Docs In Progress screens documentary works-in-progress to the general public and moderate a feedback session between the audience and the filmmaker(s). If you have an almost-done documentary and want feedback from a smart, articulate, media-savvy, honest but helpful audience before you lock picture, submit your rough cut to Docs In Progress. While we accept submissions on a year-round rolling basis, if you are interested in being considered for a specific screening, please note our deadlines below:
Upcoming Deadlines
February 15, 2012: April Work-in-Progress Screening at Creative Alliance in Baltimore
Documentary rough cuts may be of any length up to 90 minutes. No trailers. Preference given to Maryland-based filmmakers or topics, but not a requirement. Filmmaker must be able to attend screening at own expense in April. Download Submission Info Sheet
March 15, 2012: May Work-in-Progress Screening in DC Metro Area
Documentary rough cuts may be of any length up to 90 minutes. No trailers. Filmmaker must be able to attend screening at own expense in May.
The submission form is the same for both screenings. Click here to submit.
Before submitting, please read the FAQ below.
WORK-IN-PROGRESS SCREENING SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Where are screenings held?
Screenings are generally held in the Washington DC area (either Washington DC or Montgomery County, Maryland) every other month and in Baltimore and Greenbelt, MD once a year (October). Filmmakers and the general public are welcome to attend for a suggested donation. These screenings are made possible through the generosity of our sponsors, The Documentary Center at the George Washington University in Washington DC, the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, The Charles Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity in Silver Spring, Creative Alliance in Baltimore, the Utopia Film Festival in Greenbelt, and the Our City Film Festival in Washington DC.
What kind of films are eligible to submit?
Docs In Progress® considers submissions of independent documentaries at the rough cut stage (no six hour first assemblies or completed works). We accept submissions of both shorts and features (no longer than 120 minutes). From time to time, we may also accept submissions of trailers or sequences, although our main focus is on full rough cuts.
Although we define “documentary” rather broadly and may screen documentaries with dramatized, experimental, political, or advocacy elements, we do not screen pure fiction films, mockumentaries, music videos, industrials, or works that are purely promotional in nature. We have screened everything from students works to films by well-established filmmakers.
The preview copy of a film must be available in DVD. (Selected films must be available in both DVD AND VHS since we always run a tape backup to ensure no screening problems from digital artifacts). While we accept submissions of documentary works-in-progress on a rolling basis, if you are interested in screening during a specific month, we would need to receive your submission (including a DVD) at least two months before the screening month.
How do I know if I’m ready to submit my film?
- Is it at the rough cut stage?
- Do your friends, family, and pets think your film’s the best thing since sliced bread, but you’re not so sure?
- Are you unsure if anyone is interested in your film?
- Are you confident that there would be a huge interest in your film, but just want that last reality check before submitting to festivals?
- Are you struggling with the ending of your film?
- Are you unable to be objective any longer?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your film is probably a good candidate for a Docs In Progress® workshop. If you have a film at an earlier stage of development or are not sure if its ready, contact us at 301-789-2797 or contactATdocsinprogressDOTorg to discuss. We have other options for filmmakers, including one-on-one consultations on films at all stages of production.
How are the films selected?
Once the film is received, at least three members of the Docs In Progress® Screening Committee review the submitted films and evaluate them for consideration for screening. Some of the criteria we are looking at:
- Is there story development and/or character development over the course of the film?
- Does the film have a beginning, middle, and end? Or at least seem like it is approaching an ending?
- Is knowledge transmitted through the use of interviews, sequences, and a visual approach?
- Is the context of the story clear?
- Is the filmmaker open to feedback from an audience and willing to consider making recommended changes to the film either through reshoots or re-editing?
- Will the filmmaker(s) be able to attend the screening?
- Is the film at a stage where it can most benefit from feedback from an audience?
Do you only accept submissions from Mid-Atlantic region filmmakers?
For most of our screenings, filmmakers may be based anywhere. While we have been great supporters of our strong local film community from Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, we have also screened works by filmmakers from West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New York. Out-of-town filmmakers must be able to attend the screening night at your own travel expense. Note that for our screenings in Baltimore, preference is given to Maryland-based filmmakers. For the Our City Film Festival screening, the filmmakers may be based anywhere locally, but the film’s topic must take place within the city of Washington DC.
TO SUBMIT: Complete our online submission form here. Then mail a DVD of your submission (clearly labeled with the title of the film and name of the filmmaker on the DVD) to:
Docs In Progress
8700 First Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tel: 301-789-2797
The DVD must be RECEIVED by the submission deadline noted to be considered for that round. If it is not, it will be considered for the next round. DVDs will not be returned.
