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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
GENERAL | FESTIVAL, VENUES &TICKETS | SUBMISSIONS – GENERAL | FEATURE & SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS | SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS | AWARDS & PRIZES
GENERAL
What is the GSIFF Film Festival and Gotham Screen Screenplay Contest?
Pretty much what it says – a film festival and A screenplay contest. The GOTHAM SCREEN screenplay contest was launched in 2007 by a group of New York-based producers and production companies, to find up-and-coming screenwriting talent and great new stories. The contest was a great success, and several scripts have already been optioned for development and production. GOTHAM SCREEN decided to expand and add a film festival in 2008, and became the GSIFF International Film Festiv al.
Is GOTHAM SCREEN related to…?
No, GOTHAM SCREEN is its own thing – but thank you for asking, we don’t want the confusion either. The term ‘Gotham’ is commonly used as a synonym for ‘New York City’, where we are based, and the GOTHAM SCREEN Screenplay Contest is not related to, or claims to be related to, other contests, festivals, awards or institutions that may use the term ‘Gotham’ in their name.
FESTIVAL, VENUES and TICKETS
When will the festival take place?
The festival will take place from October 4 - 14, 2012.
Where is the festival?
The festival will take place at the Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village, York City, and other venues in Manhattan. Please see here for detailed venue information.
How can I get tickets?
Tickets will be available for sale later in the year – please check back.
How can I get updates?
Subscribe to the newsletter for the latest news and to be kept up to date with scheduling, ticketing and screening information.
SUBMISSIONS – GENERAL
Who can submit?
Anyone can submit. You must be 18 or older (21 in some states), or get written permission from a parent or guardian. Please refer to the submission guidelines for details.
Do I have to live in the US to submit?
No, you can live anywhere. We encourage international submissions, as long as they meet the language requirements.
What languages can I submit in?
Films should be in English, or have English subtitles. Screenplays should be in English.
Will I have to come to New York if I win?
That would be great, but you don’t have to. We won’t be able to pay for your trip or arrange your visa, unfortunately. We will leave it up to you if you want to travel to be there in person - but we would certainly like to meet you…
How can I submit?
You can submit electronically, or by mail. Please refer to the submission guidelines for details.
When are the deadlines for submissions?
Deadlines are throughout August and September - please refer to categories & deadlines for details.
How much does it cost to submit?
Please refer to categories & deadlines for details of submission fees.
How can I pay for submissions?
You can pay by credit card through your withoutabox account, by check in US dollars, drawn on a US bank when submitting by mail, or with ouyr creditd card or paypal account via PAYPAL when submitting by mail. Please refer to how to submit for details.
Do you waive entry fees?
We don't, normally. We believe it disadvantages those who plan ahead and put part of their budgtet aside for P&A and marketing expenditure, and asks everyone else to carry the festival costs on their behalf... But if you have a great feature, and it would be a North American premiere, please let us know, and we can certainly talk.
What happens if my screenplay wins?
Please refer to awards & prizes for details.
When will I be notified?
Accepted submissions and shortlisted / winning screenplays will be notified in early to late October.
I see that you no longer list the PO BOX address - will my submission which I sent there erlier still get to you?
The PO box address is still in use, so if you sent your materials there, they will get to us. Because courier services (Fedex, DHL, UPS, etc.) won't deliver to PO Boxes, we are no listing the PO Box address.
FEATURE & SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS
My film has been shown at other festivals – can I still submit?
You absolutely can. If it has been shown at a festival outside the New York City are, we would in fact encourage you to. Just tell us where is has been shown, so in case it is selected, we don’t mistakenly advertise it as a premiere.
My film is not yet finished – can I submit a rough cut?
Yes - as long as you think we’ll get a reasonably good idea of the fished movie from the rough cut you’re submitting. It happens all the time, and we understand the difference between a rough cut, and a finished product. Just make sure you will actually be able to deliver the finished movie ahead of the screening.
I want to send a screener/screenplay by courier, but they won't deliver to PO Boxes.
Please use this address for all submissions:
GOTHAM SCREEN FESTIVAL
Submissions 2012
291 Broadway, Ste. 701
New York, NY 10007
USA
SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS
I have submitted last year – can I re-submit?
You can, but we would only recommend it if the new draft you are submitting has been substantially changed.
My script has won other competitions – can I still submit?
Absolutely. The main purpose of our screenwriting contest is to create positive industry exposure, not to select unique winners. Producers and production companies option scripts they see on the GOTHAM SCREEN screenplay contest and other contests, and if your screenplay is a multiple winner, that can make it more visible.
My script has been optioned – can I still submit?
No. Unless the option has expired, or is about to expire, we would discourage you from submitting. Our goal is to provide interested producers and production companies with great new material that they can buy or option for development and production. If your material is back on the market after an option has expired, it’s fine to submit.
What should I put on the title page?
Please put the screenplay title, the name(s) of the writer(s) and the contact details on the title page of the screenplay.
- if you submit in final draft, please select the "Title Page" view, and make sure this information is included on the title page.
- if you submit in pdf format, or other formats, please check to make sure this information is included in the document, on the first page.
The actual screenplay should begin on the second page, with the title in bold on top, as the first line. Please refer to script formatting guides for more details.
AWARDS & PRIZES - $3,500 in Cash Prizes!
The Gotham Screen Circleframe Awards.
Awards and prizes will be handed out in the following categories:
Category: Short Film (up to 55 minutes)
Award*: Best Short Film
Category: Feature Film (55 minutes and longer)
Awards*:
- Best Feature (fiction)
- Best Documentary (non-fiction)
- Best Photography
- Best Actress
- Best Actor
- Audience Award
Category: Screenplay
Awards*:
- Best Drama
- Best Comedy
- Best Horror
- Best Thriller/Suspense
- Best Family
- Best Adventure
- Best Romantic Comedy
- Grand Prize, Best Screenplay: This year brings again the GS Circleframe Screenwriting Award for Best Screenplay – a cash prize of $2,500. Excerpts from the winning screenplay(s) will be performed live at a staged reading during the festival.
- Best Short Film: This year brings again the GS Circleframe Award for Best Short Film – a cash prize of $1,000.
SPONSORED BY:
The winning screenplay will be selected from the finalists by a panel of experts.
Semi-Finalists, Finalists and Winners of each category will be announced via press-releases, mailings and on the website, and winning scripts and loglines will be made available to interested production companies, producers and agents upon
If you are a production company, producer or agent, and would like to be included in our mailing list, please send us an email.
*NOTE: Non-cash awards in certain categories may not be awarded, if the number or quality of submissions in a particular category is deemed insufficient - to be decided at the sole discretion of GOTHAM SCREEN. This does not include the Cash Prizes, which will be awarded and paid out in any case, regardless.
