2021 RULES & REGULATIONS are subject to change, depending on COVID-19 realities and if we are presenting another virtual festival.
We look forward to watching your films! Please read the following carefully. Any questions about the Terms below should be directed to the Festival via email at info@womensfilmfestival.com.
The following terms and conditions govern the submission of a film to the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival (SJIWFF), through FilmFreeway for consideration for the 2021 St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival. To the extent that this document is inconsistent with any other document prepared by the SJIWFF or anyone else, this document will take precedence.
I. SUBMISSION AGREEMENT
By submitting a Film to SJIWFF for Festival consideration, the submitter/applicant represents that they have obtained consent from any and all owners, producers and/or other authorized representatives of the Film whose consent is required to submit the Film to SJIWFF and has read, understood and agreed to the Terms.
SJIWFF may disqualify or reject, but is not required to do so, any submission that it determines in its sole discretion, is not in compliance, in whole or in part, with these Terms, and may do so without refunding any or all submission fees paid by the Applicant.
I. SUBMISSION AGREEMENT
By submitting a Film to SJIWFF for Festival consideration, the submitter/applicant represents that they have obtained consent from any and all owners, creators, writers, producers and/or other authorized representatives of the Film whose consent is required to submit the Film to SJIWFF, and has read, understood and agreed to the Terms.
SJIWFF may disqualify or reject, but is not required to do so, any submission that it determines in its sole discretion, is not in compliance, in whole or in part, with these Terms, and may do so without refunding any or all submission fees paid by the Applicant.
II. SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY:
(1) By submitting a Film to SJIWFF for Festival consideration, the submitter/applicant represents that he or she has obtained consent from any and all owners, creators, writers, producers and/or other authorized representatives of the Film whose consent is required to submit the Film to SJIWFF, and has read, understood and agreed to the Terms.
(2) SJIWFF may disqualify or reject any submission that it determines in its sole discretion, is not in compliance, in whole or in part, with these Terms, and may do so without refunding any or all submission fees paid by the Applicant.
(3) All films submissions MUST have been directed and/or written by a woman filmmaker (self-identified) to qualify. Co-gender productions will be considered.
(4) Submitted films must have a completion date on or after June 2020.
(5) Each submitted film must include an English language track or English language subtitles.
(6) All Films must be submitted online as a high-resolution .MOV or another digital form screener (as described below), by the final submissions deadline.
(7) Accepted Genres: Drama (including Comedy), Documentary, Animation, Experimental. Short and feature-length films accepted.
(8) Short films must be less than 30 minutes long (including credits).
(9) Feature-length dramas and documentaries must be 75+ minutes. All features will be selected by curation. Feature filmmakers may forward expressions of interest to us via FilmFreeway only.
(10) Please note that the SJIWFF is a non-competitive festival.
III. SUBMITTING YOUR FILM:
To submit a film for Festival consideration, an Applicant must:
(1) Complete the registration process at FilmFreeway
(2) Submit a viewing copy of your film, either as a secure screener through FilmFreeway, or by directing us to a secure, password-protected Vimeo (or equivalent) link in your application. Hard copies will not be accepted.
(3) Pay the Submission Fee as outlined below online via FilmFreeway, OR clearly indicate that payment is following your submission by mail or direct courier, as:
a) a personal or company cheque (Filmmakers within Canada only)
b) an international money order (Filmmakers outside of Canada)
Make cheques or international money orders payable to the: St. John's International Women's Film Festival, noting your film title.
Please note: We cannot process non-Canadian personal cheques, credit card payments or e-transfers.
(4) If sending part of your submission by mail or courier, it should be postmarked no later than your submission deadline.
To prevent delays and duty at customs for INTERNATIONAL SUBMISSIONS, please mark all packages with “Film/Video for Festival to be returned to owner – No Commercial Value” and include a list of contents containing title of film, format, and fair market value (cost of print only).
Each film/video sent to the Festival for exhibition is entered in Canada on a temporary duty-free and GST exempt basis, which means that all films must leave Canada following the Festival.
(5) The Festival is not responsible in case of accidental damage or loss of entries, except when in the Festival’s possession. In case of loss or damage to a print, the obligation of the Festival is limited to compensating the filmmakers for the cost of making a new print.
(6) Submission copies will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed prepaid envelope or a courier account number.
(7) By entering a film in the St. John's International Women's Film Festival, the entrant agrees to adhere to all SJIWFF rules and regulations.
IV. SUBMISSION DATES AND FEES:
Submissions Open - January 25, 2021
Early Bird Deadline - March 22, 2021
Regular Deadline - April 19, 2021
Late Deadline - May 24, 2020
Extended Shorts Deadline - June 7, 2020
Extended Features Only Deadline - June 21, 2020
There is a flat processing fee of $35 (USD) for all Feature Film submissions. Please note that all fees are in US Dollars.
There are no submission fee refunds.
ABOUT WAIVERS: Submission fees are a small yet important revenue stream for non-profit Festivals. We try to make our fees accessible and affordable for all filmmakers. If you are alumni of the Festival, we are happy to offer you a deadline waiver. When requesting, please indicate the title and year of your last selected film.
V. SELECTION and NOTIFICATION:
(1) Film entries will be viewed by the SJIWFF31 Programming Committee and submission contacts will be notified of the decision regarding their film late August 2021.
(2) SJIWFF will contact Applicants using the contact information provided in the FilmFreeway registration form.
(3) All selection decisions are at the sole and absolute discretion of SJIWFF and are final and not reviewable.
(4) Once programmed, no film can be withdrawn.
(5) Each official selection will be required to complete a Technical Information and Film Marketing Materials forms by the requested date.
(6) Exhibition copies of selected films will be required by the SJIWFF by Monday, September 6, 2021.
(7) We can screen the following exhibition formats, please read to ensure compatibility before submitting: https://www.womensfilmfestival.com/submissions
(8) Please note that only our Opening and Closing Night films can be screened in DCP format, due to venue restrictions.
(9) All shipping and related costs for exhibition films/videos sent to the Festival must be borne by the owner.
(10) Exhibition copies of selected films/videos will be returned after the Festival by regular mail (unless specified otherwise and paid by the entrant).
(11) The date(s), time(s) and location(s) of exhibitions of our programmed films shall be at the discretion of the Festival.
(12) Upon selection, the entrant grants the St. John's International Women's Film Festival the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional and screening purposes in all mediums, including broadcast, print and internet.
(12) The Festival Committee has the power to decide on any matters not specifically dealt with in these regulations. Notice of participation implies acceptance of these regulations. In any dispute, the decision of the Festival Committee will be final.
VI. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LEGAL CLAIMS AND INDEMNITIES
By submitting the film to SJIWFF, the Applicant and Film Owners hereby warrant and represent that:
(1) The film is wholly original and is not copied from and does not include any other work that is the subject of copyright or other protection unless such work is in the public domain or the Submitting Parties have obtained any and all consents, releases, licenses, and other authorizations or waivers of any kind necessary for the inclusion or reproduction of any person, character, location, thing, trade-mark, sound recording, musical composition or other work in the film;
(2) The Submitting Parties have the full right, power and authority to submit the film to SJIWFF for Festival consideration, and to grant all of the rights granted hereunder and in the FilmFreeway registration form.
(3) The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby understands and accepts all SJIWFF requirements and regulations.
(4) By submitting to the festival, the undersigned agrees to accept a screening fee in CND$ as determined by and equivalent to the 2021 CARFAC schedule.
(5) The Submitting Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, its licensees, successors and assigns, and its and their members, officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, associates and affiliates (each, a “Releasee”), from any and all claims, suits, actions or other proceeding brought against a Releasee and from any losses, costs, or damages (including but not limited to Releasee’s full attorney’s fees, and costs of court) directly or indirectly based on, in connection with, or arising from the use and exhibition of the Film submitted by the Applicant or the breach or alleged breach of any representation, warranty or other agreement made by the Applicant in these Terms, or in the Applicant’s FilmFreeway registration form.