Washington D.C. Horror Film Festival Spooky Movie
SUBMISSIONS

Spooky Movie: The Washington, D.C. International Horror Film Festival is as open as open can be. We accept shorts to features - slasher, monster, zombies, ghosts, ghouls, terror, chiller, suspense, comedy - music videos, cartoons, documentaries, experimental, foreign language, trailers - fat, skinny, tall or short - we want to present a festival that is as diverse as Washington, D.C. itself.

With the exception of the brand new DarkHart Screenplay Award, we are remain a non-competetive festival committed to the mission of celebrating all filmmakers. We will work to get your short or feature seen by the public - even after the October festival - and even if your film isn't in the October festival.

We did all of this our inaugural and sophomore years, with partnerships with FCC-TV, Artomatic, University Mall Theatres, Preview Night, Halloween at the Draft House and Horror at the Hager, and we will continue to expand in the years to come. Spooky Movie is more than just one weekend a year.

2009 GUIDELINES FOR FILMS AND SCREENPLAYS

FILMS (SHORTS AND FEATURES):

o Feature and short film entries must be submitted on NTSC DVD.
o We consider any work longer than 45 minutes to be a "feature."
o Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English.
o In addition to your entry, please enclose any press kits, reviews, or publicity materials.
o Eligible features, videos, shorts and documentaries must have been completed after December 31, 2006.

SCREENPLAYS (SHORTS AND FEATURES):

o Submit two (2) hard copies of your script.
o We consider any screenplay longer than 70 pages to be a "feature."
o Submitted screenplays must be in English.

SCREENPLAY RULES AND ELIGIBILITY

o You must be 18 years of age or older to enter the screenplay competition.
o The entered screenplay must not be or previously been optioned, sold, or produced.
o Only horror, science fiction, supernatural, and suspense genres will be considered.
o Screenplay must be original work of the author or authors.
o Multiple authorship is allowed. If such a screenplay wins, the prize will be split between the writers.
o Multiple entries are allowed, however each entry must be accompanied by their own completed entry form and their own appropriate entry fee. You are allowed to mail them in one package to save on postage.
o No corrected pages or additional pages will be accepted after the screenplay has been entered. o PLEASE double check your script for errors, blank pages, etc., before submitting them in.

2009 SUBMISSION FEES AND DEADLINES:

FILMS AND SCREENPLAYS / SHORTS AND FEATURES:

$25.00 - First Look Deadline (postmarked by April 17)
$30.00 - Early Deadline (Deadline (postmarked by May 22)
$40.00 - Deadline (postmarked by June 26)
$45.00 - Late Deadline (postmarked by August 7)
$55.00 - Extended Deadline (postmarked by August 28)

WITHOUT A BOX DISCOUNTS:

$20.00 - First Look Deadline (registered by April 17)
$25.00 - Early Deadline (Deadline (registered by May 22)
$30.00 - Deadline (registered by June 26)
$35.00 - Late Deadline (registered by August 7)
$40.00 - Extended Deadline (registered by August 28) - SAVE $15.00

SHIPPNG

FEATURES AND SHORT FILMS

o Films: Spooky Movie Film Festival | PO Box 4059 | Arlington, VA 22204
o Cost of shipping exhibition prints to the festival is the responsibility of the entrant.
o Exhibition copies must be sent to the festival prepaid.
o The festival does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials while in transit.
o Please use only plastic or bubble pack cases when shipping entries.

FEATURE AND SHORT SCREENPLAYS

o Screenplays: DarkHart Award | PO Box 8009 | Ward Hill, MA 01835
o Cost of shipping screenplays is the responsibility of the entrant.
o The festival does not accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials while in transit.
o Do not send originals - scripts will not be returned.
o Screenplays must be in industry standard format and bound with 2 or 3 brads.
Body pages must be correctly numbered.
Script title page should only contain name of screenplay and the name of the author.
Script must be on white paper.
COVER page must be card stock.
Contact information on cover page.

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION AND INFORMATION

o Enclose a stamped, self addressed postcard if you want confirmation that your entry (film or sceenplay) has been received.
Programming decisions are made by the festival directors and selection committee.
o ONLY filmmakers and screenwriters selected will be notified by email, however all filmmakers who use Withoutabox will receive an automated notification.
o Film projects not chosen may still be selected for additional screenings at a later date.*
o Screenplay selection decisions are made by DarkHart Press and selection committee(s) and judges.
o ONLY screenwriters selected will be notified by email, however all who use Withoutabox will receive automated notification.
o Two screenplay winners will be announced October 2009 - one in "shorts" and one in "features" - each will receive a trophy, and each will be offered a one time, non-exclusive contract with DarkHart Press to publish the winning screenplay.
o Outstanding screenplay runner-ups will be also be announced, and may have an opportunity to be published by DarkHart Press at a later date.
o If accepted, the presentational format will need to be in our office by September 2009.
o The festival does not pay rental fees for submitted work that is programmed.
o Be sure to indicate aspect ratio of your film/video and all special screening/presentation information.
o Eligible Films will be available for additional public screenings in advertising of the festival, including commercials, cable television, the internet and special promotional events.*
o Submitted short films and trailers of features will be entitled to appear on Festival DVD Compilations.*
o Enclose a stamped, self addressed postcard if you want confirmation that your entry has been received.
o DarkHart Press and/or Spooky Fests LLC is/are not responsible for any materials lost, stolen or damaged in transit.

* Screen wrtiers and filmmakers will be approached to opt-in or opt-out beforehand.

© SPOOKY FESTS LLC