978.572.0993 | Contact Us
Artwork Submission
Newburyport
Documentary
Film
Festival
NBPT DOCU FEST
Poster Competition and Submission Submit by June 15
2025 Poster Competition Brief and Submission
The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival (NDFF) celebrates the power of documentary filmmaking to enlighten, educate, and inspire. We showcase compelling stories that explore diverse perspectives, spark dialogue, and promote a deeper understanding of the world around us. This year, we are focusing on the unifying power of storytelling – how documentaries connect us to one another, our communities, and the global human experience. We are the Filmmakers Film Festival, www.nbptdocufest.org
Competition Goal and Eligibility
Students enrolled in a college art or design program and professionals working in the design industries are welcome to submit. We are seeking a visually striking and engaging poster design that will serve as the primary promotional material for the 2025 Newburyport Documentary Film Festival. The winning design will capture the essence of our festival attracting a wide audience and generating excitement for the festival.
Design Requirements:
-
Theme Interpretation: The design should visually represent the theme "Stories That Connect," and define the official branding and theme of the annual festival.
-
Consider concepts like:
-
Human connection and empathy
-
Bridging cultural divides
-
The power of storytelling to unite
-
Global perspectives and shared experiences
-
Filmmakers Festival
-
Combine icons from both documentary films and Newburyport culture into an artistically collaged image unique to this festival
-
Visual Style:
-
Open to various artistic styles (illustration, photography, graphic design, mixed media, etc.).
-
Must be visually appealing and attention-grabbing.
-
Must be easily reproducible in various sizes and formats.
must be legible on an 8 1/2” x 11” size.
Technical Specifications:
-
Poster sizes: 24" x 36", 14" x 22" and 8.5” x 11” (all vertical format)
-
Resolution: 300 dpi
-
File format: .EPS, .PSD, .AI, .TIF, .TIFF
-
Color format: CMYK
-
All print files require crop marks, including a bleed margin, which is at least 0.125 inches beyond the dimensions of the poster design.
-
Artists should design with the understanding that the festival's graphic designer will add the festival's branding elements such as the logo, name, dates and sponsors.
-
Avoid overloading the poster with too many design elements.
-
Artists should consider how the design will translate to both sizes.
-
Branding elements; logo & color pallets below. Do not add them to your design. (download logo).
-
Color Palette: Red #E4002B - PMS 185, Black, & White.
Submission Guidelines:
-
Submit your design https://www.nbptdocufest.org/artworksubmission
-
Submissions must be received by June 15, 2025
-
All submissions must be original works.
Judging Criteria:
-
Creativity and originality
-
Visual impact and aesthetic appeal
-
Effective communication of the festival theme
-
Legibility and overall design quality
Prize: Recognition
-
The Winning design will be featured on selected festival promotional materials (posters, website, social media, program guide).
-
Acknowledgement: The festival will acknowledge the artist's name on all print and online displays of the selected artwork.
-
The festival is offering an artist the opportunity to have their work become the face of the festival, gaining significant exposure and supporting a non-profit organization, in exchange for relinquishing all rights to the artwork.
-
Free Festival pass.
-
"Meet the Artist" on the festival’s website with photo, bio, and your quote for the inspiration of the creative design.
-
$250.00 prize will be awarded to the selected winner.
-
The winning designer grants the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival the right to use the design for all promotional purposes.
-
The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival retains usage rights of the artwork for editorial and promotion purposes across all its public platforms.
We look forward to seeing your creative interpretations
Submission form
Please fill out the submission form below. Upload your artwork using your name as the filename and photo to our Dropbox folder.
Submissions are due on or before June 15, 2025
Contact: Email
* Additional Rules & Terms:
The submitter has read and understood the rules and regulations and to the best of their knowledge, all statements are true. The submitter is duly authorized to submit this to the Newburyport Documentary Film Festival.
Upon submission, the submitter consents to allowing their screener material to be shared in its entirety with appropriate Newburyport Documentary Film Festival staff, and other appropriate members of staff; with final jury members; and with select individuals representing community partners who may be interested in supporting the film festival.
The festival is hereby also granted the right to utilize image(s) and/or biographical information of the submitter for promotional purposes. The Festival retains editorial rights to modify descriptive or written portions of the submission.