Deadline: July 23, 2012.

Organizers of the Miami International Film Festival (MIFF), produced and presented by Miami Dade College, are now accepting official entries for the 30th edition of the prestigious event. Considered the top venue in the U.S. for Ibero-American cinema, the Festival seeks the latest works by debut, emerging and veteran filmmakers for various competition and non-competition categories and genres, including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental cinema and Florida-centric stories. The Festival, which runs March 1-10, 2013, will include a noteworthy awards ceremony to celebrate all Festival winners.

“In its first 29 years, Miami International Film Festival has presented the works of many great masters, and introduced many outstanding new talents to the United States,” said MIFF executive director Jaie Laplante.  “For our 30th year, we are looking for compelling, fascinating projects that will fit the theme we have chosen to celebrate our third decade: Every character under the sun / Todos los personajes bajo el sol. We look forward to discovering the year’s most vibrant and striking new works of cinema.”

To qualify for MIFF 2013, all films must not have had their world premiere prior to March 2012 and may not be scheduled for theatrical release or commercial broadcast in the U.S. before March 15, 2013, except for titles submitted to the CinemaSlam competition category.

Grand Jury Competition categories include: Knight Ibero-American, Knight Documentary, Lexus Ibero-American Opera Prima, Shorts and CinemaSlam. Non-competition categories include Red Carpet Galas, Cinema 360º, Doc-You-Up, REEL Music Scene, Florida Focus, Cutting the Edge, Mayhem and America the Beautiful.

Cash prizes totaling $50,000 USD will be awarded by the Festival’s long-time, valued partner, the Knight Foundation, in the Knight Ibero-American and Documentary Grand Jury competitions. An additional cash prize of $5,000 for screenwriting, awarded by the Jordan Alexander Ressler Foundation, will also be awarded in the Ibero-American Grand Jury competition category.

A cash prize of $5,000 USD will be awarded by the Festival’s official automotive sponsor, Lexus, in the Grand Jury Ibero-American Opera Prima competition category, which features films from first-time feature filmmakers from Spain, Portugal and/or Latin America.

MIFF 2013 SUBMISSION FEES & GUIDELINES

Monday, July 23, 2012 | Regular Deadline | $55.00 (SOS) | $75.00 (DVD)
Monday, August 27, 2012 | Late Deadline | $65.00 (S0S) | $85.00 (DVD)
Friday, September 28, 2012 | Extended Deadline | $100.00 (S0S) | NO DVD ACCEPTED AFTER AUG. 27TH
Wednesday, November 21, 2012 | VeoMiami Deadline | $100.00 (SOS only)

Accepted exhibition formats: DCP, HDCam

To submit: Visit www.miamifilmfestival.com for the official submission form via Withoutabox. For additional information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or +1 305-237-FILM (3456).

Competition categories include:

Knight Ibero-American Competition (Running time: 60 minutes or more)
This inspiring competition, open to all directors of any experience, features dramatic works from Latin America, Spain and Portugal, as well as Latino-themed works produced in the United States. Preference will be given to World, International and U.S. premieres, but must be at minimum a Florida Premiere at MIFF 2013. Films are eligible for a $30,000 USD Knight Grand Jury Prize that will be split between the filmmaker and the U.S. distributor of the film* (*funds will be awarded to the U.S. distributor on the condition of a minimum one-week commercial theatrical engagement in Miami-Dade County before March 10, 2014).  If no U.S. distributor is secured before April 11, 2013, then the full award will be made to the filmmaker.

The Grand Jury, at its own discretion, will also award up to a total of $10,000 additional funds to two other films in the Knight Ibero-American Competition for distinctions of the Jury’s selection.

Knight Documentary Competition (Running time: 50 minutes or more)
Engaging and thought-provoking feature-length documentaries created by international filmmakers that examine social issues, diverse cultures, icons and/or inspiring people. Preference will be given to World, International and U.S. premieres, but must be at minimum a Florida Premiere at MIFF 2013. Films are eligible for a $10,000 USD Knight Grand Jury Prize. Open to all directors.

Lexus Ibero-American Opera Prima Competition
First-time feature filmmakers from Spain, Portugal and/or Latin America will compete for a $5,000 USD cash prize sponsored by Lexus

Jordan Alexander Ressler Screenwriting Award
Titles competing in the Ibero-American Competition category are eligible for a $5,000 USD Grand Jury Prize awarded by the Jordan Alexander Ressler Charitable Fund.

CinemaSlam (part of the Florida Focus category) via www.OpenFilm.com (Running time: 15 minutes maximum). Open to any student enrolled in a participating South Florida college/university on the completion date of the film.

Non-competition categories include:

Red Carpet Galas
Films from world-renowned directors and emerging filmmakers are showcased at the historic Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and given red carpet treatment. By invitation only.

Cinema 360° (Running time: 60 minutes or more)
Feature narratives from both masters and up-and-coming filmmakers, including an international selection of dramas, comedies, suspense thrillers, neo westerns, and innovative docudramas. Open to all directors.

Doc-You-Up (Running time: 50 minutes or more)
Engaging and thought-provoking feature-length documentaries created by international filmmakers that examine social issues, diverse cultures, icons and/or inspiring people.

REEL Music Scene (Running time: 50 minutes or more)
Narrative or documentary films with music-themed content

Florida Focus (Running time: any length)
Includes films partially or wholly shot in Florida or by a filmmaker (director/producer) who is a current resident of Florida.

Cutting the Edge (Running time: any length)
Provocative and stirring feature-length visual experiences guaranteed to test limits and take viewers to the extreme. Open to all directors.

Shorts (Running time: 30 minutes or less)
The latest in short films from around the globe, appropriate for any MIFF category.

Mayhem (Running time: 60 minutes or more)
Suspenseful Thrillers That'll Rock your Cortex. Slashers, killers and all psychopaths are welcome.

America the Beautiful (Running time: 60 minutes or longer)
A masterful display of film Americana (US indie titles only).

VeoMiami, an on-site digital marketplace during the Festival open to all Industry & Sales guests.  All official selections of MIFF 2012 will have the opportunity to participate. Additionally, producers have the option of submitting projects for consideration directly to VeoMiami. These submissions will be accepted until January 15, 2013.

Miami International Film Festival
305.237.3456
www.miamifilmfestival.com