Frequently Asked Questions
What does CINE stand for?
When do I send my tape or DVD?
Does music used in my production have to be licensed?
Why are my Purpose description and Summary limited to 300 characters?
What happens if the Purpose or Summary is longer than 300 words?
Should my Summary describe how I made the film?
Why is the Purpose important
How many categories can I enter my film in?
Can I submit an entire series?
Why are there two stages
What is the difference between Entrant and Production Company/Sponsor on the entry form?
Who can order trophies or certificates?
How can I order a trophy?
Can I get extra certificates?
Why doesn't CINE just send my complimentary certificates? Why do I have to order them?
Is there a deadline for ordering trophies or certificates?
When are results announced?
How many competitions are there?
How does the jury system work?
What is the Credit Form for?
Why does CINE want production stills from my film?
Why is DVD format important?
Who can become a CINE Judge?
What should I do if the Jury Chair I am assigned to is someone I know?
What does CINE stand for?
CINE is an acronym for "Council on International Nontheatrical Events."
When do I send my tape or DVD?
After submitting your entry form(s) and payment, you will receive an acknowledgment from CINE. Once you've received confirmation of receipt, please send two (2) DVD copies of your submission(s) to the following address:
ATTN: COMPETITION SUBMISSION(S)
CINE
4641 Montgomery Avenue, Suite 512
Bethesda, MD 20814
301.652.8714
CINE will confirm receipt via email. Your entry will not be complete until CINE receives 2 DVD copies for judging. DVD format information is below.
Does music used in my production have to be licensed?
Yes. All commercial music must have the proper license and have the credits provided. Productions with unlicensed music or video footage will be disqualified.
Why are my Purpose description and Summary limited to 300 characters?
There are two reasons. The first is that all of the information from each entry form is entered into a database to facilitate all the processing and recording that has to be done. If fields are too large the database becomes unwieldy. Second, the summary you provide is copied directly into the text for the annual yearbook which lists all the winners for the previous year. We have found that without a limit, the summaries are too long for the book.
What happens if the Purpose or Summary is longer than 300 words?
Then we have to edit that content, and that is not to your best advantage. We would much prefer that you decide what is most important to synopsize your film.
Should my Summary describe how I made the film?
No. Please do not describe what hardware or cinematographic techniques you used. We are looking for a brief synopsis of the film's content. Answer the question: "What is your film about?"
Why is the Purpose important?
The judges want to know why you made the film or what information or emotion you hope your film will convey. One of the criteria the films are judged against evaluates how well you met your stated purpose.
How many categories can I enter my film in?
You can only submit your entry in one category. Films are judged by category, so you have to select just one.
Can I submit an entire series?
Producers can submit a series for consideration, with special recognition given to televised series that are selected to receive the CINE Golden Eagle Award. For details on eligibility and the entry process, please visit our Rules and Regulations page.
Why are there two stages?
This is one of the unique features of the CINE competition. Having to pass judging by two, independent juries make the process more selective and the award more meaningful.
What is the difference between Entrant and Production Company/Sponsor on the entry form?
Entrant information provides us with a point of contact. We need this to contact someone when it is time to send the tape or DVD to Stage I, to call to resolve any problems that may arise, and to notify of results. Most often, this is someone involved with the production company. Frequently, an entrant has a sponsor they wish to identify, another production company who worked on the film or a client they want to recognize.
Who can order trophies or certificates?
The CINE Golden Eagle Award is presented for the production. Anyone whose name is contained in the credits for the production can share in this award and order certificates or trophies. If a person who worked on the production but is not listed in the credits would like to order an award, CINE will confirm their role in the production with the entrant contact before processing the order.
How can I order a trophy?
Trophies can be ordered in several ways. Entrants of Golden Eagle winning films are provided with an order form when they are informed that their film won. There are also forms online that can be downloaded and mailed or faxed, or you can order a trophy directly on our web site.
Can I get extra certificates?
You receive two complimentary certificates as part of the award. Additional certificates may be purchased from our web site. There are forms online that can be downloaded and mailed or faxed, or you can order certificates directly on our web site.
Why doesn’t CINE just send me my complimentary certificates? Why do I have to order them?
We want your certificates to contain the information you want displayed. That is why we ask you to fill out a form.
Is there a deadline for ordering trophies or certificates?
No. You can order trophies or certificates at any time for any year. There are a few years prior to 1990 for which the Certificate used at that time is no longer available. In this case we have to use the form we currently use but with the correct date on it.
When are results announced?
We send a letter to the entrant of every film or video entered. We attempt to have these mailed by the end of June for the Spring Competition or by the end of December for the Fall Competition. Sometimes circumstances beyond our control delay this mailing for a few days.
How many competitions are there?
There are two; one in the Spring and one in the Fall. They are exactly alike, just held at different times to enable more filmmakers to enter.
How does the jury system work?
Your entry is judged against a set of defined criteria. A stage I jury consists of at least three film professionals, and your film must receive a passing score from the majority of these jurors to pass to Stage II. Stage II is judged by a member of CINE's board of directors. They use the same criteria and must also give your film a passing score.
What is the Credit Form for?
If your entry wins a Golden Eagle Award, it is listed in the annual CINE Awards Event Program and on our web site. In these listings we want the text to reflect the way you want your film credited. Frequently the entrant is not only a point of contact, but is a producer or director. Just as often the point of contact is an administrative person, and not someone with credit for the production. In addition, many organizations have a very specific order in which they want credits listed. We want your film to be listed the way that is best for you.
Why does CINE want production stills from my film?
We use these photos on the web site and in our annual yearbook. They help make your winning production more visible in both listings.
Why is DVD format important?
CINE judges most frequently only have access to consumer level DVD players. These devices will not play DVDs without NTSC format and Region 1 or No-region encoding. Please check your DVD copy on a consumer DVD player before sending it to your Stage I contact, to ensure that it can be judged properly.
Who can become a CINE Judge?
CINE jurors must have had extensive first hand experience working in the film/video industry, resulting in a good understanding of the production process. They must also have an interest in viewing and recognizing quality productions of a diverse group of national and international producers.
What should I do if the Jury Chair I am assigned to is someone I know?
Notify the office as soon as possible and we will arrange for someone else to judge your film
