This is an event where films from all over the world compete and are screened to audiences interested in new cinematographic proposals. Alongside the competition, there are premieres, tributes and parties offered by the organization.
2. Who attends a Film Festival?
It is mainly attended by the general public, and it is open to any person that appreciates cinema. Also present are producers, directors and actors showcasing their films; as are public personalities, opinion leaders and the national and international press.
3. What´s the purpose of the Monterrey International Film Festival?
Its purpose is to become a top level meeting place where filmmakers from Mexico and around the world can exhibit their work, promoting a cinematographic culture to help form quality audiences and placing the City of Monterrey on the map of the most important film festivals in Mexico and the world, thus helping the city become a cultural, touristic and commercial center.
4. When does the Monterrey International Film Festival take place?
The Festival is held in August. The 5th Monterrey International Film Festival will take place on August 21th to the 29th, 2009.
5. Which are the main activities organized by the Monterrey International Film Festival?
During the week, the Festival screens films, premieres, Short and Feature Film competitions, tributes to local, national and international filmmakers, a tribute to the guest country, and social events.
6. Who organizes the Festival?
The Festival is organized by the Consejo para la Cultura y las Artes de Nuevo León (Nuevo Leon Council for the Arts) and MMCinemas, and is supported year after year by a number of sponsors and institutions.
7. Which are the Festival´s Sections?
Official Selection:
- Feature Film Competition
- Feature Documentary Film
The feature film will compete for:
- Best Feature Fiction Film
- Best Feature Documentary Film
- Best Director
- Best Screenplay
- Best Acting
- Best Cinematography
- Best Sound
- Best Editing
- Audience Award
- Short Fiction Film in Competition
- Sort Documentary Film in Competition
- Short Animated Film in Competition
- Mexico From Border to Border
- Feature Film of Nuevo León
- Exhibition
- Social Vision: Film for a Better World
- Guest Country: Australia
- Tributes
- Gallery
- University Short Films
9. If the registration date has already closed, can I still submit my film?
No. Once the call for entries deadline has been met, the films are turned to the Festival Selection Committee. Please check the Festival´s web page in case there has been an extension on the deadline.
10. How long does it take for a film to arrive to Monterrey?
It can take a film up to three weeks to arrive by regular mail if sent from North or South America, from one month to one and a half months if sent from Europe, up to two months from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. International courier services usually have a delivery time of three days to one week.
11. How do I know if you received my film?
Our Programming Department will send you an e-mail confirming we have received your film. If you used a domestic or international courier service, use your tracking number to track your package and verify it was received by the Festival.
12. How will I know if my film was selected for competition?
When the official selection process closes, the Festival will send all participants a notification of the official selection. It will also be published on our web page.
13. What happens if my film is selected?
A programming official will contact you to verify we have the needed information and will also provide you with information so you can send a projection copy of your film The Guest Relations Department will also contact you to coordinate your visit if you decide to attend the Festival.
14. Who carries out the official selection?
The official selection is done by a selection committee that months before the Festival views all the films received before the deadline.
15. Who selects the winners?
Winner films are selected by a Jury for Feature Films and a Jury for Short Films.
16. Who is part of the Juries?
The juries are formed by directors, producers, writers, critics or representatives of national and international film institutions with ample experience and who are invited by the Festival.
17. When are the winners announced?
The winners are announced by the juries during the Festival´s closing ceremony.
18. How many countries participate in the Festival?
In 2008 approximately 111 countries from the 5 continents participated.
19. How many films does the Festival receive?
In 2008 the Festival received over 1852 registrations. In 2009, we expect to exceed this number.
20. How many films are exhibited?
Unfortunately we cannot show all the film we receive. Approximately 60 short films and 14 feature films are selected. Including films not in competition and guest programs, some 150-200 films are screened during the 9 days of the Festival.
21. Does the Festival cover shipping costs for my film´s projection copy?
The Festival only covers shipping costs to return the films or send them to another festival. Shipping costs to Monterrey must be covered by the party sending the film.
22. When can I expect my film to be returned
The Festival tries its best to return the selected films or forward them to another festival the following week after the Festival. It is important to make sure that our Programming Department has all the necessary information for shipment.
23. What type of support can you provide to attend the Festival if my film is in competition or being shown?
General support for filmmakers are two hotel nights for short films, three hotel nights for feature films outside competition, and eight hotel nights for feature films in competition. We recommend you confirm your attendance with enough time to guarantee hotel availability.
Regarding air or ground transportation, this is decided on an individual basis according to the Festival’s available resources. We regret we cannot reimburse airfare or bus fare expenses. Any expenses must be directly paid by the Festival.
24. Can I reserve my hotel accommodations on my own?
Yes. You will have to do so directly with the hotel and using your credit card, and will receive the Festival´s special rate. We recommend you do so with enough time as August is a month with high hotel demand in Monterrey.
25. Can the Festival help me obtain an entry visa to Mexico?
No. The Festival can only offer an invitation letter for participants. All immigration procedures must be done by the interested party. We recommend you consult México International Relations Secretariat page (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores de México): http://www.sre.gob.mx
Procedures can take up to 45 days. Take the necessary time precautions.
26. How can I participate in the Festival?
You can participate as volunteer, audience member, showing a film or sponsoring the Festival. If you are a university student, member of the faculty or work in the film industry, you can seek accreditation and receive greater benefits.
27. Where can I get tickets?
Tickets for the Festival´s regular exhibitions can be purchased at the box office directly at the theaters at MMCinemas Muestra Alterna, MMCinemas Humberto Lobo and Cineteca.
Invitations for tributes, inauguration ceremony, closing ceremony and other gala events can be requested at the Festival´s offices or by e-mail at info@monterreyfilmfestival.org.
You must request your invitations at least two weeks in advance to the Festival and pick them up at least two days before the event. Invitations are conditioned to their availability.
28. How can I receive accreditation to the Festival?
Click on the link accreditation, where you will find instructions and information you must provide. You need a photograph on jpg format with a 400 pixel high by 300 pixel wide resolution.
29. To what am I entitled if I receive accreditation?
Depending on the type of accreditation you can enter the film screenings free of charge, will receive invitations for special events and to attend the parties (depending on availability).
30. What can I do to participate more closely at the Festival?
You can participate as a volunteer or sponsor and experience the Festival from inside.
32. How do I know if I´m adequate to be a Festival volunteer?
A volunteer is a person that enjoys films and likes to work with others. They are young and not so young, willing to carry out important tasks for the logistics of this great event. They are delegated responsibilities during the week of the Festival and will receive special training by one of our staff members.
33. What activities can a volunteer do for the Festival?
Guest Relations.- Attend and guide local, national and international guests and people attending the Festival during their stay in the city.
Programming.- Helps maintain the film program schedule established by the Program Director.
Logistics.- Volunteers working in logistics make the Festival happen by carrying out coordination and production activities.
34. What are the advantages of being a volunteer?
A volunteer learns the internal logistics of organizing an International Festival, and is in contact with guests and audiences; receives a certificate for having collaborated in the Festival and other gifts.
35. Can I complete my college internship requirements as a volunteer at the Monterrey International Film Festival?
Yes, you can be an intern at the Festival with the previous authorization of your school.
36. What do you mean by Guest Country?
Each year the Monterrey International Film Festival invites a country to present a special showcase of its films and offers a tribute to this country´s film production and most outstanding filmmakers.
37. Where can I contact you for further information?
