2018 Call for Entries

Submissions for the 2019 festival will open on September 1, 2018.

The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival exhibits nearly 100 documentary films in a variety of programs. By submitting an application, your film will be considered for both the NEW DOCS and Invited Program categories. Filmmakers whose films are selected for Full Frame will be notified at the time of acceptance whether their films will be screening in the NEW DOCS or Invited Program categories. Films screening in the Invited Program are not eligible for awards.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

ENTRY FORM:  Full Frame partners with the online submission service Withoutabox. A direct link to the entry form is available at the bottom of this page.

ENTRY FEE & DEADLINES:  Entry fees are the same for shorts (40 minutes or less) and features (41 minutes or longer). Entry fees must be paid by credit card and are non-refundable.

Regular deadline: September 1 – October 31 / $40
Late deadline: November 1 – December 15 / $60

ELIGIBILITY:  Short and feature documentary films completed after January 1, 2017, are eligible for Full Frame 2018.

SUBMISSION FORMAT:  Full Frame accepts Withoutabox Secure Online Screeners or Vimeo links. Vimeo links are preferred. Screening links must be received at the time of submission. The festival cannot guarantee that updated links will be reviewed.

NOTIFICATIONS:  Notifications regarding acceptance will be sent no later than March 5, 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I submit a rough cut of my film?
A: We strongly encourage you to submit the most complete version of your film possible. We cannot guarantee that replacement cuts will be viewed. If you are submitting a rough cut, please indicate in your application what elements are still incomplete: temporary sound, temporary graphics, missing scenes, etc. To discuss the timing of submitting a rough cut, please email submissions@fullframefest.org.

Q: Can I submit the application and send you the screening link separately?
A: Yes, but screeners must be received by the regular deadline or the late deadline, depending on when you submitted. Screeners received after October 31 will be charged the late deadline fee. Screeners received after December 15 may not be considered.

Q: Can I send an updated cut of my film after I’ve already submitted a screener?
A: Our programming team will review the original screener received. Full Frame cannot guarantee that updated versions of your film will be reviewed, but links to new cuts can be emailed to submissions@fullframefest.org.

Q: I submitted my film to Full Frame before and it was not accepted. I’ve since made changes to the film. Can I submit again this year?
A: Unless you have completely reworked the film, we discourage you from submitting again.

Q: Does Full Frame have a premiere requirement?
A: Full Frame does not have a formal premiere requirement. When making final decisions, programmers do take a film’s exposure into consideration, especially prior screenings in North Carolina, wide play on the festival circuit, a national television broadcast, or a theatrical release.

Q: Will the festival provide feedback on why my film was not accepted?
A: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individualized feedback to filmmakers.

Have additional questions about submitting? Please email submissions@fullframefest.org.