About ARCFF
Our GRAND BEGINNING
February 2024 will usher in the first annual A Royal Chance Film Festival in Los Angeles, a powerhouse event founded by Leah “LQ” Queen, CEO and President of QLTV+ and Queen’s Guard Foundation. ARCFF was born out of LQ’s desire to empower independent creatives and have their content featured on the largest platform she can provide.
With the support of generous corporate sponsors, entertainment industry veterans, private connections, personal friends, and enthusiastic volunteers, LQ’s dream of giving independent artists and their work A Royal Chance at being discovered, seen, heard, and applauded comes true in grand style right in heart of Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
A Royal Summary
A Royal Chance Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to uplifting independent artists and showcasing film and television content fired in the minds, hearts and souls of global creatives. Adamant in her belief that independent artists lacking meaningful inroads to Hollywood deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ARCFF
Founder Leah “LQ” Queen developed the festival as a valuable tool to bolster the artistic community via resource sharing, education and creative collaboration.
The first annual ARCFF will be held LIVE in Los Angeles, February 1-3, 2024, and STREAM on QLTV+. A Royal Chance Film Festival is an initiative of Queen’s Guard Foundation (QGF) a non-profit company whose noble mission is to “Honor the Artist”.
ARCFF PILLARS
1. Entertainment
Film and Television content presented for the entertainment and inspiration of cinephiles, telephiles, executives and artists within a setting that champions community, creativity and collaboration on a global scale.
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2. Education
Industry Expert led panels, seminars, and conversations designed to spark, support and satisfy the deepest levels of interest and understanding about the film, television, and entertainment business as well as the magnificent artistry that keeps it alive.
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3. Expression
A Live Event where creatives are given A Royal Chance to exhibit and share their work with the world while experiencing a soul-charging interchange of encouragement and empathy with their fellow artists.
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4. Empowerment
Up-and-coming creative and industry professionals meet and stay connected, building strong ties within and beyond the Hollywood community via networking opportunities to connect and share resources.
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5. Expansion
Seeing Is Believing and thus A Royal Chance Film Festival allows the entire consumer, executive and artistic community to see and believe that being independent doesn’t equate to being alone.
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
ARCFF presents thoughtfully curated outreach activities, information and resources designed to prioritize mental health and suicide prevention.
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1. Calls of Compassion Initiative
ARCFF attendees commit to making phone calls of compassion to three individuals and specifically asking about their mental health. Participants pledge to extend friendly calls to those they have fallen out of contact with, to ones who they know could benefit from extra love and care due to struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, and last, but certainly not least, to those who are categorized as the “strong ones” who never seem to need anyone or anything, because that’s not true, and EVERYONE needs and deserves to be checked on.
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2. Mindset Coaching Initiative
ARCFF brings the inspiring and powerful words of the Sports World’s Greatest Coaches and Athletes to individuals who can benefit from a solid boost of mindset coaching.
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3. #ListenToHim Initiative
ARCFF sadly recognizes the researched and proven facts that men account for 75-80% of deaths by suicide, that suicide is the leading cause of death for men under the age of 50, and that men are much less likely to seek help for their mental health. We recognize these facts, but we don’t accept them, and we move to do something about it by promoting use of the hashtag #ListenToHim across social media channels in connection with pictures, comments, and stories encouraging the community to seek out a man who needs or wants to talk and to simply sit, pay attention, and LISTEN TO HIM.
FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
1. ARCFF Winner Screenings
Screenings of the ARCFF Selected Winners along with recognition of the writers, directors, cinematographers, actors, and hair/make-up artists behind the honored Documentary/DocuSeries, Animation, Shorts, Television Pilots,
and Feature Films.
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2. QueenLight Screenings
Premieres and advanced screenings of Documentary/Docuseries, Animation, Shorts, Television Pilots, and Feature Films coming to the QLTV+ streaming platform along with recognition of the writers, directors, producers, actors, and hair/make-up artists behind the showcased works.
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3. RWA Seminars
Education-based sessions and conversations led by highly accomplished professionals covering a variety of scriptwriting, character development, and story-telling tips and techniques.
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4. Industry Expert Panels and Celebrity Guests
Moderated panel discussions with entertainment industry experts and intimate celebrity conversations centered around various elements of the film and television business.
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5. Performances & Parties
Stand-up comedy from some of the funniest comics on the scene, live performances from hot musical artists, and the official ARCFF PURPLE opening night & GOLD closing night parties!
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6. Networking
A series of activities embedded within the festival to foster network-building amongst attendees, creatives,
and industry executives.
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7. ARCFF Distinguished Awards Ceremony
Presentation of The Stan Lathan Living Legend Award, The John Singleton Director’s Vision Award, The Charlie Murphy Art of Laughter Award, The Phylicia Rashad Everlasting Excellence Award, and The Debbie Allen Shoulders of Giants Award to a group of Distinguished Honorees from the entertainment industry.
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8. Community and Outreach Initiatives
An on-site Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Awareness station encouraging festival attendees to pay attention, participate, and spread the word about the initiatives, information and resources presented around this important topic.
2024 ARCFF
WINNER SCREENINGS
The Esteemed 2024 ARCFF Winners will play during the live and virtual segments of the festival.
A. Competition Categories:
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DocuProjects
A competition for submitted Documentary and Docuseries Projects presented by global artists. Up to Three projects are selected as finalists and are included in the ARCFF Winners Screening during the LIVE event, as well as streamed via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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DocuProjects must NOT exceed a 65-minute runtime inclusive of credits.
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Documentaries and First Episode/First Installment of Docuseries are accepted.
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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DocuProjects must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
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DocuProjects that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are not eligible for this category.
2. Animation
A competition for submitted Animation Projects inclusive of Shorts, Television Pilots, and Feature Films presented by global artists. Up to Three projects are selected as finalists and are included in the ARCFF Winners Screening during the LIVE event, as well as streamed via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Animation Projects must NOT exceed the designated runtimes inclusive of credits. (Shorts=15 minutes; Pilots=75 minutes, Films=125 minutes)
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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Animation Projects must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
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Animation Projects that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are not eligible for this category.
3. Shorts
A competition for submitted Short Film Projects presented by global artists. Up to Five projects are selected as finalists and are included in the ARCFF Winners Screening during the LIVE event, as well as streamed via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Short Film Projects must NOT exceed a 15-minute runtime inclusive of credits.
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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Short Film Projects must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
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Short Film Projects that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are not eligible for this category.
4. Pilots
A competition for submitted Television Pilot Projects presented by global artists. Up to Three projects are selected as finalists and are included in the ARCFF Winners Screening during the LIVE event, as well as streamed via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Television Pilot Projects must have a 25-minute minimum runtime and NOT exceed a 75-minute runtime inclusive of credits.
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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Television Pilot Projects must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
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Television Pilot Projects that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are not eligible for this category.
5. Features
A competition for submitted Feature-Length Film Projects presented by global artists. Up to Three projects are selected as finalists and are included in the ARCFF Winners Screening during the LIVE event, as well as streamed via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Feature Film Projects must have an 85-minute minimum runtime and NOT exceed a 125-minute runtime inclusive of credits.
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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Feature Film Projects must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
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Feature Film Projects that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are not eligible for this category.
6. Sketch Comedy & Stand-Up Comedy
A competition for submitted Sketch Comedy and Stand-Up Comedy Projects presented by global artists. Up to Three projects are selected as finalists and are included in the ARCFF Winners Screening during the LIVE event, as well as streamed via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Sketch Comedy and Stand-Up Comedy Projects must have a 25-minute minimum runtime and NOT exceed a 75-minute runtime inclusive of credits.
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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Sketch Comedy and Stand-Up Comedy Project must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
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Sketch Comedy and Stand-Up Comedy Projects that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are not eligible for this category
7. Narrative Music Videos
A competition for submitted Narrative Music Videos presented by global artists. Up to Five projects are selected as finalists and are included in the ARCFF Winners Screening during the LIVE event, as well as streamed via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Narrative Music Videos must NOT exceed a 15-minute runtime inclusive of credits.
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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Narrative Music Videos can present music that is written and performed in ANY language, and English-language subtitles are OPTIONAL..
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Narrative Music Videos that have been, or will be, broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are STILL eligible for this category, as long as the prior release date does not precede February 4, 2022.
8. Screenplays - TV Pilots & Feature Films
A competition for submitted TV Pilot and Feature Film Scripts/Screenplays presented by global artists. Up to Ten projects are selected as finalists and are given recognition during the ARCFF LIVE event, as well as recognition via QLTV+ during the VIRTUAL segment.
Eligibility Criteria:
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TV Pilot Scripts for a half-hour program must not exceed 45 pages inclusive of the title page.
TV Pilot Scripts for a full hour program must not exceed 65 pages inclusive of the title page. -
Feature Film Screenplays must not exceed 120 pages inclusive of the title page.
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Entrants must be 18 yrs. or older.
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Open to U.S. and International entries.
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Scripts/Screenplays must be in the English language.
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Scripts/Screenplays that have been previously optioned, sold, produced, or will be broadcast or streamed on television or the internet, or released via any other public distribution platform (theatrical, Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, etc.) in any country prior to February 4, 2024, are not eligible for this category.
B. Competition Awards:
1. Best Story
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Writer(s) of the selected winning projects from the DocuProject, Animation, Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action/Thriller genres.
2. Best Director
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Director of the selected winning projects from the DocuProject, Animation, Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action/Thriller genres.
3. Best Cinematography
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Cinematographer of the selected winning projects from the DocuProject, Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action/Thriller genres.
4. Best Leading Role
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Leading Actor/Actress/Artist of the selected winning projects from the DocuProject, Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action/Thriller genres.
5. Best Supporting Role
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Supporting Actor/Actress/Artist of the selected winning projects from the DocuProject, Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action/Thriller genres.
6. Best Leading Voiceover
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Leading Voiceover Actor/Actress/Artist of the selected winning projects from the Animation genre.
7. Best Supporting Voiceover
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Supporting Voiceover Actor/Actress/Artist of the selected winning projects from the Animation genre.
8. Best Project
A $2000 cash prize awarded to the Creator(s)/Executive Producer(s) of the selected winning projects from the DocuProjects, Animation, Shorts, Pilots, and Features categories.
9. Best Comic Performance
A $1000 cash prize awarded to four (4) Comedians/Comedy Artists of the selected winning projects from the Sketch Comedy & Stand-Up Comedy category.
10. Best Script
A $1000 cash prize awarded to the Writer(s) of the selected winning projects, for both TV Pilots and Feature Films, from the Drama, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Action/Thriller genres.
2024 QUEENLIGHT SCREENINGS
Selected 2024 ARCFF Submissions will play during the live and virtual segments of the festival.
The ARCFF virtual segment will stream on QLTV+ .