Film Freeway is the primary submission platform for Fear Screen Horror Film Festival. This guide walks you through the entire submission process, ensuring your film reaches our selection committee with all necessary information and documentation. Getting Started Create Your Film Freeway Account If you do not already have a Film Freeway account, visit www.filmfreeway.com and select "Sign Up." You will need to provide basic information including your name, email address, and a secure password. Film Freeway will send a verification link to your email; click this link to activate your account. Once your account is active, you can begin adding films immediately or save your progress and return later. Locate Fear Screen Use the search function on Film Freeway to find "Fear Screen" You should see our festival listed with our current submission status (open, under review, or closed). Click on our festival page to view submission deadlines, entry fees, and detailed requirements specific to your film category. or fund us via our url here FilmFreeway.com/FearScreen Step-by-Step Submission Process Step 1: Select Your Film Category Fear Screen accepts submissions across several categories, which may include narrative features, narrative shorts, documentaries, experimental films, and international productions. Choose the category that best describes your film. If your film fits multiple categories, select the one that most accurately represents its primary genre or format. Step 2: Upload Your Film Click the "Upload Film" button and select your video file from your computer. Film Freeway supports a range of file formats; however, we recommend uploading in H.264 video codec with AAC audio for optimal compatibility and streaming quality. You will have the option to upload either a full film or a password-protected link (such as a Vimeo or YouTube link). If uploading directly, ensure your file meets our technical specifications regarding resolution, frame rate, and audio configuration. The upload process may take several minutes depending on your file size and internet connection speed. Step 3: Enter Film Details Complete all required fields in the film information section: Title: Enter the exact title of your film as you wish it to appear in promotional materials and on the festival website. Logline: Provide a brief, engaging summary of your film in one or two sentences. This logline may be used in festival materials, so craft it carefully to capture the essence of your work. Synopsis: Write a more detailed description of your film (typically 100 to 200 words). Include plot summary, character information, and thematic elements relevant to the horror genre. Director(s): List all directors involved in the film. If there are multiple directors, add each one separately with their full name. Cast: Add the principal cast members. This field is optional but recommended for films with notable actors. Crew: Include other key crew members such as cinematographer, composer, producer, or editor. This information helps contextualise your film's production value. Step 4: Provide Production Information Enter the year your film was completed and your country of origin. If your film is a co-production between multiple countries, list all relevant nations. This information assists our selection committee in understanding your film's production context and eligibility for certain categories. Step 5: Add Keywords and Genre Tags Select relevant keywords and genre tags that describe your film. For Fear Screen, ensure you include "horror" and any applicable subgenres such as "psychological horror," "slasher," "supernatural," or "creature feature." These tags help our programmers identify films that align with our festival's focus. Step 6: Upload Additional Materials Film Freeway allows you to upload supplementary materials that may strengthen your submission: Poster or Cover Image: Upload a high-resolution promotional image or poster (minimum 1000x1500 pixels recommended). This image will represent your film on our website and social media. Stills or Behind-the-Scenes Images: Submit 3 to 5 high-quality production stills or behind-the-scenes photographs. These images are valuable for promotional purposes if your film is selected. Trailer: If available, upload a trailer or teaser for your film. A compelling trailer can significantly enhance your submission's impact. Director's Statement or Artist Bio: Optionally, provide a brief statement from the director explaining the film's inspiration, creative vision, or production journey (200 to 300 words). Step 7: Confirm Your Personal Information Verify that your contact details are accurate. This includes your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. Our team will use this information to contact you regarding your submission status. Step 8: Select Your Entry Fee Option Choose your applicable entry fee tier, which may vary depending on submission deadline, film length, or filmmaker status. Film Freeway will display available options with corresponding costs. If you are eligible for a fee waiver or reduced-rate submission, select that option at this stage. Additional information on financial support is available on the Fear Screen website. Step 9: Complete Payment Proceed to the payment screen and enter your payment information. Film Freeway accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) and PayPal. Your payment must be processed successfully for your submission to be officially recorded. You will receive an email confirmation containing your submission receipt and a unique submission ID. Keep this receipt for your records. Step 10: Review and Submit Before finalising your submission, review all information one final time. Check that your film file is correctly uploaded, all required fields are completed accurately, and your contact information is current. Once you are satisfied, click the "Submit" button to complete your submission. You will receive an email confirming that your submission has been received by Fear Screen Horror Film Festival. After Submission Your film is now in our submission database. You can track your submission status at any time by logging into Film Freeway and navigating to your submission page. This page will display updates as we progress through our selection process. Our team typically reviews submissions on a rolling basis during the submission window. You will be notified via email of the selection committee's decision by the date specified in our festival guidelines. Troubleshooting Common Issues Upload Failures: If your file upload fails or stalls, check your internet connection and try uploading a lower-resolution version if your file exceeds 2GB. Alternatively, provide a secure streaming link instead. Missing Required Fields: Film Freeway will not allow submission if required fields are incomplete. Review the submission form carefully and ensure all mandatory fields contain information. Payment Issues: If your payment does not process, verify your card details and contact your bank to confirm the transaction has not been declined. If problems persist, contact Film Freeway support directly. Email Confirmation Not Received: Check your spam or junk folder. If you still cannot locate the confirmation email, contact Fear Screen directly through our website. Support and Assistance If you encounter any difficulties during the submission process or have questions specific to Fear Screen Horror Film Festival, visit our website at www.fearscreen.com or contact our submissions team via the festival contact form. For general Film Freeway technical support, Film Freeway provides a comprehensive help centre accessible from their website.
