OPEN ROAD FILM FESTIVAL

Submission criteria:
In English or in the original language with English subtitles.

More than one entry may be submitted; however an official entry and entry fee must accompany each submission.

Your film does not need to be a premiere and it can exist online to be considered for the festival. But if the film does exist online, just as a screening courtesy, if it is chosen, try your best to make it not view-able during the screening weekend. If you submitted your film last year, only resubmit if there have been substantive changes to the film.

Our preference for online screeners is password-protected Vimeo links or films uploaded directly to FilmFreeway. Online screeners must be available to stream; we do not accept any movies that must be downloaded.

The submitter is responsible for ensuring that their screener link and password are active. In the event of a password or screener URL change after submitting, email us immediately. If we discover an error with the screener, we will email the submission contact for an update. Failure to respond by the final submission deadline will result in disqualification without refund of submission fees.

If your film is not in English, please provide a subtitle track that is playable with the film.

Please make sure you hold all copyrights to your film and its elements.
Originality and Permissions
Films must be the original work of the applicant(s). If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or another 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 are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.
Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in the film, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. YouFilmFest expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

All films will be judged blind and solely on their own merits.

***COVID STATEMENT***
We are producing a full on, live film festival and awards ceremony. HOWEVER, we are susceptible to country, state and local laws, which enforce specific, gathering guidelines. To that end, circumstances beyond our control include venue policy and protocol, and insurance limitations.

For the year 2023 and for the foreseeable future, we will be producing both a virtual and live event. Please understand, before submitting, that with little to no notification, we may have to change presentation formats.