HOW TO ENTER

1. All submissions are accepted only via Film Freeway.
2. You will be asked to sign up to create a free FilmFreeway account if you don’t already have one.
3. Once you have an account, you will need to create a project with your film in FilmFreeway. Go to My Projects, then Add a Project, and follow the instructions.
4. Please create a new FilmFreeway project for each film submission.
5. Once you've created a project in FilmFreeway, you will see an option box. Click on Add Project File.
6. Be sure to upload all the press kit materials outlined below in your project file. These materials are all required. Your submission may be disqualified if any required materials are missing.
7. In the Project File, you must either upload your film directly to FilmFreeway (only viewable by our judges) or you can provide a link to your film on YouTube or Vimeo, with a password, if required. You must let us know the password somewhere in your submission documents.
8. Under the Privacy menu button, please check these boxes: Visibility: Festivals Only and Download Permissions: Festivals that I submit to may download my video.
9. Once you’ve completed creating your Project, then click on Browse Festivals and search for Top of the South Film Festival. Click on Submit Now.
10. Then you must select the Category You Wish To Enter by choosing the Aotearoa Category ($50 – for New Zealand films produced outside the Top of the South) or Regional Category ($35 standard or $15 Secondary Student – for Top of the South regional productions). You must click on one of these payment options even if you have a free discount code. If you have a TSF members or Student discount code, you will enter the code when you’re checking out.
11. Top of the South regional filmmakers must be sure to designate their submission as one of the following genres: Narrative (fictional), Documentary, Animation, Music Video, Secondary Student Film.
12. Films produced OUTSIDE the Top of the South region MUST enter the Aotearoa category ONLY. If you fall in this category, do NOT designate a genre category also. All Aotearoa category films are judged against each other, no matter what genre they might be.
13. Once you’ve selected either the Aotearoa or Regional category and fee, you will be asked a series of question which MUST be answered for your film to be accepted. Please have the required materials at hand for your answers. The questions are as follows:

• Please indicate from the following choices which film genre your film qualifies for: narrative (fictional), documentary, music video, animation, secondary student
• Please indicate an estimated percentage of how much of your film was written, shot, edited in the Top of the South region (Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough, Kaikoura, Buller, Hurunui - from 60% to 100%. (Less than 60% means you must apply in the Aotearoa section of the film festival.)
• Logline - Please provide a 1-2 line description/summary of your film for promotional purposes.
• Synopsis - Please add a film synopsis of 250 words or less describing your film's subject matter or storyline, major plot points, and key characters.
• Actor Credit List - if you have not listed all of your Actors under the Credit section, please enter them here. Please indicate whether the actor is a LEAD or SUPPORTING actor. If not applicable, write NA.
• Crew Credit List - if you have not listed all of your crew under the Credit section, please enter them here. If not applicable, write NA.
• OPTIONAL Background Story - Please tell us about your film's background story up to 250 words: who produced the film; how did the idea come about; who was on your team; interesting behind the scenes stories; obstacles you overcame. If not applicable, write NA.
• Specialty Award Categories Descriptions: If you wish your film to be judged in the 4 categories requiring specialty judges – sound, original music composition, production design, VFX – then please supply us with either a cue sheet or a letter outlining exactly what work was done in these categories and the in/out points of the work in your film. Without this information, we cannot judge your film for these awards. Enter in the box or as part of your Cover Letter (see button on Cart Summary Checkout page). Or email to director@tsfilmfest.org.nz. If not applicable, write NA.

14. You may also add a cover letter with any additional information on your film at the Cart Summary page as you’re checking out. Or upload a file under the PROJECT FILE menu tab under MY PROJECTS.
15. If you want your film to be considered for any of the following specialty awards - SOUND, ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE, PRODUCTION DESIGN, VFX - you MUST answer the question in Filmfreeway or submit a letter outlining how the work was done, by whom and at what points in the film. E.g.: if you want your film to be considered for Best VFX, please explain where the VFX took place and how it was created. Or if you want to be considered for Best Original Music, please submit a Cue Sheet.