Film Acceptance Agreement
Congratulations on being selected for the 20th annual Durango Independent Film Festival, taking place March 5 – 9, 2025 in downtown theaters.
This document sets forth the Agreement between Durango Independent Film Festival ("DIFF" or "Festival") concerning Filmmakers' original work or visual art (the "Film") in the 2025 Durango Independent Film Festival. Your film will be screened at least twice in-person during the Festival. Please note that times and dates for Festival screenings are at the discretion of the Festival.
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to provide the Festival with accurate information so that your film is correctly listed in the Festival program. Please provide the following information EXACTLY AS YOU WANT IT LISTED. For example, if title should be all CAPS (upper case), please use all CAPS. However, if not, please do not use all CAPS.
Festival Format Requirements
All filmmakers will need to provide a 1080p mov or mp4 version of their film. Please provide that film file by December 31, 2024. For the 2025 Festival, two of three DIFF venues are equipped with DCP projection systems, so most filmmakers will also need to provide a 2K DCP version of their film. Once Festival screenings are scheduled in early January, you will be notified if we need a 2K DCP version of your film. If you do not have a DCP version of your film, DIFF staff will make one from your mp4 or mov film file.
Additional specs and delivery options:
1080p mov and mp4 film files shall be no larger than 50 GB.
DCP film files may exceed 50 GB but don't go crazy with an extremely large file.
DCP shall be 2K Flat or Cinemascope; audio: stereo or 5.1; frame rates: 24, 25, 30 fps.
Electronic delivery: DIFF Print Traffic will make every effort to download any film file (mov/mp4/DCP) up to 50 GB. DIFF will provide an upload link to our file transfer service in your acceptance email. Filmmakers are welcome to use the DIFF file transfer service or any of the many other commonly used file transfer services such as FTP, WeTransfer, FileMail, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.
DCP film files larger than 50 GB must be delivered via hard media: flash drive, hard drive or CRU.
Filmmakers are welcome to submit smaller film files on hard media as well.
DIFF retains the rights to your media during the Festival. Every precaution will be taken to safeguard your exhibition copies while in the possession of the Festival. However, DIFF is not responsible for any loss or damage to your exhibition copies, directly or indirectly caused by any employees, volunteers, staff of the Festival or arising from damages incurred as a result of actions taken by our screening venues including but not limited to mishandling of the exhibition prints or equipment malfunction. DIFF makes no warranties, express or implied, about the safekeeping of the exhibition copies except as set forth herein. DIFF strongly recommends the filmmaker obtain the necessary insurance coverage to protect him/her in the event of damage to, loss of, or theft of, the exhibition copies.
Shipping Information
As a filmmaker, I understand I must send (electronically or physically) exhibition copies to DIFF no later than January 27, 2025, a deadline set by DIFF to ensure the technical team can perform proper inspections. I understand that I am responsible for the cost of shipment to the Festival and will send to the following address:
Durango Film | Attn: Print Traffic Coordinator |835 Main Avenue #208 | Durango, CO 81301
Upon shipping, I will forward shipping information with the tracking number to durangofilm@gmail.com and include the title of my film with any correspondence with the Festival. The Festival's Print Traffic Coordinator will respond in the following weeks with any additional pertinent information.
Domestic Return Policy: I will include the most current return address so DIFF may return my CRU, flash or hard drive promptly following the conclusion of the Festival.
International Return Policy: I understand DIFF does not pay the cost for shipping to international destinations, except Canada. DIFF will ship to international destinations upon receipt of a prepaid package or a FEDEX or UPS account number provided by the filmmaker. DIFF will send international exhibition prints to other U.S. or Canada Film Festivals, if requested in a timely manner.
Post-Festival, all exhibition copies will be shipped by March 31, 2025, except as stated above. DIFF does not pay for the cost of overnight or priority shipping unless prior approval has been granted. I understand I am responsible for providing DIFF with complete and legible shipping information by February 17, 2025; otherwise, films will not be shipped.
Promotional Materials: Promotional materials, such as post cards (@200) and up to 3 posters, should be sent by mid-January to the Festival address noted below.
Advertising in the Festival Program: Please contact Carol at admin@durangofilm.org if you are interested in placing an ad in our souvenir program at a discounted rate. Ads must be submitted by January 20, 2025.
Media Formats
Image Requirements—Please attach the following files to the online Agreement:
Poster Image: A poster image for the film, shown in the online film guide and on detail pages. (Recommended: 2:3 aspect ratio or at least 200 x 300 resolution, if possible).
Cover image: A cover image for the film, shown as a background in the online film guide and on detail pages. (Recommended: 960 x 380 px.)Accepted formats for the poster & cover image are pdf, png & jpg.
Festival program image: A still frame image from your film which must be at least 3.1" x 1.625" (7.874 cm x 4.1275 cm) at 300 dpi. Accepted formats for the program image are pdf, tiff, and jpg.
Terms and Conditions
Press and Publicity Information:
As signer, I understand that I retain all rights to ownership of the film, and grant DIFF the permission and non- exclusive right to feature, advertise, display, or compile, in whole or part, the film in connection with efforts to market or promote the 2025 Durango Independent Film Festival. Marketing efforts may include stills and/or clips of your film in Festival publicity and printed materials, including the DIFF website, social media outlets, the official Festival program guide, Festival trailer, and other DIFF promotional materials. DIFF reserves the right to screen your Film post-Festival at a "Best of the Fest" event with the Festival retaining the right to gained profits from said screenings.
Copyright Warranty:
As signer, I confirm that I have full power and authority to enter into this Agreement because I am either: (i) the owner of the copyright to the Film and all copyrighted materials that may be included within the film, or (ii) I have been granted such power and authority by the copyright holder(s) of the Film and all copyrighted materials that may be included within the Film. I agree that I am submitting the Film for promotional and commercial purposes in connection with its use by DIFF subject to the terms of this Agreement and I confirm that the Film is an original work of authorship. DIFF does not pay screening fees for films.
Miscellaneous:
I understand this Agreement is due no later than December 20, 2024 and by not sending this Agreement to DIFF in a timely manner may result in my film being replaced in the 2025 lineup. However, if a delay cannot be avoided, please make arrangements with the DIFF Executive Director, Carol Fleisher, via carol@durangofilm.com
DIFF reserves the right to decide on other issues not specifically addressed herein. DIFF is a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization. This Agreement embodies the entire Agreement and understandings relating to the subject matter. This Agreement may not be modified or amended or any term or provision hereof waived or discharged except in writing signed by the parties.