Acquisition
policyThis document details Vidéographe’s artistic parameters and the process
entailed in the selection of works for distribution.
INTRODUCTION
As a distributor, Vidéographe is active in both commercial and noncommercial networks; these include festivals, broadcasters, schools anduniversities, public libraries, museums, galleries, community groups,
film clubs, private enterprises, individual consumers, and ‘video on
demand’. Vidéographe also serves curators and programmers. Lastly, theorganization operates Vithèque, a site dedicated to promoting video, which
gives consumers, audio-visual professionals, and institutions online accessto Vidéographe’s collection as well as texts, programs, and educational
material.
Vidéographe is a non-exclusive distributor, which means that artists
retain possession of all rights over their work, including those pertaining
to promotion, and may sign agreements with other distributors orbuyers. Vidéographe does not, however, accept works that already have a
distributor in Quebec, in order to encourage diversity in the catalogues ofall parties.
Vidéographe’s distribution activities are decided according to thecapacity of its human and financial resources with respect to acquisition,processing, and conservation, in order to ensure that each work bepromoted and that all artists’ expectations be met. The mandates andactivities of other organizations involved in distribution and disseminationin Quebec and Canada are also taken into consideration.

OBJECTIVES
Vidéographe’s principal objectives with regards to distribution are:● to ensure the visibility, circulation, and accessibility of video made inQuebec● to support established and emerging artists and generate fair revenues
for their work
● to promote Québécois video from a historic, critical, and educational
perspective● to ensure the long-term promotion and preservation of its catalogue
Vidéographe aims to reflect Quebec’s cultural, sexual, linguistic, andidentity-related diversity and to support artists from traditionally underrepresented or marginalized groups.

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SCOPE
Vidéographe is dedicated to experimental forms in moving image. The
organization distributes single-channel video works (short, long andmedium-length) as well as single- and multi-channel video installations. All
genres are given consideration, including video art, experimental works,fiction, documentary or essay form, animation, and dance video.
Vidéographe supports independent artists, as described by the Conseil
des arts et des lettres du Québec: “(…) meaning that the artist-author
must have full control over the contents and the direction of his or her
work, as well as all production and distribution agreements. He or she
holds all reproduction and public exhibition rights for his or her work andcan, by granting a licence, extend such rights to a producer or independent
distributer. This practice is in keeping with production subject to culturalindustry market laws.”
Vidéographe is dedicated to art from Quebec but also distributes work byartists from the rest of Canada and abroad that is considered importantand that complements the collection. Vidéographe supports emerging aswell as recognized artists.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Vidéographe prioritizes independent works that stand apart for theircurrency and endeavour to renew the artistic language. Examples include:● a crossing over of genres, techniques, and technologies● reflections on the media or the cinematic, videographic, or installationbased form
● research into and advancement of new artistic forms in tune with thesocio-political and technological issues of our time
● the exploration of unconventional narrative or documentary forms● practical research
The selection criteria also include:● experimentation● rigorous and relevant research● interest in advancing the discipline● social and political engagement● complementarity (aesthetic and/or thematic) with Vidéographe’s
catalogue● the work’s potential for dissemination

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ELIMINATORY CRITERIAThe following will automatically be refused:● feature-length fiction● television series● recordings● video clips● pornography● corporate films or commercials● commercial productions
Projects of a conventional nature, for example short-length narrativeclassics or television documentaries, do not meet Vidéographe’s mandate
and are therefore not suitable for its catalogue.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
Spontaneous submission on the part of artists:
Submissions may be made at any time. The form provided on the website
must be used for all submissions; only complete files will be considered.
Artists may submit completed works or those in an advanced stage ofproduction. Both recent and older works will be considered; however,active distribution, particularly regarding festivals, is reserved for recentworks (less than one year). Films in languages other than French or English
must be sub-titled.
Other submissions:
When titles come to the attention of the distribution team through festivals,
for example, the artists may be invited to submit their work to the selection
committee. In the case of works produced as part of Vidéographe’sprogrammes for creation, the centre reserves the first right of distribution,
but is not obliged to distribute the work. Certain projects are also taken
on for distribution prior to filming on the basis of the project/screenplay(SODEC criteria). Lastly, certain older titles may be added to the collection
for their historical and heritage value or to complete an artist’s portfolio,on the recommendation of the Conservator and of the Distribution
Coordinator.

SELECTION PROCESS
An initial selection of submissions received is carried out by theConservator and Distribution Coordinator, to rule out works that do notmeet the established criteria. The final selection of works is made by a5committee, who ensure transparency, rigour, and impartiality. Thecommittee also approve supporting letters, pre-agreements, or theacquisition of older titles chosen by the distribution team.
The committee is made up of the Vidéographe’s Director, Distribution
Coordinator, Conservator, a member of Vidéographe, and an external
expert – a curator, researcher, or artist. All committee members, with theexception of Vidéographe employees, have a mandate of no longer than
two years. Nominations are made on invitation by the Direction or throughcalls for participation and are approved by the Board of Directors. Thecommittee meets every two months.
The Distribution Coordinator will ensure that all committee members
receive all necessary material prior to the meeting. Decisions are taken
by a majority vote, with each member having an equal say. The committee
evaluates submissions and bases its decisions and actions on thework and the artist’s file, taking into account Vidéographe’s mission
statement, acquisition policy, collection, and the expertise of each of its
members. Minutes of each meeting are taken by the Conservator and kept
on file.
The Distribution Coordinator will advise artists of the committee’s decisions
by email within a maximum of 60 days following the submission of theirfile. Should the work be accepted for distribution, the distribution team willmeet the artist to sign the contract and discuss a marketing plan. The artist
must provide all required material at their earliest possible convenience.
Should an application be refused, the artist will receive a personal email
giving the reasons for its refusal.
The contract is for a period of five years. It is then automatically renewed
each year, unless notice to the contrary is given at least six months before
its expiry date. The signatory of the distribution contract must become amember of Vidéographe. The membership fee is $50.00.

UPDATES
Should this policy be modified or altered in any way, a new version will bemade public on Vidéographe’s website.

Version 1, March 20166