The Jameson IF Awards Sydney FAQs:

Q: What criteria do films need to meet to be eligible for the Jameson IF Awards Sydney?
A: Films must be Australian, in accordance with Screen Australia's definition of an Australian film. They must have been screened at an IF Awards accredited film festival or in cinemas between 17 September 2010 and close of scoring September 16th 2011. They also must not have been nominated for an IF Award in a previous year. Finally, a film must have completed production within the two years prior to its appearance at an accredited film festival or in theatres. Music Videos have their own qualifying criteria - see below.

Q: How does a music video qualify for eligibility for the Jameson IF Awards Sydney?
A: In order for a music video to become eligible, there are a number of criteria that must be met. Firstly, only music videos for songs by Australia artists, where the director of the music video is also Australian, are eligible. Secondly, the song must have been released to the public through a means generally understood to mean 'release' after the 1st of July in the year preceding the close of scoring for the year in question. So, to be eligible for the 2011 IF Awards, the music video must for be for a song released on or after the 1st of July 2010. Finally, a music video must have been screened at an IF Awards accredited Film Festival or on Australian free-to-air or Australian cable television during the scoring year (ie after the 17th of September 2010 and before the close of scoring on the 16th of September 2011).

Q: How do I enter a music video in the Jameson IF Awards Sydney?
A: Music videos that screen at an IF Awards accredited Film Festival are automatically entered into the IF Awards, in the same way as all films screening at IF Awards accredited Film Festivals. Music videos that screen on free-to-air or cable television must, however, be entered by the director or producer of the music video. To enter a music video, email musicvideo@if.com.au with 'SUBMIT MUSIC VIDEO ENTRY' in the subject line. All entries MUST include and clearly state the name of the song, the name of the artist and the name of the director. It is advisable to also include a still from the music video. Submissions may also include a URL link to where the music video can be viewed on the internet, however please note that the URL link must take the user DIRECTLY to the page on which the music video can be viewed (ie a YouTube page link.) Any link taking the user to a web page from which the user must navigate in order to view the entered music video will not be included in the listing.

Q: For how many years is a film eligible if it has not previously been nominated?
A: For two years, between the opening and closing scoring dates for those two years.   
 
Q: What is Screen Australia's definition of an Australian film?
A: A film with significant Australian content, made wholly or substantially in Australia. Factors include location, content, nationality of cast and crew, country of origin of the production company and sources of funding.
 
Q: What is classified as a short film?
A: Live action films (excluding documentaries) that are 55 minutes and under.

Q: How do I submit a still for inclusion with my film's listing?
A: To submit a still, email ifawards@if.com.au with the subject line 'UPDATE LISTING - STILL'. You must indicate the name of the film, the name of the director (as there are occasions when there are two eligible films with the same name) and your relationship to the film (to ensure that you do have some involvement with the film, and can therefore be presumed to be sending us an accurate still.) The IF Awards will resize the still to the appropriate size, so please send through the highest res you have available. Please only send through ONE still that you wish included. 
 
Q: What is classified as a feature film?
A: Films over 55 minutes in length, including feature animations but excluding documentaries.
 
Q: What is classified as a Feature-length documentary?
A: Non-fiction films that are over 55 minutes in length.
 
Q: What is classified as a Short documentary?
A: Non-fiction films that are less than 55 minutes in length.
 

Q: What is classified as a short animation?

A: Animated films (including claymations) that are 55 minutes and under. Animated films over 55 minutes are included in the feature film category.

Q: Can I give a score to an Australian working in a foreign film (e.g Eric Bana in Black Hawk Down or Cate Blanchett in The Lord of the Rings)?

A: No, only talent appearing in Australian films are eligible for an IF Awards.
 
Q: Can I give a score to a foreign actor working in an Australian film (e.g. Billy Connolly in The Man Who Sued God)?
A: Absolutely, anyone working on an Australian Film is eligible for a Inside Film Award. The important factor is that the film is Australian.
  
Q: For how many years is a film eligible if it has not previously been nominated?
A: For two years, between the opening and closing scoring dates for those two years, provided it has an eligible screening in each scoring year.   
 
Q: Who can rate films in the IF Awards?
A: Anyone who has seen an IF Awards eligible film in a cinema or at an IF Awards accredited film festival.
 
Q: How do I rate films?
A: You can rate films online at www.ifawards.com.au or by filling out a score sheet - available at accredited film festivals.
 
Q: How many times can I rate a film in the IF Awards?
A: You cannot rate the same film more than once, but you can rate as many different films as you like.
 
Q: Are all films eligible for the Craft Awards (e.g. Best Editing, Best Production Design)?
A: No. The Craft categories apply only to feature films. Feature animations are eligible in select craft and non-craft categories. 
 
Q: Do I have to rate all categories when rating a feature film?
A: When rating a film online it is compulsory to rate all categories. When completing a score sheet at an Accredited film festival, only the 'Overall Score' category is compulsory.
 
Q: What categories are shorts, animations and documentaries eligible in?
A: Short films, Short Animations, Short Documentaries and Feature-length Documentaries are only eligible for Best Overall Film of their type.
 
Q: If I don't fill in my email address, will my entry still count?
A: No. It is essential to provide either an email address or mobile phone number or both for your score to count. This is the only way to monitor cheat or duplicate scores. Relax, we will NOT disclose your email address or mobile number to anyone nor send you spam or unsolicited marketing.
 
Q: When will the nominees be announced?
A: Nominees (a shortlist of films and people in the final running for an Jameson IF Award) are announced at the IF Awards Media Launch held in October 2011).
 
Q: Can a film festival that takes place after the close of scoring date be involved in the IF Awards for that particular year?
A: No. Festivals held after the cut off date have the opportunity to be involved in the IF Awards the following year.
 
Q: How do I enter my film in the JAMESON IF Awards Sydney?
A: There is no entry procedure as such. Films that have been screened at an IF Awards accredited film festival or in a cinema prior to the cut off date are automatically eligible. The film must also have been completed in the last two years. If you know of a film that fits these criteria but you can’t find it on our database, please let us know by emailing ifawards@if.com.au
 
Q: Can I rate my own film?
A: Yes, but only once.
 
Q: How can my film festival become an IF Awards accredited festival?
A: Contact the IF Awards office on 02 8586 6189. 

Q: Can I encourage people to rate my film?
A: Yes, you absolutely can encourage people to rate your film through whatever means you may desire, however you can not in any way be seen to be attempting to influence how people rate your film. For example, it is fine to say 'Log on to www.ifawards.com.au and rate my film', but you cannot say 'Log on to www.ifawards.com.au and rate my film 5'. Even saying 'If you liked my film log on to www.ifawards.com.au and rate it' can be seen to be attempting to encourage only those who enjoyed the film to rate it. If you are unsure as to whether your encouragement infringes on this requirement, please email the text to ifawards@if.com.au and the IF Awards staff will clear it for you. Please note that, if anyone is discovered to have influenced or attempted to unfairly weight ratings, the penalty could range from the removal of scores deemed to have been influenced to the complete disqualification of the film from competition. 

The current IF Awards accredited FIlm Festivals for 2011 are: the Brisbane International Film Festival, Dungog Film Festival, Flickerfest International Film Festival, Melbourne International Film Festival, Message Stick Indigenous Film Festival, Mardi Gras Film Festival, Popcorn Taxi, Revelation Perth International Film Festival, St Kilda Film Festival, Sydney Film Festival, Movie Extra Tropfest, Heart of Gold International Film Festival, BigPond Adelaide Film Festival.  For any further information please contact ifawards@if.com.au