We will showcase those screenplays that represent cultural diversity, the underrepresented and include minority groups in our communities.
We are looking for unconventional short films that highlight cultural diversity. These films should be made by people from Australia or other Western countries with multicultural backgrounds (like migrants, refugees, or asylum seekers and their families), or by filmmakers of any background who create films that support multiculturalism and encourage social harmony.
Awards & Prizes
TBA
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can submit a film?
anyone.
Do I have to be a professional filmmaker?
No. You do not need to be qualified or experienced in making films. Anyone with a recording device is encouraged to submit an entry, as long as they and their film meets the requirements.
Is there an entry fee?
No.
How long should the films be?
Films must be between five and 10 minutes in length.
Do films have to be in English?
No. Films can be in any language or have no speaking at all. Foreign-language audio (or important on-screen text) must have English subtitles.
Do films need to address a subject matter?
Yes. Films should address racism, social cohesion, multiculturalism and/or cultural diversity, and/or feature people with relevant lived-experiences. We understand cultural diversity to refer to differences among groups of people due to racial or ethnic backgrounds, faiths, languages and / or traditions. Films that showcase the commonalities between people of different cultures are encouraged.
Do I need to provide anything else with the film?
Yes. Entrants must provide a biography of up to 150 words to describe themselves, including their background.
How many films can I submit?
You can submit a maximum of two films, as long as they are significantly different from each other.
What format do films need to be in?
• Standard: Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1080 p (1920 x 1080)
• Format: 1998 x 1080 format conforms with DCP if your film selected for screening
• Aspect: 16:9
• Audio: Stereo, sample rate 48khz (128 kbps)
• Codec: MPEG 4 (.mp4) 4.5 Mbps
• Frame rate: 24fps
• H.264 compression
• For films shot in SCOPE format the format needs to be 2048 X 858
Rules & Terms
If you have technical questions or difficulties submitting your film, please contact info@afdif.org.au By submitting a film to the AFDIF, you accept these Terms.
Closing date
1. Films must be submitted by deadline . Late submissions will not be accepted.
Age and parental consent
2. Films from children under the age of 18 must be submitted by a parent, guardian or their school.
Eligibility
3. Entry is open to people living in Australia and other western countries.
4. Filmmakers may not enter using false information.
5. The AFDIF may, at its sole discretion, disqualify a film from the AFDIF if:
a. for any reason, the film does not comply with these Terms;
b. the AFDIF has reason to believe that the filmmaker has breached any of the Terms or been engaged in any unlawful or other improper misconduct calculated to jeopardise the fair and proper conduct of the AFDIF; or
c. the AFDIF considers a film to be inappropriate, defamatory, discriminatory, offensive, or otherwise not in compliance with these Terms.
6. Films must be in the format and length outlined in the above FAQs.
7. Filmmakers may submit a maximum of two films, as long as they are significantly different from each other.
Biography
8. Entrants acknowledge that their biography will be used to support their entry and may be read out at the AFDIF and used in public promotional activity.
Consent
9. By submitting a film to the AFDIF, the entrant acknowledges that all subjects appearing in the film have consented to their appearance in the film . This may include use across AFDIF but not limited to, events, websites, YouTube, social media.
10. The AFDIF is not responsible for obtaining consent from subjects in any film and will not accept responsibility for consequences arising from any failure on the part of the entrant to obtain such consent.
Restrictions
11. Films must be nonpartisan, non-political and free from obscene or defamatory content, speech or imagery, and must be suitable for an audience aged less than 18 years.
12. Films are recommended to comply with a PG or G classification.
Originality and copyright
13. Films must be the original work of the filmmaker; however, this does not exclude people who receive mentorship or training through a film training program or university course.
14. It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to ensure that they have permission to reproduce any third-party materials contained in their film.
15. Filmmakers must not breach the copyright of any other filmmaker or organisation in the production of their film and must accept all responsibility for the content of their film.
16. AFDIF any other organisations are not responsible for any infringement or breaching of copyright licensing of third parties by the filmmaker in the production of their film.
Entries in other competitions
17. AFDIF welcomes films that have been entered in other competitions, as long as no logos or other branding marks are included in the film, and no copyright or licencing agreements are breached.
Judging of films
18. The judging panel will consist of representatives of AFDIF. The panel will judge films based on:
a) Narrative: Expressive and creative thinking
b) Impact: Technical elements
c) Originality: Creative vision
d) Evidence of addressing racism, social cohesion, multiculturalism and/or cultural diversity
19. The number of Official Selection films and awards presented is at the sole discretion of the AFDIF.
20. The decision of the Judges and the awarding of prizes is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Notification and Announcement of Winners
21. Filmmakers of the Official Selection will be notified of the Premiere Screening of the AFDIF.
22. AFDIF Official Selection filmmakers, Award-winners and those receiving an Honourable Mention will be announced at the Premiere Screening of the AFDIF.
Use of films (licence and intellectual property)
AFDIF have as wide a reach as possible, and to give the film and the talents of its cast and crew the screen time that they deserve.
23. The entrant owns the intellectual property in their film.
24. The entrant (or parent/guardian) grants to the AFDIF, 1 year non-exclusive licence to, for all films entered in the competition but primarily those in the Official Selection:
a) screen and use films across its channels, including but not limited to, events and other promotional platforms;
b) utilise a portion of the film for promotional purposes;
c) screen films at AFDIF events.
d) display films on AFDIF In website
e) share films with non-profit organisations for the purpose of those organisations screening the film:
a. at in-person, virtual, online, streamed or hybrid events for their staff and/or the public
b. online and/or via a televised broadcast.
25. A non-exclusive licence means that an entrant can screen their film themselves and give other people permission to screen their film.
26. Entrants will always be attributed as the author of their Entry when their film is used or screened.
27. Wherever possible, the AFDIF, will provide notice to the entrant regarding the use of their films.
28. Entrants may, temporarily or permanently, revoke the licences granted under these conditions at any time by emailing info@afdif.org.au
29. Neither entrants, their parent(s)/guardian(s), teachers and schools, nor any other person, will be reimbursed or compensated for any use of the Film, now or in the future.
Publicity
30. As a condition of entry, filmmakers consent to:
a) having their name announced publicly during the AFDIF, which may include media, social media and websites;
31. If the filmmaker promotes their film being in the AFDIF themselves, they should acknowledge the AFDIF.
Cancellation
32. The AFDIF and the State reserve the right to cancel or change the AFDIF at any time without conferring with filmmakers.
Liability
35. AFDIF is not liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered by any filmmaker, including, but not limited to, indirect or consequential loss, or for personal injury suffered or sustained during the course of preparing the film, entering AFDIF, or acceptance of a prize or award, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
36. AFDIF is not responsible for covering any costs associated with the entrant entering the AFDIF, receiving a prize or travelling to the AFDIF screening.
Privacy and Collection Notice
37. AFDIF collect the information that filmmakers and/or their parents or guardians or schools provide in their AFDIF submission. This may include information about the filmmaker's cultural (racial or ethnic) background (which may be defined as ‘sensitive information’ under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014).
38. The information is used to assess films, contact filmmakers, administer any licences granted under these conditions and promote the AFDIF. Submitting an entry serves as your consent to this. You can request access to, corrections of and withdrawal of any information provided in your submission by emailing info@afdif.org.au
39. The information that you provide in your entry will be held by AFDIF and managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973. For more information on the AFDIF’s handling of personal information, please refer to our privacy page.
40. AFDIF may disclose this information to third parties relevant to the conduct of the AFDIF, including but not limited to, judges, sponsors, and prize and certificate suppliers.
Photographing, Filming and Recording of filmmakers at AFDIF events – Privacy and Collection Notice
41. This notice applies to photographs, videos or recordings of filmmakers (including those under the age of 18) that are collected, used or disclosed by the AFDIF as part of MFF in-person and online events.
Privacy
42. Photographs, video and recordings of a person that may be capable of identifying the person may constitute a collection of ‘personal information’ under privacy law. This means that any images of you and/or your child taken during the AFDIF may constitute a collection of your and/or your child’s personal information.
This personal information will be held by the AFDIF and managed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Public Records Act 1973. For more information check our website.
Ownership and Reproduction
43. Copyright in the images will be wholly owned by the AFDIF. This means that the AFDIF may use the images in the ways described in this notice without notifying, acknowledging or compensating you or your child.
Unless you tell us otherwise via the email below, photographs, videos or recordings of you and/or your child may be used by the AFDIF in formats that are accessible to the public, including social media channels (Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn), websites and any other publications promoting the AFDIF. Children under the age of 18 will be identified by first name only (or not named at all).
44. AFDIF understand that individuals, parents and guardians have the right to withdraw permission for us to use photographs, video or recordings of themselves and/or their child.
45. If you have read this notice and are comfortable with the AFDIF using photos, video or recordings as described above, you do not need to take any further action.
46. If you do not want images of you and/or your child to be collected or used by the AFDIF, please email the AFDIF at info@afdif.org.au
47. If you do not understand these Terms, or would like to talk about any concerns, please email the AFDIF at info@afdif.org.au