals by holding the payment of the fees of most newer festivals until they have viewed the submissions, held their festivals and other methods. 