We ask that all entrants submit their films through FilmFreeway.com or directly through the CIFF website. Please see below and check our Call for Entries FAQ on our website at www.clevelandfilm.org/call-for-entries for further detailed instructions on how to submit your film to CIFF. 

All films must be submitted as either an online screener or vimeo link for consideration by the Selection Committee. If links are password-protected, passwords must be valid through April 8, 2019 or your submission will be considered INVALID and will be DISQUALIFIED with no refund. 
CIFF is once again accepting NEW MEDIA content free of charge! If your submission meets the criteria for this category (please see requirements in the category section), you MUST email us directly at submissions@clevelandfilm.org prior to submitting, with a description and example(s) of your content. If, after review, your content meets the requirements, we will then provide instructions to submit directly through the CIFF website. 

Productions made after June 1, 2017 may be submitted, with the exception of those works previously submitted to the CIFF. No works previously submitted to the festival will be considered. 
Entries previously screened in Cleveland or aired on television in Cleveland or are available on the web (ie Youtube, Vimeo) prior to the Festival will not be considered. 

Do not submit works in progress. Do not submit industrial or instructional works. 

All films under 45 minutes are considered short films. 

After submitting, please check your FilmFreeway account to make sure that your submission meets our requirements and has been accepted for consideration. It is your responsibility to make sure all requirements are met and necessary information is given. Within one week after your submission date, you'll receive a confirmation email that we've received your submission, as well as any potential notifications of further information we need from you. 

All feature films submitted must be available for exhibition in one of the following formats: DCP (preferably unencrypted) or as a CIFF-approved ProRes digital file. BLU-RAY AND DVD WILL NOT BE SCREENED FOR EXHIBITION. 

All short films submitted must be available for exhibition as a CIFF-approved ProRes digital file. Short films will be transferred temporarily onto CIFF’s secure and private hard drive system for presentation in one or more of our compiled short programs. BLU-RAY AND DVD WILL NOT BE SCREENED FOR EXHIBITION. 

Films selected for the 43rd CIFF will be announced no later than Sunday, February 24, 2019. 
The CIFF reserves the right to use images from the films selected for marketing purposes (web, print media, and television).