FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)
GENERAL | FESTIVAL, VENUES
&TICKETS | SUBMISSIONS
– GENERAL | FEATURE
& SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS | SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS
What is
the GOTHAM SCREEN Film Festival and Screenplay Contest?
Pretty much
what it says – a film festival and screenplay contest. GOTHAM SCREEN
was launched in 2007 by a group of Gotham-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 the
contest to a full film festival in 2008.
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 GOTHAM SCREEN is not related to, or
claims to be related to, other contests, awards or institutions that may use
the term ‘Gotham’ in their name.
When will
the festival take place?
The festival
will take place from September 23rd to September 25th,
2008.
Where is
the festival?
The festival
will take place at the Tribeca Cinemas in downtown Manhattan, New York City. Please check back 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.
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.
What
happens if my film or screenplay wins?
Please refer
to awards & prizes for details.
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
You will be given a physical submission address once your entry is accepted into the festival. In the meantime, please use USPS amil services to send to the PO box address for initial 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 GOTHAM SCREEN 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.