2010 Call-For-Entries
Named one of the "25 Coolest Film Festivals" in the Summer 2009 issue of MovieMaker Magazine, the 13th annual Indie Memphis Film Festival is set for October 21-24, 2010 in Midtown Memphis, the city's cultural center and home to a plethora of restaurants, bars and clubs. The festival highlights Regional Filmmaking and brings new independent work to Memphis from all corners of the country while continuing its thirteen year tradition of providing a showcase for Southern filmmaking, specifically highlighting the work of Memphis filmmakers.
Check out past award-winners from 2009 and 2008.
...or download a PDF entry form.
Postmark Deadlines and Entry Fees:
Earlybird Deadline - April 12 - $30 for features / $20 for shorts
Regular Deadline - May 17 - $40 for features / $30 for shorts
Late Deadline - June 21 - $50 for features / $40 for shorts
Withoutabox Extended Deadline - July 12 - $65 for features / $55 for shorts
($5 discount for student filmmakers - Proof of student status required.)
Local Production Waiver:
Films of any category or length that were at least 50% shot in Memphis or Shelby County,
Tennessee may take an entry fee waiver on their first submission to the festival.
Sign up to receive Call-for-Entries Updates and be reminded of important submission deadlines.
"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
"Local support is imperative to any great festival, and the Memphians fill the
theaters and embrace the films and moviemakers as their own... Memphis rolls out the
red carpet and spreads its loving arms wide, pulling you in for a big ol' bear hug,
saying 'We're glad you're here; -- just like mama would."
~ SCOTT TEEMS, "That Evening Sun," in MovieMaker Magazine (Winter 2010)
"Indie Memphis has so much that I look for in a film festival: 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
General Rules
Submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2008 and may not be publicly screened in Memphis or Shelby County, Tennessee prior to the 2010 festival dates (excluding other Indie Memphis screenings and collaborations, such as Li'l Film Fest). Films previously submitted to Indie Memphis will not be reconsidered.
Entries must be postmarked by the deadline date in which a film was submitted. Paper sleeves and minimal packaging are encouraged. Please note: DVD screeners will not be returned; Please do not send self-addressed stamped envelopes.
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, promotional videos, music videos, concert films and sponsored works-for-hire are generally not appropriate for submission. Submissions must be independently produced artistic content; filmmakers must have final creative control over their work.
Filmmakers will be notified of their selection status on or around Sept. 10, 2010. 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. Exhibition copies of selected films must be available by October 1, 2010 for inclusion in the festival.
Indie Memphis is not able to pay screening fees for submitted films.
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) only 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.
