FAQ Part 4
Q: When are the selections made?
A: All film selections will be posted on our web site and we'll send out a press release during the second week of December. We will call accepted filmmakers two weeks before we announce.
Q: Who's on the programming committee?
A: The programmers are all filmmakers of one stripe or another, typically Slamdance alumni. Last year, we had about forty programmers in all (about half did shorts; half did features). For the most part, the programming takes place in L.A., but we do have representatives in other parts of the country, including New York, who help contribute to the process.
Q: Anyone I should be extra nice to?
A: No. Unlike many festivals, Slamdance doesn't have a single "main" programmer. Our decisions are generally consensus-based among all the programmers.
Q: Do you make early decisions or give early notifications?
A: No. At Slamdance we program all the slots at the same time. It makes for a rather grueling few days at the end of the programming session, but we feel it's a more fair system to wait until all the films are submitted before making any firm decisions or issuing any invitations to the festival.
Q: Do I have a better chance of getting into the festival if I have a fancy agent or lawyer or publicist call in and lobby?
A: No. In short, we would rather be lied to by directors, than their agents. Remember, Slamdance is about helping filmmakers get a leg up. If you've already got a fancy agent, lawyer and publicist, then you really don't need Slamdance to help promote your film - you should just set up an industry screening at a different time of year with all those people helping you.
Q: Once I've submitted, should I call and bother you about my film?
A: If you've got any new, relevant information for us during the selection process (new contact info, you just got into another festival, the film got distribution, etc.), please update your information with the "update account" link on any Filmmaker Site page. Also, if you want to make sure we got all your submission information, you can do that by emailing programming@slamdance.com (though if you submitted your film around one of the deadlines, it could take a few days to get fully into the system - so don't call the day after the deadline). Try not to pester us too much, but if you have any real questions or concerns, don't be shy about calling us. Please don't call until you read all sections of the FAQs.
Q: If I help you raise sponsorship money, or if I work for one of your sponsors, or if I write you a really, really big check, does it help my chances of getting into the festival?
A: We are always on the look-out for additional sponsorship dollars for the festival, and certainly appreciate any help people can give us. But as a matter of fairness, payola does not actually help your film get into the festival.
Q: Alright, but I really like what Slamdance is all about and want to give you money or an old computer or a pizza or big box of candy. Won't you please take it?
A: We can send you our sponsorship package (email alexandra@slamdance.com) Pizza? Just send straight to the office.
Q: Do you share the videotapes with distributors or anyone else?
A: We only allow Slamdance programmers and staff to watch the submitted videotapes. We have a strict tracking system that keeps tabs on the tapes.
Q: If I don't get into the festival, can you return my videotape?
A: No. All materials submitted to Slamdance are non-returnable, so please don't send originals.
Q: OK, fine, so I guess you guys think my film is a piece of crap and you rejected it, you sons of bitches! Don't you even have the guts to tell me to my face what you thought of my movie? Or are you going to cower behind the arrogant anonymity of a stupid form rejection email that you send out six months after the festival!?!
A: Indeed we DO cower behind the arrogant anonymity of a form rejection email! We'll send it out as timely as we can - within a couple of days before the announcement week. But if you don't see your film listed on the website on Dec. 9th, you can assume that you did not get in. But before you go firebombing our office, trashing our good name, or sending us "I Love You" viruses, please keep in mind that just because you didn't get into the festival DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T LIKE YOU! We're pretty good about recommending films that didn't make it into the festival to our friends at other festivals (sometimes other ones in Park City) or to distributors and other industry-types we know. Remember Slamdance shows a very small amount of films. Every year we are forced to pass on a ton of really great films.