Do you need a copyright before you submit to film festivals?

[film]

I mean good God. It takes up to 10 months to get a copyright and I'm almost finished with post production.

The film festival submission deadlines for all of the film fests I want to submit to ends in late December. That gives me no time at all to secure copyrights. I thought it was common with most filmmakers to submit films last minute..

Do I need to secure a copyright and wait 10 months before submitting to film festivals or even begin selling my movie? Are there faster ways to secure a copyright? Like within a month?

 

[mlesemann]

No, you don't need to get a copyright before submitting to festivals.
And if you're selling it yourself (i.e., not via a distributor), you won't need it then either.

YES it's good/important to get on a general basis and yes it does take a while, but don't sit around waiting for it.

 

[jax_rox]

Copyright is automatically assigned to the author upon creation.

You don't have to register anything, though there may be some benefits if you do.

So just go ahead and submit

 

[directorik]

While copyright is automatic it is beneficial to register the copyright
officially. Once you register you are covered even thought it takes
10 months to get the piece of paper. My advice is to register the
copyright as soon as your movie is finished.