THE 7TH ANNUAL
CHICAGO UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL

THE ALTERNATIVE FOR UNDERGROUND, INDEPENDENT AND EXPERIMENTAL FILM AND VIDEO

August 18-24 2000.
Village Theater 1548 North Clark Street

The Chicago Underground Film Festival is designed to showcase the defiantly independent filmmaker. Our mission is to promote films and videos that dissent radically in form, technique, or content from the “indie” mainstream presenting works that challenge and transcend commercial expectations…if you suspect your film is “underground,” it probably is.

1999 Festival Sponsors included:
Stolichnaya Vodka, Camel Works-In-Progress, Palm Pictures, Studio Film & Tape, Goose Island Brewery,Screen Actors Guild, Ifilm.net,indieWIRE, Film Craft Labs, The Independent Film Channel, Newcity, Filmmaker Magazine, Movieline, Raygun, Juxtapoz Magazine, Imaginary Landscape, Lumpen Magazine, Supersphere.com, Quimby’s Bookstore.

ENTRY DEADLINE   April 15, 2000
LATE DEADLINE   June 1, 2000

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION
Each entry must be accompanied by a signed entry form and entry fee. We strongly encourage you to include at least one black and white photo with your submission. Entries must be submitted for preview on VHS (NTSC format only). Acceptable formats for exhibition include 35mm or 16mm film and BetaSP video. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English.

ENTRY FEES
$20 for each entry if received by April 15, 2000 $35 for each entry if received by June 1, 2000. Entry fees must be paid by check or money order only and should be made out to: Chicago Underground Film Festival. Each film or video submitted requires a separate entry fee and completed entry form. Entry fees are not refundable. Entry fees are not required of directors who have screened in previous editions of the CUFF.

PAY WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD!
NEW! you can now pay your entry fee via credit card online. After you’ve filled out your entry form, click here to pay your fee. You need to choose from one of six categories when you play. Please note that an approximate 10% charge is added to cover credit card processing, SO IT IS STILL CHEAPER TO PAY WITH CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IF YOU CAN:

• Regular (submitted before April 15.), with no return of tape – $24.00 when paid thru credit card
• Regular (submitted before April 15.), with return of tape within the US – $29.00 when paid thru credit card
• Regular (submitted before April 15.), with return of tape outside the US – $35.00 when paid thru credit card
• Late (submitted before June 1.), with no return of tape – $39.00 when paid thru credit card
• Late (submitted before June 1.), with return of tape within the US – $45.00 when paid thru credit card
• Late (submitted before June 1.), with return of tape outside the US- $50.00 when paid thru credit card

SHIPPING
Cost of shipping to 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. The festival cannot accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials while in transit. Special shipping arrangements must be made at least two weeks before the festival. Please mark your entry clearly with your name and contact information. Please use only plastic or bubble-pack cases when shipping entries. DO NOT USE FIBER ENVELOPES. FIBER ENVELOPES SUCK AND CAN DAMAGE TAPES AND EQUIPMENT!

RETURN OF SUBMISSION TAPES
Submission videos will not be returned unless you request otherwise. If you would like your submission tape returned, please include an additional $5 postage and packaging within the US, or an additional $10 if outside the US. Please DO NOT send SASEs.

SEND ENTRIES TO: Programming Director Chicago Underground Film Festival 3109 N. Western Ave.

Chicago, IL 60618

SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION
Selection of films and videos is made by the festival screening committee. If your film is chosen, you will be notified before July 1, 2000. The festival does not pay rental fees for submitted works that are programmed. Screening dates and times will be announced by July 15. If accepted, the exhibition copy of your film or video will need to be in our office by August 1. Publicity materials such as press books, photos and posters will be requested upon notification of acceptance.

AWARDS
The Chicago Underground Film Festival is competitive. The festival will award cash prizes to films and videos selected by our jury as best in these categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Animation, Experimental,Audience Choice and “made in Chicago”.

CHICAGO UNDERGROUND FILM FUND
The Chicago Underground Film Fund has been established to provide completion funds for films that are in keeping with the festival’s defiantly independent and deliberately scandalous spirit. Recipients are awarded grants of $500- $2,000 in cash and services. Film Fund deadline is February 1, 2000. Contact the festival offices for grant application forms and more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION phone   773.327.FILM fax   773.327.3464

email   info@cuff.org

CUFF Entry Form