The 2012 ALUMNI FILM CONTEST

Entry forms available HERE.

Films must meet the following rules and regulations.

 2012 Alumni Film Contest is in connection with Columbia Night at the Chicago International Film Festival, Columbia at the Sundance Film Festival, and/OR other potential Columbia film festival collaborations.
 
Categories for submission:

• Short films (less than 20 minutes)
• Feature films (less than 120 minutes)

1. Introduction:
The Alumni Film Contest, sponsored by Columbia College Chicago (“Columbia”) and its Office of Alumni Relations, is designed to be an opportunity for Columbia College alumni to showcase their talents. The Contest is designed to highlight the cinematic talents of Columbia College Chicago alumni and provide an opportunity to be affiliated with the Chicago International Film Festival and/or Sundance Film Festival.
 
Columbia plans to screen the winning alumni short and feature (one of each) films at Columbia Night during the Chicago International Film Festival (October, 2012), and/or Sundance Film Festival (January, 2013), and other Columbia events. Filmmakers are welcome to submit more than one entry. 
 


2. Film Length, Content, Format, and Type:
Film entries in the “short” category shall not exceed 20 minutes running time, including credits. Films in the "feature" category shall not exceed 120 minutes, including credits. Participants are welcome to use any format: film, video, graphics, and animation to tell a narrative story, a documentary, or free-form visual expression of ideas, as long as the submission is suitable for a general audience. 

An entry consists of the following:

•    Three identical DVDs of an individual film for distribution to judges. Each individual film must be submitted on a
      separate DVD.
•    A signed entry form, completely filled out, with suggested donation.
•    A synopsis of 50 words or fewer on a sheet separate from the entry form (include your name and film title).
•    (Optional) A CD/DVD of promotional still images and a film trailer to use in the promotion of Columbia Night or other
     screening event during the Chicago International Film Festival and/or Sundance Film Festival.

 
If a technical problem arises when judges attempt to play the DVD, entrant will be notified and have one week to resubmit. Submissions and re-submissions will not be returned, so entrants should keep a copy. Submissions in a foreign language (non-English) are acceptable if subtitled or dubbed in English.
 


3. Entrance Fee and Synopsis:
In lieu of a registration fee, we are asking that you make a $25 donation to the Alumni Scholarship Fund, per film. Checks should be made to Columbia College Chicago (memo: “Alumni Scholarship Fund”), and be submitted along with the completed entry form and a synopsis of 50 words or fewer on a separate sheet.
 


4. Eligibility:
The competition is open only to alumni of Columbia College Chicago who have a credited role as creative contributor to the submitted film. Alumni are defined as 1) degree recipients, or 2) former students of Columbia College Chicago, with at least two semesters completed. Creative contributor roles are defined as producer, director, cinematographer, writer, and actor (lead or supporting).
 
Additionally, entrants must comply with all the rules and regulations governing the contest, including but not limited to the entry form.
 


5. Winners:
The winners in the short film and feature categories shall be announced by September 17, 2012 via personal notification and the Columbia College Chicago alumni website. The winners will receive the opportunity to have their winning films screened at Columbia Night during the Chicago International Film Festival, and/or Columbia at the Sundance Film Festival, and/or another Columbia event. 
 


6. Releases and Copyright:
If a film contains any copyrighted material (music, for example), the entrant will be responsible for securing the licensing rights. To avoid the expense and difficulty of securing licenses, Columbia College Chicago recommends using only original, non-copyrighted material.
 


By entering this contest, the entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Columbia College Chicago, its trustees, officers, employees, and agents harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, suits, costs, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and court costs) arising out of, relating to, or in connection with any alleged or actual copyright or trademark infringement relating to the entrant’s film, or any claim that the entrant’s film is defamatory, libelous, obscene, or violative of any privacy right. Any violation of law will result in the immediate disqualification of or forfeiture of prizes by the entrant.
 


Submissions made with university or third-party funding are welcome, but if someone other than the entrant holds the rights to the film, the entrant will need to obtain the third party's written permission to submit the film. Permissions must be provided along with the entry.
 


By participating in the contest, you acknowledge and agree that: (1) submissions may be shown at screening events other than Columbia Night held in conjunction with the Chicago International Film Festival and/or Columbia at the Sundance Film Festival; (2) submission content may be used by Columbia in the promotion of Columbia Night or other events; (3) Columbia may use your name, likeness, and image in the promotion of Columbia Night or other events; (4) Columbia shall have the right to use or reproduce your entry for educational and archival purposes with no further compensation to you.
 


Further, by participating in the contest, you agree to indemnify, release and hold Columbia College Chicago, its trustees, officers, employees, and agents harmless from and against any and all claims or causes of action, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, or damage to or loss of property, arising, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, out of your participation in the contest or any contest-related activity (including travel). 
 


7. Judging:
A panel of judges comprised of Columbia College Chicago faculty and staff will review and judge the submissions. Judges’ decisions will be final.
 
Judges will consider both completed work and work in post-production. Strongest consideration will be given to work completed in the last two (2) years.
 


8. Deadline and Submission Information:
All submissions must be postmarked by August 31, 2012. No submissions will be accepted after this date. You may also drop off submissions in person to the Office of Alumni Relations by 5:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012. The Office of Alumni Relations is located at 600 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 400A, Chicago, IL 60605. Questions may be directed to Michelle Passarelli at mpassarelli@colum.edu or 312-369-6987.

When mailing in your submission and donation, please address to:
Alumni Film Contest
Attention: Michelle Passarelli
600 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 400A
Chicago, IL 60605
 


9. Rules are subject to change.
It is possible that the competition will result in no winning entries, or a winning entry in only one category. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Columbia College Chicago reserves the right to change the time, date, or venue of the winning entry’s screening for any reason, including without limitation screening winning entries at events other than the Columbia screening events at Chicago International Film Festival and/or Sundance Film Festival. 
 
All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of these rules, or the rights and obligations of an entrant and Columbia College Chicago in connection with the contest shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions. The parties submit to the jurisdiction of the State of Illinois and agree to use the County of Cook as venue for any disputes relating to the contest.