Dear Filmmakers,
The Trenton Film Society is pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the 2016 Trenton Film Festival, running March 30 through April 3, 2016. Filmmakers are welcome to submit their films online at: https://filmfreeway.com/festival/TrentonFilmFestival. Trenton Film Festival screens new, cutting-edge film of various genres from around the world, offering filmmakers the opportunity to interact with audiences and connect with other filmmakers at various stages in their career. Located half-way between New York City and Philadelphia, Trenton is a small city with easy access to one of the largest film markets in the world, yet intimate enough to give new film exposure that might be hard to achieve in a larger place or festival.
Trenton Film Festival returns for the third year in 2016 after a 5 year hiatus, during which time the Trenton Film Society developed several other events including the Trenton International Festival–coming up 6/8-6/11/16. We are particularly excited to return to our roots to produce what was our signature event, the Trenton Film Festival.
To be considered, films must have been completed after 1/1/2015. Films must be submitted on-line prior to submission deadlines. By submitting a film you agree that if your film is selected, the Trenton Film Society (TFS) may screen your film at the 2016 Trenton Film Festival (3/30-4/3/16) without payment of screening fees and may include your film in festival publicity and publications.
TFS charges admission to screenings to provide a portion of funding required to produce events such as the Trenton Film Festival; by submitting a film you agree that TFS may charge admission to screenings that include your film and represent that this does not violate any agreements that you have with third parties.
Films must be submitted via on-line screener.
If your film is selected, high definition digital .mov or .mp4 file is the requested format for presentation copy. For feature-length films, Blu-Ray or DVD is also acceptable. We do not have equipment to present your film in 35MM or DCP.
For digital files, .mp4 or .mov files must be compressed with the H.264 codec at 24, 25 or 30 frames per second, 720p or 1080p for high definition or 480p for standard definition, and 2-channel (stereo) audio.
Do not submit originals; we will do our utmost to care for your media, but can not accept responsibility for loss or damage.
Presentation copies must be sent with shipping charges prepaid. Presentation copies will be returned if pre-paid shipping envelope is provided for USPS, FedEx, UPS or DHL.
Deadlines and Dates include the opening date of submissions starts today September 18th 2015 and ends December 15th, after that point we will not be accepting any more films. We have 3 selected deadlines of Earlybird, Regular and Late deadlines in which will be separated by payments, the earlier the payment period the least you will have to pay for submitting in your film. the Earlybird dead line ends on October 15th, with the cheapest price of 20$ to encourage early submissions. The Second dead line is the Regular Deadline which ends November 15th with the price of 30$. Lastly the Late Deadline with the final price of 40$ that ends December 15th the last day of submissions. If you are interested in entering a film act early and submit as soon as possible to ensure the cheapest price.
During the Festival we do give out Awards and Prizes yet not that out Prizes do not include a monetary award. The prizes will be awarded at the Closing Night Ceremony on Sunday, June 14 for:
James Solheim Award for Best Film
Best Documentary Feature
Best Documentary Short
Best Narrative Feature
Best Narrative Short
Best Animated Film
Best New Media (Music Video, Spoken Word Poetry, New Media)
Audience Favorite
Again please note that prizes do not include a monetary award.
If you have any questions about the Trenton Film Festival such as submissions, prices, or anything that you need clarification on feel free to email us at trentonfilms@gmail.com.
Thank You,
Trenton Film Society