Submissions - Submission FAQs
WHY SHOULD I SUBMIT TO THE CASTLE ROCK FILM FESTIVAL?
Feedback:
We are experienced film makers ourselves, and we have been through the film festival vacuum. We understand the need to show movies and get feedback, whether good or bad, in order to create that perfect movie. We believe that when you submit to a film festival, and have someone judge your film for inclusion, you should understand why your film was selected or not. So, our promise to you is:
We will watch every minute of every movie and read every word of every script, judge it and give you feedback, whether we decide to share your film/script at the festival or not – guaranteed.
The goal with sharing our judges’ comments is to be helpful. We do not strive to be a Simon Cowe, or even Ebert and Ropert. We strive to give you our honest opinion of what we like or don’t like about your film/script.
However, with this guarantee comes the understanding by the submitter that these are only the opinions of our judges. A bad critique does not mean the end of the life for the film/script. On the other hand, a great critique does not mean eventual global distribution and box office success. No one in the film industry can guarantee that.
If your film/script is selected for sharing at the festival, we will provide you with the audience’s critiques, consolidated into a single meaningful form.
Rocky Mountain Region Connections:
We take pride in showing films from Rocky Mountain Region (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT and WY) producers or that were produced in the region. The hope is that the more films/scripts we share by producers in the region, the more films will continue to be made in the region. However, as long as you are a producer in the region, regardless if the filming actually occurred in the region, you can submit your film. (NOTE: Scripts will only be accepted by those RESIDING in the Rocky Mountain Region.) By also focusing on the Rocky Mountain Region we can also help you build up relationships with others in the region to help get your next project completed, close to home.
Network with Self Distributors:
In 2008 & 2009, the "traditional" distribution landscape experienced an incredible shake up - in fact, you could say that Hollywood's independent distribution "industry" has collapsed under a 7.5 earthquake. Many (if not all) studio sponsored independent film distributors have closed there doors, and smaller distributors are only taking guaranteed money makers (think series films like the SAW series).
Enter the hard working, tenacious independent filmmakers taking on the incredible task of self-distribution. If you want to take control of distributing your project, CRFF is the place to submit and attend. We'll give you feedback on your project and help introduce you to those who have taken full control with self-distribution. In years to come, many of these producers will probably be regarded as the pioneers in this ever changing indie landscape.
Stepping stone:
Because we do not market this festival as a “film market”, you can take advantage of us as a stepping stone or experimental screening. By giving you feedback (see above) about your film, shown or not, you are in a better position to decide what needs to be done in order to get into more global festivals.
Trailer Park:
Our Meet-and-Greet event will include a movie screen running a constant series of trailers and actor reels, and has been nicknamed "Trailer Park". If you submit a film, you can also submit a separate trailer that will automatically be part of this event, even if we do not end up showing the film in the festival. On the other hand, you don’t have to submit a film at all to be part of the "Trailer Park". Just submit your trailer or actor reel – pure advertising. See trailer/actor reel submissions for details.
WHY SHOULD I NOT SUBMIT?
Not a film market:
If your main reason for submitting is the hope of securing large-scale domestic or foreign distribution for your film/script, please keep in mind the CRFF is not a film market. Although we may have independents selling their movies at our booths, and we may have celebrities and/or “big-name” producers/directors/writers visiting our festival, we do not expect traditional distribution deals to happen here. If you are looking for that kind of festival, try submitting to Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, etc. (See “Network with Self Distributors” above.)
Can’t accept criticism:
If you have a hard time accepting constructive criticism, you may not want to submit. (See "Feedback" above.)
Feedback:
We are experienced film makers ourselves, and we have been through the film festival vacuum. We understand the need to show movies and get feedback, whether good or bad, in order to create that perfect movie. We believe that when you submit to a film festival, and have someone judge your film for inclusion, you should understand why your film was selected or not. So, our promise to you is:
We will watch every minute of every movie and read every word of every script, judge it and give you feedback, whether we decide to share your film/script at the festival or not – guaranteed.
The goal with sharing our judges’ comments is to be helpful. We do not strive to be a Simon Cowe, or even Ebert and Ropert. We strive to give you our honest opinion of what we like or don’t like about your film/script.
However, with this guarantee comes the understanding by the submitter that these are only the opinions of our judges. A bad critique does not mean the end of the life for the film/script. On the other hand, a great critique does not mean eventual global distribution and box office success. No one in the film industry can guarantee that.
If your film/script is selected for sharing at the festival, we will provide you with the audience’s critiques, consolidated into a single meaningful form.
Rocky Mountain Region Connections:
We take pride in showing films from Rocky Mountain Region (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT and WY) producers or that were produced in the region. The hope is that the more films/scripts we share by producers in the region, the more films will continue to be made in the region. However, as long as you are a producer in the region, regardless if the filming actually occurred in the region, you can submit your film. (NOTE: Scripts will only be accepted by those RESIDING in the Rocky Mountain Region.) By also focusing on the Rocky Mountain Region we can also help you build up relationships with others in the region to help get your next project completed, close to home.
Network with Self Distributors:
In 2008 & 2009, the "traditional" distribution landscape experienced an incredible shake up - in fact, you could say that Hollywood's independent distribution "industry" has collapsed under a 7.5 earthquake. Many (if not all) studio sponsored independent film distributors have closed there doors, and smaller distributors are only taking guaranteed money makers (think series films like the SAW series).
Enter the hard working, tenacious independent filmmakers taking on the incredible task of self-distribution. If you want to take control of distributing your project, CRFF is the place to submit and attend. We'll give you feedback on your project and help introduce you to those who have taken full control with self-distribution. In years to come, many of these producers will probably be regarded as the pioneers in this ever changing indie landscape.
Stepping stone:
Because we do not market this festival as a “film market”, you can take advantage of us as a stepping stone or experimental screening. By giving you feedback (see above) about your film, shown or not, you are in a better position to decide what needs to be done in order to get into more global festivals.
Trailer Park:
Our Meet-and-Greet event will include a movie screen running a constant series of trailers and actor reels, and has been nicknamed "Trailer Park". If you submit a film, you can also submit a separate trailer that will automatically be part of this event, even if we do not end up showing the film in the festival. On the other hand, you don’t have to submit a film at all to be part of the "Trailer Park". Just submit your trailer or actor reel – pure advertising. See trailer/actor reel submissions for details.
WHY SHOULD I NOT SUBMIT?
Not a film market:
If your main reason for submitting is the hope of securing large-scale domestic or foreign distribution for your film/script, please keep in mind the CRFF is not a film market. Although we may have independents selling their movies at our booths, and we may have celebrities and/or “big-name” producers/directors/writers visiting our festival, we do not expect traditional distribution deals to happen here. If you are looking for that kind of festival, try submitting to Sundance, Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, etc. (See “Network with Self Distributors” above.)
Can’t accept criticism:
If you have a hard time accepting constructive criticism, you may not want to submit. (See "Feedback" above.)
