The Call For Entries invites film submissions for the International Buddhist Film Festival.
The International Buddhist Film Festival is committed to presenting, archiving and preserving Buddhist-themed or Buddhist-inspired cinema from all over the world. All types of films are sought: features, documentaries, shorts, animated works, children’s films and experimental/art works. IBFF particularly seeks films that explore the diversity of Buddhist experience, perspective, aesthetic or tradition, or which present a new, alternative take on Buddhist identity, culture, and/or history. (Please do not submit PSAs or institutional promotions, thank you.)
Works to be exhibited are chosen through a combination of program committee invitations as well as through international Call For Entries solicitations. The IBFF is non-competitive; no prizes are awarded. Films include English language or subtitled works from all over the world, and embrace a very broad and fluid definition of “buddhist.” Premiere status is not a requirement.
GENERAL RULES
The IBFF presents a continuous series of film festivals in several cities in a two year season. Once accepted for IBFF presentation, films are eligible for all festivals in the season. Submissions are accepted year round; deadlines for specific festival events are posted as they are announced. Please use FilmFreeway for your submission:
CATEGORIES
- Dramatic—any film made with actors performing a script
- Documentary—nonfiction works (but preferably not narration-driven)
- Animated Works—any work primarily of animation (of any kind)
- Television Works—any work produced specifically for television as part of a show, strand or series
- Experimental/Art Works—short works that creatively approach Buddhist issues, iconography, practice, aesthetics, history, literature, culture, personalities, philosophy, places or art, or derive from or relate to meditation, even obliquely
- Children’s Films—works that are designed for audiences under the age of 16
ENTRY FEES
Up to 50 minutes in length: US$45
Over 50 minutes in length: US$60
SUBMISSION FORMATS
We prefer online submissions (upload to any platform), but DVD or Blu-ray screeners are acceptable.
EXHIBITION
Selected works will be screened from Blu-ray disk, ProRes file on a hard drive, or DCP (preferred); Digibeta or HDCam may be possible, depending on venue. Please indicate with your submission which formats will be available.
PRESS MATERIALS
A press kit will be required for all selected works. This must include print-quality promotional photographs as digital files, as well as Director’s biography, production notes, and film’s screening history (including festivals, theatrical, and broadcast). Instructions for delivery will be provided with selection notification.
