WHAT IS THE CRITERIA FOR RUNNING TIME OF SHORT FILMS?
Drama/Documentary, Comedy, Animation and Original Music Video films must be 2:00 minutes to 5:00 minutes in length (not including any opening or closing credits).

WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED FORMAT FOR FILM SUBMISSIONS?
Ideally, films should be submitted to us on a single DVD. DVD’s must be compatible with standard set-top DVD players – do not simply burn a QuickTime or AVI file to a disc as data. Please make sure that your disc plays in a standard DVD player before you mail it to us! We advise not using paper labels on your disc, as there are many different variables with stickers and paper labels that could render your disc unplayable. A permanent marker (sharpie) will work just fine. Discs with text or graphics printed directly on the surface are also acceptable.

HOW MANY SHORT FILMS CAN I SUBMIT?
You can submit as many films as you’d like, and congratulations on being such a prolific filmmaker! You can send all of your films in one package if they are in the same category, but we ask that you send different packages for each category. For example, if you have 2 Comedy short films and 2 Drama short films, you can send the drama films together in one package and then send the 2 comedy short films together in another package. Or, if you want to send all your films in their own envelope, that’s okay too! Another thing, please do not put multiple film projects on the same DVD. Each film submission, even in the same category must be on their own DVD. Each film submission has to have a separate film entry form filled out along with the signed liability form which you can print from radioalice.com. If you can’t print the film entry form and liability release from our website, you can send a self-addressed stamped envelope requesting these forms to: Alice 3-Minute Film Fest – 865 Battery Street, San Francisco CA 94111.

DO YOU ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL FILMS?
We accept admissions from around the world because we love short films no matter where they started! However, we will be unable to screen your film if subtitles are not included. In order to provide the best possible viewing experience for your film, your subtitles must be in English.

HOW OLD CAN MY FILM BE AND STILL QUALIFY FOR SUBMISSION?
We’re very flexible on this matter. We feel a great short film lives on as a great short film no matter how old it is. So, we accept films that were made from 2000 to now.

CAN MY FILM PLAY AT ANY OTHER FILM FESTIVAL?
Sure. We want you to get as much recognition as possible. We have no problem if your film as played at any other film festivals of public theatrical screenings anywhere in the world. That goes for TV too. If your film was broadcast on a local affiliate or local PBS station or even as part of a national program, we’re happy for you and would welcome your submission. However, if your film is under contract for a major motion picture studio, your film is not eligible for submission.

DO I HAVE TO OBTAIN RIGHTS CLEARANCE FOR THE MUSIC IN MY FILM?
Well, from a legal standpoint, you must clear all copyrighted material included in your film before you can publicly screen it. However, we do not check to make sure that you have cleared these materials at any point during the process, nor will we be held responsible for any legal issues that might arise from the inclusion of uncleared materials in your film. It is the sole responsibility of the entity submitting the film to secure permission from the copyright holder of the material in question, whether it is music, stock footage, or any other elements that could violate someone else’s copyright. Please note that this goes for Music Video category as well. We assume that anyone submitting a Music Video that it belongs to you or you that you represent a band or artist and their original material and have permission to enter their material into our film festival.

WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC VIDEO CATEGORY?
In this category we are looking for video’s by self released bands or Indie label artists. Since Alice is a radio station in San Francisco, we have as much passion for music as film. So bring it on!

CAN I CHOOSE THE CATEGORY I WANT TO SUBMIT TO?
Sort of. If your film is selected to be showcased in the Alice 3-Minute Film Festival, we have the final right to determine which category is best suited to show your film. But, we always tell you and of course you have the right to pull your film from consideration if you disagree. Occasionally we get a funny Drama entry that we prefer to show in our Comedy category, so we like to show your film where we think it will be received with the most response.

WILL YOU NOTIFY ME IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE MY FILM?
Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we are unable to notify each individual person as films are submitted. It is your responsibility to make sure that your package makes its way to our radio station office. But, we check for films submissions everyday to assure that once here, they are not lost.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET MY FILM TO PLAY?
In the event that we are unable to play your DVD, we will contact you to request another copy using the info you provided when you filled the entry form.

MY FILM WASN’T CHOSEN LAST YEAR… CAN I RESUBMIT?
Yes. If you feel that strongly about your film, sure. But, you would probably have a better chance if you reworked the film or submitted something new.

WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE WITH MY SUBMISSION?
Each short film submission must include an official entry form and a signed liability release form that you can find at www.radioalice.com

WHEN WILL I FIND OUT IF MY FILM WAS SELECTED TO BE SHOWCASED IN YOUR FILM FESTIVAL?
We will contact you via e-mail and or phone on or around March 31, 2008.

WHAT TYPES OF SHORT FILMS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
Well, we welcome creativity and originality… and of course great script and story always stands out, but we are mainly looking for short films that are great and interesting. In fact, we think coming up with a compelling script and storyline is even tougher in a short format. That goes for Original Music Video’s too. Great music is great music and if video helps bring your original music alive, then we want to see it! Oh, in case you need to be told, please do not even consider submitting anything that would be considered pornographic.

ANY OTHER RESTRICTIONS?
You must be at least 18 or older to submit a film. You must be 21 or older to attend the Alice 3-Minute Independent Film Festival.

WHEN IS THE ALICE 3-MINUTE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL?
The 2008 Alice 3-Minute Film Festival will take place on April 11, 2008 from 8pm – 11pm at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco. We hope you’ll be there!

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE FILM FESTIVAL?
The Alice 3-Minute Film Festival is celebrating our 6th year. Over the last 5 years, we have showcased over 100 short films and have awarded over $60,000 in cash and prizes. But what we love most is honoring filmmakers and showcasing your films in front of an audience. The Alice 3-Minute Film Festival is part film fest – part Golden Globes. The evening showcases up to 20 films to over 600 attendees, and then culminates with an award show where the best films are applauded with stage time, a 3-Minute Film Festival trophy and of course cash and prizes. An esteemed jury attends the event and does the final judging on the screened films while they are being shown! We have been honored over the years to have judges (and support) from Pixar Animation Studios, the Film Arts Foundation, the San Francisco International Film Festival, Industrial Light and Magic, the Bay Area Video Coalition, AnimationMentor and more. Each filmmaker who has a film in the Alice @ 97.3 Film Festival also receives tickets to festival and their own table. It’s a truly special evening that takes everyone on a cinematic journey into the innovative world of short film. Alice’s 3-Minute Film Festival is dedicated to everyone who dreams of being a Director… and to everyone who loves the magic of film.

DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE FILM FESTIVAL FOR MY FILM TO BE SCREENED?
No. But you’ll miss out a very special evening where your film is screened, appreciated, loved, honored and applauded. If you win Best film in category, we will contact you and send you your cash prize, even if you can’t attend.

WHERE DO I SEND MY FILM AGAIN?
Send your DVD Film submissions to: Alice 3- Minute Film Festival – 865 Battery Street, San Francisco CA 94111

IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS, CAN I CONTACT SOMEONE
If you still have questions, you can send us an e-mail to promotions@radioalice.com or you can call 415.765.4045.