The call for submissions for films for the 2013 edition of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (ttff), which takes place from September 18 to October 1, is now open.
The ttff seeks to highlight excellence in filmmaking through the exhibition of dramatic, documentary and experimental feature and short films made in T&T, the Caribbean and its diaspora.
The Festival therefore accepts submissions from Caribbean filmmakers, Caribbean filmmakers in the diaspora, and international filmmakers with films from or about the Caribbean or its diaspora. Submissions must have been produced after January 1, 2011. The Festival screens short films (under 60 minutes) and features (60 minutes and over) in digital, Blu-ray and 35mm formats. The festival also screens music videos of any length.
Films screened in competition are eligible for one or several of the following jury prizes: Best Narrative Feature Film (US$4,000); Best Documentary Feature Film (US$4,000); Best Narrative Short Film (US$1,000); Best Documentary Short Film (US$1,000); Best T&T Narrative Feature Film (TT$10,000); Best T&T Documentary Feature Film (TT$10,000); Best T&T Narrative Short Film (TT$5,000); Best T&T Documentary Short Film (TT$5,000); and Best Caribbean Film by an International Filmmaker (US$1,000).
There are also four people's choice awards, for Best Dramatic Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film and Best Music Video, each worth TT$5,000.
A release from the ttff said, apart from its programme of regular screenings, the Festival was also accepting submissions of video art and experimental films. These works would be shown as part of the New Media initiative, which is held in conjunction with ARC Magazine.
Artists working in this field who are from the Caribbean and its diaspora, or artists who address these spaces in their work, are eligible to apply. This section is also in competition and comes with a TT$5,000 prize for best film/video.
All submissions must be made online, via www.withoutabox.com, trinidad+tobago film festival. There is no submission fee. The strict deadline for all submissions is May 31, 2013.
In addition to screening Caribbean and diaspora films in competition, the ttff also has a panorama (non-competitive) section featuring films from around the world. However, the Festival only accepts submissions from Caribbean filmmakers, Caribbean filmmakers in the diaspora, and international filmmakers with films from or about the Caribbean or its diaspora.
The ttff seeks to make all screenings at the Festival T&T premieres. Occasionally, however, the Festival considers films that have already been shown publicly in T&T.
The ttff advises that they be contacted directly concerning submissions that fall into this category at hello@ttfilmfestival.com or 621-0709. The ttff reserves the right to determine the eligibility of the submissions to be screened at the Festival, the appropriate venues and time slots for the screening of films and to use excerpts of the films for publicity purposes. All films submitted must have applicable clearances and the Festival will not be held liable.
The Festival, which is in its eighth year, is presented by Flow, receives leading sponsorship from RBC Royal Bank and bpTT and is supported by the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company Ltd.
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�2 For more information, visit www.ttfilmfestival.com.