SUBMITTING A FILM

ELIGIBILITY

To submit a project, filmmakers must:
• Be recognized as professional or emerging artists
• Hold full artistic and editorial control over their project
• Demonstrate that their work is coherent with their artistic process

Short Films:

To submit a work to the committee, please fill out the acquisition form.

PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT, feature and medium length films:

For projects in development and films over 30 minutes, please contact Robin Miranda das Neves, distribution director, to find out about the submission process.

Submissions are welcome at all times.

RESPONSE DATES

The turnaround time is 4 to 6 weeks.

EVALUATION PROCESS


The committee applies the following criteria in the evaluation of the submissions:

  • The overall artistic quality of the work
  • The coherence of the work with the artistic process and professional evolution of the artist
  • The impacts of the work on the artist’s career and the film community
  • The circulation potential of the work in various markets
  • The coherence of the work with Spira’s film catalog

All submissions will be analysed by a committee of peers and professionals that includes 5 people (3 from Spira’s staff, 1 Spira member, one film professional). The selection is submitted to Spira’s board of administrators and considered final and without appeal. Spira will not tolerate solicitation or intimidation following the refusal of a project. Spira will be available for the artist, to share the jury’s comments and recommendations and discuss how the project could be improved.

Members of the selection committee are bound by Spira’s code of ethics and respect the confidentiality of the projects and fulfill their professional duties in good faith.


SERVICE DESCRIPTION

The distribution service offered by Spira is intended to market quality indpendent film works and ensure their circulation across festivals, television networks, independant theatrical circuits, the web and digital platforms, as well as the institutional market. Spira showcases the works and the artists through distribution and dissemination activities at local, national, and international levels. The coop deploys communication strategies, market and audience development initiatives adapted to the various types of works. Spira also distributes a rich collection of over 300 titles inherited from Vidéo Femmes.


EDITORIAL GUIDELINE

Although short films dominate Spira’s distribution catalog, it also welcomes feature-length documentaries. Spira is mostly looking for short fictions and documentaries and feature-length documentaries about social matters and quests for identity.

Works by filmmakers of the Québec region are favored. However, consistently with its equity policy, the coop also favors works from cultural diversity; deaf or disabled communities; official language minority communities; Natives; LGBTQ2+ communities. Works by women and filmmakers from outside of the largest cities are also prioritized.

Artists must reside and work in Canada. Co-productions are accepted under certain conditions.


WHAT IS OFFERED TO FILMS DISTRIBUTED BY SPIRA

  • The elaboration of a strategy for the festival circuit. Submissions, selection follow-up, delivery of screening copies and promotional material
  • Theatrical releases (for some feature-length films only)
  • A watch for sale and presentation opportunities on various markets: TV, Web, arthouse theaters, institutional circuit
  • The promotion of the film’s life on Facebook and in our newsletter
  • The writing and dissemination of press releases for major selections
  • An entry in Spira’s catalog
  • An entry on our Vimeo on Demand platform
  • A personalized service, availability and attentiveness

Note that Spira is recognized as a feature-length film distributor by the SODEC and Téléfilm Canada.

With respect to its values, Spira has established an ethical distribution policy that guides its distribution actions.

 

EVALUATION PROCESS


The committee applies the following criteria in the evaluation of the submissions:

  • The overall artistic quality of the work
  • The coherence of the work with the artistic process and professional evolution of the artist
  • The impacts of the work on the artist’s career and the film community
  • The circulation potential of the work in various markets
  • The coherence of the work with Spira’s film catalog

All submissions will be analysed by a committee of peers and professionals that includes 5 people (3 from Spira’s staff, 1 Spira member, one film professional). The selection is submitted to Spira’s board of administrators and considered final and without appeal. Spira will not tolerate solicitation or intimidation following the refusal of a project. Spira will be available for the artist, to share the jury’s comments and recommendations and discuss how the project could be improved.

Members of the selection committee are bound by Spira’s code of ethics and respect the confidentiality of the projects and fulfill their professional duties in good faith.


once your work is selected to benefit from spira’s distribution services, you must...

  • Become a member of the cooperative for at least two years (once your film is accepted).
  • Provide the masters of the film, as well as all the material required for the distributor to handle distribution properly.
  • Pay a $100 service fee for a short film (30 minutes max).
BECOME A MEMBER

Spira is your coop devoted to independent filmmaking.
Become a member today!