GIFF.Docu is a standalone contest of the GIFF festival. It accepts entries from documentary filmmakers from all over the world. The main task of the festival is to tell stories about people from different parts of the world and combine them into a common picture of the world.

Our goal is to create a community of documentary filmmakers from different countries, to collaborate and share experiences.
To promote talented authors, we connect them with film screening platforms, streaming services and TV channels. We invite the best participants to the festival jury to create a logical continuity between seasons of the festival, as well as to develop and promote the festival on the world stage.

GIFF.Docu is more than just a competition. It is also a platform for learning, networking and inspiration. We organize workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions and Q&A sessions with renowned documentary filmmakers and experts. We also showcase some of the most acclaimed and innovative documentaries from around the world at our screenings and online events.

We believe that documentary films have the power to inform, educate and entertain audiences, as well as to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness and spark social change. We are looking for films that explore diverse topics, perspectives and styles, that reflect the complexity and richness of human experience. We welcome films that are creative, original and courageous in their approach and expression.

If you are a documentary filmmaker who wants to share your vision with the world, join us at GIFF.Docu. You will have the opportunity to present your work to an international audience of film lovers, industry professionals and media representatives. You will also have the chance to win awards and prizes, as well as to receive valuable feedback and recognition for your work.

GIFF.Docu is also a global showcase of the best documentary films of the year. We select the most outstanding films from our submissions and screen them multiple times in different locations (countries) around the world. Our screenings are attended by film enthusiasts, critics, journalists and industry professionals who appreciate the quality and diversity of our program.

To push this envelope further, GIFF actively promotes the films of its victorious talents in a variety of countries, ranging from the Americas' majesty to Russia's rugged charm, China's immerse tradition, Reunion's tropical allure, Chile's scenic splendors, Brazil's vibrant soul, Greece's ancient elegance, India's cultural wonders, and Turkey's historical marvels.🌍🎬

Awards & Prizes

Each winner (1 top film) from the GIFF.Shorts, GIFF.Debuts, GIFF.Docu, and National Competitions will receive a statuette and an opportunity for the global promotion and distribution of their film through the festival agency. This opportunity spans continents, reaching Northern and Southern America - namely Brazil, Chile, the United States; Eurasian countries including Russia, Turkey, and Greece; Asian regions of China and India; and the island of Reunion. Meanwhile, other winners will earn laurels, the chance to feature their films at GIFF's international screenings, and receive diplomas or other prizes dependent on their respective nominations.

▸ The main task of the festival is to tell stories about people from different parts of the world and combine them into a common picture of the world.

▸ Categories, documentary films:
🏆 A Hero of Our Time:
"portrait films" based on the biographies of people who have made a significant contribution to the development of culture, or stories about people who shape modern society.
🏆 Man with a Movie Camera:
experimental documentary films focused on the evolution of modern cinematic language.
🏆 Mirror:
author's documentary works with elements of self-portrait, created for blogs and social media.
🏆 One day in the life:
documentaries limited to the events of one or two days.
🏆 Own among strangers:
stories about travelers and people exploring the world.

▸ SEPARATE CONTESTS
🥇 GIFF.SHORTS: films and scripts from active directors
If you have a lot of experience in filmmaking, please submit your work here: https://filmfreeway.com/GenesisFestival

🎓 GIFF.DEBUTS: Debuts and students
If you are a student or a debutant in filmmaking, please enter your work here: https://filmfreeway.com/GenesisFestivalDebuts

Rules & Terms

Genesis International Film Festival Regulations

ARTICLE 1: General Provisions

The Genesis International Film Festival, hereby referred to as "GIFF" or the "Festival," is an open international event dedicated to short and documentary films. The Festival aims to foster an international film community, support short and documentary filmmakers, and facilitate the distribution of such films globally.

The Festival features a workshop for emerging directors to enhance their skills while engaging with established film professionals. Additional events include meetings with directors and industry expert masterclasses.

A distinctive aspect of the Festival is its technological approach, which includes the use of a chat-bot for audience voting and artificial intelligence to generate subtitles and music arrangements for events.

ARTICLE 2: Festival Objectives

The objectives of the Festival are to promote national and international short films; provide a platform for these films globally; recognize and showcase the uniqueness and quality of various film genres and styles; support creative talent; unite film enthusiasts and filmmakers worldwide; assist in the distribution of outstanding films; and discover new industry talents.

The Festival is committed to distinguishing itself through technology and active engagement with participants.

ARTICLE 3: Festival Program

The Festival program consists of:

Competitive Programs:
- GIFF.Shorts for short films with a minimum of 12 entries, each no longer than 30 minutes.
- GIFF.Docu for documentary films with a minimum of 12 entries, each no longer than 60 minutes.
- GIFF.Debuts for short debut films with a minimum of 12 entries, each no longer than 30 minutes.
- National Shorts Competition featuring a minimum of 12 short films, each no longer than 30 minutes, by national directors and/or producers.

Non-competitive Programs:
- Special non-competitive screenings within the nation.
These programs are curated by the Festival Directorate.

Films must be completed after January 1, 2020, with the production date determined by the copyright inscribed on the film or video copy.

Subtitles (in accordance with Article 6 of these Regulations) are mandatory for all film presentations.

The Festival's screening schedule is determined by the Festival Directorate. Each film may be screened a maximum of five times during the Festival.

ARTICLE 4: Premiere Status

Premiere status is not a mandatory selection criterion. Screenings at GIFF do not affect eligibility for other international film festivals and comply with their participation rules.

ARTICLE 5: Film Submission and Selection

Film submissions for the Festival are made electronically through the online platform FilmFreeway. There is no charge for submitting to National Competitions. Entries for International Competitions are subject to fees according to the current tariffs outlined on the platform.

Applicants, upon submitting their application, affirm that they possess all the rights and authority necessary for the film to participate in the Festival. By submitting an entry for selection at the Festival, the participant grants permission for the film to be included in the Festival program and any special or non-competitive screenings without fiscal compensation. The Festival does not provide licensing fees for the exhibition of films chosen for competition.

It's important to note that entries or screening versions of a film received after the submission deadline will not be considered for review.

The Festival does not accept films that are of purely political or religious nature without artistic value, or films that promote drugs, violence, hate speech, or otherwise contravene the prevailing laws of the territory.

The Festival Directorate administers the review of submissions and may seek additional information regarding the application via email. Should the Festival Directorate discover any provision of misleading information within the submission, it reserves the right to reject the application.

Selection for film screenings is also made by the Festival Directorate, whose decision is based on viewing, discussion, and approval processes. Information regarding the selection of a film for screening will be communicated through email and made available on the online platform.

The Festival Directorate reserves the right to make determinations on any cases not provided for within these Regulations, with its decision deemed as definitive and conclusive.

ARTICLE 6: Preliminary Selection Materials

Applications must include:
- Screening version;
- Final exhibition version;
- Subtitles as a separate SRT file with timecodes in English and/or the national language for translation purposes;
- Promotional materials including posters, synopses, credits, film stills, and director photos.

Preview versions are optional and may differ from the final versions through watermarks or other forms of protection.

ARTICLE 7: Technical Requirements for Exhibition Copies

Films are screened in MP4/MOV/DCP format (resolution of at least 1920x1080) in the original language with subtitles. The copy must have separate, removable .SRT subtitles.

Technical requirements and delivery instructions are sent after program formation.

ARTICLE 8: Promotion

Participants agree to provide film elements (including, but not limited to, stills, on-set photos, related texts, trailers, and excerpts) for use by journalists and in various media outlets.

Elements may also be used by the Festival Directorate in official publications and online content.

ARTICLE 9: Festival Logo

Confirmed participants receive the official Festival laurel for promotional materials.

ARTICLE 10: Guests and Participants

The Festival Directorate handles invitations, terms of stay, and accreditation. The Directorate may invite guests unrelated to the competitive and non-competitive programs. Specific arrangements are detailed in personal invitations.

The festival's operation is covered by media partners. Media accreditation is also granted at the Directorate's discretion.

ARTICLE 11: Jury

An international jury, including at least two national and two international film professionals, evaluates competition films.

Jurors must be competent in the field of film and unrelated to the creation or commercial distribution of competing films. They must refrain from public commentary on the films until the Festival's conclusion.

The jury is appointed by the Festival Directorate.

ARTICLE 12: Prizes

The Festival and Jury award the "GIFF" statuettes for the following categories:
- Grand Prize for Best Film of the Festival (optional, granted by the Directorate);
- Best Short Film;
- Best Documentary Film;
- Best Debut Film;
- Best National Film;
- Audience Award (optional, determined interactively);
- Special Jury Prize (optional, based on the Jury's decision).

ARTICLE 13: Final Provisions

Compliance with all terms and deadlines is mandatory; otherwise, a film may be excluded from the program.

Participation implies adherence to all Regulations. In disputes, the national version of the Regulations prevails. The Festival Directorate decides on matters not covered by the Regulations.

For further information:
https://genesisfilmfestival.com
E-mail: giff@genesisfilmfestival.com