CELEBRATING CINEMA IN INDUSTRY
SINCE 1959
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SINCE 1959, THE COVETED TOUR DEFORCE AWARD HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO THOUSANDS OF PRODUCERS WORLDWIDE.
ELIGIBILITY & HOW TO SUBMIT
What do I need to submit my film?
You will need to pay a submission fee in full and provide a link to an online screener. All submissions must include a streamable online screener of the full film. We do not accept DVDs, Blu-rays, or files that must be downloaded, or trailers. The link should be a high-quality version of your film that can be viewed and evaluated by the selection committee. Without both the submission fee and a playable screener, your film will not be considered for the awards.
How do I submit?
To submit your film to the Tour DeForce Awards, you must use the FilmFreeway platform. If you are new to FilmFreeway, you will need to create an account and then create a project for your submission. Detailed instructions on how to create a project and submit to festivals can be found on the FilmFreeway help page: https://filmfreeway.com/help. It is important to note that we do not accept film submissions via email, and all submissions must be made through FilmFreeway. It is also suggested that a permanent member of the film crew, such as the director or producer, make the submission. A regularly checked email address should be used as we may need to get in touch with you throughout the submission process. If we are unable to reach anyone by the final submission deadline, the submission will be disqualified without refund of the submission fee.
Does my film need to be a World Premiere to submit?
A World Premiere is not required for submissions to the Tour DeForce Awards, but premiere status is taken into consideration when making final selections. Feature films that have been publicly released online, on VOD, or DVD prior to the 2023 TDAs are not eligible to screen. Short films that are available online are considered on a case-by-case basis, with priority given to films that have not yet been released to the public. However, films that have screened online as part of a virtual festival presentation are still eligible for screening at TDFA. It is the submitter's responsibility to notify TDFA of any updates in premiere status as they occur, especially if the film is selected for another festival.
How many film/audio works can I submit?
You can submit as many films as you would like to the Tour DeForce Awards as long as they are all eligible for screening at the 2023 TDFAs. However, please note that a separate submission fee must be paid for each film that you submit. This means that if you're submitting multiple films/audio, you will need to pay multiple submission fees.
What category should I submit my film/audio to? What if my film/audio fits multiple categories?
When submitting your film to the Tour DeForce Awards, you should select the category that best describes the primary nature and intention of your film. The category descriptions and any applicable category eligibility requirements can be found on our FilmFreeway page under the "Categories and Fees" section. If your film fits into multiple categories, you can submit it to the one that best represents it, or the category that feels most appropriate for the presentation of the film. It's also possible to submit the film to more than one category but with separate submission fees for each category. It's important to read the descriptions and requirements of each category before submitting to ensure that your film is eligible for that category and that you are submitting to the right one.
When are your deadlines?
TDFA deadlines are different for each region, reference our “Deadlines” page for more information. The International Spring and Fall competitions for “Best In Show” are held twice each year.
Is there a difference if I submit early?
If you submit early you will spend less money on your submission fee. Submitting early won’t increase your chances of getting accepted (though it may increase your chances of a well-rested judge watching your film!), but, ultimately, all submissions are evaluated equally, and every year we screen films/audio that were submitted all throughout the submission period.
What are your submission fees?
You can find a full list of submission fees under the “Categories & Fees” section of our FilmFreeway page.
What screener formats do you accept? Do you accept online screeners? Can I send an outside link?
The Tour DeForce Awards accepts online screeners for film submissions. All submissions must include a streamable online screener of the full film. We do not accept DVDs, Blu-rays, or files that must be downloaded, or trailers. The online screeners may be uploaded directly to FilmFreeway or attached as a password-protected Vimeo link. It is the submitter's responsibility to ensure that their screener link and password is active through at least March 1, 2023. If there is a change to the password or screener URL after submitting, the submitter should email us immediately. In case of an error with the screener, we will attempt to email the submission contact for an update. Failure to respond by the final submission deadline will result in disqualification without refund of submission fees. Please note that the screener should be accessible by the selection committee and should not require any additional software or special equipment to view.
How do I submit Virtual Reality films and how are they reviewed?
To submit Virtual Reality films, you will need to provide a 360-enabled screener of your film. For 360° video, you can provide a private screener through Vimeo, YouTube or Oculus Media Studio, or a downloadable video link. Keep in mind that 360° video will be reviewed via headset whenever possible, so it's important to make sure that the screener you provide is viewable in that format. For tethered/VIVE/Rift/Quest and other roomscale/interactive projects, a full video recording of the experience is required. You may also include app links and builds alongside that, but the video screener is the primary format for consideration. It's important to detail any needs for the exhibition, such as schematics, compatible HMD/tech, etc. This will help the selection committee to evaluate your film. It's essential that you provide a screener that can be reviewed on the virtual reality headsets, and all the information and links that the selection committee needs to evaluate your film. Keep in mind that the selection committee will evaluate your film as close as possible to the final experience, but a video recording is the primary format to be considered. Please make sure that all the technical information about your VR film is included in the submission, for the selection committee to have all the necessary information to evaluate your film.
Do you accept rough cuts/works-in-progress?
Yes, The Tour DeForce Awards do accept rough cuts or works-in-progress. If you are submitting a rough cut or work-in-progress, it is important to mark the submission as such in both your cover letter and in the screener file itself, preferably as a still image of text at the start of the screener. Also, it's important to note which elements are incomplete such as color correction, score, missing shots, etc. The programming staff is used to seeing incomplete versions of films and they are very adept at using their imagination. However, it is important to keep in mind that if your film is accepted, you will need to be prepared to deliver the final cut to us by February 2023. It's essential that the screener you provide is the best representation of your film/audio at the moment, and that you include a detailed explanation of the elements that are not complete yet and what you expect to finish before the final deadline. Please also remember to submit your screener as a final cut if your film/audio is complete and ready for exhibition. It's important to be transparent about the stage of completion of your film and to provide the best representation of it at that point. This will help the selection committee to evaluate your film, and you will have the time to finish it before the final deadline.
I submitted last year and wasn’t accepted. Can I resubmit?
Yes, you can resubmit your work if your submission is still within our eligibility window (completed after October 1, 2020). However, we recommend resubmitting only if the current version being submitted is significantly different from the previous one or if the previous submission was a work in progress with many elements to be completed. It's rare that a resubmitted film is accepted the next year, but it's possible. If you decide to resubmit, please make sure to note that the film is a resubmission and include information about the changes made between the different cuts in your cover letter. It's important to disclose that the film has been submitted before and to provide information about the changes made between the different cuts, this will help the selection committee to evaluate your film and understand the progress made. Please keep in mind that the selection committee doesn't have access to previous submissions, so you should provide all the information they need to evaluate your film.
DISCOUNTS
Do you offer student discounts?
Yes, there is a discount for student work (25% off of the submission fee). This discount can be activated on FilmFreeway by selecting the "Student" option during checkout. To qualify, you must either be a current student or you must have completed the film during the time you were a student.
AFTER SUBMITTING
How do I know you received my submission?
To confirm that the Tour DeForce Awards has received your film submission, you can check the status of your submission in your FilmFreeway account under the "Submissions" tab. If the Submission Status is listed as "In Consideration," it means that your film has met all of our requirements and is ready to be reviewed by our screeners and programmers. It's also possible to receive an email confirmation when your submission is received, this is sent to the email you used to create the account in FilmFreeway. If you don't receive an email confirmation, you can check the status of your submission in your FilmFreeway account. Please note that if the Submission Status is listed as "Payment Pending" or "Incomplete" it means that the submission fee hasn't been paid or you haven't provided all the required materials. Please contact us if you have any doubts or concerns about the status of your submission.
Why is my Submission Status listed as “Incomplete?”
If your Submission Status is listed as "Incomplete" it means that your film submission is missing some required materials or information. The most common reason for a submission to be considered incomplete is missing a screener. You should check your submission again to ensure that your screener was uploaded properly. Reasons why a submission may be considered incomplete include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Screener is missing
• Screener has been deleted or the password has been changed
• Screener is missing subtitles (if in a foreign language), audio, image, or any feature that prevents us from properly judging it
• Missing information or answers to the submission form
• Missing payment of submission fee.
If we discover an issue with your submission during the submissions process, we will reach out to the submitter to correct the problem and update the status of the film to “Incomplete”. It's important to check the status of your submission and to be aware of the deadlines for fixing the issues found in your submission. Please keep in mind that if your film status is Incomplete and the deadline expires, your submission will be disqualified without refund of submission fees. If you have any doubts or concerns about the status of your submission, please contact us at: submit@tdfa.org
I want to withdraw my film, can I get a refund?
Once a project is listed as "In Consideration" on FilmFreeway, we are unable to offer refunds for any reason, including but not limited to: • Submission to the wrong category • Change in premiere status or distribution • Duplicate submissions • Failure to pay the full submission fee by the final deadline • Failure to provide a working screener by the final deadline • Project's failure to comply with submission Rules & Terms • Improper use of a discount code or waiver • Rejection from the festival
Withdrawing your submission for any reason (including changes of heart).
It is important to read the rules and terms before submitting, and to be sure about the submission process and the film's status before making a decision. We advise you to double-check that the film is ready for submission, the correct category is selected, and the payment is made before submitting. If you want to withdraw your film, please contact us as soon as possible, and we will update the status of your submission. It's important to keep in mind that once the film is in consideration, we don't offer refunds for any reason. If you have any doubts or concerns please contact us at submit@tdfa.org
Can we send updated versions of the film?
Yes, you can send updated versions of the film, but only until the final deadline, November 17, 2023. No updated cuts will be accepted after the final deadline. You must replace the embedded screener in your FilmFreeway project. We are unable to accept any updated screeners via email, as we cannot update your submission from our end. For more info on replacing your screener, please visit the help section of FilmFreeway. The Tour DeForce Awards is only responsible for considering the project as it exists at the time of review. We are under no obligation to revisit updated cuts once a screener has been seen, so please make sure that the submitted cut is a fair representation of the final piece. It's important to keep in mind that the selection committee doesn't have access to previous submissions, so you should provide all the information they need to evaluate your film. If you have any doubts or concerns, please contact us at: submit@tdfa.org
When will filmmakers be notified of the final decisions for the 2023 Tour DeForce Awards?
Filmmakers will be notified of the final decisions for the 2023 Tour De Force Awards no later than the end of day on February 17, 2023. Some filmmakers may receive a notification sooner than this, but if you haven't heard from us yet, you're still in the running. The final notification will be sent to the email address provided on the submission form. It's important to check the spam folder in case the email is filtered there. It's also possible to check the status of your submission on FilmFreeway account, under the "Submissions" tab. If you don't receive a notification or if you have any doubts or concerns, please contact us at: submit@tdfa.org
How will we be notified*?
Filmmakers will be notified of their acceptance status for the 2023 Tour De Force Awards by email. Accepted films will receive an invitation letter by email and films that are not accepted to screen will also be notified by email by the notification deadline. It is important to make sure the email address associated with your submission remains active throughout the submission process and to add submit@tdfa.org and noreply@filmfreeway.com to your address book to prevent our communication from going to spam. Your status of Accepted/Not Accepted will also be reflected in your FilmFreeway account under “Submissions” by the end of day on February 17, 2023. Please note that email filters sometimes have trouble with addresses that start with info@, mail@, admin@, etc. If you're using one of these email addresses, it's more likely your notification email may not arrive. We also suggest using an email address that is checked daily. Notification dates are subject to change, we will strive to notify all submitters via email when a change is made. If you don't receive a notification or if you have any doubts or concerns, please contact us at: submit@tdfa.org
If I submit to one category, will I be considered for others I may be eligible for?
If you submit to one category, your film will only be considered for that category and will not be considered for any other categories for which you may be eligible. It is important to read the category descriptions carefully and submit your film to the category that best fits the nature and intention of your film. Submitting your film to a category with a lower submission fee even though it belongs in another category will result in disqualification without a refund. If you have any questions about which category to submit your film to, please contact us at submit@tdfa.org . Do you have any ratings limitations? Is work with strong content and language accepted? We do not have any ratings limitations on films submitted to the Tour De Force Awards (TDFA). We program films with a variety of content, including those that may be considered appropriate for mature audiences. Our mission is to program great films and a strong lineup first and foremost, regardless of the content or language of the films. However, please be aware that the festival is not responsible for any content that may be considered offensive or controversial, and the festival reserves the right to make programming decisions based on the content of the films submitted. If you have any questions about the content of your film, please feel free to contact us at: submit@tdfa.org .
SCREENING/JUDGING PROCESS
Who are your screeners?
Our screening/judging committee is made up of a diverse hand selected group.. They are a mix of industry professionals, academics, filmmakers, past TDFA alumni, and film enthusiasts. The number of screeners varies from year to year but generally ranges between 35 to 50 individuals. They are carefully selected based on their knowledge and experience in film, and their ability to provide insightful and thoughtful evaluations of the films submitted. They work hard to view and evaluate each film in a fair and unbiased manner, and their feedback helps make informed decisions about which films to include in the festival lineup.
How are films scored?
Each film is evaluated by multiple judges on our committee, with the exception of films that are watched first by a programmer, who uses their own criteria. The screeners are asked to score the film based on various criteria, such as its technical quality, storytelling, performances, and overall impact. They also provide written feedback and commentary on the film. These evaluations are then used to determine which films will be accepted into the festival. The films are assigned scores based on the average of the scores given by the screeners and programmer. The programmers ultimately make the final decision based on the scores and feedback provided by the screeners, as well as their own evaluation of the film.
