FAQ

Please also read the Participation Conditions closely.

§ When exactly is the deadline for our application?
Your applications should reach our office no later than 7 October 2009. Date as per arrival and NOT as per postmark! Applications arriving after 7 October 2009 will not be accepted.

§ Can anyone apply?
No. Entry to the competition is open to Berlinale Talent Campus participants past and present only. The minimum requirement is therefore that you have filed an application for the Berlinale Talent Campus 2010. Application deadline for Berlinale Talent Campus is 7 October 2009. The Campus application will generate an online ID [application number & password] that you will need when applying for the BERLIN TODAY AWARD 2011. Alumni of the Berlinale Talent Campus already have an online ID and can therefore use their existing Campus application number and password when applying for the BERLIN TODAY AWARD 2011.

Please note that the application deadline for the BERLIN TODAY AWARD 2011, e.g. the date by which you should have submitted your project proposal and accompanying sample materials, is much later than the Campus deadline, on 7 October 2009.

§ Can we apply as a team?
Unfortunately not. Team applications are not accepted.

§ Do you have to be a director to apply?
If your project is selected you are expected to direct the short film. Therefore, previous directing experience is preferred. In case this project is your first film directing experience, please describe in the director's note your skills and your motivation for directing.

§ Can I submit an application even though I do not have any experience as a director?
No. You should bring in some directing experience and be able to sufficiently document it in the application.

§ Can I bring along crew members / actors?
You are free to make suggestions on how to fill the different positions. The crew may be selected from Campus members (including alumni).

§ Does the film have to be shot in Germany?
No. Anywhere you like, if the budget allows.

§ In case I shoot in another country, do I have to look for another production company on site?
No, shooting outside Germany will also be managed by the German production company.

§ Are there restrictions to genre or format?
No. There are no restrictions on story, location, format or genre. Running time shall not exceed 10 minutes.

§ I am not familiar with the current German production costs. How do I calculate my budget?
Go by what you know. Follow your past experience and use the rates that are applicable in your country when putting together the budget, albeit in Euro. Should you be nominated, the German production company will go through the whole thing with you again and adapt it to German rates.

§How detailed should my budget be?
Please use the sample budget in the online application as a reference in terms of detail and structure. The budget should give an overview of the extent of your project and of each item's proportion of the costs. The budget will help the jury determine whether your project is financially viable.

§ We want to send our application via FedEX or similar messenger services and need to provide a phone number for reference. Which number should we use?
You can give the following phone number of the Berlinale Talent Campus Administration: +49 (0) 30 25920 515. For further questions on your application, send us an e-mail at berlintodayaward@berlinale.de.

Important notice: Before sending your sample materials via mail, please check customs regulations and mark clearly on the package: "No commercial value, for cultural purposes only." The value of the contents should be for customs purposes only and shall not exceed 15 Euros. The Berlinale Talent Campus will accept no responsibility for any excess taxes or duties incurred. All postal fees are the responsibility of the SENDER.

§ How should my excerpts be formatted?
Please send your films on DVD.

Should you have further queries, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail at berlintodayaward@berlinale.de

Your BTA team