IBMA issues call for submissions for 2nd film festival

IBMAThe International Bluegrass Music Association has issued a call for submissions to their second Bluegrass Film Festival, to be held during the World of Bluegrass/Wide Open Bluegrass week in Raleigh, NC from September 29-October 3.

Two featured films will be shown both during the World of Bluegrass business conference and the Wide Open Bluegrass Festival, and two festival films will be shown only during the weekend festival. All films will be shown twice.

Submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. (CDT) on June 15. To be considered for inclusion, each film must be bluegrass-related. Both documentary and fictional topics are acceptable.

There is a $25 processing fee that needs to accompany each submission, and each selected project will be assessed a $100 screening fee to defray venue costs.

Below are the official rules for the festival.

Rules

  • All selected films shown must have a representative listed as a professional and/or an organizational IBMA member.
  • The maximum running time for feature films sent to the IBMA World of Bluegrass Film Festival must not exceed 240 minutes in length (including titles and credits).
  • Films submitted to the IBMA World of Bluegrass Film Festival must either be in English or have English subtitles.
  • For pre-selection purposes, all entries must be submitted via online link.
  • The IBMA will have the right to show any of the films submitted to non-commercial audiences at the World of Bluegrass. Extracts of no more than 1 minute may also be shown on television/web as a promotion for the World of Bluegrass.
  • Films selected for screening will be announced before the start of the festival, and a full list will be published on the IBMA website. Filmmakers who have been selected may be invited to resubmit their films in the preferred screening formats.
  • All films selected for the World of Bluegrass will be screened on DVD, Blu-Ray or digital format.
  • Filmmakers and other participants associated with each production selected for screening at the festival will be encouraged to attend the festival screening, and be available for question and answer sessions.
  • The IBMA retains the right to hold a copy of films submitted for archival and promotional purposes.
  • By submitting a film for consideration by the IBMA, the filmmaker/production company grants the IBMA the right to screen the film throughout the duration of the World of Bluegrass in any capacity. The IBMA will never upload a completed film to the Internet without the filmmaker’s consent.
  • The applicant declares that he/she has obtained all necessary rights and permissions to present the film and music at the IBMA’s World of Bluegrass events. The filmmaker must own or have cleared copyright of all aspects of the submitted film. This includes all music and images used. The IBMA accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise, in regard to clearing copyrighted material.
  • All decisions regarding festival acceptance are final.

Delivery and Return of Films

  • Filmmakers or their agents submitting films must cover all costs related to the delivery of preview and screening copies to the IBMA.
  • The IBMA will not cover costs of returning the screening copies.
  • To satisfy customs, all postage packages must be marked as follows: “For Cultural Purposes Only. No Commercial Value.” The IBMA suggests contacting US and local customs to ensure proper delivery.
  • The IBMA will not be responsible for any customs charges, freight or damage charges or any other charges incurred by entrants who failed to follow the submissions procedure specified in this document.
  • IBMA staff and/or committee members cannot be required to collect films from airports, agencies, etc., in any circumstances.
  • The IBMA will take every reasonable care to protect films submitted. However, the IBMA will not be responsible for any loss or damage to films however caused. Entrants are advised to ensure their films against loss or damage.

An online submission form is available on the IBMA web site.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.