When sending a film into a film festival there is usually a fee that you have to pay (duh) but my question is if the film isnt selected for the festival do you get the money back or are you just screwed? thanks in advance.

You're screwed. In every festival I've checked out, the fee is non-refundable no matter what.

I'd say youre out of luck if you dont get accepted. It's like applying to college's, you have to pay to even be considered, and a lot of film festivals are meant to make money for a city/group. If they were only charging if you got in, I imagine they wouldnt ask for payment until you are accepted.

awww man why cant anything be free

I ask myself that question every day. But people gotta eat.

It costs quite a lot of money to run a film festival with a large number of entries, so an entry fee is totally understandable to me.

ya of course I can see how its reasonable I just dont wnat it to be.