Australian Competitions Club

http://www.hraff.org.au/tabid/89/EntryId/15/HRAFF-2011-Submissions-Now-Open.aspx

Human Rights Arts & Film Festival 2011

www.hraff.org.au
Earlybird Applications Close: Friday October 29

Submissions are now open for the annual Australian Human Rights Arts and Film Festival. All emerging and established filmmakers are invited to submit their music videos, shorts, features, documentaries and experimental film for the 2010 program. The only criterion is that the film engages with human rights and social justice issues.

Submit your work to HRAFF via 'Withoutabox'.

Human Rights Arts and Film Festival prefers online entries submitted via Withoutabox.com.
(http://www.withoutabox.com/login/7052).

All Submissions must be on DVD. Please label the DVD with its Withoutabox tracking ID, film title and duration.

In 2011 HRAFF will again travel Australia with events and screenings taking place in Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Alice Springs and Brisbane throughout April and May.

There is also over $5000 worth of cash and prizes up for grabs!

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A few tips and FAQs for Filmmakers thinking of submitting to HRAFF

1. So, what is a human rights film?

To be considered a “human rights film” for our purposes, your film does not need to address a particular right or convention. It does not need to be legalistic.

Human rights are premised on the concept that we all share a universal humanity that is inherently worthy of dignity and respect.

Some examples of what we consider “human rights films” are those that:

* celebrate what it is to be human;

* uncover and explore human rights violations;

* explore and challenge concepts of discrimination or persecution;

* portray marginalised individuals or communities in nuanced, empowered and/or non-stereotypical ways;

* invite audiences to engage with previously unfamiliar social justice issues, or provide fresh perspectives on social justice issues; and

* challenge pre-conceptions of what human rights are or should be.

2. What exactly is HRAFF looking for?

HRAFF is looking for diverse, innovative and creative responses to human rights. We want films that inspire and engage new audiences.

In particular, HRAFF is seeking films that creatively and artistically engage with the field of human rights – we’re after films that aren’t simple soapbox pieces, that don’t sacrifice message for storytelling, and that remain accessible to a mainstream or festival going audience.

We look for films that, outside of human rights specificity, realise their concept with creative and technical excellence, and that have the potential to engage an audience.
 
3. Is there a particular genre that we won’t accept?

No! Films of any genre may be accepted, from doco, narrative, animation, music video, essay film, comedy, horror, sci-fi, adventure and experimental We love to watch films that take a new approach to human rights so be creative!

4. Are there particular kinds of content that you won’t screen or that you’re less likely to screen?

Our audience is intelligent and film-literate. Avoid being didactic and simplistic. Films that are unjustifiably biased or propagandistic will not be considered.

Films that feature content including racist, pornographic, defamatory, obscene, hateful, discriminatory behaviour or other acts or thematic material considered to be both extreme and gratuitous will not be programmed.

We want films that work on the big screen, not the small screen. Films that are made for, or are considered more suitable in production for news and current affairs television programming, online vodcasts or similar are generally not included in HRAFF’s program.

Similarly, films that are not cinematic or have very low production values may not be included.

Films that are made as standalone pieces in the realisation of a particular concept or story are those that will be programmed. Films that exist primarily to promote or market a particular NGO or organisation will not be screened. The presence of a particular organisation within the context of the content is, however, acceptable.

Films that have had significant exposure in Australia (through film festivals, television, cinema, DVD release or online availability) are less likely to be selected.

Films may have been produced at any stage, but those made within two years of submission to the festival, outside retrospective programming, are generally more likely to be accepted for screening than older productions.

5. What about duration? Can I submit long format or feature material, or are we only talking shorts here?

Films of any duration may be submitted. Films received 15 minutes or under in length are considered for short film session programming. Featurette and feature content (those received above a fifteen minute delivery) will be considered for pre-feature placement or general session programming.

6. What should I know before submitting a film to HRAFF?

Before submitting your film to our Festival, you should make sure you read and understand HRAFF’s Terms and Conditions. These Terms and Conditions outline all of HRAFF’s conditions of entry and legal issues relating to you submitting the film. These are available on the website. When you submit your online submission application, we will ask you to confirm that you agree to these terms and conditions.

7. By submitting a film to HRAFF, am I assigning ownership to the Festival? Or does it mean that I can’t submit my work for screening anywhere else?

When you submit your film to the HRAFF, you are granting HRAFF a non-exclusive licence to screen your film to the public at our Festival as well as at other events we organise, such as schools screenings, conferences and fundraisers.

A non-exclusive licence basically means that you are giving us permission to screen your film at our Festival and these events. There are no restrictions on your ability to submit your work to any other festival or to do anything else with the film so you retain absolute ownership of your film.

Our right to screen your film at other HRAFF events ends 24 months after the Festival at which your film is screened. However, we will normally let you know beforehand that we wish to screen your film at any other event.

8. Does HRAFF have any other rights to use our film?

By submitting a film to HRAFF, you also grant HRAFF a licence to screen any part of your film for promotional and marketing purposes. This may include taking excerpts of the film to make a trailer, using still images for our program and making a copy of the film for judges or speakers.

Here’s a few things we can’t do: HRAFF can’t pass on, or give rights to other organisations to screen your film without your permission. HRAFF can’t use more than 3 minutes of your film for promotional purposes and HRAFF can’t directly make money from screening your film in a context outside the festival.

9. What else do I have to do before submitting a film?

When you submit a film, you’re saying that have the authority to give us a licence to screen the film and that you have obtained all the necessary permissions and consents from the people who may have rights in elements of the film. Before submitting your film, you will need to make sure that you have written permission to, for example, use all the music that features in your film.


10. I am under 18. Can I still submit my film to HRAFF?

In order to submit a film to HRAFF, you will need to be over 18. If you are under 18, you will need to get your parent or guardian’s consent to submit the film on your behalf. There is a separate form available on the website that your parent or guardian will need to email to submissions@hraff.org.au along with filling out the online application form.


11. So, what exactly do you need from me, film-wise?


HRAFF prefers submitted films to be on DVD. You need to be responsible for making sure your film has undergone the relevant technical and quality checking before submitting through. This should include – checking for digital glitching, artefacting, audio peaking, loss of vision or sound, sound syncing issues or any issues around the way the disc you’re giving us actually works. The video in the disc should be of a high quality in encoding (use your best judgement) – this means that it does not appear compressed, blocky or difficult to view on the final submission disc that you’re giving us. Please also ensure what you’re giving us is free of scratches fingerprints, and please ensure that your disc is labelled with the title of the film, the duration, and your name and contact details.

When you’re submitting your work to HRAFF, you’re doing so at your own risk – we can’t be responsible for loss, delay of delivery or any damage to the material that is received. Where we find that there re technical issues with your film, and it’s something we need to address in final consideration of the film for the festival, we’ll get in touch with you to provide the opportunity to resubmit, pending available time and circumstance.
 

12. I still have questions! Who can I contact?


If you have any questions, whether it be about our terms and conditions or submission process or selection criteria, please email us at: simon@hraff.org.au.