SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

 

The Girl Improved Film and Television Festival is a competition for girls and nonbinary youth. We are accepting submissions in film – any art using the moving image – and screenplay format. As this is a curated festival, submission does not guarantee participation.

 

All submissions must be created by youth ages 22 and younger. This means the creators (including crew when applicable) have to meet the age requirements. Characters may be any age.

 

In order to be eligible for Awards, the film/screenplay must have been completed in 2021 or 2022.

 

See below for eligibility requirements and guidelines.

For a list of past award winners, visit the GIFT Fest 2021, GIFT Fest 2020 or GIFT Fest 2018 page.

ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES

 

The Girl Improved Film & Television Festival proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world’s #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests.

 

FILM SUBMISSIONS

  1. Submissions from any genre are acceptable (i.e. narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, music video, etc.)
  2. Pieces must be 12 mins or less.
  3. Creators must have made the film at age 22 or younger.
  4. Pieces must follow the GIFT Fest mandate:
    1. The director and a minimum of 50% of the creative team (writer, producer, cinematographer, editor) must identify as girls or nonbinary, and
    2. Cast must consist of a minimum of 50% female or nonbinary characters. There are no age requirements for the cast.
  5. Content must be in English or subtitled/translated to English.
  6. Any piece selected can be used for promotional purposes.
  7. Only films made in 2021 or 2022 will be eligible for Awards.

 

SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS

  1. Submissions from any genre are acceptable (i.e. narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, music video, etc.)
  2. Pieces must be 12 pages or less.
  3. Creators must have written the screenplay at age 22 or younger.
  4. Pieces must follow the GIFT Fest mandate:
    1. The writer(s) must identify as girls or nonbinary, and
    2. Story must consist of a minimum of 50% female or nonbinary characters. There are no age requirements for the characters.
  5. Content must be in English or translated to English.
  6. Any piece selected can be used for promotional purposes.
  7. Only screenplays written in 2021 or 2022 will be eligible for Awards.

 

 

A NOTE FOR SELECTED PIECES

  • Because the festival is happening virtually, all selected films will need to upload specific file requirements to our online platform, including a poster, thumbnail images and short synopses.
  • We love to promote our selected pieces. All official selections are encouraged to share filmmaker headshots, social media graphics, and even teaser-trailers for the Girl Improved outlets.
  • Screenplay Competition winners are eligible for a live reading of their short screenplay during the festival.

A CONTEST FOR GIRLS

“I hear people saying a lot of things they hadn’t said before: that inclusion matters, that they understand the need for representation, that they believe in diverse people and perspectives being centered. But saying it and doing it aren’t parallel tracks,” says writer and director, Ava DuVernay in a NY Times article.

GIFT Fest is trying to say it and do it.

We look forward to your submission in this contest for girls, young women, and nonbinary youth.

GIFT FEST SPONSORS