FILM SUBMISSION
When will submissions open?
The submissions will open starting from February 1, 2022.
What are the submission deadlines?
The deadline for registering a feature-length film or a short film is June 17, 2022. The deadline to submit immersive works is May 31, 2022.
The selection screener must also be provided within the respective deadline.
How do I submit my work to the Venice International Film Festival?
You have to register your work through the online pre-selection entry form. Then you will be able to upload the film or immersive work into the relevant VIFF streaming platform.
Is it possible to submit through Withoutabox or Filmfreeway?
No, the only channel to submit is filling out the official pre-selection entry form that you find at www.labiennale.org/en/cinema.
May I submit if I do not have a production company?
Yes, of course.
Is it possible to submit more than one work?
Yes, you can submit more than one work. For each one you need to complete the pre-selection entry form.
May I apply to more than one section or to a specific section?
There is only one general submission form, the Festival Direction will decide in which section your work will be presented in case it is selected. Short films have their own submission form and will be presented in the competitive Orizzonti section. Immersive projects have their own submission form and will be presented at the Lazzaretto Vecchio Island (Venice Immersive Island) in the Venice Immersive program.
How can I add or correct the information given in my application?
Please send an email with the updated information to selection@labiennale.org or, if it is a short film, to orizzonti@labiennale.org, if it is an immersive project to veniceimmersive@labiennale.org . Please remember to mention the title of the work or the registration code in the email object.
Do you accept works submitted in previous years?
No, the VIFF does not accept works that have already been considered for past editions, even if they had a different title, different duration, or were previously presented as works in progress.
Do you accept documentaries and animations?
Yes, the VIFF accepts documentaries and animations both as full-length films and as short films.
Is the VIFF in charge of selecting films for Settimana della Critica (Critics’ Week) and Giornate degli Autori?
No, these are sidebar independent sections with their own regulations and selection committees.
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS
Which Premiere status must a film have to be eligible for the VIFF?
All films presented at the VIFF must be World Premiere, this means that a film must have never been shown anywhere publicly.
Are International Premieres admitted in any section?
No, all sections of the VIFF, even non competitive ones, will present only films as World Premiere.
Only immersive projects may be presented as IP, even though WP will be preferred.
If my film has been presented only in its country of origin, is it eligible?
No, sorry it is not.
Are films presented at national or international film festivals/events eligible?
No, sorry they are not.
If my film has been/will be presented in a film market, is it still eligible?
Yes, but only if it is/will be a private screening by invitation only, with no press admitted.
Are films released on the internet, broadcast on television or released on DVD or Blu-ray admitted?
No, sorry they are not.
A trailer of my film is already available on the internet. Is the film still eligible?
Yes, it is. A trailer does not present any breach of our regulations.
When must my work be produced to be eligible?
Only works produced in the twelve months before the VIFF are eligible. This means that they must have been completed after September 11, 2021.
What are the admitted film durations?
Feature-length films must be no shorter than 60 minutes (credits included).
Short films must be no longer than 20 minutes (credits included).
Films between 21 and 59 minutes are not admitted in any section.
Immersive projects have no duration limits.
Are TV series eligible for the VIFF?
The VIFF may occasionally present a TV series in the non-competitive sections Orizzonti Extra or Out of Competition. It must be a world premiere. The VIFF will be able to present two episodes, unless it is a mini-series. So you should submit at least two episodes using a single feature-length form.
Do you select commercials or music videos?
No, there are no sections presenting these film categories.
May I submit my work to other festivals during the VIFF submission process?
Yes, you may. But please let us know if your work has been selected elsewhere, so we can try and give you an early answer.
SUBMISSION FEE
What is the fee for submission?
The fee is € 150 for feature-length films, € 70 for short films, if the submission is completed by May 31. The fee for immersive projects is € 150, if the submission is completed by April 30.
Are there any additional late fees?
If films are submitted after May 31 there is an additional cost: from June 1 the submission fee for feature-length film is € 175, for short films € 80.
For immersive projects submitted from May 1 the fee is € 175 as well.
Will you refund submission fee if it turns out that my work is not eligible?
No, you cannot get a refund in case your work is not eligible. Therefore please carefully check the eligibility conditions prior to submitting your work.
Do you accept PayPal payments?
No, only payment by credit card is accepted. Please also note that debit cards are not accepted.
Will I receive an invoice for the submission fee?
Yes, you will be sent an invoice a few days after the payment.
SELECTION SCREENER
Which screening formats are accepted for selection?
The VIFF accepts screeners of feature-length films via file upload, or shipment of Blu-ray, DVD or DCP. Short films can be submitted only via file upload.
If your film is available only in a different format, please convert it into one of the accepted technical formats before you submit it. HDCAM and QT ProRes files are not accepted. The detailed technical specifications for selection screener formats can be found here.
As for immersive projects, we accept 360 videos, linear or interactive XR works 3 DOF and 6 DOF compliant with one or more of the following devices/formats: Oculus Quest, Oculus Quest 2, PC VR, Mixed Reality, Augmented Reality
If you have any additional technical questions, please contact selection@labiennale.org (feature length films), orizzonti@labiennale.org (short films), veniceimmersive@labiennale.org (immersive projects).
How can I get instructions to upload my work?
After paying the submission fee (see below), you will get an email with an invitation to register to Mnemonica platform where you can upload your film file, or, in case of immersive projects, a link to upload your files to the dedicates online repository.
Which size must the video file have to be uploaded?
There are no limits for the file size, but we the format must be MP4/MOV (check specifications here).
Immersive projects have a maximum of 30GB available.
May I send a link to my film (e.g. Vimeo) instead?
No. The VIFF accepts only files uploaded to its own secure streaming platform. But you can take the same data file that is provided on the Vimeo platform and upload it as your selection screener.
May I send my film in more than one format?
No, please just send your film once in one single format.
Do you view trailers?
No, please do not send trailers. The VIFF only accepts and views films in their full version.
Do you accept works in progress for selection?
Yes, of course the work can be viewed also if it has not completed post-production or picture lock. Please be sure the work will be finished for the festival delivery date. If in doubt, please get in touch with the festival’s Programming Office.
May I send an updated version of my selection screener at a later date?
You must be authorized by the Programming office to do so. We do not advise to send a first version with the idea of replacing it later. The selection team will not view the same work twice.
Do you need a subtitled version for the selection screenings?
Yes, the VIFF needs an English subtitled version for the selection screenings of feature length and short films. If the film’s original version is English with strong regional accent or slang vocabulary, that could not be easily understood by non-native speakers, it is recommended to have it subtitled as well.
Immersive projects must be in English or in original language with English subtitles.
Can I send subtitles as a separate file?
No, they must be included in the screener.
When do I have to send / upload my work?
The selection screener should be received by the festival within the respective deadlines (June 17, 2022 for full length and short films - May 31, 2022 for immersive projects).
Where do I send my film?
Selection screeners not submitted online should be sent to the following addresses (except short films that may only be uploaded).
Before sending a DCP it is recommended to get in touch with print.traffic@labiennale.org to check on when and where the next screening session will take place.
La Biennale di Venezia - Settore Cinema
79. MOSTRA INTERNAZIONALE D’ARTE CINEMATOGRAFICA
Ca’ Giustinian - San Marco 1364/a, 30124 Venezia
Tel. +39 041 5218878 - cinema@labiennale.org
From May 30 the address is:
La Biennale di Venezia - Settore Cinema
79. MOSTRA INTERNAZIONALE D’ARTE CINEMATOGRAFICA
Palazzo del Cinema, Lungomare Marconi, 30126 Lido di Venezia
Tel. +39 041 5218878
Is it possible to send DCPs by digital file transfer?
No, it is necessary to ship a CRU, HDD, SSD or USB stick.
Aspera digital transfer may occasionally be allowed in cases of extreme urgency or technical issues. Please contact the festival’s Programming Office (print.traffic@labiennale.org) for further instructions.
Does my DCP need to be protected through KDM (encrypted)?
No, it is not mandatory. The VIFF grants the utmost security for your contents, by using its own private screening rooms and by methodically cancelling all viewed DCPs. Anyway, if you want to send encrypted DCPs, please make sure that KDMs reach the VIFF by the date of your DCP delivery.
How can I get server certificates to issue KDMs and to which address must I send them?
You can get server certificates from print.traffic@labiennale.org and you must send KDMs to the same address.
Which time window should the KDM cover?
Please issue KDMs valid for at least 15 days from the date of the DCP delivery to the VIFF.
Do I get a confirmation on the submission and the arrival of my film?
Yes, you will get a confirmation by email after successful upload or upon shipment delivery.
If you do not receive such confirmation, please get in touch with the Programming Office to verify it has been safely received.
Can I have my screener shipped back to me?
The VIFF will not return DVDs, Blu-Rays and USB sticks. DCPs delivered on CRU, SSD, HDD can be returned if requested by September 30, 2022. The shipping will be at your expenses and must be organized through your courier by contacting print.traffic@labiennale.org .
DECISIONS AND NOTIFICATIONS
When will I be notified the selection result regarding my work?
Generally, notifications will be sent out starting from the beginning of July.
In case of urgency – e.g. an invitation to another festival - please get in touch with the Programming Office and they will do their best to deliver an earlier decision.
If my work is not selected, may I get a feedback from the selection team?
Sorry not. Please understand that it is impossible for the VIFF to offer a specific explanation for each exclusion, that is the result of a joint and sometimes difficult decision of the selection team.
IF MY WORK IS SELECTED
If my work is selected, do I need to sign an agreement?
Yes, you will receive a link to fill out an entry form (different form the submission form), which will include all detailed information regarding your work and must be signed and sent back to the VIFF by July 21st, 2022.
If my film is selected, when do you need the festival version?
The film’s version for presentation at the festival should arrive in Venice no later than August 16, 2022.
Will copyrights for music or footage included in my work be cleared by the VIFF?
No, please make sure to solve all copyrights issues before the work presentation at the VIFF.
Which screening formats are requested for festival presentation of films?
The VIFF accepts only DCPs or 35mm prints (the last only if previously agreed upon with the Direction of the festival). You need to send two copies (show copy and backup copy - they must be identical and in the same format).
What kind of subtitles do you request for the festival version?
For their VIFF presentation foreign language films must be subtitled onscreen in Italian, while Italian language films must be subtitled onscreen in English. The VIFF will also project English offscreen subtitles for all foreign language films (including English spoken films – to the benefit of the non-native English speaking audience).
In case of films spoken in more than one language, please contact immediately the Programming Office to discuss the most appropriate subtitling.
Immersive projects must be in English or in original language with English subtitles.
Will the Festival pay for the subtitling costs?
No sorry, the cost of subtitling your work are at your charge.
Does the Festival cover the shipping costs of the film copies to/from Venice?
No sorry, all shipping costs to and from Venice are at your charge.
For immersive projects that need an installation, all shipping and setup costs are at your charge.
What kind of hospitality does the festival offer to invited films?
Generally the Venice Film Festival offers 9 nights to feature films, 6 nights to documentaries, 3 nights to short films in a partner hotel in Lido or in Venice. Hospitality is primarily offered to the directors and actors.
Does the Festival cover travel expenses for the director and/or cast?
No sorry, all travel expenses to Venice are at your charge.
CONTACT US
For further questions the Programming Office will be at your disposal:
Venice International Film Festival
Cinema Department
La Biennale di Venezia
Tel. +39 041 5218878
cinema@labiennale.org
