Astra Film

The 10th ASTRA FILM FESTIVAL will take place between 26th October and 1st November 2009.

ASTRA FILM FEST welcomes documentary films without restriction to theme and length, for the four competition sections (INTERNATIONAL, EUROPEAN, ROMANIAN, STUDENT FILM). Films must have cinematographic qualities, artistic commitment and strong presence of the filmmaker's point of view both in form and content. There is no fee required for entry.

Submission

Documentaries of any length with a completion date within the last three years (2007-2009) are eligible for the competition programs. If the original language of the commentary/dialogue is other than English, the films must have English subtitles. Applicants are asked to send the following material:

- the filled-out entry form
- a preview copy on DVD
- two stills from the film (print quality 300 dpi)
- photo of the author, (print quality 300 dpi)
- synopsis in English, about 150 words
- short biography/filmography of the author
- list of credits
- dialogue list in English
- press kit, if available
- any other relevant information (participations, awards etc.)

The material must be mailed at the following postal address: ASTRA FILM 2009, 550182 Sibiu , Romania , Piata Huet 12. Texts and photos can also be sent as e-mail attachment at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   Please mention the English title of your film in the subject line of your messages. 

Warning! Please check your preview copy carefully and pack it as to prevent damage during transportation. The Festival will not send you any notification if your preview DVD is not running. 

Deadline: Entries must be postmarked before 1 MAY 2009  Preview materials are not returned. The preview copies of the submitted films enter the ASTRA FILM archive, to be used exclusively for non-profit purposes (research, educational & training programs). ASTRA FILM promotes the use of documentary film as a means for cultural and cross-cultural understanding, and promotes the study, research and initiatives in the field of visual anthropology, organizing documentary promotion events. The applicant authorizes ASTRA FILM FEST to make public the materials sent for submission (information about the film, director, producer, photographs, synopsis) in press releases, catalogues, articles, websites etc.).

Competition

The selection will be notified to the authors of the films by the end of August 2009 . Once a film is selected, the holder of its copyrights automatically authorises ASTRA FILM to screen it in the Festival programme free of charge, and to use trailers (not exceeding 3 min.), as well as publicity material about the author(s) and/or the film to promote de Festival. The screening formats of the films selected for the Festival programme are: Betacam SP/PAL, DVCAM and HDV.Please make sure that your screening copy respects the original aspect ratio of your film.All scheduling of selected films is at the discretion of the Festival programmers.The Festival management insists that the author(s) of the films in the programme or a delegate from the part of the director/producer are present for the official screening. Accommodation is offered by the organizers. The Festival can not cover travel costs for the authors. 

Juries & Awards

The international juries will be composed of respected academics and cinema specialists. The jurors will select the winning films for the Festival awards. The prizes in total amount of €25,000 will be awarded to the authors of the winning films.  

Transport

The costs of transport to the Festival office for the preview material are the responsibility of the applicant.The costs of transport to the Festival office of the screening copy of the selected films are the responsibility of the participants.The Festival will pay the return transport of the screening copies to the return address filled by the applicant on the entry form.  

Note on Post & Courier services from non-EU countries: For customs reasons, we suggest you indicate €1 or $1 only as the value of the tape on the Pro forma invoice . This is a customs value and has nothing to do with the insurance. Also mark the package "PREVIEW MATERIAL / NO COMMERCIAL VALUE / FOR FESTIVAL USE ONLY." Otherwise, the Festival may be charged customs fees. The festival will refuse such fees, and consequently your film will neither be received nor considered.  

By submitting your film to ASTRA FILM FEST 2009, you are stating that you have read and agree with the Rules&Regulations of the ASTRA FILM Festival. Your entry into this competition grants the festival the rights that have been stated in these Rules&Regulations.