Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline for the film competition?
Entries MUST be received by 5pm, Tuesday 4 May 2010.

What is the keyword for 2010?
The 2010 keyword is SPLASH.

Do I have to use the keyword?
The keyword is a good way to get the ideas flowing, but it is not compulsory to include in your film.

When will the film screening be held?
The Galah Awards Premier Screening will be held at the Deckchair Cinema on June 2 2010.

The Peoples Choice Award will be announced after the Galah night.

A second screening of runner up films will take place in the same week. Location and dates to be confirmed.

What length of film may be submitted?
Maximum of 7 minutes including credits.

Is there a minimum length?
No.

Can I submit more than one film for the competition?
Yes, there is no restriction on entries, however each entry must adhere to the competition guidelines.

What films are eligible for the Fist Full of Films Festival competition?
Only Northern Territorians and Territory made and content films are eligible for the Fist Full of Film Festival competition. National and International entries will not be accepted unless you are an ex pat Terriotorian. The Fist Full of Film Festival is open to all film genres.

What material should I submit for the competition?
1.     Entry form
2.     DVD for judging purposes
3. Mini DV for screening purposes
4. One still. Preferred submission for stills is in electronic format. If stills are submitted on disc, please ensure resolution is at least 300 DPI.
5. A 20 words or less synopsis of your film

Where do I send my entry?
Entryform, preview dvd, mini dv tape and additional material should be posted to:
We will let you know the address in 2010.

What is the entry fee?
It’s free to enter
When will selection be confirmed?
If your film is selected for the competition you will be sent a letter of confirmation.
How will my material be returned?
All submitted materials, will be available for collection mid June 2010.

How do I contact the festival office?
By phone on [08] 8981 1495, or
Email: fistfulloffilms@brownsmart.com.au

In what format can I supply my finished film?
We require you to submit your films on both mini DV and DVD. TV format must be “PAL”
Regional Code must be “All Regions”
All DVD discs are accepted (DVD-R, DVD-RW etc) EXCEPT DVD-RAM.
We recommend you test your DVD after you have burnt it on at least two different DVD players to make sure that it is working correctly.

What is a production still, and why do I need one?
A production still is simply a photo from the film. It is usually of the action itself, not a behind the scenes photo. We would like you to submit one so that if your film is selected as a finalist, we can use it for publicity and promotional purposes.

What is broadcast quality and why do I want to do it?
Broadcast quality means your short film can be shown on TV. Cameras with “3CCD” chips are of broadcast quality but not all video cameras have 3CCD. Also, your film in the Open or Masters Section needs to be no higher than M (15+) rating. A film in the Youth Section needs to make a PG rating. Check out two websites, www.oflc.gov.au and www.freetvaust.com.au for more detailed ratings information.

Do I need clearance to use a piece of music?
YES! You will find that most pieces of music, film clips etc are copyright. This means that you CAN NOT use them without permission. Gaining permission to use a popular song even for a short film can be quite expensive (check out www.apra.com.au for more), so we have a suggestion - get one of your musical friends to write an original piece of music for your film, that they will let you have the copyright for. This way, you won’t be infringing upon anyone else’s rights, and you will also be showcasing some local artists.

Is there somewhere else I can get music?
YES. Check out on the internet for sites that have royalty free & copyright free sound clips and music loops. They will sell you the copyright for these at a nominal fee, or you may even find that some of them only require you to include where you got the music / sound effects from in your credits.

Once I have submitted my film, do I still own the copyright?
Yes. The film is yours. However, when you sign the entry form you will also be agreeing to the following –
That the Fist Full of Films will have the right to show or broadcast films or extracts of films for publicity and or promotional purposes and that any net profit derived from any subsequent screenings of the films that are hosted under the Darwin Fringe Festival banner will be retained by the Darwin Fringe Festival.
That basically means that we can show your film, royalty free on television to promote our competition, and also, that the takings on the door at any other screenings held by will be reinvested back into the running of the competition. Our aim is to get your work as much exposure as we can, without compromising you or the films integrity!