Interested in being a filmmaker in the 2012-2013 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers?  Well now is your time!

Filmmaker Entry Form

Southern Circuit is the nation's first regional tour of independent filmmakers, providing communities in a nine-state region in the South with an interactive way to experience independent film and engage with indie filmmakers. The tour utilizes an intimate context to connect audiences with filmmakers and connect with films they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see. Films, including animation, documentaries, experimental and narrative work, are submitted for consideration for the Circuit through an annual nationwide open call for submissions. 

Southern Circuit is composed of three separate circuits, each with six filmmakers (for a total of 18 filmmakers) who travel to an estimated eight communities throughout the Southeastern United States. For each Circuit, one filmmaker tours during the months of September, October, November, February, March, or April. Each filmmaker tours for an estimated 10-14 days.

Southern Circuit is open to any filmmaker living in the United States with a valid driver's license. Filmmakers may submit a feature-length work or a group of short films whose combined time reaches feature length - at least 45 minutes with a maximum of 120 minutes.

South Arts is responsible for:

·Nationwide call for submission of independent films

·Selection of partner venues via a competitive application process

·Host a film selection panel meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, spring 2012

·Provide partner venues with six films on projection-quality DVDs or Blu-ray (if available) for public screenings

·Provide partner venues with downloadable promotional materials (including logos, posters, web banners high- resolution photos, filmmaker bios,  film synopses, trailers, and podcasts)

·Provide partners with Southern Circuit marketing webinars

·Contract filmmakers for film screenings and associated activities

·Arrange and fund filmmaker travel

·Provide filmmaker travel per diem (lodging & meals)

·Maintain Southern Circuit blog

Guidelines for Filmmakers

The filmmaker application will be posted on Without A Box on November 7, 2011.The filmmaker application deadline is Wednesday, February 15, 2012.  Early Bird registration ends Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Click here to submit your film today!

Selected filmmakers are required to: 

· Film submissions can be fiction, documentary, animation, or experimental:
      -Your film should be a minimum of 45 minutes or a collection of shorter works comprising a program of at least 45 minutes but no more than 120 minutes.
      - Submitted films must have been completed after January 1, 2009. If you are submitting a group of works, one of them must have been completed after January 1, 2009.

·Commit to a 10-14 day travel schedule during which filmmaker will visit an estimated eight partner venues for screenings

·Provide electronic files for high-resolution photos of selected film and head-shots, filmmaker biography, link to film trailer and social media links

·Participate in media interviews as requested

·Attend screenings and engage audiences in a post-screening discussions

·Submit reimbursable travel receipts in a timely manner at the conclusion of the Circuit

·Document experiences via the Southern Circuit blog

Guidelines for Host Sites

The host venue application deadline for Southern Circuit 2012-2013 is Monday, January 16, 2012. The application will be available Thursday, December 1, 2011. Click here to apply!

Organizations selected to serve as partner venues are required to:

·Provide South Arts a participation fee of $5,000

·Identify a representative(s) with appropriate expertise to participate in the preliminary review of assigned submitted films

·Send a representative to the two-day film selection panel meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, spring 2012

·Coordinate screenings and post-screening discussion with each of the six visiting filmmakers selected for your Circuit

·Arrange local overnight accommodations for each visiting filmmaker (per diem provided by South Arts)

·Provide qualified projectionist and well-maintained, functional projection equipment

·Market and promote the Circuit in your community through print and electronic media, as well as radio and television outlets, whenever possible

For more information please visit www.southarts.org/southerncircuit or contact Teresa Hollingsworth at thollingsworth@southarts.org