Awards and Nominations
This movie may prove to be to controversial in content for the mainstream film festivals as well as Christian film festivals. There is a verse I still take comfort in despite the many rejection notices. I knew going into this it would be a hard sell so no hard feelings with these festivals and remain optimistic someone will give me a chance someday!
"Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." - Luke 6:26
Film Festival Rejection Letters
The Christian Worldview Film Festival
Thank you for submitting your film “Christ Alone” to the 2015 Christian Worldview Film Festival. We are sorry to inform you that it was not chosen as an official selection for this festival.
There are many factors that come into play regarding the selection process. Each film was judged independently by at least 5 judges who scored the film using a numbering scale covering up to 16 factors divided between worldview and technical merits. Some films failed to meet the criteria provided in the submission guidelines and others simply scored less overall than others in their category. With 100 submissions to this festival it is sometimes necessary to sort between “just OK”, good, better, and best.
If you have already signed up for the Christian Worldview Film Critique Program you will receive a written critique after the Festival in March. We will do our best to provide the critiques in a timely manner. If you have not signed up for feedback it is not too late to register. https://mediatalk101.webconnex.com/2015CritiqueProgram
I will also send you a complimentary ticket for the Film Festival via e-mail at your request. I encourage you to consider attending the Christian Worldview Filmmakers Guild which will be held March 10-12 just prior to the festival. We have organized over 40 unique filmmaking workshops taught by over 20 Christian filmmakers.
This will be a great opportunity to hone your skills and network with other filmmakers. You can use the coupon code FILMSUBMISSIONS for $25.00 off tickets to the Filmmakers Guild for you and your family and friends.
Rhett Simkins
Media Talk 101 Office Manager
Flathead Lake International Cinemafest
Dear Jason,
On behalf of the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest we thank you for your submission to the FLIC film festival. Unfortunately your film was not selected as part of our festival's screening line-up for 2015. Thank you for your interest in FLIC!
Yours In Film,
Daniel P. Smith
FLIC Co-Chair
www.flicpolson.com
Sundance Film Festival
7770-UDF - Christ Alone
Dear Jason,
Thank you for submitting your film to the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Unfortunately, we were unable to include it in our Festival program this year. 12,166 films were submitted for consideration, and our Programming team had many very difficult decisions to make in order to narrow the program down to 185 films (1.5% of all films submitted). As always, we received far more worthy films than we had room for in our Festival program. We wish you the best of luck with your film and look forward to viewing your work in the future.
Sincerely,
John Cooper
Director, Sundance Film Festival
Slamdance Film Festival
Dear Jason, Thank you so much for submitting Christ Alone to the Slamdance Film Festival. We are sorry to say that we are unable to include your film in our 2015 Festival. Slamdance could not have lasted these past 20 years without the support of filmmakers from around the world. We are very fortunate that so many talented artists believe in Slamdance enough to share their work with us. It is incredibly difficult to make any film, let alone a good one, and every year we have to say no to films we really love. This year was no exception. As you are probably aware, Slamdance is the much smaller of the two Park City festivals, and we are forced to be very selective with our programming, screening less than 100 films out of over 5,000 entries. That being said, we know how much it sucks to receives these types of notices. Being a festival By Filmmakers, For Filmmakers, everyone here at Slamdance has had their fair share of bad news. But keep in mind that we are just one festival out of hundreds. Many films we have rejected have gone on to successes that any of us would envy. And festivals, no matter how prestigious, are not the final arbiters of cinematic standards. Every festival is programmed by a group of people who have various subjective tastes that you may or may not agree with. The Slamdance Programming team is a little different every year, so please do not give up on yourself or us. We cannot wait to see what you make in years to come. If you are interested in attending the festival this year, please reach out to us at submissions@slamdance.com to get a discounted All Access Pass. We hope that you will take us up on this offer in honor of our gratitude for you having submitted to the 2015 Festival.
Yours in Cinema, The Slamdance Team
Thin Line Film Festival
There is no easy way to say it…. The programming committee chose not to program your film at this year’s festival. It was an extremely competitive year given that we lost one of our screening venues that effectively cut the number of films we can screen in half. This meant we had to pass on many good and great films. Every year is different though and we don’t have a date of completion requirement; that means you can submit next year if you like. Festival programming is strange in that some years there are 10 different films on the exact same topic, whereas other years there may only be one. Please continue producing and please continue to submit your work to our festival. One of our selected filmmakers this year actually submitted a film 8 years ago and did not get accepted. Eight years later we’re World Premiering his first feature-length documentary.
Again, thank you for considering us, and I wish you the best of luck in 2015.
Thanks!
Joshua Butler
Festival Director, Thin Line
Big Sky Film Festival
Hello, filmmakers!
Thank you for submitting your film to the 2015 Big Sky Documentary Film Festival. The number of submissions nearly doubled this year, making it by far the most competitive year to date. We received so many unique and amazing films, and did our best to program as many as possible within the timeframe limitations of the festival. Of the Open Call films we accepted approximately 10% . It was a very difficult decision, and we thank you for being a part of the most spirited programming year to date at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival.
If your film was chosen, we have already been in touch with you about scheduling, deliverables and joining us during the film festival. If your film was NOT selected this year, we would still love for you to come out and enjoy the festival. We have been coined The Filmmakers’ Festival for a reason! It’s a great festival to show your film, but also a great one to come enjoy while gaining inspiration, making new film friends, and learning about the trends in the industry.
The Festival begins February 6thand will go through the 16th. On Monday, February 9ththe DocShop begins – five days of workshops, panels and our BIG SKY PITCH SESSION (submissions close 12/31/14) that will have confirmed panelists from ITVS, TRIBECA DOC FUND & POV. This year, we are focusing on DISTRIBUTION and have distributors coming out offering workshops and advice to all filmmakers.
We have a special Film Festival room block rate of $72/night at the Holiday Inn Parkside, located steps from downtown Missoula and where the films and events will be taking place.
http://www.bigskyfilmfest.org/bsdff/festival/travel_accomodations/
We really appreciate your interest in being a part of The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival! Best of luck with your films, and Happy New Year.
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
International Christian Film Festival
Dear Mr. Charles,
Thank you for submitting your film "Christ Alone"to the International Christian Film Festival. We received a number of great films this year. Unfortunately, your film was not chosen to be included in the festival at this time. We would be happy to receive any future submissions for consideration in next year's festival. Thank you,
Mike Oden
Vail Film Festival
Dear Jason,
Thank you for submitting Christ Alone to the Vail Film Festival. Unfortunately Christ Alone was not chosen as part of the 2015 program.
There are so many considerations that go into programming and with just four screening days we are unable to show all the films we would like to screen.
Our programmers have to be mindful of the overall program and try to balance the film selections. As you know, film curation is subjective and depending on the screening team and programmers, different films will strike a chord with different people.
We wish you the best of luck with your film and we hope you keep us posted on your future projects.
Best, Sean Cross
The Attic Film Fest
Dear Jason Paul Charles ,
After careful review, The ATTIC FILM FEST’s 2015 Judge’s Selection Team has decided not to accept your film, CHRIST ALONE , for TAFF 2015. We appreciate your efforts in making this important film and your efforts in getting it to us. Please do not be discouraged. Your film is important to the kingdom of Christ and His followers. And your talents and efforts are pleasing to Him. We know God has great things in story for you.
We welcome you to contact us if you would like to discuss the specifics of why your film was not chosen this year.
Again, we truly appreciate your willingness to spread the Gospel through film.
Blessings,
Dr. Jamee Kennedy
TAFF 2012
www.atticfilmfest.org