Call-For-Entries
Set for October 8-15, 2009, the 12th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival connects and inspires indie filmmakers through the unique creative landscape that is the home of the Blues and the birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll. The festival highlights regional filmmaking and brings new independent work to Memphis from all corners of the country, while continuing its twelve year tradition of showcasing Southern films and filmmakers.
Check out last year's award-winners!
"Come to Indie Memphis. The atmosphere is cozy; it's like a hug just when you need one."
~ MORGAN JON FOX, "OMG/HaHaHa" (2008 Best Hometowner Feature)
"Regional festivals are the foundation of truly independent filmmaking and Indie Memphis
is a testament to that. Filmmakers like myself, who are working with limited means to make
regional movies, can find an audience at Indie Memphis."
~ TOM QUINN, "The New Year Parade" (2008 Best Feature)
"Indie Memphis has so much that I look for in a film festival, and I should know since
I'm at one almost every month: programming with a thoughtful and idiosyncratic point of view
that reflects its leadership, and reaches out to promising new filmmakers whose work has an
unmistakable sense of place; an excited and eager community that attends the films in force
looking to be surprised by the fare, rather than congratulated for coming out; and, oh yeah, barbeque."
~ ELVIS MITCHELL, 2008 festival juror / film critic & interviewer
"I've had screenings of my films all around the world. I've watched my films premiere
at the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles, as well as the Prince's Palace in Marrakech.
But there has never been an experience to equal my premiere at Indie Memphis."
~ CRAIG BREWER, "Hustle & Flow," on screening "The Poor & Hungry" in 2000
...or download a PDF entry form.
Deadlines and Entry Fees:
Earlybird Deadline - April 1 - $30 for features / $20 for shorts
Regular Deadline - May 15 - $40 for features / $30 for shorts
Late Deadline - June 15 - $50 for features / $40 for shorts
($5 discount for student filmmakers - Proof of student status required.)
Local Production Waiver:
Filmmakers that shot at least 50% of their film in Memphis or Shelby County,
Tennessee may take a waiver on their first submission to the festival.
Sign up to receive Call-for-Entries Updates and be reminded of important submission deadlines.
General Rules
Submissions must have been completed after December 1, 2007 and may not be publicly screened in Memphis or Shelby County, Tennessee prior to the 2009 festival dates (excluding other Indie Memphis screenings and collaborations). Films previously submitted to Indie Memphis will not be reconsidered, unless they have been modified enough to be considered new work.
Films accepted to screen at the festival will be categorized in competitive and non-competitive categories at the sole discretion of Indie Memphis. Films with theatrical distribution may not qualify for juried competition, but would still be eligible for audience awards. Instructional films, industrials and promotional videos are generally not appropriate for submission.
Submissions will be notified of their selection status on or around Sept. 8, 2009. If accepted, three additional DVDs of the final film must be provided ASAP to Indie Memphis for jury screenings, media requests and the festival archive.
Indie Memphis may deny acceptance of any film at its sole discretion, or waive rules for any submission it deems appropriate for the festival. If accepted, the screening schedule (including venue, time and number of screenings) is at the sole discretion of Indie Memphis.
Entry fees are nonrefundable.
The entrant is responsible for the cost of shipping the submission and exhibition materials to Indie Memphis. Films being sent from outside the United States must be sent "free domicile" to the Indie Memphis office, with all transportation charges, duties and taxes prepaid by shipper. Indie Memphis will cover return shipping (or will ship to another festival) within the continental United States via ground shipping. Indie Memphis cannot cover overnight or priority shipping costs, or ship US films to an address outside the United States.
Terms and Conditions
The entrant guarantees that they have legal right to submit their film and have obtained all necessary rights and clearances to screen the work at the Indie Memphis Film Festival.
Submission of work confirms that the Indie Memphis Film Festival has permission to exhibit it (and any moving image excerpts or reproduced stills) during the festival and for any festival publicity or promotion.
Every precaution will be exercised in handling entries and exhibition copies of submitted films, but the entrant agrees to hold the festival, its organizers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, and partnering organizations harmless for damage to or loss of materials submitted.
