- That are feature films with theatrical potential (minimum length of 60 minutes);
- From all parts of the world;
- In all stages of pre-production, from script development until production;
- For which a complete screenplay will be available during CineMart;
- That are new or recent and have not yet made the round of all financiers and other festivals & markets;
- For which there is a potential international market;
- With artistic and other special qualities by demonstrable talented film makers;
- And that have producers and directors attached, preferably with the capability to get films off the ground.
When can I apply?
It is possible to apply with a project from 1 July until the deadline of 1 September each year. All materials need to be uploaded online
via MyIFFR or in our office no later than five days after this deadline. Incomplete projects will not be taken into consideration.
In which languages should I apply?
Applications should be made in English.
How do I apply?
To submit a project, you can fill out the
online entry form (via MyIFFR) and upload your project dossier (preferably a single PDF file). It is possible to include the URL of previous work available online. Please only attach PDF, Word and Excel files.
If your previous work is not available online, you can send 2 DVDs:
- By regular (air)mail to:
International Film Festival Rotterdam
Attn. CineMart
P.O. Box 21696
3001 AR Rotterdam
The Netherlands
- By express courier to:
(Please mention "Without commercial value, for cultural purposes only" and mark "No value", or not more than "10 US$" )
International Film Festival Rotterdam
Attn. CineMart
Karel Doormanstraat 278 B
3012 GP Rotterdam
The Netherlands
I am a producer/writer with a project, but no director is attached yet. Can I apply?
To CineMart, the vision and the talent of a director are essential when making choices; we can thus only accept projects with directors attached.
What are the criteria for selection?
- The main criteria for selection are the viability and quality of the plans and the demonstrable talent of the directors and/or producers.
- The projects can be in all phases of production, but they have to be new or recent and not explored all possible avenues of financing yet.
- A project should not have been presented at any other market or festival before, except when linked to one of CineMart's partnering organisations.
- Applications should be in English.
What are the requested materials?
For projects in development/(pre-)production:
- Synopsis (1-2 pages) in English
- Treatment (8-10 pages) in English, NB: full scripts are not accepted as replacement of the treatment
- Statement of the director on the project
- Biography/filmography of the director
- Biography/filmography of the producer
- Company profile(s)
- Budget outline
- (Pre-)production schedule
- Finance plan
- Previous work of the director (2 copies) or available online (Vimeo/Youtube)
What is a treatment?
A treatment is generally longer and more detailed than a synopsis and it may include details of the directorial style. A treatment reads like a short story: it is the full story of the film in its simplest form.
Is it possible to send a script instead of a treatment?
A treatment is always required for an application. Naturally, it is no problem if you prefer to send us both a script and a treatment.
What type of budget should I submit?
Please send us the top sheet of the total budget.
What is a financial plan?
A financial plan explains how you are planning to finance your project. It includes finance that is already secured, but also finance that is still pending. It can include all sorts of financiers (producers, funds, awards, etcetera). Please make sure it is clear which finance is still pending.
What sort of previous work should I include?
We need to receive previous work of the director on DVD. You can send us all sorts of work (shorts, documentaries, TV series, music videos and/or feature fiction films). Please do not send show reels, we prefer full length films.
Can I submit documentary projects?
The main focus of CineMart is the support of fiction features. Shorts, documentaries and films made for television cannot be taken into consideration. In unusual cases, the CineMart selects so-called creative documentaries. These projects always have a strong cinematic approach and are films that play with fiction or have a more experimental approach. Please keep in mind that the professionals attending CineMart mainly focus on fiction features.
Is it necessary to have financiers/partners in place?
It is not required to have financiers/partners in place, but ideally, projects already have approximately 25% of the budget in place.
I submitted my project before to the CineMart, but it was not selected. Can I submit it again?
Due to the amount of applications that CineMart receives, it is not possible to submit the same dossier twice. Only when you have made considerable changes to your last submission, you may apply again. Please inform us about these changes when you apply.
When and how do I hear whether my project is selected for CineMart or not?
The CineMart selection committee needs around fourteen weeks to finalise the selection. Each applicant will receive an e-mail in which the decision on their projects will be announced. In addition, a full list of all selected projects will be published on our website shortly after the selection is made.
What does CineMart expect from me should I be selected?
Once a project is selected we would like to receive updated information within three days in order to include this in the CineMart Projects Dossier. The dossier will be presented online one week after the selection is announced. Also, at least one representative of your project should be present during the four days of CineMart (Sunday 9:00 hrs - Wednesday 19:00 hrs).
What does CineMart want in return?
Finished film projects sprung from the CineMart meetings should mention CineMart or display its logo in their credits. Preferably, the following sentence should be mentioned in the credit list: "[film title] has been presented at the CineMart of International Film Festival Rotterdam". The CineMart logo will be sent to the makers or editors upon request.