Submission Guidelines

Send Credit Sheet, contact information (including both phone and email address), any other important or introductory information, and your film to

GIFS Submissions
c/o. AVECommNet
5715 Massachusetts Ave
Bethesda, MD 20816

If your film is already online (e.g. myspace or your own website), you can send a link to GIFSsubmissions@gmail.com.

We accept most formats. Films sent via mail should be on DVD or CD (no VHS, please). Formats accepted include mpeg, Real video, quicktime, windows media, etc. If we accept your film, we will (in most cases) request an .mpeg file from you at that time. If your film contains any explicit sexual content or nudity, you will be required to provide proof of age for all actors and actresses involved.

Financial Information

Certain films, due to their length or content, are pay-per-download. That means the viewer pays a fee before he can download and view the film. The filmmaker keeps 51% of the profits from the film. The rest helps us cover bandwidth, promotion, hosting, rent, etc. Pay-per-download films include films with any explicit or adult content, feature length films, and films in HD.

Most films will be available for free, where they can be seen by agents, distributors, and the general public. If you have a preference for pay-per-download vs. free, please state this on your application. Free films tend to get much broader exposure, while pay-per-download is preferable when strong demand for your work is assured. Note that a preference of category is no guarantee that your film will be offered a position in that category.

Frequently asked questions

How long will it take before I get a decision?
In most cases, you will hear from us within three months. In some cases we can get an answer back in under a month, and sometimes it can take more time. Due to the volume of submissions, we only send positive responses.

What are the rules regarding nudity, language, sexual situations, etc?
GIFS seeks to provide art for adults, not amusement for children. Nudity, explicit sexual situations, abusive language, etc. are all permitted. However, gratuitous use of such elements generally indicates a film of inferior quality, and will not be looked favorably upon. In other words, if the nudity is intrinsic to the art, that’s fine. If it’s just thrown in, your film will probably not be accepted.

If you plan to submit a film with explicit sexual situations or nudity, you will also need to show proof (photo-ID)  that the actors and actresses were over 18 years of age at the time of filming. There are absolutely no exceptions of any kind to this rule. GIFS has absolutely no tolerance for the exploitation of minors.

Do you accept films of standup comedy, live concerts, etc?
In some cases we do.

Who determines pricing?
In most cases, GIFS will allow the filmmaker to determine pricing for pay-per-download films, as long as pricing is reasonable. If the pricing is too high or too low, GIFS will work with the filmmaker to set a more reasonable price.

Who owns to the rights to the films?
You retain the rights to your films.

How much money will I make?
That will depend on the nature of your film. GIFS will promote your work, but much of the promotion is done by word of mouth. In general, dramatic films and comedies make more money than documentaries and avant-garde films, although there are certainly exceptions to this rule.

How do you prevent piracy?
While piracy is always a potential issue, it is less so among our customers, who understand that they are dealing with a primarily artistic, rather than commercial venture.