√ Bios - Write a paragraph about yourself. For starters include your age, the school you attend, and other film-related projects you worked on or plan to work on. A few interesting tidbits about yourself will add a unique dimension to your bio. Any special talents? Personal heroes? Fun facts about yourself? Once you've completed your bio, include a few short basic lines about other key film personnel (cast, director of photography).
√ Director Photo - If you didn't get around to taking any production photos, don't worry. Grab a camera, snap a cool pic of yourself (or have someone else do it), and include it on a disc with your submission.
√ Back Up Your Project - ...because your mega-awesome computer can crash at any minute (it usually happens when you're just about finished). Copy your movie files to another drive, or a friend's computer, or a family member's computer. Just back up your files. Please.
√ Watch Your Film One More Time - Before sealing your DVD screener disc in the envelope, pop it in a player and watch it from start to finish. Make sure it plays (because, yes, we get discs that don't work) and make sure it's the version you want to submit (as opposed to an earlier rough cut).
√ Promotional Pieces - While film posters and fliers aren't required, they go a long way in promoting your work. It's a good practice to work on your sales pitch through printed or online materials. Plus, if your film is accepted into the festival, your poster will be put on display at the event.
