Please take some time to fully review these (6) Sections of Rules and Terms:
- Entry Requirements
- 2026 BFFF Environmental Prompt and Filmmaker’s Statement
- Submission Guidelines
- Judging Criteria
- Legal Considerations
- Additional Information
(1) Entry Requirements:
* BFFF seeks filmmakers (and fans of our shared planet) of all ages and backgrounds. Current High School Students (Grades 8-12) are encouraged to submit to the Student Category and are eligible for the Student Award. Current College Students are eligible for all Awards.
* Participation is open to filmmakers in the following states (located East of the Mississippi River): Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.
The City of Beaver Falls is located along the Beaver River approximately 30 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. At one time, the world’s largest steel production operations were operating in Beaver Falls alongside the Beaver River. We decided to focus our Festival on filmmakers located East of the great Mississippi in homage to the massive environmental impact of our river systems.
(2) BFFF Environmental Prompt and Filmmaker’s Statement
Thank you for taking a beat or two or three and REALLY reviewing the Prompt as your adherence is required for consideration at the Festival.
2026 PROMPT: “We are accepting films that document the complex stories of our natural world, acknowledge challenges, and highlight creative efforts to transform our shared physical and social environment.”
* A filmmaker’s statement must accompany each submission to describe how the film correlates with the Prompt.
(3) Submission Guidelines
* The submission period opened March 14, 2025 and closes on November 30, 2025.
* Submissions are accepted in five categories: Animation, Documentary, Experimental, Music Video, and Student.
* Submission length is limited to 20 minutes inclusive of any credits.
* Submissions must be original work and BFFF only allows one entry per filmmaker.
* If there is non-English dialogue, please provide English subtitles. (See FilmFreeway Help Center for subtitle guidance.)
* All music, sounds, images, footage, and other copyrighted material used in your submission must be properly licensed. You must have permission and/or the proper rights to all content submitted. BFFF reserves the right to request proof of these permissions in a form acceptable to BFFF at any time.
* The use of generative AI must be disclosed.
* Filmmakers are required to submit via FilmFreeway. We will not accept edited versions of the films after the submission dates close.
*Please review and adhere to the FilmFreeway format details.
(4) Judging Criteria
* Festival entries will be chosen by the BFFF selection committee, with Festival prize winners determined by an independent panel of judges.
*Entries will be judged based on adherence to the Prompt, Creativity, and Originality.
* BFFF may announce additional awards and categories as the April 2026 Festival approaches.
* Festival finalists will be notified by February 20, 2026.
(5) Legal Considerations
* By entering a film for consideration to BFFF, the submitter acknowledges that they control or have secured all applicable rights to the visual elements, sound (including music), trademarks, copyrights, and any intellectual property rights.
* BFFF may disqualify submissions that do not adhere to the Prompt, fail to comply with the Festival rules, neglect to disclose the use of generative AI, or feature elements that do not have the required permissions. BFFF has the right to disqualify any film that it determines to contain prohibited or unlicensed content, is offensive, or otherwise not acceptable.
*By submitting, filmmakers authorize BFFF to screen your film if selected for the Festival and understand that BFFF is not responsible for obtaining any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property clearances that may be required for the screening of your film.
* By submitting, filmmakers grant BFFF the right to utilize any and all parts of the film for promotional purposes online, in print, and any other medium for promotional purposes and for archival material, at no additional cost prior to and throughout the Festival.
*By submitting, filmmakers indemnify and hold harmless BFFF and any of its sponsors, owners, and employees of said entities from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to legal/court fees) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, and screening.
(6) Additional Information
* For any questions or further information, please contact us at Babybellobf@gmail.com
