Short Film Factory: Description, Accolades, Rules and Terms

AWARDS AND PRIZES

Each month we award the best film in each of the following categories:

*Cheer Up – Any type of short film which brings a smile on our faces, or gives us an optimistic mood (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and so on).

*City Life – Any type of short film which takes place in a city, or which has its main theme related to urban life (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and so on).

*Nature – Any type of short film which takes place in the nature, or which has its main theme related to rural or wildlife (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and so on).

*Social Change – Any type of short film which has its main theme related to the exploration of social issues, human rights, inclusion, or diversity (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and so on).

*Relationship – Any type of short film that focuses on the way in which two or more people (things) or groups regard and behave towards each other (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and so on).

*Imagination – Any type of short film exploring new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses (fantasy, science fiction, absurd, surrealist and so on).

*Digital Art – Experimental or animation films, audiovisual projects, video installations and so on.

*Non-Narrative – Experimental videos with an aesthetic of cinematic film that does not narrate, or relate an event, whether real or imaginary.

*Music and Dance – Any type of short film which has its main theme related to music or dance (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and so on).

*Underground – Any type of short film that is out of the mainstream either in its style, genre, or financing (fiction, animation, documentary, experimental and so on).

*Non-Fiction – Any media content that intends, in good faith, to present only truth and accuracy regarding information, events, or people (documentary, reportage, interview and so on).

All selected films will receive the winner laurels of the festival and will be screened during the “STTP+” or SFF in-person events..

RULES AND TERMS

Please read these Rules & Terms carefully before you submit your film. By submitting your film into competition in the Short Film Factory, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of these Rules & Terms.

ELIGIBILITY
1. We accept international short films.
2. Short Film Factory genres include narrative, student, experimental, animation, documentary, music video, mini short, children, amateur, commercial, fashion, vlog, stop motion, series, web etc.
3. Films in languages other than English will only be accepted with English subtitles.
4. All types of short films are accepted. Here are some examples: Absurdist, Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Advertising, Art-house, Biographical, Black Comedy, Classic, Children, Comedy, Crime, Dance, Detective, Drama, Cult, Epic, Family, Fantasy, Gangster, Horror, Independent, Indie, Noir, Historical, Kids, LGBT, Magical realism, Musical, Mystery, Melodrama, Road Movie, Philosophical, Political, Romance, Satire, Science Fiction, Silent Films, Slice of Life, Social, Sports, Superhero, Supernatural, Surreal, Suspense, Thriller, Urban, War (Anti-War), Western, Zombie etc
5. The running time of films entered for the competitions should not exceed 33 minutes (we have no minimum length limit).
6. There is no restriction about the date of the production of the films.
7. The SHORT FILM FACTORY reserves the right to refuse entries.

JUDGING PROCESS
Selection criteria for films may include the, point of view or innovation of the screenplay, the technical or professional quality of filmmaking, the ground breaking or cutting edge theme of the film, the film’s length, its’ educational and/or entertainment value, the film’s insight into a way of life or culture, film reviews and/or awards garnered by the film, its official selection by film festivals, or the viewpoint of Program Committee members of Short Film Factory.

We support indie filmmaking and will award additional points to shorts produced on a micro budget and/or minimal crew.

NOTIFICATION
The directors of submitted films that are accepted will be notified via e-mail.

SCREENINGS
The selection and award classification will be posted on our website.

FEE WAIVERS
We work hard to keep our submission fees as low as possible – consequently we cannot provide fee waivers.

MISCELLANEOUS
1. Short Film Factory has no festival premiere eligibility requirements. Shorts that have screened at other festivals are still eligible.
2. Short Film Factory has no public or internet broadcast eligibility requirements. If your short has screened on Youtube, Vimeo etc, it is still eligible.
3. Changes to submitted films will only be accepted if accompanied by a new submission fee.
4. The decision of the selection committee is final.
5. Stills of selected films may also be shown on the Festival website and publicity/promo material including press releases, festival brochures and other materials.
6. All entry fees are non-refundable.
7. Entrants are responsible for securing all rights and permissions from copyright and other holders relating to their short.
8. Short Film Factory reserves the right to update or modify these terms and policies without prior notice.
9. After selection, notification letters will be sent electronically.
10. Short Film Factory does not accept trailers or rough assemblies or work-in-progress cuts (picture lock with temp sound, color, etc.). Please be aware Short Film Factory will not view multiple updates/versions of your film for programming consideration.
11. The Short Film Factory is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.

LEGAL MATTERS
The person or institution submitting the film is responsible for clearing all rights to the content of the work relevant to the film’s use by the festival. By submitting, they state that they are authorized representatives thereof, i. e. that screening or other use of the film by the Festival does not infringe rights held by third parties (e. g. copyrights, personality or trademark rights), and that especially the rights to any material produced by others (music, film footage, photo- graphs, text etc.) used in the film have been cleared. They furthermore shall indemnify the Short Film Factory against all third-party claims in connection with screening/using the film in the course of the Festival. This includes covering any legal costs that might be incurred.