This looks interesting. Often thought we lack a decent comedy film festival focussed on short content. So fingers crossed this is a success.
Cofilmic
What are the costs to enter?
Looks like it's £15 for each submission (either a sketch or short film). I suppose it will stop "machine gun" entry tactics. Which is probably to the benefit of all.
My concern is their exclusive licence requirements. Not sure if uploading a sketch/ film to YouTube/ or say Virgin Media Shorts, will preclude entry. That's a biggie. For me at least. Their e-mail address doesn't work at the moment but hopefully will find out. Also interested to see their criteria for "sitcom pilot". Is that a 30 minute filmed pilot? Or a teaser....I'd like to see a web series award. Something similar to the streamys/ webbys but more UK centric. IE easier to win 
Quote: Simon B @ May 26 2011, 11:35 AM BSTMy concern is their exclusive licence requirements.
Yes that kind of crap always bugs me - will look into it further. Thanks for link!
Actually it does say non exclusive rights Simon - so that is all cool
But this:
If your film is amongst the finalists, you will be asked to sign a Licence Agreement, giving COFILMIC the exclusive rights to show the film at the festival, around the UK and overseas as part of our 'Best of the Fest' showcases and online. This will be for a specific period of time.
Quote: Marc P @ May 26 2011, 11:45 AM BSTBut this:
If your film is amongst the finalists, you will be asked to sign a Licence Agreement, giving COFILMIC the exclusive rights to show the film at the festival, around the UK and overseas as part of our 'Best of the Fest' showcases and online. This will be for a specific period of time.
We have an interview to be published soon with Janet, the founder of Cofilmic. I believe they do have the best interests of the participants at heart - I expect that clause just means you'll let them showcase your work (can't see there being any complaints about increased exposure), but I'll try and clarify...
That's the part which is fuzzy. Exclusive rights would negate entering other schemes and even any online upload to a video sharing website, right? Once something is 'out there' you can't retrospectively grant an exclusive licence. I'm hope they mean a licence for them to use the content rather than the strict interpretation of "exclusive". Surely so. What a shame if that's that's not the case. I think this is a case for Marc Peirson, PI.
Quote: Simon B @ May 26 2011, 12:40 PM BSTI think this is a case for Marc Peirson, PI.
Lol. As long as the interests of the promoters aren't above the interests of the film makers is the kind of thing I guess. I am very wary of signing away rights to things - there is a culture nowadays by small indies and the like to try and option stuff for no money. Which is wrong.
There doesn't seem to be a prize for example unless I am missing something??
Quote: Mark @ May 26 2011, 12:35 PM BSTWe have an interview to be published soon with Janet, the founder of Cofilmic. I believe they do have the best interests of the participants at heart - I expect that clause just means you'll let them showcase your work (can't see there being any complaints about increased exposure), but I'll try and clarify...
Yes please Mark. The best interests of the participants and Cofilmic is surely a non-exclusive licence. That way we can still promote work and earn money say through YouTube partnership and they can still use the content to promote their festival.
I hope that is the case and the festival is great success. There's definitely a need for something like this.
A few months later than planned, here's that interview with Cofilmic founder Janet Harrison. We ask her near the bottom of the piece about the licencing issues:
https://www.comedy.co.uk/features/cofilmic_comedy_film_festival/
Quote: Marc P @ May 26 2011, 11:45 AM BSTYes that kind of crap always bugs me - will look into it further. Thanks for link!
Actually it does say non exclusive rights Simon - so that is all cool
But this:
If your film is amongst the finalists, you will be asked to sign a Licence Agreement, giving COFILMIC the exclusive rights to show the film at the festival, around the UK and overseas as part of our 'Best of the Fest' showcases and online. This will be for a specific period of time.
They can only have the rights for so long, usually agreed between both parties; after that time, the rights revert to the writer
Hi all,
First post. Just checking if I have this right. Re the sitcom pilot, they want a half hour pilot episode script, right?
Hi Ringo!
This from their website:
There are three categories of film you can submit an entry for:
Comedy Short Film - up to 10mins
Comedy Sketch - up to 5mins
Comedy Sit-Com Pilot - up to 10mins