GENERAL INFORMATION

The Heart Of Gold International Film Festival is a warm hearted and fun film festival that runs in the Cooloola Shire of Queensland, Australia. Within an hour's drive are two of Australia's largest film societies and in the local area many people wanting to access great film. Our small town (of about 18,000) is a beautiful place that already hosts one of the biggest music festivals in Australia....The Gympie Muster.....a unique event, largely staffed by volunteers and raising over one million dollars for charity every year. Gympie is a goldmining town with heart of gold and we have a festival of rich and wonderful films.

Our inaugural 2006 festival was a great success with over 3500 viewing the 123 films on offer. Reaction to the films was incredible with an almost tangible buzz of delight everywhere. Audience nearly doubled in 2007.

We want to contribute to the world in many ways and seek to show films that have NOURISHING elements.

We also have a big focus on films for children and family. The shorts competition is very popular and quite lucrative with $12,500 cash being given out in both 2006 and 2007 (prizes not yet confirmed for 2008).

Heart of Gold will not be screening films that have explicit sexual acts, nudity, excessive profanity or gratuitous violence. Films that condone racism, illicit activity and cruelty would be unlikely to find a home at this festival.

An important part of this festival will be to support and encourage the filmmakers making these style of films. Every effort will be made to help promote their work. Having made and submitted a film to festivals we are very sympathetic to filmmakers and will do all we can to keep you informed. Filmmakers attending this festival should expect a very warm experience not least of which is the FILMMAKER VILLAGE where all filmmakers and media can stay together and had a lot of fun. Acceptance to Heart of Gold can mean ongoing income through:- post festival paid screenings; DVD releases; internet and hopefully coming soon...TV.

GENERAL FESTIVAL RULES

(please access the withoutabox site for more specific rules in each category)

NOTE: THIS FESTIVAL CANNOT ACCEPT MONEY ORDERS OR CHECKS (CHEQUES)

We would hate you to waste your submission fees.

Please read carefully: films MUST have at least some of these elements:

• Positive themes.. films that elevate!
• Hilarious,witty or whimsical.
• Nourishing and life affirming.
• Well crafted stories.
• Exploring the human journey in a hopeful manner.
• Thought provoking films.
• Entertaining.
• Uplifting and heartwarming.
• Highlighting important issues.

Heart of Gold will not be screening films that have explicit sexual acts, nudity, excessive profanity or gratuitous violence. Films that condone racism, illicit activity and cruelty would be unlikely to find a home at this festival.

If your film fits the above and you agree with the following rules, please enter!

COMPLETION DATE: Provided your film can be supplied on DVD there is no requirement on completion date.

LENGTH: Films for the 2008 competition will be in three categories and these times must include all titles and credits:

• Shorts: 20 min and under
• Documentaries: 30 min and under
• Music Video: 6 min and under

Films that do not fit these lengths are welcome to submit OUT OF COMPETITION.

DEADLINE: Deadlines refer to postmark, not date of arrival. Deadlines are firm so please ensure your film is posted by required dates as we would hate to have to disqualify it.

FORMAT: All films should be submitted on DVD. We require TWO DVDs as we have multiple screening groups viewing screeners for selection.

ONE FILM PER DVD: Please make sure there is only one film per DVD, multiple submissions require multiple entry fees and separate disks!

PREVIEW DVD: DVDs would remain in the festival archive.

PRIZES: The circumstance COULD POSSIBLY arise that an award would not be given if no film was deemed outstanding in a category.

BROADCASTING: Films that have been broadcast on television in Australia or currently screening on the internet are not eligible for consideration for the awards/prizes in this festival. We do welcome them in the OUT OF COMPETITION CATEGORY though.

SUBTITLES: All non-English language films must be subtitled/dubbed in English. For entry in the Foreign language category they should not be dubbed only subtitled.

POSTING: Please mark international entries "Festival submission only- no commercial value". Mark value no higher than AUD$10. All postage costs and duties are the responsibility of the sender.

ENTRY FEES: Are not refundable.

LABELLING: Please insure your DVD is CLEARLY labelled with film name, runtime, and contact details. Professionally mastered DVDs are preferred (less problems!!).

PLEASE NOTE: While we will make EVERY EFFORT to stick to screening times as printed, HOGIFF cannot be held accountable for changes to the schedule after schedule is announced.

CATEGORIES, DEADLINES & FEES 2008

Below are all the categories, prices for entry and deadlines. Some of the categories vary in price for entry so please read carefully and check you have the prices for the category you are wanting to enter.

Please note all prices in AUSTRALIAN DOLLARS

Withoutabox Upgraded refers to the Withoutabox.com EzEntry Submission System.