Greenwich International Film Festival

Compelling. Provocative. Thrilling. Empowering.

These are the adjectives that describe the films that play in the minds of tomorrow’s great filmmakers. Greenwich International Film Festival aims to celebrate these gifted artists annually and to promote Greenwich, Connecticut, as a film and visual arts epicenter.

Set in Greenwich, an affluent community of art lovers located 45-minutes outside of Manhattan, this carefully curated Festival will connect an audience of prospective financiers, distributors and film lovers with rising stars in the film industry.

MISSION & OBJECTIVE

The mission of the Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF) is to provide filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their work, with the goal of finding financing and distribution. Additionally, GIFF harnesses the power of film to serve the greater good by highlighting an important cause each year. Last year, GIFF supported OneMinutesJr, a UNICEF initiative, which provides underprivileged children around the world with the tools to make short films in order to have their voices heard.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF) is a non-profit organization that celebrates the visual arts in Greenwich, CT, with an annual film festival in June and supporting events throughout the year. It was founded to bridge the worlds of film, finance and philanthropy. Greenwich, Connecticut is a picturesque, waterfront town just 45 minutes outside of New York City. Its robust financial community makes it an ideal location for a working film festival. GIFF attracts an audience of approximately 10,000 celebrities, filmmakers, journalists, financial executives, movie lovers, and Fairfield & Westchester County residents.

The Second Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF) event will take place June 9rd through June 12th, 2016. The four-day festival will showcase 30+ domestic and international film premieres and screenings, a star-studded Opening Night Party, educational panels and workshops, a VIP lounge, and the Changemaker Honoree Gala that honors an actor and actress who have used
 film to impact positive change. Significant cash prizes, including an award for the Best Social Impact Film, are awarded to filmmakers each year. In addition to the Festival weekend, supporting workshops, seminars and screenings throughout the year will cultivate a burgeoning visual arts community in Greenwich and beyond.

GIFF garners great media attention. The 2015 Festival generated 280 million media impressions in news outlets around the world, including: The Wall Street Journal, Hollywood Reporter, Associated Press, Today Show, Access Hollywood,
 US Weekly, New York Post, Variety, Deadline, Billboard, Town&Country, Greenwich Magazine, Greenwich Time, and many others. GIFF has a strong social media following including 89,500 Twitter followers, 32,600 Instagram Followers, and 13,900 Facebook followers

Sponsors have included a mix of Fortune 500 companies and local businesses, such as: U.S. Trust, Bentley, Moët Hennessy, Stella Artois, Ralph Lauren, JetBlue, Baccarat, Morgan Stanley, Houlihan Lawrence, ION Media Networks, PURE Insurance, NEBCO, Wheels Up and a number of other businesses.

GIFF has a supportive Board of experts in film, art and business, including Richard Brener, Jim Cabrera, David Duchovny, Doug Ellin, John Evans, Dennis Ever, Julie Fareri, Kathie Lee Gifford, Jared Ian Goldman, Colin Hanks, Jenna Bush-Hager, Don Ienner, Michael Imperioli, David Levien, Avram Ludwig, Jim Matthews, Clea Newman, Clay Pecorin, Daphne Richards, Deborah Goodrich Royce, Tom Scott, Bill Shipsey, Christian Simonds, Ginger Stickel, Adrienne Stern, Jeb Stuart, Mark Teixeira, Emily Wachtel, George Walker, Ali Wolfe and Susan Yonce.

Awards & Prizes

Narrative Feature 

A fictional motion picture that tells a story. 

*Duration is over 40 minutes in length. 

Best Narrative Feature will be eligible for a cash prize of $10,000 and will be considered for The Social Impact Award.

Narrative Short 

A fictional motion picture that tells a story. Animated narrative shorts may be submitted 

*Duration is less than 40 minutes in length. The Best Narrative Short will be eligible for a $2,500 cash prize as well as considered for The Social Impact Award.

Documentary Feature 

A non-fiction motion picture that documents reality. 

Animated documentary shorts may be submitted 

*Duration is over 40 minutes in length 

Best Documentary Feature will be eligible for a cash prize of $10,000 and will be considered for The Social Impact Award.

Documentary Short 

A non-fiction motion picture that documents reality 

*Duration is less than 40 minutes in length 

Best Documentary Short will be eligible for a $2,500 cash prize as well as considered for The Social Impact Award.

Awards

Best Narrative Feature 

Best Documentary Feature 

Best Narrative Short 

Best Documentary Short

The Social Impact Award: 

This prize will be awarded to one film across all categories that promotes social change and awareness. The films in competition for The Social Impact Prize will be determined by the GIFF team, awarded by the the GIFF jury and will have a cash value of $10,000.00

Awards will be presented to winning directors of each film in competition in an awards ceremony. Each director will be presented with a trophy and will receive a check within 10 weeks from the end date of the 2016 Festival.

Rules & Terms

2016 Greenwich International Film Festival 

Entry Rules and Regulations

General

The Mission of The Greenwich International Film Festival is two-fold: to provide filmmakers with a platform to showcase their work with the goal of finding financing, distribution as well as for providing exhibition opportunities, and to harness the power of film to serve the greater good.

When you submit your film to GIFF, you agree to all screen Entry Rules and Regulations below.

Key Dates

Nov 1st, 2015- Call For Entry 

December 1st, 2015 (Postmark)- Early entry deadline 

January 1st, 2016 (Postmark)- Regular entry deadline 

February 1st, 2016 (Postmark)- Late entry deadline 

February 28th, 2016 (Postmark)- Extended late deadline

*Filmmakers will be notified of their status one month prior to the Festival by email

Entry Fees

December 1st, 2015 (Postmark)- Early entry deadline: US $35/45 

January 1st, 2016 (Postmark)- Regular entry deadline: US $45/55 

February 1st, 2016 (Postmark)- Late entry deadline: US $55/65 

February 28th, 2016 (Postmark)- Extended late deadline: US $75/85

Eligibility

-Entrants accept all rules and regulations of GIFF and must be 18+ yrs old or have written adult consent by a parent or guardian 

-Films that are not in the English language must be subtitled in English or dubbed 

-Films must not have been screened publicly prior to January 2015 

-Feature films submitted to The Greenwich International Film Festival in 2015 or 2016 must never have been broadcasted publicly (on the internet or television) or been commercially exhibited in the United States prior to the opening night of the 2016 Greenwich International Film Festival. 

-The filmmaker represents and warrants that the submitted material is an original work and that there are no disputes regarding ownership of the submission. The filmmaker represents and warrants that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and he/she fully indemnifies the Festival against any claim made for such violations of the law. The filmmaker understands that failure to adhere to the Festival rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. The filmmaker agrees to hold Greenwich International Film Festival harmless from and defends them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not they are groundless, based on any film submitted to the Festival.

Entry Protocol

Entrants must complete the online submission completely. If mailing in a physical DVD or BluRay, please sign the entry form and send payment along with all materials to the following address:

The Greenwich International Film Festival 

Attn: Submissions 

55 Old Field Point Road 

Greenwich, Ct 06830

For International Submissions: 

The Greenwich International Film Festival 

Attn: Submissions 

P.O. Box 4866 

Greenwich, CT 06831

Questions? 

Please contact us at submissions@greenwichfilm.org

Entry Materials must include the following:

-A signed and completed Entry Form 

-Entry Fee in US dollars payable by credit card, check, cash, US travelers checks, or money order 

-All works not submitted on FilmFreeway as secure online screeners must be submitted on DVD or Blu-ray Format (1 copy only must be provided).

*Films submitted for selection will be considered as final and no changes will be accepted after submission. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to submit screener DVDs without any physical or quality defects*Please note that entry materials will not be returned 

*For multiple entries, please note that each film entered must have a separate entry form and separate DVD or Blu-ray. Additionally, each film must be submitted separately on FilmFreeway. Fees for multiple entries may be combined either through the FIlmFreeway system or through mailed payment. 

*Please be sure that the entry and confirmation forms are legible 

*Please indicate the running time of your film

Re-entry

Films may be re-entered in subsequent years provided that significant changes have been made to them and that they still meet all rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements. Films must not have been screened publicly prior to January 2015.

Invited Works

All filmmaker participants accepted into the Festival will be notified by The Director of Programming one month prior to the Festival. 

*Please note that a valid and current physical address and email address must be provided with the film. Please update that information with The Director of Programming if anything should change from the date of entry. The Director of Programming reserves the right to inquire about other invitations to Festivals prior to acceptance into GIFF.

If your work is accepted into GIFF 2016:

-A full resolution digital file must be provided and sent to The Director of Programming upon acceptance 

-A Film Information Form that will be emailed to you must be completed, signed and sent in with the exhibition copy upon acceptance 

-The Filmmaker must provide The Director of Programming with a trailer or clip of the film under 2 minutes in length as a digital file or online link that can be embedded or downloaded 

-5 additional DVD screeners for GIFF archives and press must be provided upon acceptance 

-One comprehensive digital press kit must be provided to The Director of Programming which includes film stills, photo of director, synopsis of film for marketing material, full cast and crew credits, and bio of director. The Director of Programming reserves the right to secure alternative materials from other sources.

Exhibition Guidelines: 

*Transportation and insurance costs of DVDs, related documents, photographs, and publicity materials from the country of origin to the GIFF office shall be borne by the applicant. GIFF will pay for the return of any hard drives to the filmmaker via UPS. 

*GIFF 2016 will be allowed to use all photographs and publicity materials received along with the entry and with all accepted films for marketing material. These photographs and publicity material will not be returned to the filmmaker 

*For promotional and publicity purposes, trailers or brief clips of any film entered into the Festival may be shown on any television network, the internet, or related media throughout the duration of the Festival 

*Films selected for the final screening, once the offer is accepted by the filmmaker, will not be allowed to be withdrawn from the Festival under any circumstance 

*GIFF does not pay screening fees under any circumstance. By submitting your film, you are agreeing to screen your film without a screening fee or any other compensation if it is selected 

*Decisions of the Festival Authorities regarding all matters not expressly provided for in these regulations or which require interpretation of the clauses mentioned above shall be binding on all parties 

*Submission in the Festival implies acceptance of these regulations

Competition Categories

Narrative Feature 

A fictional motion picture that tells a story. 

*Duration is over 40 minutes in length. 

Best Narrative Feature will be eligible for a cash prize of $10,000 and will be considered for The Social Impact Award.

Narrative Short 

A fictional motion picture that tells a story. Animated narrative shorts may be submitted 

*Duration is less than 40 minutes in length. Best narrative short will be eligible for a $2,500 cash prize as well as The Social Impact Award.

Documentary Feature 

A non-fiction motion picture that documents reality 

Animated documentary shorts may be submitted 

*Duration is over 40 minutes in length 

Best Documentary Feature will be eligible for a cash prize of $10,000 and will be considered for The Social Impact Award.

Documentary Short 

A non-fiction motion picture that documents reality 

*Duration is less than 40 minutes in length 

Best Documentary Short will be eligible for a $2,500 cash prize as well as The Social Impact Award.

Awards

*Best Narrative Feature 

*Best Documentary Feature 

*Best Narrative Short 

*Best Documentary Short

*The Social Impact Award: 

This prize will be awarded to one film across all categories that promotes social change and awareness. The films in competition for The Social Impact Prize will be determined by the GIFF team, awarded by the the GIFF jury and will have a cash value of $10,000.00

Awards will be presented to winning directors of each film in competition in an awards ceremony. Each director will be presented with a trophy and will receive a check within 10 weeks from the end date of the 2016 Festival.

Accepted Filmmaker Package Checklist

-5 DVD screeners 

-Synopsis of the film (approximately 150 words) 

-Director biography 

-Entry Fee 

-Photograph of director 

-Still photographs of film (minimum 2) 

-Production still (minimum 2) 

-Poster (if any) 

-Press Kit

MEET THE PROGRAMMING TEAM

*Colleen deVeer 

Founder/Principal 

Director of Programming 

Greenwich International Film Festival

Colleen deVeer received a BA in Theater Arts from Boston College and a Masters of Fine Arts in Acting from the Actor’s Studio in New York City training with the late Doug Moston and Barbara Poitier as well as other masters of acting including David Gideon and Elizabeth Kemp. After fifteen years of working as an actress and dancer in theater, film and television, Colleen met two playwrights whose work she found so exceptional that she tried her hand at producing. With her partner, Josh Rivedal, Colleen found investors, secured locations and put dramatic teams together, launching two successful plays in repertory with critically acclaimed runs. Colleen has attended and worked at film festivals across the country giving her a deep knowledge of the market. This is Colleen deVeer's second year as GIFF's Director of Programming.

Rachel Langus 

*Programmer

Rachel Langus is a native New Yorker who has worked for several non-profit film organizations and festivals throughout the country including Boston Jewish, San Francisco International, Provincetown International, and Sundance, where she managed the Filmmaker Office for the US Documentary Competition. After graduating from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Film Studies, she worked for the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation directly supporting the Executive & Artistic Directors. She has also served on the screening committee for the Hamptons International Film Festival and worked in the programming departments of the Jacob Burns Film Center, Museum of the Moving Image, and the Flaherty International Seminars. Most recently, she was the Director of Non-Theatrical Distribution & Outreach at Film Movement. She has worked as a consultant with several film projects whose filmmakers were seeking help navigating the festival circuit and developing a distribution & marketing strategy and has a Certificate of Arts Administration from New York University.

*Bears Fonte 

Programming Consultant

Bears Fonte is the former Director of Programming for Austin Film Festival as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Other Worlds Austin, a SciFi film festival. He writes reviews, previews, and interviews for AMFM Magazine, focusing on Indie Film and the Film Festival Circuit as well as serving as consultant for both film festivals and filmmakers navigating the festival scene. His feature film debut iCrime received DVD and VOD distribution after playing a number of film festivals. His most recent short, The Secret Keeper, just finished the circuit, playing 40+ festivals over 18 months.

For further clarification of any details given here or for any further information, please contact:

submissions@greenwichfilm.org