Eligibility and Entry Rules - 2012

*Please note: film submissions for the 2012 Paws and Claws Film Festival are now closed. Thank you for your interest.

In submitting a film to the Paws and Claws Film Festival, participants agree to the rules outlined below and on the Submission Form (pdf).

Entry Categories

Wildlife films must be submitted in one of the following three running time categories:

• 3 minutes or under
• 12 minutes or under (> 3 minutes)
• 45 minutes or under (> 12 minutes)

Festival organizers may allow some flexibility on the maximum 45 minute length where a compelling case can be made with respect to the film’s suitability for the festival.

Entry Fee

An entry fee of $10 per film is required. Payment may be made either online, or a cheque or money order may be mailed or delivered to Wild ARC at the address indicated on the Submission Form (pdf).

Filming Dates

The completion date of submitted films must be 2009 or later.

Film Subjects

The Paws and Claws Film Festival welcomes films that portray interesting wildlife behaviour, whether presented from an educational, documentary, story-telling or humorous perspective. Wildlife may be shown in their natural habitats or, where applicable, in their adapted urban environments.

"Wildlife" includes free-living birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects, but not exotic, feral or domestic animals, or wildlife in zoos or rehabilitation facilities.

Geographic Scope and Language

Filming locales are expected to be within Canada or the continental United States, or their coastal waters.

Narration is not a requirement. However, where narration is included, it must be in English.

Submission Deadline

Submissions to the Paws and Claws Film Festival will be accepted up to the end of day on September 28, 2012. 

Submission Process

A separate Submission Form (pdf) must be completed for each film entered.

Two options for submitting films are offered:

• A DVD directed to Wild ARC. Wild ARC’s address is included on the form; or
• A link to the film uploaded to “You Tube”. The form includes a designated space for the weblink.

The blank form must be downloaded to your computer for completion. They must be completed and emailed to filmfestival@wildarc.com or sent to the address on the form. If the entry fee is not being paid online, ensure that a copy of the completed form is printed and included with the payment sent to Wild ARC.

Films without a completed form will not be considered.

Acknowledgement, Selection and Awards

All submitted films meeting the eligibility rules will be acknowledged on the BC SPCA Wild ARC website subsequent to the submission deadline.

A *People’s Choice* Award and *Judges’ Choice* Award will be presented to the top films in each of the three entry categories.

Festival organizers will select up to three finalist films in each category for consideration in both awards. Films are eligible to receive both types of awards in their category. Note that if eligible entries in a particular category are insufficient to identify three appropriate finalists, at the discretion of festival organizers, the number of finalists in one or both of the other categories may be adjusted.

The *People’s Choice* Awards will be determined through the screening event and the online screening process.

Winners of the *Judges’ Choice* Awards will be determined by a committee of the festival from amongst the finalist films.

All award recipients will be notified in advance of the formal announcement which will take place at Wild ARC’s annual fundraiser and dinner auction.  This year’s event will be held at the beautiful Ward Room at CFB Esquimalt on Saturday November 3, 2012.

Following the formal announcement, all award recipients will also be recognized on the BC SPCA Wild ARC website.

Screening Events and Schedule

We are pleased to be showcasing a selection of submitted films both online and at a screening event.

Screening

The finalist films selected by festival organizers will be screened at the Vic Theatre on Sunday October 21, 2012, starting at 2pm.

The general public is encouraged to attend the screening, and will be invited to vote for their favorite films in all three categories. Combined with the online screening votes, these votes will determine the winners of the *People’s Choice* Awards.

The admission cost at the door is $15 per person, with children 12 and under admitted free.

• Wildlife lovers! – are you planning to attend Wild ARC’s annual dinner and silent auction fundraiser? When you purchase tickets to that great event, you’ll be offered tickets to this screening at the special rate of $10 each.

Online Screening

For wildlife enthusiasts unable to attend the screening event, or who wish to preview the films before attending the screening, online viewing of finalist films will be available in October 2012, dates TBA.

Online viewing will be by offered by donation, with a suggested minimum one-time donation of $5. Following the initial donation, viewers will be allowed to enter and leave the viewing site as often they wish.

Online viewers will have the opportunity to submit electronic votes for their favorite films from amongst the finalists in each entry category. Combined with the screening votes on October 21, these votes will determine the winners of the *People’s Choice* Awards.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.