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The American West Center at the University of Utah invites filmmakers to submit documentaries about the U.S. West—broadly conceived—for a fall 2008 documentary film festival. Selected films will screen at the Western History Association’s conference in Salt Lake City, October 22–25, 2008. The theme of this year’s conference is “Risky Business.” As the conference call for papers elaborates: “Western history is filled with risky propositions. It’s not easy to join a wagon train, or hop a freighter, or brave a wide desert. It takes guts to come out to your parents, or give birth on the side of the trail, or spend a day digging a well. Indeed, the West, past and present, is filled with individuals and communities who have taken risks.” While we welcome documentary films related to the “Risky Business” theme, we encourage the submission of all types of documentaries pertaining to the American West including, but not limited to, those that highlight the political, social, and environmental histories of the region’s diverse populations. The festival has two principle objectives: to introduce documentaries about aspects of the western experience to teachers who might find these films useful in their own teaching and to provide exposure for independent filmmakers and give them a chance to sell copies of their films to interested educators.

Submission Guidelines

We will accept films of all lengths, but films of approximately 30 minutes are preferred because of their ideal length for classroom use. All accepted entries will be eligible for the three festival awards: Jury, Audience, and the President’s Award.

We ask that you only send the materials listed on the following submission checklist and refrain from sending any additional materials such as press kit CD’s, posters, resumes, or reviews.

* Entries must be submitted on a DVD or VHS videocassette (NTSC).
* Each entry must be accompanied by:
-A completed entry form
-A brief synopsis and artist's statement (limit to one page only)

PLEASE CLEARLY MARK ALL TAPES OR DVDS WITH TITLE, RUNNING TIME, DIRECTOR’S NAME AND E-MAIL ADDRESS. PLEASE LABEL DIRECTLY ON TAPE (SPINE LABEL IS PREFERRED) OR DVD, AS CASES EASILY GET MIXED UP.

ENTRY DEADLINE: April 2, 2008

Shipping: The cost of shipping preview copies and exhibition prints to the festival is the responsibility of the entrant. Preview tapes and DVDs will not be returned. USPS shipping is preferred. If you are shipping your entry via Fed Ex, UPS, or the like, please authorize delivery without signature. The festival cannot accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials while in transit.

Mail all entries to:
American West Center
University of Utah
WHA Documentary Film Festival
1995 De Trobriand St.
Salt Lake City, UT84113

*Please use only plastic or bubble pack cases when shipping entries and screening formats. DO NOT USE FIBER PADDED ENVELOPES. FIBER ENVELOPES ARE MESSY AND CAN DAMAGE TAPES AND EQUIPMENT!
Selection and Notification

Programming decisions will be made by the American West Center’s festival selection committee. Selections will be announced by May 15, 2008. If accepted, the exhibition copy of your video will need to be in our office by June 15, 2008. The festival does not pay rental fees for submitted work that is programmed.

Return of Submission Tapes

Due to the large number of entries received, submission tapes/DVDs will not be returned.

Screening

We welcome filmmakers to attend the screening of their film at the Western History Association conference so they can discuss their work with the historians in attendance. All selected films will appear on an information sheet to help facilitate contact between historians interested in purchasing them and filmmakers.
Contact Us

For entry forms please refer to the attachments, or visit:
http://www.hum.utah.edu/display.php?pageId=2244

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