1. Submission Criteria
1.1. Submissions may be of any genre and length, exclusively made by or about people of African descent.
1.2. Films completed within the last two years are preferred.
1.3. Non-English language film submissions must have English subtitles.
1.4. Acceptable submission formats for festival projection include DCPs, Blu-ray disc copies, or high-definition film files, depending on program needs.
1.5. The festival will not present films that are already available for streaming online or viewable on public television.
2. Submission Process
2.1. All films and entry forms must be submitted exclusively through the FilmFreeway website by an authorized representative for the film.
2.2. Submission Deadlines:
Early Bird Deadline: 29 February 2024
Regular Deadline: 20 March 2024
Notification Date: 31 March 2024
3. Submission Procedure
3.1. To be considered for the festival, applicants must:
Complete the registration process on FilmFreeway.
Submissions to this festival are free.
Provide an online screener via FilmFreeway for review by the festival's programming staff.
3.2. AFFNZ will not accept submissions in formats other than online screeners via FilmFreeway.
3.3. Online screeners must be active on FilmFreeway until May 1, 2024, and should contain English subtitles if the original language is not English.
3.4. AFFNZ reserves the right to contact the applicant for a replacement online screener if the submitted screener is inaccessible.
3.5. Only one version of the film may be submitted; multiple versions will not be reviewed.
4. Intellectual Property, Legal Claims, and Indemnities
4.1. By submitting the film, the Submitting Parties warrant that the film is original and does not infringe on any copyrights or rights of any person.
4.2. The Submitting Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless AFFNZ from any claims, losses, costs, or damages arising from the use and exhibition of the submitted film.
4.3. AFFNZ takes anti-piracy and security precautions, and the Submitting Parties release AFFNZ from liability related to theft, unauthorized access, or copyright breaches while in AFFNZ's possession.
4.4. AFFNZ reserves the right to rule on unforeseen cases or situations at its sole discretion.
5. Categories
5.1. Features: African fictional films 60 minutes and over. Non-African submissions will not be considered.
5.2. Documentaries: African non-fiction films 60 minutes and over. Non-African submissions will not be considered.
5.3. Short Film: Fiction or documentary films under 60 minutes.
6. Eligibility
6.1. Feature films, documentaries, short films, and student films completed after January 2023 are eligible.
6.2. Selected films must provide a DCP for exhibition.
6.3. Films with non-English languages must have English subtitles.
6.4. Selected films cannot be withdrawn from the festival during the event.
6.5. Films for the festival must be submitted by a representative with the authority to do so.
