Dear DCIFF 2008 Filmmakers:

Congratulations again on being part of the 10th Annual Washington, DC Independent Film Festival to be held March 6 - 16, 2008. We are proud of having you join the DCIFF Filmmaker family and look forward to presenting your film here in the nation' capital.

This year promises to be the best ever. There are over 100 films, and filmmakers from around the world who will be participating. We look forward to meeting you, and for you to meet other filmmakers, find a new audience.

We have many special events planned, including the special presentations at the festival, seminars, a music festival and on March 7th, we will hold the Advocacy Forum, where we invite you to come, listen and discuss with industry leaders and government representatives the state of the film industry. The focus is: How to stimulate more independent film production here in the US. Don't miss this opportunity to let your voice be heard. We hope that you will make the most of your time here and let us know how we can best serve you.

Below please find information relevant to your screening and participation at DCIFF. If you have further questions or need more information, please contact us: filmmakers@dciff.org or (202) 537 9493.

Thank you and we look to seeing you at DCIFF 2008.

Sincerely,

Carol Bidault

Executive Director/Founder

Before the festival: From now until March 1st:
• When will the finalist be notified?
• When are screening Formats due?
• What are the Screening Formats?
• Can I have a reception for my film?
• Where are the DCIFF Offices?
• What are the Accommodations?
• Where can I see my film information?
• NEW - Do you have a myspace/facebook account?
• When will my film be shown?

During the festival: March 6 – 16, 2008
• What are the dates?
• Where is the festival being held - Theatre Location?
• How do I get there to the festival - tansportation?
• Where to go once I get to Washington, DC?
• What are my Benefits, What is in my Welcome package? Where do I pick up my VIP Pass?
• Are the Discussions, Press conferences and panels about my film being held?
• What Awards will I be competing for?
• When can I get my film back?

After the festival:
• The DCIFF offices close from March 17th – March 20th. If you have any questions or if you require more information, please contact us after March 21st.

Before the festival: From now until March 1st
• When will finalists be notified?
• * DCIFF will notify all finalists by January 30th. Please check the DCIFF press office for news of the final list.
• Where are the DCIFF Offices?
• * The DCIFF offices are now located in Georgetown - 3222 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 (near Wisconsin Avenue). Starting March 1st, you will be able to pick up your passes at the offices from Noon to 6pm.
• When are screening Formats due:
• * All screening tapes are due by February 20th… No exceptions!!! Plesae make arrangements for your tapes/ dvds to be received at the DCIFF offices by this date. Send screening formats to our mailing address: DCIFF 2950 Van Ness Street, NW, Suite 728 , Washington , DC 20008.
• What are the Screening Formats?
• * Screening Formats: The festival projects Panasonic DVC Pro 100 HD, Beta SP, Beta, DV Cam, and DVC Pro 50
• ***Please note - All DVD's will be transfered to Beta SP, due to the technical problems in playing DVDs.
• When will my film be shown?
• * The film schedule will be published by February 1st. The DCIFF press office will carry a link to the film schedule, so check there for news.
• Where can I see my film information?
• * When the film schedule will be published, click on your film title and you will see your screening time and date. Verify that all information is correct, in particular, your synopsis, total running time, screening format, the premiere status.
• Will you show my Trailer?
• * We will be hosting our trailers on B-Side and ask that you directly link this information through them. You will be able to upload your trailer starting February 6th. The trailer can uploaded in the following formats: asf, .wmv, .mov, .qt, .3g2, .3gp, .3gp2, .3gpp, .gsm, .mpg, .mpeg, .mp4, .m4v, .mp4v, .cmp, .divx, .xvid, .264, .rm, .rmvb, .flv
• What are the Accommodations?
• * For free hotel advice and reservations at the best price, call Nancy Riker, Washington D.C. Accommodations at (800) 554-2220 or (202) 289-2220 or email her: nriker@wdcahotels.com. For DCIFF filmmakers and their families there is a special discount price throughout the festival.

During the festival: March 6 – 16, 2008
• What are the dates?
• * March 6 – 16, 2008
• Where to go once I get to Washington DC?
• * Starting March 1st - 5th, you can come to the DCIFF offices located at: 3222 N Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007. After March 6th, the start of the festival, you must go to the Theatre: Jack Morton Auditorium (805 21st Street, NW, Metro: Foggy Bottom) to pick up your passes and get more information.
• How do I get to the festival - transportation?
• * Take Metro: We recommend taking the Metro. DC has one of the best public transportation systems. Between the Bus and the Metro, you will be easily get around. Use Metro's RideGuide for specific directions using Metrorail or Metrobuses.
• Where is the festival being held - Theatre Location?
• * Located at George Washington University, the Jack Morton Auditorium (805 21st Street, NW Washington, DC 20052 ... The Jack Morton Auditorium is located on the first floor of the MPA Building, corner of 21st Street and H Street, Metro Foggy Bottom)
• Where do I go when I arrive for my screening?
• * Go to the Welcome Desk at least one hour before your screening. You will be escorted into the theatre separately from your guests, you will be asked to stand up front to be introduced, then after your film, please go to the Filmmaker Lounge to answer questions from the press and audience.
• What are my Benefits, What is in my VIP Pass & Welcome package?
• As a DCIFF finalist, you are entitled to:
• * ONE VIP Pass, which grants you free access to all festival, seminar, market/video library, VIP lounge and other festival related events. (Only one pass per film - This is non-transferable and is granted only to the director of the film, unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to the festival.)
• * Welcome Package (includes program, t-shirt, other promotional items, etc)
• * 1 Screening of your film during the festival
• * 4 additional complimentary tickets to your screening.
• * 1 additional complimentary ticket to Opening and Closing night ceremony, film and reception
• ** Additional Tickets and passes can be obtained for the discounted price. For more information, contact: filmmakers@dciff.org or call: 202 537 9493
• Are the Discussion, Press conference and Panels about my film being held?
• In order to properly promote your film and your presence at the festival, we request the following:
• * Please confirm your dates that you will be present at the festival (regional filmmakers, also please let us know), so that we can coordinate with the press and our staff. (To confirm, contact: filmmakers@dciff.org)
• * Please arrive at least the day before your film session. We strongly recommend that you arrive early to allow for registration and orientation.
• * The press conference for your film will be held after your screening at the Film Lounge. This is also open to the public.
• Can I sell videos, t-shirts, etc for my film?
• * DCIFF encourages filmmakers to sell copies of their videos, t-shirts, etc. A table will be provided at the venue of their screening where these items can be sold. However, it is the filmmakers responsibility to man the table, sell the materials and collect the money. DCIFF is not responsible for any items or monies collected.
• What are the Awards for which my film will be competing and when will they be presented?
• The following awards will be presented at the Closing ceremony:
• * Audience Award for Feature, Short, Animation, Documentary and Student
• * Visionary Award to the film of a political or social level that can provoke change in our society
• * Student Film Award: Awarded to the best student film
• * Washington, DC Filmmaker Award: Awarded to the film the DC Filmmaker in competition for outstanding achievement
• * Cine Latino Award: Awarded to a Latin American film for outstanding achievement
• * Grand Jury Award for Feature, Short, Animation, Documentary and Student
• * World Cinema Award presented to the most outstanding film in the international Focus, this year, to a Middle Eastern film
• Do you need to be present at the Closing Night Award Ceremony?
• * For the Closing night Award Ceremony, please notify us if you will be able to attend. If not, you can send a representative.
• When can I get my screening copy back?
• * You can pick up screening tape and print 1 hour after your screening. Please note: All screening copies will be returned at the festival. If you want your film back, please make arrangements for pick up after the festival, or send a self addressed envelope with your screening tape.

After the festival: March 12 – April 15th
• * The DCIFF offices close from March 17 – 20th. If you have any questions or if you require more information, please contact us after March 20th