[ submit your film ]
Submissions for STIFF begin October 1st!
Submissions are now open for STIFF 2012.
- November 1st: Early Deadline
- December 1st: Regular Deadline
- January 1st: Late Deadline
- January 15th: Last Chance Extended Late Deadline
[ faq ]
What is STIFF
What is the history of STIFF
Why are you putting on STIFF
How much does it cost to attend?
How can I help out?
Are you looking for any type of corporate sponsorship?
What type of films are you looking for?
How much does it cost to enter STIFF?
I am just a broke filmmaker. Can you hook me up with a fee waiver?
Is my long short a good fit for STIFF?
What are your premier requirements?
The fee's are reasonable and Washington State Filmmakers Pay Nothing?
Will you be distributing my film?
How can I guarantee that the screeners will watch my film in its entirety?
Should I enter SIFF or STIFF?
Where will the films be screened?
What are my chances of being accepted?
What type of films are you looking for?
Do you just attend the major fests and invite films with celebrities to take up all the programming slots?
What are your exhibition formats?
OK. I am sold. I want to screen my film at STIFF, what do I have to do?
How will I be notified?
When will I find out if I am screening at STIFF?
If I submit at the late deadline, do I even have a chance?
If I don’t get into the festival, can you tell me why?
What is STIFF?
The most fun you can legally have for $50 dollars. Seattle's True Independent Film Festival is held at multiple venues throughout Seattle. It is a celebration of off-beat independent film from the Northwest and the rest of the world. Combined with our concurrent companion Music and Stand-Up Comedy festival STIFF Licks, it features the best independent entertainment in the entire city.
The most fun you can legally have for $50 dollars. Seattle's True Independent Film Festival is held at multiple venues throughout Seattle. It is a celebration of off-beat independent film from the Northwest and the rest of the world. Combined with our concurrent companion Music and Stand-Up Comedy festival STIFF Licks, it features the best independent entertainment in the entire city.
What is the history of STIFF?
In 2005, the Seattle's True Independent Film Festival (aka STIFF) was started by a group of local filmmakers as a way to showcase off-beat independent films that are typically ignored by traditional "independent" film channels in the city. Wikipedia Page
In 2005, the Seattle's True Independent Film Festival (aka STIFF) was started by a group of local filmmakers as a way to showcase off-beat independent films that are typically ignored by traditional "independent" film channels in the city. Wikipedia Page
Why are you putting on STIFF?
As film festivals across the country strive to raise their profile, they continually pass over inventive, risk-taking films so they can give a sneak preview of the new Jennifer Aniston film a week before its world-wide release. Somebody needs to help these TRUE Independent gems find an audience on the lookout for the unusual.
As film festivals across the country strive to raise their profile, they continually pass over inventive, risk-taking films so they can give a sneak preview of the new Jennifer Aniston film a week before its world-wide release. Somebody needs to help these TRUE Independent gems find an audience on the lookout for the unusual.
How much does it cost to attend?
A limited number of All-Access badges will go on sale for $50. Single movie, music and comedy tickets range in price. All filmmakers who submit a film receive an all-access badge whether or not they are accepted into the festival.
A limited number of All-Access badges will go on sale for $50. Single movie, music and comedy tickets range in price. All filmmakers who submit a film receive an all-access badge whether or not they are accepted into the festival.
span class="text_gr2">This is a cool idea. How can I help out?
Check out our volunteers page or email volunteers@trueindependent.org.
Check out our volunteers page or email volunteers@trueindependent.org.
Are you looking for any type of corporate sponsorship?br />
You mean money? Sure? We are always on the lookout for some companies that want to cut filmmakers a break on food, drinks, lodging or trinkets. Check out our sponsorship page.
What type of films are you looking for?
The first word in STIFF is Seattle and we want to do whatever we can to include local filmmakers. We are committed to filling our program out with a diverse offering of the best new voices in independent film from the Northwest and the rest of the world. We are looking for interesting, original movies made by independent filmmakers. Your films don't need to have transgender sex, claymation, violence, puppets, drug use or hip-hop music. But, rest assured that if your film contains those elements it won't be offending a 70-year old volunteer screener. Brian "Dirty Sanchez" Shelley is the Program Director and a former juvenile delinquent. There is probably very little you can do to shock him, but please try.
The first word in STIFF is Seattle and we want to do whatever we can to include local filmmakers. We are committed to filling our program out with a diverse offering of the best new voices in independent film from the Northwest and the rest of the world. We are looking for interesting, original movies made by independent filmmakers. Your films don't need to have transgender sex, claymation, violence, puppets, drug use or hip-hop music. But, rest assured that if your film contains those elements it won't be offending a 70-year old volunteer screener. Brian "Dirty Sanchez" Shelley is the Program Director and a former juvenile delinquent. There is probably very little you can do to shock him, but please try.
How much does it cost to enter STIFF?
Washington State Filmmakers pay nothing to enter STIFF. The fee schedules for non-Washington Filmmakers range from $30 - $75 depending on the length of your project and when you submit. The earlier you submit, the better so don't wait. All filmmakers who submit a film receive an all-access badge whether or not they are accepted into the festival. Washington State Filmmakers: please use code INDIEWASH during the submission process to receive a fee waiver.
Washington State Filmmakers pay nothing to enter STIFF. The fee schedules for non-Washington Filmmakers range from $30 - $75 depending on the length of your project and when you submit. The earlier you submit, the better so don't wait. All filmmakers who submit a film receive an all-access badge whether or not they are accepted into the festival. Washington State Filmmakers: please use code INDIEWASH during the submission process to receive a fee waiver.
I am just a broke filmmaker and I spent every dime I had making my movie. Can you hook me up with a fee waiver?
We grant fee waivers to all filmmakers from Washington State and no others. We are broke filmmakers ourselves and in years past we have tried to accommodate as many of these requests as possible. Unfortunately, this has caused a situation where we now receive so many requests that it is impossible to grant them. We need to be fair to the filmmakers who pay submission fees and it is our general rule not to approve waivers. If after reading this, you still feel that your request for a waiver is so compelling it must be heard, you can send your pleas to submissions@trueindependent.org. You should include links to as much information about your project as possible.
We grant fee waivers to all filmmakers from Washington State and no others. We are broke filmmakers ourselves and in years past we have tried to accommodate as many of these requests as possible. Unfortunately, this has caused a situation where we now receive so many requests that it is impossible to grant them. We need to be fair to the filmmakers who pay submission fees and it is our general rule not to approve waivers. If after reading this, you still feel that your request for a waiver is so compelling it must be heard, you can send your pleas to submissions@trueindependent.org. You should include links to as much information about your project as possible.
Is my long short a good fit for STIFF?
Shorts with runtimes over 25 can be hard for some festivals to program, but not STIFF. We show AT LEAST one shorts program every day of the festival and we generally like to anchor each shorts program with one long short (over 25 minutes). If you have heard that your short is "Virtually Unprogrammable" due to its length, you might be right for us.
Shorts with runtimes over 25 can be hard for some festivals to program, but not STIFF. We show AT LEAST one shorts program every day of the festival and we generally like to anchor each shorts program with one long short (over 25 minutes). If you have heard that your short is "Virtually Unprogrammable" due to its length, you might be right for us.
What are your premier requirements?
We have none, but please let us know about your films prior screenings and distribution.
We have none, but please let us know about your films prior screenings and distribution.
The fee's are reasonable and Washington State Filmmakers Pay Nothing? There has to be a catch.
No catch. We try to keep the barriers to entry very low. STIFF is a labor of love. Nobody is in it for the money.
No catch. We try to keep the barriers to entry very low. STIFF is a labor of love. Nobody is in it for the money.
Will you be distributing my film?
No. If you are submitting to the festival and we screen your movie, you maintain rights to your film. Entrants in the weekend Film Challenge will be part of a limited pressing DVD. But, one lucky feature filmmaker will win the Breakthrough Award sponsored by Breakthrough Distribution which comes with 2000 retail ready DVDs and a possible retail distribution deal.
No. If you are submitting to the festival and we screen your movie, you maintain rights to your film. Entrants in the weekend Film Challenge will be part of a limited pressing DVD. But, one lucky feature filmmaker will win the Breakthrough Award sponsored by Breakthrough Distribution which comes with 2000 retail ready DVDs and a possible retail distribution deal.
How can I guarantee that the screeners will watch my film in its entirety?
There really are no guarantees in life. What you should know however, is that STIFF is put on by actual filmmakers who have put their own films through the festival circuit. We know what filmmakers worry about and we strive to make sure that we give your film as fair a shake as possible. This includes viewing by MULTIPLE (at least 3) screeners who are passionate about independent film. We take the care and feeding of your film very seriously and strive to screen and exhibit films the same way we would want others to screen and exhibit ours.
There really are no guarantees in life. What you should know however, is that STIFF is put on by actual filmmakers who have put their own films through the festival circuit. We know what filmmakers worry about and we strive to make sure that we give your film as fair a shake as possible. This includes viewing by MULTIPLE (at least 3) screeners who are passionate about independent film. We take the care and feeding of your film very seriously and strive to screen and exhibit films the same way we would want others to screen and exhibit ours.
Should I enter SIFF or STIFF?
That is a good question. Many filmmakers submit to both festivals and some have even played at SIFF and STIFF in the same year. It is a pretty rare occurance though since we seem to want grittier, more independent movies without stars and agents and we aren't necessarily impressed if your movie played at Sundance. We don't care if filmmakers screen at SIFF, but since we are a smaller festival your movie has a much better shot of getting in and standing out at STIFF.
That is a good question. Many filmmakers submit to both festivals and some have even played at SIFF and STIFF in the same year. It is a pretty rare occurance though since we seem to want grittier, more independent movies without stars and agents and we aren't necessarily impressed if your movie played at Sundance. We don't care if filmmakers screen at SIFF, but since we are a smaller festival your movie has a much better shot of getting in and standing out at STIFF.
Where will the films be screened?
Films will be screened in one or more downtown venues. We strive to find venues that are above and beyond the usual theater experience such as the Jewel Box Theater and Central Cinema. Both of which serve cold beer and delicious food during the show.
Films will be screened in one or more downtown venues. We strive to find venues that are above and beyond the usual theater experience such as the Jewel Box Theater and Central Cinema. Both of which serve cold beer and delicious food during the show.
What the hell kind of award will my film win at a festival called STIFF?
A STIFFY of course. Everyone is a winner and you can guarantee your award will be one of a kind.
A STIFFY of course. Everyone is a winner and you can guarantee your award will be one of a kind.
What are my chances of being accepted?
In 2008,we received about 500 entries and screened 53 features and 81 shorts. Your odds with us are pretty good, but only if you submit.
In 2008,we received about 500 entries and screened 53 features and 81 shorts. Your odds with us are pretty good, but only if you submit.
Do you just attend the major fests and invite films with celebrities to take up all the programming slots?
We usually attend a major fest or two (Sundance, Slamdance, SXSW) every year and we invite a very small handful of films to help get the press interested in STIFF. But, rest assured we don't fill the program with invited films. We are committed to filling the vast majority of our programming slots from our submission pool.
We usually attend a major fest or two (Sundance, Slamdance, SXSW) every year and we invite a very small handful of films to help get the press interested in STIFF. But, rest assured we don't fill the program with invited films. We are committed to filling the vast majority of our programming slots from our submission pool.
What are your exhibition formats?
DVD is the preferred format, but we can meet many different needs if necessary (35MM, HDCAM, BetaSP, etc). If you have specific requirements, please let us know when you are accepted.
DVD is the preferred format, but we can meet many different needs if necessary (35MM, HDCAM, BetaSP, etc). If you have specific requirements, please let us know when you are accepted.
OK. I am sold. I want to screen my film at STIFF, what do I have to do?
Submit via Withoutabox" Link "Washington State Filmmakers use promo code, INDIEWASH. Please make sure to upload a Hi-res still image to your presskit. In order for us to be environmentally friendly, please do not mail hard copies of press kits along with your submissions until you are accepted.
Submit via Withoutabox" Link "Washington State Filmmakers use promo code, INDIEWASH. Please make sure to upload a Hi-res still image to your presskit. In order for us to be environmentally friendly, please do not mail hard copies of press kits along with your submissions until you are accepted.
How will I be notified?
Probably by email if it is a rejection and a phone call if it is acceptance. Please make sure to adjust your SPAM filters so you don't miss correspondence from our programmers. It is our goal to notify every filmmaker who enters one way or the other, so if you don't hear something by April 15th, please contact us.
Probably by email if it is a rejection and a phone call if it is acceptance. Please make sure to adjust your SPAM filters so you don't miss correspondence from our programmers. It is our goal to notify every filmmaker who enters one way or the other, so if you don't hear something by April 15th, please contact us.
When will I find out if I am screening at STIFF?
Our goal is to Notify ALL Filmmakers of acceptance status by April 15th. This should give you plenty of time to book travel arrangements to come and be part of the fun.
Our goal is to Notify ALL Filmmakers of acceptance status by April 15th. This should give you plenty of time to book travel arrangements to come and be part of the fun.
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