Terms and Conditions

1. Eligibility

- The Festival is open to short films from anywhere in the world.
- All genres are accepted, including narrative, documentary, experimental, animation, and music video, provided the runtime is 5–20 minutes, including credits.
- Non‑English language films must include legible English subtitles.
- Rough cuts or works-in-progress may be submitted, but a final screening version must be delivered by the date specified in the acceptance notification, or the film may be disqualified.

2. Submission process

- All entries must be submitted exclusively through FilmFreeway with an online screener (Vimeo or FilmFreeway upload preferred). No DVDs, Blu‑ray discs, downloads, or physical media will be accepted.
- Submission fees are non‑refundable, regardless of acceptance or rejection.
- The submitter is responsible for providing accurate contact information, a short synopsis, key credits, runtime, country of origin, and at least one still image or poster for promotional use, which the submitter authorizes use of.
- Hard copies in any fashion are not accepted.

3. Selection and programming

- All submissions will be reviewed by the Festival programming team; not all submitted films will be selected.
- Programming decisions, including selections, scheduling, and awards, are at the sole discretion of the Festival and are final.
- The Festival reserves the right to place a film in a category or block different from the one initially entered if it better fits the program.

4. Exhibition formats

- If selected, filmmakers must provide a high‑quality digital exhibition file (e.g., MP4 or MOV, 1080p or higher, stereo sound) by the delivery deadline stated in the acceptance notice.
- The Festival may create a backup copy or convert the file to a screening format compatible with the venue’s technical setup, without altering the content.

5. Rights, permissions, and warranties

By submitting, you affirm and warrant that:

- You are the rightful owner of the film or are authorized to submit it on behalf of the owner(s).
- The film does not infringe any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights and does not violate any rights of privacy or publicity.
- All necessary permissions for music, images, archival footage, AI tools, and any other third‑party materials have been obtained. [osif](https://osif.org/ai)
- The film is not subject to any legal dispute, claim, or litigation that could affect its screening.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Festival, the hosting lodge, its organizers, sponsors, and partners from any claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses arising from your submission, exhibition, or any breach of these warranties. [coastfilmfestival](https://www.coastfilmfestival.com/terms-conditions)

6. Use of excerpts and promotional materials

- By submitting, you grant the Festival the non‑exclusive right to use your film’s title, synopsis, stills, poster, and brief excerpts (up to 30 seconds) for Festival promotion, including website, social media, printed materials, and press.
- Any use of material will be solely for the purpose of promoting the Festival and its programming.

7. Attendance and awards

- Submission does not guarantee selection or any form of compensation.
- If selected, filmmakers are encouraged (but not required) to attend in person for Q&A and networking; any travel or accommodation costs are the responsibility of the filmmaker.
- Jury and audience awards (where applicable) are given at the Festival’s discretion and may be subject to change without notice.

8. General terms

- The Festival reserves the right to change dates, programming, venues, or to cancel the event in whole or in part for any reason, including circumstances beyond its control.
- In the event of a hybrid or online component, you may be asked for additional screening permissions (limited‑window, geo‑restricted, or password‑protected), which will be clearly communicated upon selection.
- Submitting a film constitutes full acceptance of these Rules & Terms; failure to comply may result in disqualification without refund of submission fees.

9. Content standards

- The Festival does not accept films that contain pornography, explicit sexual content, or graphic depictions of sexual violence.
- The Festival does not accept films that promote or glorify real‑world violence, hate speech, or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
- Excessive profanity, graphic gore, or shocking content intended primarily to disturb audiences may result in disqualification at the Festival’s discretion.
- Documentaries and works addressing difficult subject matter are welcome but may be evaluated for appropriateness of depiction and context, especially for live, community‑oriented screenings.

10. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

- Limited, assistive use of AI tools (for example, in color correction, noise reduction, subtitles, minor VFX, or limited generative elements) is permitted.
- AI‑generated content may not comprise more than 20% of the completed short film’s total running time, including any fully AI‑generated shots, sequences, or audio segments.
- Filmmakers must disclose any significant use of AI in their submission materials (e.g., in production notes), including where AI was used to generate imagery, dialogue, or sound design.
- The film must not use AI to replicate or simulate the likeness, voice, or performance of real individuals (living or deceased) without explicit consent, nor may it use AI‑generated material that violates copyright, licensing, or data protection laws.
- The Festival reserves the right to request clarification on AI use and may disqualify films that, in its judgment, exceed the permitted level of AI involvement or breach ethical or legal standards.

11. Limitation of liability

- To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Festival, the hosting lodge, its organizers, volunteers, and partners shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, or expense arising out of participation in the Festival, including but not limited to technical failures, server issues, or screening interruptions.
- The Festival assumes no responsibility for lost, damaged, or inaccessible online screeners or exhibition files, though reasonable efforts will be made to contact filmmakers if technical problems arise.
- In no event shall the Festival be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages in connection with your submission or participation, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.