FINAL 2026 RULES AND TERMS
The following is an explanation of the Rules and Terms governing film submissions to the 2026 Amarillo International Film Festival (AiFF). Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is necessary in order to participate in the Festival. Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of the Rules & Terms, therefore, please carefully read through the Rules prior to submitting your film. If you have any questions, please contact AiFF: www.amarillofilmfestival.com
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
1. The AiFF accepts submissions for films in the following categories:
Features Films: Narrative, Documentary
Shorts Films (under 40 minutes): Narrative, Documentary, Student (Animated shorts may be submitted to the appropriate short film category.)
2. By submitting a film, you grant the AiFF permission to screen your film, if said film is accepted into the 2026 Festival.
3. The filmmaker retains all submission and intellectual property rights.
4. Films must be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway by July 5, 2026.
5. Please keep screener links and passwords up-to-date and notify the AiFF office promptly of any changes. Please test your media prior to submission to make sure they run properly and are not damaged.
6. AiFF screens films as digital files during the Festival and does NOT screen on Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP. If you are unable or unwilling to provide your submission as a digital file for exhibition, DO NOT SUBMIT.
7. The Filmmaker/s is/are responsible for making sure all submission materials are submitted by the submission deadline indicated. If your film is not uploaded by the deadline for which you have registered, you may be required to pay the higher submission fee or be withdrawn.
8. You may submit as many entries as you like. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Submission fees are in are U.S. Dollars per submission and are non-refundable.
9. Submissions must be in English or have English subtitles permanently embedded at the time submitted.
10. By submitting a film, you acknowledge that generally AiFF DOES NOT PAY SCREENING FEES for accepted films.
11. Notification of selections will be made by September 8, 2026. Only then will the film be considered for awards. Please understand that acceptance in the Festival will in no way guarantee that you, your actors, or crew will be offered paid transportation or lodging for the event.
12. AiFF may choose to screen a submitted film out-of-competition during the Festival if a category is filled or does not have at least three entries, or if it is ineligible for competition.
13. AiFF reserves the right to use images from films selected in the Festival for marketing purposes.
14. All decisions regarding award winners are considered final and incontestable.
15. All submissions must have been completed between August 2024 and July 2026 and must be available for screening during the AiFF, October 8 – October 10, 2026.
16. To be eligible for competition, your film must not have been shown commercially either theatrically or publicly available online. It may reside on a personal online channel/site as long as there is not specific advertising/ marketing directing the public to the film. Previous festival submissions are eligible for competition. Online, private screenings through another festival's online program do not count as publicly available online. Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) or local community premiers do not affect a submission’s eligibility. Any film submitted may be selected to screen out of competition. Please contact AiFF office with any questions.
17. A student submitting a film must provide a photocopy of a current and valid student ID or a letter from his/her school verifying enrollment upon request.
18. AiFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
19. Films that are selected to screen at the Festival may not necessarily be selected to be “in competition” for awards purposes. Notifications regarding potential selection for competition status possibly may occur subsequent to notifications of acceptance for exhibition.
20. Applicants acknowledge that AiFF reserves the right to change the nature of screenings and events due to circumstances related to public health and welfare or at the direction of local, state, or federal authorities. In such cases, no submission refunds shall be issued.
ORIGINALITY AND PERMISSIONS; INDEMNITY
1. Submissions must be the original work of the applicants. If a film or series is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.
2. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. AiFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
3. All use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be declared in opening or closing credits. Documentary filmmakers should be especially careful when using AI. Please refer to the Archival Producers Alliance for guidelines: https://www.archivalproducersalliance.com/apa-genai-initiative
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. AiFF reserves the right to switch the entry category or otherwise assign a category to fit programming needs and interests, and films will not be penalized for the original submission selection.
2. You MUST include your physical address AND phone number in your entry form. Please do not submit a film without giving us your address, which we need for our records.
3. Please include in your submission package if your film or series was shot in the Greater Amarillo area (Texas Panhandle). We don’t want to miss your film.
4. During the festival talkbacks and/or panel discussions will occur and filmmakers in attendance may be invited to participate.
SELECTED ENTRIES AND WINNERS
1. AiFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.
2. AiFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by AiFF or by its volunteers.
3. Winners will be announced on October 10, 2026. The judges’ decision is final. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
4. Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, federal, and international taxes.
