FAQ
General Submission Guidelines
- How long does my movie have to be?
Submitted movies must be exactly sixty seconds (OK: 59 seconds, or 61 seconds, but you get the idea! One minute!). Sorry, no exceptions. Films must not include on-screen credits: submit information about your film using our online submission form or, in the case of a physical submission, by attaching our print credits form. - Is there a theme?
Yes! This year’s theme is CHANCE. (The 2008 theme was IN A MONTREAL MINUTE , the 2009 theme was DECEPTION, and the 2010 theme was ADVENTURE). - Can I make a movie on my regular digital camera?
Probably! Our basic technical requirements are designed to be open to people who have modern digital (still) cameras. You should see below for our full technical requirements and see if your camera measures up. Older digital cameras will probably not shoot video at a high enough quality. - Can I make a movie on my cell phone?
Maybe! Most cell phone cameras are pretty lousy and the video they record isn’t good enough to project in front of an audience. Some newer cell phones have much higher quality video, though. Check below for our full technical requirements and see how your phone measures up. - What subject-matter is considered inappropriate?
Do not submit anything illegal. Inappropriate subject matter is, but is not limited to, things like: paedophilia, bestiality, actual torture, racism. You are responsible for the content of your submissions. - What is the submission deadline?
The deadline for movie submissions is 12:01 am, August 14, 2011. - How much does it cost to submit?
We do not charge submission fees. - Can I submit my movie on hard copy?
Yes, although we prefer online submissions. Hard copies (CDs, DVDs, miniDV tapes, USB keys) may be submitted by mail or by hand to the following address. You must include our CREDITS FORM. They will not be returned: M60
5865 Jeanne Mance
Montreal, QC
H2V 4K8 - Will I get my hard copy back?
We regret that we cannot return submitted materials. - May I send my movie to you C.O.D. (cash on delivery)?
All cash on delivery (C.O.D.) submissions will be refused. Please do not send your movie C.O.D.! - How do I submit my movie electronically?
Do so right here. - May I submit a previously-made movie?
No. All submissions to M60 must be original works created between July 13 and August 14 2011 for this year’s festival.
Technical Guidelines
- What equipment can I use to shoot my movie?
You may use any film or video equipment you wish, however the 60 second movie you submit must meet the following criteria: - What video formats may I submit?
Films should be submitted in the Quicktime movie format (.mov or .dv), or on MiniDV tape, at aminimum resolution of 640×480 and a maximum resolution of 1920×1080. If your film is >500mb, consider giving it to us on CD or unauthored DVD instead of submitting it online. All MiniDV tape submissions must be in standard-definition (SD). Though we prefer Quicktime, we accept the .AVI format. We absolutely do not accept Windows Media (.wmv and .asf) formats. - Help! I can’t figure out how to save my video as a Quicktime movie!
See this page for instructions how. - What media do you accept?
Acceptable media types are MiniDV tapes (SD), data CDs, unauthored data DVDs and USB keys. In other words, if you shoot and edit your movie entirely on MiniDV tape, you can submit that tape to us so long as it is in SD. If you used another method to record the movie, and/or edited the footage on a computer, then you should submit the final, edited movie as a QuickTime (.mov or .dv) or .avi file electronically. - What resolutions are acceptable?
Submitted movies must have a minimum resolution of 640 x 480 (VGA resolution) and a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080. No PAL or SECAM submissions please. Movies shot on point-and-shoot digital cameras or cell phones may be lower resolution than 640 x 480 and really, truly, may not show up on a large screen. While we want to be as open as possible to amateur filmmakers, we will not accept films below the minimum resolution requirement. - Can I submit a High Definition (HD) film?
Yes. Maximum resolution is 1920 x 1080, and if your file is larger than 500mb, consider submitting it on CD or unauthored DVD. - What is an unauthored DVD?
M60 only accepts films on DVD if these are unauthored DVDs. We must be able to copy the movie file from the disc. DVDs will not be accepted if they are “authored”—with menus, chapters, graphics and all that stuff. Keep it simple. - May I submit a black and white movie?
Yes. You may submit a black and white or colour movie, or a mix of both. - Does my movie have to be in French or English?
Your movie may be in any language you wish, however subtitles will not be provided by M60. If you want your film to have subtitles, it is up to you to include them. (However subtitles are not by any means mandatory, no matter the language of your film.) - May I use copyrighted music or imagery in my movie?
No. Please do not submit movies containing copyrighted material, unless you are the copyright holder or you have rights to use the material. - May I submit a silent movie?
Yes, you may submit a silent movie.
About the Festival
- What is M60?
M60 is the Montreal 60 Second Film Festival, a festival showing films each 60 seconds in length. - Who is behind M60?
M60 is produced by five Montrealers, Toby Harper, Doug Hollingworth, Lily Lanken, Sylvan Lanken and Sean Michaels. - When did M60 start?
The idea for M60 was hatched on the night of the lunar eclipse in February 2008. The inaugural festival took place September 24 and 25, 2008. - When are the screenings?
The 2011 screenings will take place September 16 and 17, 2011. See our Screenings page. - Where are the screenings to be held?
At the magnificent, historic Rialto Theatre. See our Screenings page. - How much are tickets?
See our Screenings page.
