MISSION & OBJECTIVE
Now in our 15th year, The Chicago Underground Film Festival exists to
showcase the defiantly independent filmmaker. Our mission is to
promote films and videos that dissent in form, technique, or content
from the "indie" film/video mainstream and to present adventurous
works that challenge and transcend expectations...if you suspect your
film is "underground," it probably is.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
"What you get for your money is not just admission to the films but
admission to a subculture" -- Roger Ebert
Founded in 1994, The Chicago Underground Film Festival is dedicated to
the work of film and video makers with defiantly independent visions.
Unlike many other "independent" film events our goal is not to imitate
old guard, market-driven festivals such as Sundance. Instead we seek
to create our own particular niche by presenting an accessible,
user-friendly showcase for Avant-Garde and cult cinema. CUFF presents
a wide range of work exploring the many definitions and
interpretations of the concept of "underground". From alternative
music films and political agitprop to high camp and formal
experimentation. We like films that go beyond expectations and genre,
films made with passion, obsession and drive. As of this year the
festival is an official program of IFP/Chicago
The festival offers a complementary mix of independent features,
shorts, documentaries and experimental films. Panels and workshops
augment this diverse programming. Of course, we also present nightly
parties (including our infamous "Take The Filmmakers Bowling" party)
as well concerts featuring performances by groups such as The
Ponys,Joan of Arc,Bobby Conn & The Glass Gypsies,Plastic Crimewave
Sound, The Cheater Slicks, The Demolition Doll Rods, Califone,
Frontier, Red Red Meat, The Handsome Family,The Wesley Willis Fiasco,
Maureen Tucker, The Gaza Strippers and the Waco Bros.
Past programming highlights include the Chicago premieres of Nice
Bombs by Usama Alshaibi, Danielson - A Family Movie by JL Aronson, The
Monks- The Transatlantic Feedback by Dietmar Post, LOL by Joe
Swanberg, We Jam Econo- The Story of the Minutemen by Tim Irwin, Craig
Baldwin's Sonic Outlaws, Mary Jane's Not A Virgin Anymore by Sarah
Jacobson, Jim Sikora's Bullet On A Wire, Men Cry Bullets by Tamara
Hernandez, Kevin DiNovas' Surrender Dorothy, The Decline of Western
Civilization, Part 3 by Penelope Spheeris, Modulations by Iara Lee,
American Passport by Reed Paget, Benjamin Smoke by Peter Sillen and
Jem Cohen, Todd Verow's The Once and Future Queen, Esther Bell's
Godass, Plaster Caster by Jessica Villines and Montieth McCollum's
Hybrid.
In addition, CUFF has consistently honored the history of underground
and independent cinema by presenting tributes and retrospectives of
filmmakers such as Tom Palozzolo, Richard Kern, Kenneth Anger, George
Kuchar, John Waters, Jack Smith, Paul Morrissey, Melvin Van Peebles,
Doris Wishman, Larry Cohen,Alfred Leslie, Nick Zedd and Alejandro
Jodorowsky.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Entries must be submitted on 1/2" (standard VHS in either NTSC or
PAL/SEACAM formats) videocassette or NTSC or PAL DVD. Foreign language
work must be dubbed or subtitled in English.
ENTRY FEES
$30 per entry postmarked by May 15, $35 per entry postmarked by June
16, $40 per entry received by July 15. Entry fees must be in U.S.
funds only. Checks or money orders should be made out to IFP/Chicago.
Entry Fees are not required from filmmakers who have screened at CUFF
in the past.
SHIPPING
Cost of shipping exhibition prints to the festival is the
responsibility of the entrant. Exhibition copies must be sent to the
festival prepaid. All film reels, cans, videotapes and cases must be
labeled with the title of the entry. The festival will cover return
shipping via FedEx or US Mail. The entrant or the recipient must pay
additional charges for express shipping or transshipments to foreign
film festivals. The festival cannot accept responsibility for damage
or loss of materials while in transit. Please use only plastic or
bubble pack cases when shipping entries. PLEASE DO NOT USE FIBER
ENVELOPES. FIBER ENVELOPES SUCK AND WILL DAMAGE TAPES AND EQUIPMENT!
SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Programming decisions are made by the festival directors and our
selection committee. We will notify filmmakers by email.
If accepted, the print of your film, or presentation video (DVCam or
Mini-DV), will need to be in our office by October 1, 2008.
Be sure to indicate aspect ratio of your film/video as well as any
other special screening/presentation information we might need to
know.
CATEGORIES
Please select only ONE category for your entry when completing your
entry form. For our purposes 'feature' refers to films 60 minutes and
over. 'experimental' refers exclusively for non-narrative,
non-documentary works. If your film or video contains any form of
"story," it is advised you enter your piece in the "narrative"
category. We reserve the right to re-categorize submissions as we deem
appropriate.
AWARDS
Although the art of filmmaking is not competitive, The Chicago
Underground Film Festival does give awards. The festival jury will
present awards to films and videos selected as best in these
categories: Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Feature,
Documentary Short, Experimental, Animation, and "Made in Chicago". An
Audience Choice award will also be presented.
RETURN OF SUBMISSION TAPES
Due to the large number of entries received submission materials and
videos will not be returned.
HOW TO CONTACT US
For more information email us at [email protected] call (312) 235-0161
mailing address for entries :
Chicago Underground Film Festival
c/o IFP/Chicago
1104 S. Wabash
Chicago IL 60605