NOTE: In an effort to streamline our screening and judging process, we have removed the Female Filmmaker specific submission "category". WE WILL STILL BE NOMINATING AND AWARDING A FEMALE FILMMAKER PRIZE. We are asking ALL FILMMAKERS to submit in the appropriate "GENRE CATEGORY" (i.e. comedy, drama, documentary), you will then fill out our CUSTOM SUBMISSION FORM (a checkbox question followed by a written question) which will inform the Scout Staff in which additional "FESTIVAL CATEGORY" (i.e. Female Filmmaker, Filmmaker of Color, LGBTQIA+) we should consider the film for competition.
COMPLETE LIST OF SHORT FILM AWARDS: Animation 18 and Under, Animation 19 to 24, Comedy 18 and Under, Comedy 19 to 24, Documentary 18 and Under, Documentary 19 to 24, Drama 18 and Under, Drama 19 to 24, Experimental 18 and Under, Experimental 19 to 24, Female Filmmaker 18 and Under, Female Filmmaker 19 to 24, Filmmaker of Color 18 and Under, Filmmaker of Color 19 to 24, Horror 18 and Under , Horror 19 to 24, Music Video 18 and Under, Music Video 19 to 24, Public Service Announcement 18 and Under, Public Service Announcement 19 to 24, TV Or Other Broadcast 18 and Under, TV Or Other Broadcast 19 to 24, Cinematography 18 and Under, Cinematography 19 to 24, Direction 18 and Under, Direction 19 to 24, Overall Film 18 and Under, Overall Film 19 to 24
COMPLETE LIST OF FEATURE FILM AWARDS: Narrative Feature 18 and Under, Documentary Feature 18 and Under, Narrative Feature 19 to 24, Documentary Feature 19 to 24
ELIGIBILITY:
The contest is open to filmmakers 24 years old or under worldwide. Please read and be aware of the age requirement for each category. We have separate categories for entry open to filmmakers 18 and under, or for filmmakers between 19 and 24. The film’s director(s) must have been 18 and under OR between 19 and 24 years old while filming the project.
Entries received after the deadline set forth in these terms are ineligible, null, and void.
All music and other copyrighted material (images, videos, etc.) used in the films must be properly licensed. There are various resources that offer free music and images.
All films must be in English or subtitled in English.
HOW TO ENTER: Create a film of twenty (20) minutes or less in length (shorts) or 40 minutes and over (features) (unless another length limit is specified for the category).
Follow the instructions here on FilmFreeway to submit your Film.
PERSONAL INFORMATION: To submit your Film you will be required to provide your first and last name; birth date; indicate whether you are or identify as a female filmmaker; email address; and Film URL. The information you provide will be used only for contest administration and to contact contest winners. Your information will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any party not affiliated with the Festival and the Contest except to the extent permitted by law.
RULES FOR ENTRY:
We will only except the file formats listed below:
.MOV
.MP4
Do not submit films in 4K. Please submit your film in 1080 HD or lower. Any film files that are larger than 4GBs will not be accepted.
Films that are accepted into the festival will be screened in 16:9 aspect ratio. If your film is submitted in a different ratio, your film will be letterboxed to display on the 16:9 screen.
- An Entry must be the original work of the Entrant, and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, publicity or other intellectual property or other rights of any person or entity. If an Entry contains any material or elements that are not owned by the Entrant, and/or which are subject to the rights of third parties, the Entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submitting such Entry, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the use and exhibition of the Entry by the Festival in the manner set forth in these Terms, including, without limitation, name and likeness permissions from any person who appears in or is identifiable in the Entry, music licenses and location releases.
- The Festival reserves the right to request proof of these permissions in a form acceptable to the Festival from any entrant at any time. Failure to provide such proof may, if requested, render Entry null and void.
- By submitting an Entry, the Entrant warrants and represents that he/she and any persons appearing or who are identifiable in the Entry consent to the submission and use of the Entry in the Contest and to its use as otherwise set forth herein.
- Any Entry not in English must contain English subtitles.
- By submitting an Entry, the Entrant acknowledges and agrees that the Festival may obtain many Entries in connection with this Contest, and that such Entries may be similar or identical in theme, idea, format or other respects to other Entries submitted in connection with this Contest. The Entrant waives any and all claims that any Entries and/or other works accepted, reviewed and/or used by the Festival may be similar to the Entrant’s Entry, or that any compensation is due to the Entrant in connection with such other Entry or other works used by the Festival.
- By submitting your film, you agree to screen your film live at the festival, and online without a screening fee or any other compensation if selected.
- If the entrant, for any reason, prefers NOT to have their film made available on the public Scout Film Festival Showcase (Vimeo, Visura, streaming), the entrant is responsible for notifying the competition administrators. Such a decision will not compromise that film’s eligibility to win in its category.
- Selection of an entry to the Scout Film Festival grants Scout Film Festival the right to reproduce or utilize a portion of your entry, and your name and likeness for promotional purposes without compensation.
- Filmmakers are responsible for securing clearances or legal permission for the use of any copyrighted musical, cinematic, or literary materials.
- Submission of an entry to Scout Film Festival does not guarantee that a work will be shown at the Festival.
- Scout Film Festival reserves the right to refuse to screen any film online or at the festival.
- The winning films/filmmakers in each category will be announced in online and/or at the awards reception during the Festival.
- Participants and final winners will be chosen by the Festival on the merits of each entry in the Festival’s sole and absolute discretion.
NOTIFICATION OF OFFICIAL SELECTIONS AND WINNERS:
All official selections/filmmakers will be notified by the email address provided in the entry form. Changes in contact information may be made by contacting info@scoutfilmfestival.org. If an official selection or winner does not respond to our outreach notification within ten (10) business days, another will be chosen. Failure to respond within the time frames listed above shall mean that the provisional winner forfeits the award.