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• Each title is permitted to enter once to the IDA Documentary Awards. Titles that have entered in the past are not permitted to enter into the competition in subsequent years. If you are unsure if the title has entered in the past, please send an email to programming@documentary.org for an archive research before submitting the title on Withoutabox.com. Documentaries submitted must be either (a) completed, or (b) commercial theatrically released or (c) have an initial television broadcast between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. Each film entered may be submitted by only one individual/ organization. In the event of multiple entries for the same film, copyright ownership will be the determining factor in deciding which entry is accepted. The entrant is responsible for clearing all rights. A film may only be submitted once to this competition.

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• IDA must be provided with FIVE (5) DVDs for every submission.
• The variety of standards and formats for DVDs can sometimes make it impossible for our jurors to view your films. PLEASE make sure your discs are NTSC and region free and test them on different machines/platforms (a DVD player as well as a computer) before submitting them to IDA. Submissions made in formats other than NTSC will not be considered.
• Individuals/organizations may submit multiple films, however each submission requires a separate entry form and fee. Please go to http://withoutabox.com/login/3320 for entry online. Those who pay online submission fees via Withoutabox.com receive a $5.00 discount.
• A single title can enter only ONE of the five main categories (Feature, Short, Limited Series, Continuing Series, David L. Wolper Student Achievement)
• Each of the five main categories listed above may also enter into the ABC NEWS VideoSource and/or the Pare Lorentz special recognition awards.
• To be eligible for the IDA Music Documentary Award, a single title must be entered in the Distinguished Feature or Distinguished Short category.
• To be eligible for the IDA/HUMANITAS Award, a single title must be entered in the Distinguished Feature category.
• All entries must include a short (3 line) and medium (122 line) SYNOPSIS and CREDIT LIST (mirroring credits on film). In addition, Limited Series and Continuing Series entrants should provide a brief OVERVIEW OF THE WHOLE SERIES.
• Each Limited Series entrant must submit ONE (1) FULL COPY OF THE SERIES ON DVD in its entirety.
• Continuing Series Entrants must submit FOUR (4) DIFFERENT EPISODES from the season. (All programs premiered within the July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009 eligibility window.)
• Each series should additionally submit a complete list of each episode in the series and a brief (e.g., one paragraph) series description for the entire season, as defined above.
• If the film is a co-production, the Entrant assumes full responsibility for notifying the other co-production partners of the Entry.

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• IDA must be provided with FIVE (5) DVDs for every submission.
• Non English-language submissions MUST BE SUBTITLED IN ENGLISH.

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• Please provide a complete press kit inside your Withoutabox.com entry or as EPK (on CD or DVD) with your entry. Items to include:
• Short biographies of director and producer
• Director and producer headshots
• Film stills (no logos)
• Medium synopsis (122 lines)
• Short synopsis (3 lines)
• Entry in this competition grants IDA the right to use clips (4 minutes maximum), photographs and biographical data for publicity and promotional purposes and/or for select IDA-sponsored screenings of the nominees and winners. Winners will provide an NTSC clip (format to be determined) not to exceed 4 minutes for use at the IDA Documentary Awards. The IDA reserves the right to edit the clip for time. If no specific clip is provided, the IDA, at its discretion, will select a clip.
• Entry in this competition also grants IDA the right to use clips (4 minutes maximum), photographs and biographical data for publicity and promotional purposes for the IDA website, IDA podcasts and mobile feeds, as well as websites of the IDA’s promotional partners, media sponsors and web aggregators. The IDA reserves the right to use any submitted materials for all promotional purposes on all existing and future media platforms in perpetuity.
• If nominated, entrants must send in 6 additional NTSC DVDs of their film.

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• All entrants AGREE TO RELEASE the DVD copies of their production for non-circulation reference at the Documentary Archive in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Film Archive. DVD and publicity material submitted to the IDA Awards will not be returned.

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• Your digital entry form on Withoutabox.com constitutes full acceptance of IDA Awards rules and regulations detailed here. The producer(s) listed warrant that they are the owners of the Documentary submitted, including the copyright therein, that they have the right to grant IDA the use of the Documentary in each and all of the rights herein granted; that they have or will obtain all required authorizations, consents and releases from others, including but not limited to those who appear recognizable in the Documentary or who rendered services in connection therewith; and that IDA’s use of the Documentary as provided herein will not violate the rights of an other person. IDA reserves the right to resolve all questions not specifically addressed here. Any disputes that may arise concerning the IDA Awards shall be determined according to the laws of the State of California. Failure to comply with these Rules will render the Entry ineligible. Entry fees will not be refunded.