FAQ:

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER THE COMPETITION?

$15
 

IS THERE A DEADLINE TO ENTER THE COMPETITION?

Sunday, October 16th at 11:59PM

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HOW IS THIS GOING TO WORK?

First, you hit the button above to register for the pitch contest. Fill out the form and pay the submission fee and you are all set. But do it BEFORE Thursday, October 20th at midnight. Then, start honing a 3 minute pitch for your brilliant film idea. On Saturday, October 22, at the festival venue in downtown Fayetteville, there will be a preliminary round where you will have 3 minutes to pitch your idea to two industry judges. You'll get instant feedback on your pitch. Judges will choose 3 of the best pitches from the preliminary rounds. If you make it to the finals, you'll have the opportunity to pitch in front of a live audience in primetime on Saturday evening. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony after the closing night film Saturday night!

WHAT SHOULD I PITCH?
Participants should pitch an original idea, one that has a reasonable likelihood of being produced within the budget and time constraints indicated above. As such, short film ideas are strongly encouraged. No adaptations are allowed unless the original idea is your own in another form, i.e. book, play, short story, article, etc. or you are a co-writer, or if you can verify that the source material is in public domain and not protected through any copyright law.

CAN I PITCH WITH A PARTNER?
Yes, you may pitch with your partner/co-writer. You should plan together in advance how you will use your time.

CAN SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW PITCH MY IDEA?
No. Unless they are a co-writer/creator. The idea must be pitched by the generator of the idea who will be executing the idea if the pitch wins the Fayetteville Film Prize.

CAN I USE VISUAL AIDS OR PROPS OR WEAR A COSTUME?
No props, no theatrics, no costumes. You must be able to convey your idea with nothing but your persuasive prose.

HOW WILL THE PITCHES BE JUDGED?
Pitches will be judged on the originality and creativity of the idea as well as the likelihood that the contestant can execute their vision should they win the prize. Some filmmaking experience is a plus. As is a well-defined plan for how you will turn your idea into a finished film. But most important are a creative vision, a unique voice and a compelling story.

WHAT IF SOMEONE STEALS MY IDEA?
Please see below for some legal language on intellectual property and protecting your original ideas. This is a common concern, especially for aspiring filmmakers. But experienced industry professionals have long understood that what makes an idea special is not plot, setting or characters, it’s the unique voice of the creator. Anyone can come up with the same story idea – Armageddon vs Deep Impact, Olympus Has Fallen vs White House Down, The Prestige vs The Illusionist – but only you can tell that story in your voice. We encourage everyone to come together in a spirit of mutual artistic encouragement and share their stories in that same spirit. Someone might indeed be inspired by your idea, but no one can “steal” your unique voice.  

RULES AND TERMS
By entering your pitch for consideration of the Fayetteville Film Prize at the event at the 2022 Fayetteville Film Fest, you agree to the terms listed below:

 

I am a current resident of the state of Arkansas.

I am submitting original written concepts (“pitch”) with the intent of exposure and submission to a panel of industry professionals provided by the Fayetteville Film Fest. I understand that only original and unique expressions of a story/concept may be protected under intellectual property (IP) law. I acknowledge that I have requested permission to disclose and submit to FFF, and its jury certain details that may or may not be protected under such laws, and that it is my own responsibility to seek protection prior to exposure of my pitch by registering those materials with the Writers Guild of America (www.wga.org).

I also understand that within the creative community of the entertainment industry it is common for similar stories or concepts to be created by multiple entities unknowingly, without collaboration between them. I understand and hold harmless of liability FFF and its jury for any prior or subsequent collaborations or productions involving similar stories or concepts unrelated to my disclosure of my pitch and participation in the event.

 

In the event my pitch is chosen as the winner of the 2022 Film Prize event, I agree to submit a detailed production plan, including a timeline for completion, before the funds are dispersed.

I understand and agree that the FFF retains the right to publicize and promote any success I gain through the option, sale, development, acquisition or any deal either formal or informal as a result of my participation in the Event.

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