Submissions

There is no “Call for Films”. Please SUBSCRIBE to our e-newsletter or check back often.

Requirements

Lead character prominently features a woman of African descent/African Diaspora in a non-pornographic and/or non-stereotypical role.

AND

Film may feature the experiences, viewpoints, lifestyles, socio-economic position or stories of Black women, but it is not required for eligibility.

OR

Film was directed and/or produced by a Black woman/woman of the African diaspora (this includes women of the following groups/cultures: Adivasi, Aboriginal Australians, Dravidian, Pilipino Negrito / Ati, Seminole, Dalit, African Latino, Arawak, Carib, Garifuna, “Black Indian”, Black African groups/tribes, East Timorese, Solomon Islander/indigenous Pacific Islander, African/indigenous Caribbean, African Brazilian, indigenous Fijian, indigenous Maori, multi/bi-racial, et al.).

More About Requirements

Films should be timely, or directly features issues, activities, politics that influence the lives of Black women around the world. Digital shorts, animation and experimental films may present any issue, but filmmakers should be Black women or prominently feature a Black woman character or issue.

Formatting

All films (digital, animation, etc.) must be transferred onto a DVD for screenings. The IBWFF no longer accepts VHS or BETA tapes!

Online films must be encoded using either Quicktime, MPEG, Flash (*.swf) or Windows Media formats. You are welcome to forward a link to where your film can be viewed online. (Online, digital films must be transferred to DVD, if you’d like it reviewed offline. For theater projection, you must format your film for DVD and theater screen.)

About YouTube, Bebo and other online services

If you’d like your film to be considered as a “premiere,” then it cannot be available online via such services as YouTube, Bebo, Hulu, Brightcove, etc. If you are using one of these services, your film may be considered for IBWFF TV, but not the film festival.