Got Questions? We've got answers.

Who can tell me more about submitting my film?
Email MMackay(at)FilmIndependent.org.

What about the production of the event?
Email SpiritAwards(at)FilmIndependent.org.

What if I want to purchase a table at the awards ceremony?
We'd love to have you - call 310.432.1250 and ask to speak with Jerry Rojas.

What's the deadline for submissions?
The submission deadline for the 2007 awards is September 15, 2006.

Are there extensions on entries?
Yes, for a price. We accept late entries until October 6, 2006, for an additional $75 per film.

When are nominations announced?
The 2007 Spirit Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, November 28, 2006.

When are the winners announced?
The 2007 Spirit Awards will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2007. The ceremony will be broadcast live on IFC (Independent Film Channel) with an edited re-broadcast airing later that evening on AMC. Be sure to tune in!

Do you accept short films?
Sorry - all submitted films must be at least 70 minutes long.

Does my film qualify if it plays at a festival other than the Los Angeles Film Festival?
If it played at one of the following in 2006, it qualifies: Los Angeles Film Festival, New Directors/New Films, New York, Sundance, Telluride, or Toronto. Of course if it played theatrically in 2006, it qualifies, too - but it must have been shown at least one week in a commercial theater between January 1 and December 31, 2006.

I screened my film in a commercial theater as part of the Summer Arts Festival, does that qualify as a commercial theater run?
Nope. The film must have screened on its own, apart from a festival or special event, at least one week in a commercial theater.

Are foreign documentaries eligible for awards consideration?
Yes. Foreign documentaries will now be considered along with U.S. documentaries for the Best Documentary category.

Does a foreign film entry qualify for any categories other than Best Foreign Film or Best Documentary?
No. Foreign films are not eligible for acting, screenwriting, cinematography, or other categories.

My film is a foreign production but has lead actors who are American and is in English. Does this qualify as an American entry?
Well, not necessarily. A U.S. film is defined as (a) having at least one U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident credited in two or more of the following categories of responsibility: writer, director, producer; or (b) the film is set in the United States and fully financed by a company whose principal office is in the United States.

May I still submit if my film was made on digital video?
Yep. All formats count.

If I submitted my film last year, and it meets the requirements for this year, may I resubmit?
Yes.

What's the nomination process?
It's a rigorous process. All films submitted are distributed to the committee and are discussed at regular meetings throughout the fall. Each committee member will take the < a href="http://www.filmindependent.org/index.php/independent_spirit_awards/nomination_process">nominating guidelines into consideration when determining the nominees. A final two-day meeting is held prior to the nomination announcement where all committee members discuss the films at length and vote on each category.

Who decides what films are nominated?
Experts in the field. Three nominating committees - one each for Domestic Narrative Films, Documentary Films, and Foreign Narrative Films - are made up of 15-20 members of the film community. Committees may include film critics, film programmers, actors, producers, directors, writers, and cinematographers.

Who selects the winners of each category?
Final votes are cast by Film Independent and IFP members.

How are winners selected?
Ballots are sent to Film Independent and IFP members, who are asked to rank each category from 1 to 5, with 1 being their first choice. Only one ballot is counted per person and all ballots are confidential. Ballots can be submitted either online or by paper ballot. All ballots are tabulated by Integrity Voting Systems.

What happens if I don't see one of the nominated films? Can I still vote in all the categories?
You should only vote on films that you have seen. For example, if you've only seen three movies in any category, you may rank them 1 to 3 on your ballot. If you choose not to vote in all categories, your ballot will still be valid. It's also valid if you choose to rank fewer than five films in any category.

Who can I contact regarding press credentials for the ceremony?
You can call Michael Lawson at mPRm Public Relations, 323.933.3399. Applications for press credentials will be sent out in December 2006/January 2007.