SUBMISSION FAQs Tropfest Australia 2019 What is the deadline for Tropfest Australia 2019? Entries will close at midnight (Australian Eastern DayligHt Time) on 4 January 2019 When is the Festival held? Tropfest Australia 2019 will be Held on Saturday 9 February 2019 Where will the festival be held? THe festival will be Held at Parramatta Park, Parramatta, in Sydney, NSW , Australia What is the Tropfest Signature Item (TSI) for 2019? The 2019 TSI is ‘CANDLE’ for Tropfest 27. THe TSI for Trop Jr in 2019 is ‘PIZZA’. Filmmakers are invited to represent the TSI in any way they cHoose – be as creative or literal as you like! Why does my film have to feature the TSI & how can I use it? THe TSI is meant to sHow that your film was made specifically for the Festival as Tropfest is about encouraging production, not just exHibition. Try to make a film that stands on its own feet and include the TSI as part of the background somewhere. THis will also enable your film to Have a life after the Festival. Very occasionally a film based around the TSI is brilliant, so don’t let us stop you if yours is one of these! What are the prizes for 2019? THe winning filmmaker of Tropfest Australia 2019 will win Host of fantastic prizes including a brand new Holden veHicle worth up to $55,000, with more prizes for both Tropfest and Trop Jr to be announced. Previous winners Have won $10,000 casH, a return trip to Los Angeles, USA, for a film immersion course ‘week of meetings’ with agents, studio executives and other industry professionals for networking, courtesy of the Motion Picture Association, and more. What have the past Tropfest TSIs been? 2018 – Rose; 2017 – Pineapple, 2015/2016- card, 2014 – Mirror, December 2013 – cHange, 2013 – Balloon 2012 – LigHt Bulb, 2011 – Key, 2010 – Dice, 2009 – Spring, 2008 – 8, 2007 – Sneeze, 2006 – Bubble, 2005 – Umbrella, 2004 – Hook, 2003 – Rock, 2002 – MatcH, 2001 – Horn, 2000 – Bug, 1999 – cHopsticks, 1998 – Kiss, 1997 – Pickle, 1996 – Teaspoon, 1995 – coffee Bean, 1994 – Muffin, 1993 – No TSI. Previous Trop Jr TSIs Have included Rainbow (2018) and Mask (2017), amongst other items. 3. TF27 - Submission FAQs 2019 FINAL.docx p. Page 1 of 6 What is the maximum length for Tropfest films? 7 minutes including titles and credits. Is there a minimum length? No. Can I submit more than one film for the competition? Yes. THere is no restriction on the number of entries, but you must submit eacH separately. Does my film have to be shot in Australia with an Australian Crew? No, you can film anywHere in the world with any crew, but you must nominate the country of production at the time of your submission, on the entry form, wHicH will be taken as the country of origin. Does Tropfest accept international entries? Yes. Absolutely. Does Tropfest accept animations or documentaries? Yes. Absolutely. Are there other important restrictions? Tropfest must be your film’s first public screening. THis means that the film must not Have been screened at any other film festival, or made available on free-to-air or pay TV, in cinemas, on the Internet or any other public arena. THis restriction does not include private cast and crew screenings Are there any maximum budget limitations? No, there are no budget restrictions on films entered into Tropfest. WHilst some films entered into Tropfest Have quite large budgets we Have also seen some fantastic award- winning films made for less than $200! Can I re-edit a film that has already screened so it fits the Tropfest Australia 2019 guidelines? No. We consider this a different version of the same film, therefore if it Has screened previously or otherwise made publicly available, it is not eligible for Tropfest Australia 2019. What camera and format do I have to shoot on? 3. TF27 - Submission FAQs 2019 FINAL.docx p. Page 2 of 6 You can sHoot with any camera and format you like (or can afford) – Digital camera, film camera, mobile pHone etc; – digital file, film, tape; HD, Mini DV, 35mm, 16mm. WHatever equipment and format that is available to you. What format do you accept for entry? Entries must be submitted to us on-line via our website which will re-direct you to the Tropfest Submissions page on filmfreeway.com. Entries must be a 16:9 aspect ratio film file, in mp4, H.264 or similar format. Entries will NOT be accepted on DVD. See the entry guidelines page in the Filmmakers Entry Kit for more info. NOTE: * Finalist filmmakers are required to supply a 16:9, Apple ProRes 422 or H264 (PAL format) file at least 10 days prior to the festival event date. ** Finalist films will be screened at 16:9 widescreen. What is a logline? A logline is essentially a succinct sentence describing your script, summing up your story in an exciting or intriguing way. What is a synopsis? A synopsis is a brief description that outlines the events in your film. Usually 3 sentences to a sHort paragrapH in length, around 50-100 words. Don’t tell us the wHole story in your synopsis – leave that to your film! Can I submit a film in a language other than English? Yes absolutely! As long as you include EnglisH subtitles. What if my film contains subtitles? This is fine, however please consider that the films are screened in a very large environment, with many audience members a great distance away from the screen. You sHould double the size of subtitling and avoid yellow sHades. WHite on black is best in terms of visibility. Does Tropfest Australia 2019 place restrictions on swearing or sexual/violent content? All Finalist Films are classified througH the Australian Federal Government’s classification Board. All films must adHere to a General (G) rating, Parental Guidance (PG) rating – Parental guidance recommended, or a Mature (M) rating – Recommended for mature audiences. For a complete rundown of the classification guidelines please visit classification.gov.au. If in doubt, cHeck out Finalist Films on the Tropfest YouTube page - www.youtube.com/tropfest and use past finalist films as a guideline. 3. TF27 - Submission FAQs 2019 FINAL.docx p. Page 3 of 6 Do I need written permission from cast etc? Yes, you must request all actors, writers and composers of your film to sign a Release Form, wHicH can be downloaded from our website www.tropfest.org.au, as part of the Filmmakers Entry Kit pdf download file. You will need to supply these to us if you are sHortlisted and we ask for them, and definitely if you are a finalist. If you are Having difficulty in filling the form out, please contact us at [email protected]. We suggest you print out a few of these forms and bring with you to your sHoot, that way you don’t Have to cHase them later. Is it necessary to obtain signed release forms for people shown in the background of shots taken in public areas? You need to provide signed release forms for people wHo are featured and agree to be in your film. It is not necessary to obtain a signed release form for people wHo are in the background and who cannot be recognised. If in doubt, you can always ask people to sign a release form if they agree, but you may not need it if your edit cuts them out. If you do plan to film in a public place it is important to first obtain a filming permit from your local council or wHoever looks after/owns the space/building. Does it cost anything to enter? Yes, it costs AUD $45.00 (including GST). You must submit payment to us online as part of your entry process (PayPal). THis will be sHown as US$33 on the on-line entry portal Film Freeway. THis is the only form of payment we accept, we do NOT accept casH, cHeque or money orders. You can pay via credit or debit card or a paypal account. Do I need to apply for an ABN number/register for the GST? If you are making your film for Tropfest Australia 2019 as a Hobbyist - i.e. you are not a professional filmmaker, then it is not necessary to register for an ABN/GST. If your film makes it to the finals, a Tropfest representative will discuss your options with you at this time. THis is due to the fact that we distribute the finalist films following the Festival. This distribution activity could attract a financial return for you (However limited!). To obtain professional advice with regard to ABN/GST registration we recommend you contact an accountant or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 24 78. Do I have to obtain copyright clearance for the music? YES! You must own all copyrigHt for or Have written permission to use all underlying works included in the film including music, performance and script. The Arts Law centre of Australia Has a great website at artslaw.com.au with lots of information and advice about copyrigHt. We suggest you a read througH their articles on copyrigHt as well as their sHort film guide for producers. Otherwise, If you would like further information on copyrigHt and clearances consult our Filmmaker Representative at [email protected]. 3. TF27 - Submission FAQs 2019 FINAL.docx p. Page 4 of 6 Can I use any piece of music as long as I have permission? You can use most pieces of music provided you Have received the necessary permissions from the copyrigHt owner(s).