PROCEDURE TO FOLLOW WHEN SUBMITTING FILM FESTIVAL APPLICATIONS:

• In order to be included in festival distribution, a film must pass through teacher evaluation first and the production must be fully completed at the production section of FAMU Studio including the copyright coverage for any and all copyrighted work used in the film in an audiovisual manner.
• The film must be available both in the Czech and English versions, preferably also as a screener on Vimeo and/or Youtube which can be used for the assessment and distribution of the film.

If you have everything ready, send your completed Entry Form and maybe also your idea of your film’s festival exploitation to email festivals@famu.cz.

In the Entry Form, complete all the information carefully (including the director’s biography) both in Czech and in English. This way, you will accelerate and simplify the process.

In addition, please send the following items via úschovna.cz and/or WeTransfer:

1. Subtitled copies of the film for download;
2. Five stills in HiRes quality: at least 300 dpi, 2 MB maximum size, .jpg format ONLY;
3. Director’s photographs in HiRes quality: at least 300 dpi, 2 MB maximum size, .jpg format ONLY;
4. Dialogue list in English including time code in the .srt format;
5. Trailer (if available);
6. Poster, preferably in the .pdf format (if available).

To submit applications to international festivals, the film must be ready with English subtitles, which is why it is advisable to include professional development of English subtitles and dialogue lists in the .srt format including time codes in the production budget. In general, it is crucial to pay a great deal of attention to translation, automatically taking into consideration the local and tonal specifics that might affect jurors and viewers on the festival scene.

1. FOR KEY FESTIVALS, FAMU SUBMITS FILM APPLICATIONS DIRECTLY ON ITS OWN!

Out of the extensive range of festivals in existence, there is a certain subset of events that, in terms of their prestige, focus and scope, are of ultimate importance from the viewpoint of FAMU and its dramaturgy. Accordingly, applications for these festivals are fully under control of the school. These are the festivals included the AA category in this listing.

Considering the fact that FAMU as a school is allocated a specific number of films that may apply or waivers (available applications), or is given a limit for the total time (minutes) of its entire film collection, the school reserves the right to process applications to such festivals itself further to a consultation with the FAMU Dramaturgical Board or, as the case may be, Department leadership and producers.

2. I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF MY FILM BY MYSELF

AODC personnel are obviously not capable of contacting all the festivals and giving an equal measure of care to all emerging films. Therefore, students’ own activity in this regard is obviously understandable and welcome. If you plan on contacting festivals on your own and have a complete festival strategy, contact AODC personnel at least 15 days prior to your submission. You can also consult AODC personnel during their consultation hours following a prior appointment, both in person and online, in order to obtain a realistic opinion on the film’s festival potential and festival strategy. Consultations on festival strategy are important primarily in order to prevent duplicate applications and submissions to dubious or predatory festivals. For films where FAMU is the majority coproducer, the school reserves the right to decide whether or not a film will be included among the candidates. For minority coproductions, any steps taken must be coordinated with FAMU.

3. I WAS APPROACHED DIRECTLY BY A FESTIVAL

Your film has intrigued a festival’s dramaturgical panel and was invited. If this happens, again contact the AODC team and inform them about the selection. Unless expressly agreed otherwise, the person in charge will contact the festival and take care of any additional paperwork. If you wish to take care of your film by yourself, it is imperative that its screening be recorded by AODC. This piece of information is crucial, as it makes further work easier, including the collection of data to be uploaded in the Registry of Artistic Output (“RUV”).

FURTHER DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS: PUBLIC SCREENINGS AND SELLING RIGHTS

Do you have an opportunity to present your film for a screening charge, or an offer to buy the rights and exploit them further commercially including the services of a full-scale sales agent? If FAMU is the majority coproducer, any and all such activities must be directed via FAMU’s organisational structure and the funds generated by selling the rights will be returned to the school in order to help finance further distribution activities.

For majority coproductions, any and all commercial presentations are subject to FAMU’s approval and administration, and FAMU reserves the right to make all decisions in this context. In such a case, AMU is the sole entity authorised to enter into contracts with other parties. At the same time, FAMU also determines and/or approves the film’s distribution strategy and its presentation through various distribution channels. The Head of FAMU’s AODC will provide you with information on any planned presentations upon request.

For minority coproductions, it is necessary to coordinate any information provided to FAMU and the subsequent proper settlement of coproduction shares for the respective period in accordance with the contract in force. FAMU shall also inform the author about any public presentation of their work and any terms and conditions pertaining to such presentation.
 

I WANT TO SHOW MY FILM PUBLICLY AND NON-COMMERCIALLY (WITHOUT COLLECTING THE ADMISSION CHARGE)

If this is the case, contact AODC and they will do their best to accommodate your request and offer the rights for screening without any additional charges.

I WANT TO POST MY FILM ONLINE. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

The easiest way to reach audiences is the FAMU Films platform managed by dramaturge Marek Koutesh. It is open to all student audiovisual works and your space for presentation is guaranteed. Other specialised platforms such as Dafilms and KVIFF TV involve curatorship. FAMU actively offers them its successful and excellent films and collections while catering to demand from VOD partners who request films based on their own dramaturgical strategies.

WHAT DO I DO IF MY WORK IS NOT A FILM?

If you have a work of art other than a film that was invited to a prestigious festival, showcase or another event, the easiest path to support is currently via scholarships. Students can apply for support to present and develop their creative output both nationally and internationally using grants for excellent artistic, research, development, and innovational or other creative achievements that contribute towards deepening the knowledge. It is also possible to apply for support by means of scholarships in cases worthy of special consideration, which FAMU grants primarily with a view to encouraging students to take part in international educational events and film festivals. More information about scholarships and about the method for submitting applications is available under the following link: https://www.famu.cz/cs/studuji/studijni-oddeleni/stipendia/