Statute of the International Student Film Festival Early Melons 2009
Preamble
The Early Melons International Student Film Festival is organized by the non–profit organization EARLY MELONS FESTIVAL, n.p.o. (in Slovak FESTIVAL SKORÉ MELÓNY, n.o.). The Festival reflects the actual state of student audiovisual production in Slovakia and abroad. It stands as a platform for confronting student film production. Aim of the festival is to exchange experience and strenghten the international collaboration between young talented audiovisual artists.
1. Organizers
The Early Melons International Student Film Festival is organized by the EARLY MELONS FESTIVAL non–profit organization (in Slovak FESTIVAL SKORÉ MELÓNY, n.o.). Its principal subsidies are provided from contributions from cultural funds and private sponsors.
2. Festival dates
The 2nd edition of the Early Melons International Student Film Festival will take place in Bratislava, Slovakia from 11th to 14th March, 2009.
3. Goals
The primary reason for establishing Early Melons Festival was to present new Slovak and foreign student film production to a wide audience. The festival promotes connection with international representation and offers the possibility for exchange of experience between student film makers, film pedagogues and film professionals. The festival aim is to bring student film closer to a wide audience and to promote this format.
4. Program
The Festival presents an international competition and several non–competitive and retrospective sections. Detailed program for the current edition of the Festival can be found in the Festival Profile at the official Festival website.
5. Entry Regulations
5.1 General Conditions of Participation
The author of the participant film must be a student of audiovisual or other creative oriented studies at the time of the film production. Submitted films can not be older than January 1st 2008. All submitted films are considered for competition as well as for non-competitive sections. Films are judged by a preselection committee, the results for selected and non selected films will be announced by email no later than January 15th, 2009. The screening copies of the selected films should arrive no latter then the 1st of March 2009. In case of not completely fulfilling the conditions of application, the organizers reserve the option to not accept the application and the film.
5.2 Entry for the Festival
Applications for the festival are free of charge. It is possible for the same author to apply with more than one film. In case of applying with more than one film, a separate entry form should be used for each film. The deadline for sending applications is December 19th 2008. Applications sent after the deadline will not be accepted. For a valid entry you are obliged to send the materials mentioned below:
* Completed and signed entry form
* English subtitled copy of the participant film on DVD
* Photo of the director and stills from the submitted film on a separate CD
Filled entry forms and the required accompanying material must be sent before December 19th 2008 to the following address:
EARLY MELONS
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL
P.O.BOX 370
814 99 Bratislava 1
Slovak Republic
Applications sent after the deadline will not be accepted. The copy of the participant film on DVD, documentation and promo materials submitted to the Festival will not be returned. Participants are liable for all costs of shipment and transportation of materials for selection. All submitted films must have English subtitles or alternatively English dubbing. Packages sent to the festival should be marked NO COMMERCIAL VALUE.
5.3 Film Selection
A Programming Committee, composed of film and television students and experts, will assist the Program Director in the selection of films and videos for the Festival.
5.4 Screenings
The program with the projection dates of the selected films for the competitive and noncompetitive sections will be available at the Festival home page www.earlymelons.com no later than one week before the Festival. Screening copies of selected films must arrive to Bratislava no latter then 1st March 2009. Exceptions to this deadline may be granted in writing by the Festival management. The screening copies will not be returned to participants before the end of the Festival. Screening copies will be returned within two weeks after the end of the Festival.
5.5 Promotion
The Festival reserves the right to use a maximum of 3 minutes shot of any participant film for non-commercial purposes in different media for the promotion of the Festival. Fragments of selected films will be screened during the Festival in cultural TV programs and in other shows promoting the event. Awarded films will be screened as part of the official Festival aftermath “Best of Early Melons 2009” on partners film festivals and other cultural festivals in Slovakia and abroad and also in partner Slovak Art Cinemas.
6. Official prizes and juries
6.1 International Competition
A minimum of five and a maximum of seven personalities from the world of cinema and culture will be invited to form the Festival’s International Jury. The Jury will award the following prizes:
– Grand Prix Award of Early Melons for the best film in competition (700 EUR)
– Best Fiction/ Short-Feature Film Award
– Best Documentary Film Award
– Best Animated Film Award
The Jury may also award:
– a maximum of two special mentions, the nature of which will be clearly defined by the Jury.
Prizes may not be awarded ex aequo. One film may be awarded in various categories.
6.2 Videoart – International Competition
Three personalities from the world of cinema, art and culture will be invited to form the Festival’s Videoart International Jury. The Videoart Jury will award the prize:
- Best Videoart Award
6.3 Audience Award
Prize given to the film that collects more votes from the audience.
6.4 Prizewinners
Prizewinners of films awarded by the international Jury agree to supply a print of their winning film for additional screenings as part of the official Festival aftermath “Best of Early Melons 2009” on partners events, film and cultural festivals in Slovakia and abroad and in Slovak Art Cinemas.
7. Invitations
The Festival will invite chosen authors of competitive as well as non–competitive films and will provide accommodation for them. The Festival can not cover their costs for transportation.
You can download the festival statute here.