The Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the American Southeast, serving audiences numbering upwards of 30,000, hosting as many as 500 filmmakers, and providing cash awards and prizes valued at over $150,000.
LINEUP IN NUMBERS: - Films from directors of color made up 70% of the lineup. - Films directed by women and gender non-conforming directors accounted for 60% of the lineup. - Filmmakers represented 24 different nationalities. - Films made in the American South represented 60% of the lineup.
To better communicate the guiding principles for programming, we created a document outlining our values and programmatic practices which can be found on our website. We strongly encourage all submitters to familiarize themselves with this to see if their work aligns with the New Orleans Film Festival. Below is an abbreviated version of the document.
WE SEEK WORK FROM IMPASSIONED STORYTELLERS WHO CREATE FROM SPACES OF URGENCY, IMPORTANCE, AND A DESIRE TO SHARE THEIR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES. - While we acknowledge and respect that nuanced storytelling can come from many different sources and perspectives, we strive to decenter privilege and whiteness and prioritize artists who have been historically denied access to resources and opportunities within the industry–including Southern artists, women, people of color, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities. - We look for evidence that filmmakers have built their production teams with inclusivity in mind, ensuring a plurality of perspectives and exhibiting a commitment to a more diverse creative landscape. - We look beyond stories of struggle and trauma, particularly those featuring Black and brown communities, and instead offer space for narratives of cultural strength, spiritual depth, and shared humanity.
WE COUNTER EXTRACTIVE STORYTELLING BY CHAMPIONING REGIONALISM AND SUPPORTING THE CREATIVE LEADERSHIP OF THOSE CLOSEST TO THE STORIES BEING TOLD. - We shift our attention away from the mainstream and toward stories from those working in spaces outside of and often ignored by centers of power. - We recognize that South Louisiana and the American South more broadly are sites where stories and inspiration have been thoughtlessly mined by “outsiders,” a harmful practice that sidelines artists with a stronger connection to the region and frequently results in stereotyping and a lack of authentic representation in the work. - We believe that important insight and nuance result when filmmakers tell the stories that they’re closest to: films inspired or informed by their own lived experiences, or about communities of which they are a part. - We hold artists accountable to respecting the subject matter of their work, including the individuals, cultures, and communities they are addressing. - We seek to expand our understanding of how excellence can reveal itself through artistic approaches and techniques such as language, visual stylings, and culturally-specific storytelling practices that have been historically underappreciated.
WE CREATE SPACE FOR CONFRONTATIONAL ART AND NONTRADITIONAL ARTISTIC APPROACHES. - We invite audiences to engage with work that addresses the social and political inequities of our collective past and present. - We welcome nonconformist and misfit films that often get excluded from other exhibition avenues for not adhering to elitist industry standards. - We celebrate innovative work that, in its form and construction, offers a rebuke to conventional means of storytelling and forges new storytelling pathways. - We lift up exciting projects that empower, transform, and, like all great art, encourage reflection and creative response.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY FILM? Shortly after you click submit, your film will be assigned to one of the 14 individuals on our programming team in addition to at least two volunteer screeners. These individuals will watch the film, take notes on how the film aligns with what we're seeking, and then discuss the film alongside other submissions discussed on a month-to-month basis. Some films then advance for further consideration by additional members of our programming team, who then meet again to discuss the film and other finalists. Additional meetings take place to consider all finalists and select the films that will make up the lineup. This work takes place over several months, typically from January to July in a given year.
WILL SOMEONE ACTUALLY VIEW MY SUBMISSION? Yes. We take the screening process extremely seriously. Every submission is viewed from start to finish at least once by a staff-level member of the NOFF programming team in addition to one to three times by a member of our volunteer screening corps, comprising film industry professionals, filmmakers, avid moviegoers, film students, longtime festival submissions screeners, and New Orleans Film Society staff members.
DO YOU OFFER ANY WAIVERS OR DISCOUNTS ON ENTRY FEES? We only offer a small number of fee waivers each year, to special cases (e.g. alumni filmmakers, filmmakers based in countries that cannot legally send money to the U.S.; financial duress). We also work with a number of partner organizations to ensure that underrepresented communities in filmmaking are able to submit free of charge. We are also very generous with offering discounted submission fees, and these are granted on a case-by-case basis. All inquiries regarding discounts should be addressed to noff@neworleansfilmsociety.org. Additionally, NOFF incentivizes filmmakers to submit early (so that we can start the review process early). The earlier you submit, the more inexpensive the submission price.
WHAT KINDS OF FILMS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? We seek to program a diverse slate that represents a variety of themes and content. We are particularly interested in new work from filmmakers from different backgrounds. We encourage you to read our “Programming Practices”. The full document is available on our website and an abbreviated version is available above. As for genre, NOFF has no preferences and programs from all genres of film. We regularly screen horror films, comedies, dramas, period dramas, thrillers, etc. No matter what genre you’re working in, your film will be given equal weight and consideration.
NOFF STRIVES TO DECENTER PRIVILEGE AND WHITENESS. DOES THAT MEAN THAT FILMS BY WHITE FILMMAKERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SERIOUSLY? By “decentering privilege and whiteness,” we don’t mean to imply that there is no room in the festival for white filmmakers or white perspectives. In 2021, 39% of films in the lineup had at least one director who identified as white. When we talk about decentering privilege and whiteness, we are acknowledging that historically, this lens has been favored and prioritized by institutions within our field. We seek to disrupt that pattern and ensure that the perspectives in our lineup are representative of the diverse world we live in.
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL CATEGORY FOR FILMS MADE BY YOUTH? No, NOFF does not have a designated youth-produced category, but youth are encouraged to submit their work and we regularly program student work.
MY PROJECT IS EPISODIC -- DO YOU HAVE A CATEGORY FOR THAT? We encourage filmmakers of episodic work to submit the pilot episode in either the narrative short, documentary short or animated short category, depending on where it best fits. In the past, NOFF has programmed both longer, television-length pieces as well as shorter webisodes and other formats. If selected, our programming team will work with the filmmaking teams to determine how many episodes to screen at the festival if more than the pilot is available.
MY PROJECT IS A MUSIC VIDEO - DO YOU HAVE A CATEGORY FOR THAT? While we don’t have a category specific for music videos, if you feel that your project fits under another short film category, we encourage you to submit.
WOULD IT HELP IF I SENT A PRESS KIT FOR MY FILM? No. In fact, most press kits submitted with films will be skipped over in favor of simply watching the film itself. However, we do suggest including a cover letter on FilmFreeway explaining why you’re interested in sharing your film with NOFF (do you have some connection to New Orleans? are you especially interested in reaching a New Orleans audience? do you think that your film aligns with what we stated we seek out in our Programming Practices? have you heard good things about NOFF from fellow filmmakers? were you drawn in by our description on a website?). We also like to know more about who is behind the film (what’s your background? why are you telling this story?). That information can be helpful as we make our final decisions.
CAN I EMAIL YOU A VIMEO LINK AS PART OF MY SUBMISSION? Because our submission review process involves almost 70 staff and volunteers, we need the screener of your film to be accessible directly through FilmFreeway, where it can be assigned and tracked throughout the season. It is not helpful to reach out directly through email to members of our programming with information about your film or with a link.
Awards & Prizes:
Every year, the festival offers jury awards to films in seven different categories. Jurors for these awards represent some of the most talented leaders in the industry, including the likes of Oscar winner Melissa Leo and nominee Tia Lessin; industry writers like K. Austin Collins of Vanity Fair and Monica Castillo of The Washington Post; Independent Lens producer Lois Vossen; producers Effie Brown (Dear White People) and Michael Gottwald & Josh Penn (Oscar-nominated Beasts of the Southern Wild); experimental filmmaker Lynne Sachs; and godfather of Third Cinema Kidlat Tahimik.
Additionally, the recipient of the festival's Documentary Short Jury Award, Narrative Short Jury Award, and Animated Short Jury Award will be eligible for consideration in their respective categories of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules.
Rules & Terms:
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All submitters are asked to answer the following three questions when submitting their project. Please be prepared to answer the following:
- Explain how you have built your production team with inclusivity in mind. Your answer can be as brief or as long as you'd like.
- What is the director’s connection to the communities and/or subject matter addressed in the film? Your answer can be as brief or as long as you'd like.
- Does your film qualify as an American Southern film? To qualify as a "Southern Film," your film would need to adhere to at least two of the three following: (1) The writer, director, or producer is a CURRENT, full-time resident of the American South; (2) At least 75% of the film was shot in the American South; (3) At least 75% of the cast/crew are CURRENT, full-time residents of the American South? (NOFF defines the American South as including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.)
- All films selected for 2022 NOFF will be required to provide CLOSED CAPTIONS (CC) with their exhibition copy of the film, whether it’s screening virtually or in-person. Closed captions are not equivalent to open captions or subtitles. Please find on our website more information and resources regarding captioning.
- All films selected for 2022 NOFF will be strongly encouraged to provide AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS (AD) with their exhibition copy of the film, whether it’s screening virtually or in person. All films will be required to provide AD by the 2025 NOFF.
- The filmmaker has read and understood the aforementioned guidelines and regulations and to the best of their knowledge, all statements are true. The filmmaker is duly authorized to submit this film to the New Orleans Film Festival. - NOFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission without refund of submission fees. - If your submission screener is missing or inaccessible due to a missing or inaccurate password, we cannot guarantee that your film will be considered. - All accepted films may be screened more than once, and are scheduled at the discretion of the New Orleans Film Festival staff. - All submissions are encouraged to include optional subtitles for accessibility purposes. If accepted, subtitles may be required. - Films produced or financed by a major motion picture studio are eligible for festival screenings but are not eligible for competitive awards. Films that have acquired distribution are eligible for festival screenings but are not eligible for competitive awards. - Upon submission, the filmmaker consents to their screener material to being shared in its entirety with appropriate NOFF staff; press outlets in efforts to secure press for the film; with final jury members; and with select individuals representing community partners who may be interested in supporting the film’s screening or taking part in a panel or q&a associated with the film. -The festival is hereby also granted the right to utilize image(s) and/or biographical information of the filmmakers for promotional purposes. The festival reserves the right to fill in any information not supplied by the filmmaker from whatever source available and will not be responsible if incorrect information is entered. - It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to secure authorization for any copyrighted material that may be used in the film. The filmmaker shall indemnify and hold harmless New Orleans Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered. - By submitting, the filmmaker expressly acknowledges and agrees that they shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.
Festival Contact Information:
Contact Information Displayed publicly
Website:
https://neworleansfilmsociety.org/
Submission requests email:
worldinternationalfilmfestival@gmail.com
Opening Date:
October 28, 2024
Address:
1215 Prytania Street Suite 371 New Orleans, LA 70130 United States
The Oscar-qualifying New Orleans Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals in the American Southeast, serving audiences numbering upwards of 30,000, hosting as many as 500 filmmakers, and providing cash awards and prizes valued at over $150,000.
LINEUP IN NUMBERS:
- Films from directors of color made up 70% of the lineup.
- Films directed by women and gender non-conforming directors accounted for 60% of the lineup.
- Filmmakers represented 24 different nationalities.
- Films made in the American South represented 60% of the lineup.
To better communicate the guiding principles for programming, we created a document outlining our values and programmatic practices which can be found on our website. We strongly encourage all submitters to familiarize themselves with this to see if their work aligns with the New Orleans Film Festival. Below is an abbreviated version of the document.
WE SEEK WORK FROM IMPASSIONED STORYTELLERS WHO CREATE FROM SPACES OF URGENCY, IMPORTANCE, AND A DESIRE TO SHARE THEIR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES.
- While we acknowledge and respect that nuanced storytelling can come from many different sources and perspectives, we strive to decenter privilege and whiteness and prioritize artists who have been historically denied access to resources and opportunities within the industry–including Southern artists, women, people of color, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities.
- We look for evidence that filmmakers have built their production teams with inclusivity in mind, ensuring a plurality of perspectives and exhibiting a commitment to a more diverse creative landscape.
- We look beyond stories of struggle and trauma, particularly those featuring Black and brown communities, and instead offer space for narratives of cultural strength, spiritual depth, and shared humanity.
WE COUNTER EXTRACTIVE STORYTELLING BY CHAMPIONING REGIONALISM AND SUPPORTING THE CREATIVE LEADERSHIP OF THOSE CLOSEST TO THE STORIES BEING TOLD.
- We shift our attention away from the mainstream and toward stories from those working in spaces outside of and often ignored by centers of power.
- We recognize that South Louisiana and the American South more broadly are sites where stories and inspiration have been thoughtlessly mined by “outsiders,” a harmful practice that sidelines artists with a stronger connection to the region and frequently results in stereotyping and a lack of authentic representation in the work.
- We believe that important insight and nuance result when filmmakers tell the stories that they’re closest to: films inspired or informed by their own lived experiences, or about communities of which they are a part.
- We hold artists accountable to respecting the subject matter of their work, including the individuals, cultures, and communities they are addressing.
- We seek to expand our understanding of how excellence can reveal itself through artistic approaches and techniques such as language, visual stylings, and culturally-specific storytelling practices that have been historically underappreciated.
WE CREATE SPACE FOR CONFRONTATIONAL ART AND NONTRADITIONAL ARTISTIC APPROACHES.
- We invite audiences to engage with work that addresses the social and political inequities of our collective past and present.
- We welcome nonconformist and misfit films that often get excluded from other exhibition avenues for not adhering to elitist industry standards.
- We celebrate innovative work that, in its form and construction, offers a rebuke to conventional means of storytelling and forges new storytelling pathways.
- We lift up exciting projects that empower, transform, and, like all great art, encourage reflection and creative response.
------------------------
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY FILM?
Shortly after you click submit, your film will be assigned to one of the 14 individuals on our programming team in addition to at least two volunteer screeners. These individuals will watch the film, take notes on how the film aligns with what we're seeking, and then discuss the film alongside other submissions discussed on a month-to-month basis. Some films then advance for further consideration by additional members of our programming team, who then meet again to discuss the film and other finalists. Additional meetings take place to consider all finalists and select the films that will make up the lineup. This work takes place over several months, typically from January to July in a given year.
WILL SOMEONE ACTUALLY VIEW MY SUBMISSION?
Yes. We take the screening process extremely seriously. Every submission is viewed from start to finish at least once by a staff-level member of the NOFF programming team in addition to one to three times by a member of our volunteer screening corps, comprising film industry professionals, filmmakers, avid moviegoers, film students, longtime festival submissions screeners, and New Orleans Film Society staff members.
DO YOU OFFER ANY WAIVERS OR DISCOUNTS ON ENTRY FEES?
We only offer a small number of fee waivers each year, to special cases (e.g. alumni filmmakers, filmmakers based in countries that cannot legally send money to the U.S.; financial duress). We also work with a number of partner organizations to ensure that underrepresented communities in filmmaking are able to submit free of charge. We are also very generous with offering discounted submission fees, and these are granted on a case-by-case basis. All inquiries regarding discounts should be addressed to noff@neworleansfilmsociety.org. Additionally, NOFF incentivizes filmmakers to submit early (so that we can start the review process early). The earlier you submit, the more inexpensive the submission price.
WHAT KINDS OF FILMS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
We seek to program a diverse slate that represents a variety of themes and content. We are particularly interested in new work from filmmakers from different backgrounds. We encourage you to read our “Programming Practices”. The full document is available on our website and an abbreviated version is available above. As for genre, NOFF has no preferences and programs from all genres of film. We regularly screen horror films, comedies, dramas, period dramas, thrillers, etc. No matter what genre you’re working in, your film will be given equal weight and consideration.
NOFF STRIVES TO DECENTER PRIVILEGE AND WHITENESS. DOES THAT MEAN THAT FILMS BY WHITE FILMMAKERS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED SERIOUSLY?
By “decentering privilege and whiteness,” we don’t mean to imply that there is no room in the festival for white filmmakers or white perspectives. In 2021, 39% of films in the lineup had at least one director who identified as white. When we talk about decentering privilege and whiteness, we are acknowledging that historically, this lens has been favored and prioritized by institutions within our field. We seek to disrupt that pattern and ensure that the perspectives in our lineup are representative of the diverse world we live in.
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL CATEGORY FOR FILMS MADE BY YOUTH?
No, NOFF does not have a designated youth-produced category, but youth are encouraged to submit their work and we regularly program student work.
MY PROJECT IS EPISODIC -- DO YOU HAVE A CATEGORY FOR THAT?
We encourage filmmakers of episodic work to submit the pilot episode in either the narrative short, documentary short or animated short category, depending on where it best fits. In the past, NOFF has programmed both longer, television-length pieces as well as shorter webisodes and other formats. If selected, our programming team will work with the filmmaking teams to determine how many episodes to screen at the festival if more than the pilot is available.
MY PROJECT IS A MUSIC VIDEO - DO YOU HAVE A CATEGORY FOR THAT?
While we don’t have a category specific for music videos, if you feel that your project fits under another short film category, we encourage you to submit.
WOULD IT HELP IF I SENT A PRESS KIT FOR MY FILM?
No. In fact, most press kits submitted with films will be skipped over in favor of simply watching the film itself. However, we do suggest including a cover letter on FilmFreeway explaining why you’re interested in sharing your film with NOFF (do you have some connection to New Orleans? are you especially interested in reaching a New Orleans audience? do you think that your film aligns with what we stated we seek out in our Programming Practices? have you heard good things about NOFF from fellow filmmakers? were you drawn in by our description on a website?). We also like to know more about who is behind the film (what’s your background? why are you telling this story?). That information can be helpful as we make our final decisions.
CAN I EMAIL YOU A VIMEO LINK AS PART OF MY SUBMISSION?
Because our submission review process involves almost 70 staff and volunteers, we need the screener of your film to be accessible directly through FilmFreeway, where it can be assigned and tracked throughout the season. It is not helpful to reach out directly through email to members of our programming with information about your film or with a link.
Every year, the festival offers jury awards to films in seven different categories. Jurors for these awards represent some of the most talented leaders in the industry, including the likes of Oscar winner Melissa Leo and nominee Tia Lessin; industry writers like K. Austin Collins of Vanity Fair and Monica Castillo of The Washington Post; Independent Lens producer Lois Vossen; producers Effie Brown (Dear White People) and Michael Gottwald & Josh Penn (Oscar-nominated Beasts of the Southern Wild); experimental filmmaker Lynne Sachs; and godfather of Third Cinema Kidlat Tahimik.
Additionally, the recipient of the festival's Documentary Short Jury Award, Narrative Short Jury Award, and Animated Short Jury Award will be eligible for consideration in their respective categories of the Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the films otherwise comply with the Academy rules.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
All submitters are asked to answer the following three questions when submitting their project. Please be prepared to answer the following:
- Explain how you have built your production team with inclusivity in mind. Your answer can be as brief or as long as you'd like.
- What is the director’s connection to the communities and/or subject matter addressed in the film? Your answer can be as brief or as long as you'd like.
- Does your film qualify as an American Southern film? To qualify as a "Southern Film," your film would need to adhere to at least two of the three following: (1) The writer, director, or producer is a CURRENT, full-time resident of the American South; (2) At least 75% of the film was shot in the American South; (3) At least 75% of the cast/crew are CURRENT, full-time residents of the American South? (NOFF defines the American South as including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.)
- All films selected for 2022 NOFF will be required to provide CLOSED CAPTIONS (CC) with their exhibition copy of the film, whether it’s screening virtually or in-person. Closed captions are not equivalent to open captions or subtitles. Please find on our website more information and resources regarding captioning.
- All films selected for 2022 NOFF will be strongly encouraged to provide AUDIO DESCRIPTIONS (AD) with their exhibition copy of the film, whether it’s screening virtually or in person. All films will be required to provide AD by the 2025 NOFF.
- The filmmaker has read and understood the aforementioned guidelines and regulations and to the best of their knowledge, all statements are true. The filmmaker is duly authorized to submit this film to the New Orleans Film Festival.
- NOFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission without refund of submission fees.
- If your submission screener is missing or inaccessible due to a missing or inaccurate password, we cannot guarantee that your film will be considered.
- All accepted films may be screened more than once, and are scheduled at the discretion of the New Orleans Film Festival staff.
- All submissions are encouraged to include optional subtitles for accessibility purposes. If accepted, subtitles may be required.
- Films produced or financed by a major motion picture studio are eligible for festival screenings but are not eligible for competitive awards. Films that have acquired distribution are eligible for festival screenings but are not eligible for competitive awards.
- Upon submission, the filmmaker consents to their screener material to being shared in its entirety with appropriate NOFF staff; press outlets in efforts to secure press for the film; with final jury members; and with select individuals representing community partners who may be interested in supporting the film’s screening or taking part in a panel or q&a associated with the film.
-The festival is hereby also granted the right to utilize image(s) and/or biographical information of the filmmakers for promotional purposes. The festival reserves the right to fill in any information not supplied by the filmmaker from whatever source available and will not be responsible if incorrect information is entered.
- It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to secure authorization for any copyrighted material that may be used in the film. The filmmaker shall indemnify and hold harmless New Orleans Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
- By submitting, the filmmaker expressly acknowledges and agrees that they shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.
1215 Prytania Street
Suite 371
New Orleans, LA 70130
United States