2012 PUBLICIST POLICIES

PUBLICIST PASS

An AFI FEST 2012 Publicist Pass allows you to:

• Access the Media Center
• Cover red carpet arrivals at gala screenings of your client films
• Stand in the back of the theater for introductions at screenings of your client films (maximum of three publicists per screening)
• Stand in the back of the theater for Q&As at screenings of your client films (maximum of three publicists per screening)
• Staff media events (news conferences, junkets, etc.) for your client's film in official festival venues

Anyone requesting a publicist pass must have a client participating in the festival. A maximum of five publicity passes will be provided per film, unless the additional publicists are pre-approved by AFI FEST.

Please note: You must have a hard ticket to take a seat in theater for any screening or panel. You must be seated 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. After this, unoccupied seats will be released.

Publicist passes can be requested starting October 11 by clicking HERE. The deadline is October 18. You will be notified of whether your request has been approved by October 25.

SCREENER DVDs

AFI FEST encourages screener DVDs to be made available for media before the festival in order to secure advance coverage. Please supply screeners to the AFI FEST as early as possible to ensure pre-festival coverage. Screeners will also be available for viewing in our newsroom during the festival.

IMAGES / FILM STILLS / MATERIALS

Select AFI FEST images, film stills and materials will be posted online for media access as titles are announced. For additional information or materials on specific films, media will be directed to contact the filmmaker or film publicist.

FILM PUBLICIST CONTACT LIST

Publicity contact information for each film screening at AFI FEST 2012 will be posted online for media access, as titles are announced. Only one contact will be listed for each film.

MEDIA CENTER

The Media Center is only for media and publicists accredited by AFI FEST. Services for publicists include:

• PUBLICIST PASS PICK-UP: You can pick up your Publicist Pass in the Media Center from October 31. Bring your business card and a photo ID.
• MEDIA MATERIAL DELIVERY: Publicists can deliver media materials to the Media Center so journalists can pick them up. Electronic materials are encouraged. Any materials remaining at the end of the festival will be discarded.
• INTERVIEW/JUNKET SPACE: Limited media interview and junket space is available in the Media Center and can be requested by e-mailing festpublicity@AFI.com. Interview areas include two seats and an AFI FEST backdrop, suitable for on-camera interviews. Lighting and A/V equipment will not be provided. AFI FEST is not able to assist with technical set up. Interview areas are not soundproof, so ambient noise may be unavoidable.

REGULAR SCREENINGS (NON-GALAS) AND PANELS

Publicists accredited by AFI FEST will be allowed to stand in the back of the theater for introductions and Q&As at regular screenings (non-galas) of their client's film. You must wear your AFI FEST 2012 publicist badge and exit the theater immediately when the screening begins.

Publicists that wish to take a seat at a regular screening or panel must have a hard ticket or attempt to get a seat through the Rush Line. Tickets should be requested through the filmmaker, studio or distributor or with the general public at AFI.com/AFIFEST. The AFI FEST Publicity office does not have access to tickets for film publicists. You must be seated at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled screening start time. After this, unoccupied seats will be released.

Media with AFI FEST Press Passes will be admitted to regular screenings (non-galas) and panels without a hard ticket, on a space-available basis. They must wear their official AFI FEST 2012 media badge. AFI FEST recommends they arrive for regular screenings and panels at least 30 minutes early. They must be seated at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled screening start time. After this, unoccupied seats will be released.

Regardless of whether media have an AFI FEST Press Pass, they must be approved by the AFI FEST Publicity office to photograph or record in theaters. Anyone who attempts to photograph or record any portion of a screening, introduction or Q&A will immediately be asked to leave the theater and risks losing their AFI FEST Press Pass for this and subsequent festivals.

GALAS

Publicists accredited by AFI FEST will be allowed access to Gala screenings of their client's film. You must wear your AFI FEST 2012 publicist badge.

Media outreach for Galas will be shared by AFI FEST and the film's publicist. All media materials (media alerts, tip sheets, etc.) for gala screenings must be on AFI FEST letterhead and approved in advance by AFI FEST. Please submit media materials early, as the AFI FEST approval process can take a full week.

Media must be specifically approved by AFI FEST to be on the red carpet or in the theater at Gala screenings. AFI FEST will collaborate with film publicists on media approvals. Each Gala is accredited separately. Space is extremely limited. Requests are due via e-mail (festpublicity@AFI.com) by October 23. Media will be notified whether their requests have been approved a minimum of 3 days prior to the requested Gala screening.

RED CARPETS

• A confirmed list of filmmakers/talent that wish to be on the red carpet must be received by AFI FEST no less than three full days before the gala.
• Publicists accredited by AFI FEST will be allowed access to the red carpet for Gala screenings of their client films no more than two hours before the scheduled screening start time. You must wear your AFI FEST publicist badge and will receive a custom wristband from AFI FEST.
• Media specifically approved by AFI FEST to be on the red carpet for a Gala screening will be allowed to check in at the Press table no more than ninety minutes before the scheduled screening start time. They must wear an easily identifiable media badge with their name on it, either from AFI FEST or the organization they are on assignment for.
• Still photographers and broadcast journalists will be arranged separately on the red carpet, with still photographers closest to the arrival area and broadcast journalists closest to the theater entrance.
• AFI FEST Publicity will collaborate with the film's publicity team regarding media placement on the carpet.
• Only AFI FEST staff photographers will be allowed on the same side of the carpet as the filmmaker/talent, except for a pre-approved film studio house photographer and/or Getty/WireImage photographer (a maximum of 3 roaming photographers).
• Filmmaker/talent arrivals should begin one hour before the scheduled screening start time.
• AFI FEST reserves the right to place its stakeholders (executives, etc.) on the red carpet.
• The red carpet promptly closes 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. No interviews or photos will be allowed after this time.
• The red carpet is immediately removed when the screening begins. Post-screening photos and interviews are not possible.

GALAS

• A maximum of three publicists for each film will be allowed to stand in the back of the theater for the pre-screening introduction, unless otherwise approved by the AFI FEST Publicity office. You must wear your AFI FEST 2012 publicist badge and exit the theater immediately when the screening begins.
• Seating for all Galas requires an RSVP and a hard ticket. Publicists must request tickets directly through the filmmaker, studio or distributor. The AFI FEST Publicity office does not have access to tickets for film publicists.