After you have submitted your film to Fear Screen Horror Film Festival, you may discover the need to update information, correct errors, or replace your film file. This guide explains what changes are permitted, how to request modifications, and any restrictions or limitations that may apply. What Can Be Changed Fear Screen permits modifications to certain submission details under specific circumstances. However, not all information can be altered once your submission has been processed. Changes That Are Permitted Film Synopsis and Logline: You may request updates to your film's synopsis or logline if you wish to refine the description or correct factual errors. Director or Crew Information: You may add, update, or correct names and credits for directors, cinematographers, composers, producers, or other crew members. Film Title: In exceptional circumstances, you may request to change your film's title. This is permitted only if the title change reflects a legitimate decision by the filmmaker and is not merely a stylistic preference. Poster, Still Images, or Trailer: You may replace promotional images or trailer files with updated versions. Cast Information: You may add or update cast member names and credits. Keywords and Genre Tags: You may modify the keywords and genre descriptors assigned to your film. Contact Information: You may update your personal email address, phone number, or mailing address if your contact details have changed. Director's Statement or Artist Bio: You may revise or replace your optional director's statement or biographical information. Changes That Cannot Be Made Film File or Duration: Once submitted, your film file cannot be replaced or updated. This restriction ensures the integrity of our selection process; the committee has evaluated the specific version you submitted. If you have discovered a technical error in your submitted file (such as audio sync issues or corrupted frames), contact our submissions team immediately to discuss potential remedies. In rare cases, permission may be granted to resubmit a corrected file, though this is not guaranteed. Film Category: Your submission category (short, medium-length, or feature) cannot be changed. This classification is determined by your film's duration and cannot be altered retroactively. Entry Fee: The entry fee you paid at submission cannot be refunded or adjusted. If you submitted at a late submission rate and later wish you had submitted during early bird, a fee adjustment will not be provided. Submission Date and Time: Your official submission date and time, established when you completed payment on Film Freeway, cannot be changed. This date determines which submission window (early bird, regular, or late) your submission is assigned to. How to Request Changes Before Initial Processing Closes If you discover the need to make changes shortly after submitting (typically within 48 hours), you may contact our submissions team immediately to request modifications. Contact Method: Visit the Fear Screen website contact form or email our submissions team at the address provided on the Film Freeway submission page. Include in Your Request: Your full name Your film's title Your unique submission ID (from your submission confirmation email) A clear description of the information you wish to change The corrected or updated information Our team will attempt to process these requests quickly, particularly if they involve factual corrections or clarifications that do not alter the fundamental submission. After Initial Processing Begins Once initial processing has commenced (typically one to two weeks after submission closure), requests for changes become more limited. At this stage, only essential corrections are permitted. Essential corrections include: Factual errors in your contact information that prevent festival communication Significant errors in your film's title, runtime, or other fundamental information Critical corrections to director or crew credits Contact our submissions team immediately if you identify an essential error that must be corrected. Provide clear justification for why the change is necessary and essential to your submission's accuracy. During Committee Evaluation Once your submission has been forwarded to the selection committee for evaluation, no changes to your film details, file, or category will be permitted. At this stage, the committee is evaluating the submission as originally presented. Minor corrections to contact information or non-essential details may still be updated in the background without affecting the committee's evaluation, but the film file itself and core submission details remain locked. After Selection Decisions Are Made If your film has been selected for screening, you may request changes to certain details to ensure accurate information in the festival programme, marketing materials, and website. Permitted changes at this stage include: Cast and crew credits for accuracy in the programme Director's statement or filmmaker bio for promotional materials Updated contact information Any corrections necessary for festival materials Contact our programming team directly if you are a selected filmmaker and need to update programme information. Requests should be submitted as soon as possible to allow time for programme finalisation. Replacing Your Film File If you submitted a film file directly to Film Freeway and later discover a technical error (such as audio sync issues, colour grading problems, or corrupted frames), you may request permission to replace the file. File Replacement Request Process Step 1: Contact Fear Screen Immediately Email our submissions team or contact us via the website. Clearly describe the technical error and explain why file replacement is necessary. Step 2: Provide Justification Explain the specific nature of the error. Valid reasons for file replacement include: Audio and video synchronisation errors that impair viewing Severe colour grading or visual quality issues Corrupted frames or technical artifacts that disrupt the viewing experience Missing audio channels or dialogue Invalid reasons for file replacement include: Preference for a different edit or version of the film Creative decisions to re-grade or re-edit the film after submission Changes in artistic direction or narrative structure Changes made for purely aesthetic reasons Step 3: Submit Your Replacement File If permission is granted, you will be provided with instructions for uploading your replacement file. Upload the corrected file as directed. Step 4: Confirmation You will receive confirmation once the replacement file has been successfully received and processed. The replacement file will be used in place of your original submission going forward. Important Restriction: Timing File replacements are not permitted after initial processing has closed. Once your submission has entered the evaluation phase, the film file is locked and cannot be replaced, even if you discover technical errors. This restriction ensures that all submissions are evaluated in a consistent manner and prevents unfair advantages from allowing some filmmakers to submit updated files whilst others cannot. Correcting Information Errors If you submitted incorrect information (such as misspelled names, wrong film duration, or incorrect synopsis details), contact our team to request a correction. Common Corrections Names and Credits: If you misspelled a director's name, omitted a crew member, or provided incorrect credits, contact us with the correct information. Film Duration: If you accidentally entered an incorrect runtime, contact us with your film's accurate duration. Note that the entry fee is based on the category determined by duration, so a significant duration error may have payment implications. Synopsis or Logline: If your synopsis contains factual errors or if you wish to refine the description, request an update. Metadata Fields: If other information such as production year, country of origin, or film description contains errors, these can typically be corrected. Our submissions team will update your information and confirm the correction via email. Withdrawing Your Submission If you wish to withdraw your submission from Fear Screen Horror Film Festival, you may do so at any time prior to the selection committee's final decisions being made. Withdrawal Process Contact our team via the Fear Screen website or email. Provide your submission ID and clear indication that you wish to withdraw. Confirm your request when asked to do so. Your film will be removed from consideration and will not be evaluated by the selection committee. No refund of entry fees will be provided; withdrawals are processed at no cost to Fear Screen but do not trigger financial reimbursement. Reasons for Withdrawal Filmmakers withdraw submissions for various reasons, including: Film selected at another festival with conflicting premiere requirements Personal or professional circumstances requiring withdrawal Decision to submit the film elsewhere instead Change of mind regarding festival participation Whatever your reason, withdrawal is a straightforward process and will not affect your ability to submit in future festival years. After Withdrawal Once withdrawn, your film is no longer under consideration for Fear Screen. If your film is later selected to screen at another festival and that festival's contract permits, you may resubmit to Fear Screen in a future year (subject to that film's eligibility status and premiere requirements). Updating Information for Selected Films If your film has been selected for screening, certain updates may be made to reflect accurate information in the festival programme and promotional materials. Permitted Updates for Selected Films Accurate Credits: Ensure all cast and crew are correctly credited in the festival programme. Director or Filmmaker Bio: Provide or update your biography for the festival website. Social Media and Website Links: Share your website, IMDb page, or social media accounts for the festival to link to. Availability for Attendance: Confirm your attendance at screening events, Q&A sessions, or awards ceremony if applicable. Festival Credentials: Update any special access or credential needs you may have. Contact our programming team with requests for updates. These changes ensure that the festival programme and materials accurately represent your film and provide audiences with relevant information. Questions About Updating Your Submission If you are uncertain whether a particular change is permitted, or if you have a specific question about updating your submission, contact our submissions team via the Fear Screen website. Our team will provide guidance on what changes are possible and how to request them. We strive to accommodate reasonable requests whilst maintaining the integrity and fairness of our selection process.
