British International Amateur Film Festival

This competition is for films made by individuals or groups for no commercial gain

Please note the following competition rules.

1. Financing, however sourced, must only be used to cover the direct costs of producing the film, including (but not limited to) transportation, equipment hire, copyright fees, catering, and actual expenses incurred by actors and crew. Paid assistance from professionals, including for production, talent or postproduction is not permitted. If it is discovered, either before or after making any award, that a film has infringed these requirements, the organisers reserve the right to disqualify it, revoke any awards and reclaim any prizes.

2. Films may be on any subject, and of any length. A selection of the entries will be shown at the British International Amateur Film Festival, 22nd – 24th April 2022. However, it may not be possible to include winning films in the Award Show if they are over 30 minutes long. Extracts may be shown. Please refer to the festival website www.biaff.org.uk nearer the event.

3. Films will be graded on a “Star” system (1 to 5) plus Diamond Awards for the best 8 entries. Except for the IAC Diamond Awards, there is no limit to the number of awards in each category.

4. The film judged to be the best production in the competition will be announced at the festival and awarded an IAC trophy, together with a cash prize of £500.

5. The “Best British” entry will receive a cash prize of £250.

6. Other awards include those considered to be the best: Documentary; Story; Animation; Editing; Sound; Acting; Humour; Photography; “1-Minute” Film; entry from an IAC affiliated club.

7. In addition, there will be awards for the best films in the Under 16 and 16-21 age groups. The overall best British young filmmaker will receive a prize of £250.

8. One-off Judges’ Special Awards may be given at the discretion of the final round judges.

9. Makers of 5-Star films and all other award winners will receive a distinctive BIAFF laurel which may be appended to the film after the festival.

10. All films accepted into the competition will receive written comments from the judging panel. The judges will be allowed to view the film again after the main judging event to assist in preparing the appraisal. The award will be based solely on the decision reached following the judging panel’s first viewing of the film.

11. “One Minute” entries must not exceed a screen time of 60 seconds, including titles and credits.

12. Entries may be submitted on-line via www.wetransfer.com or similar. Online transfers should be directed to biaffcompetition@gmail.com. Alternatively, entries may be on DVD, Blu-Ray disc or memory stick/card in most formats – mp4
preferred.

13. There is no limit to the number of entries from an individual maker. Forms are available at www.biaff.org.uk. If return of discs and memory sticks is required after the festival, prepaid stamped addressed packaging must be supplied.

14. Copyright clearance of all material, both sound and picture, is the sole responsibility of the entrant.

15. The IAC and BIAFF logos may not be used in connection with any film without express permission from the organisers. The IAC reserves the right: (a) to present any entry or part of any entry at the International Festival; (b) without prejudice to the maker’s copyright, to make copies for the IAC Film Library or for the purpose of training judges; (c) to release all or part of any entry for publicity purposes; (d) to exclude any entry.

16. To qualify for reduced entry fees, young filmmakers must be in either the Under 16 or 16-21 age groups at the closing date of 31 January 2022.

17. Young filmmakers have a choice of two options (but not both) according to their aspirations and experience. Either:

i) Compete in the main competition and be judged against all other competitors on an equal basis. This is for filmmakers wishing to establish a “track record”, with the possibility of achieving the highest awards of the festival,

or

ii) Enter a special competition designed specifically to coach and encourage younger filmmakers. No specific “Star” grading will be awarded, but an educational critique will be provided for each entry and a trophy awarded for the best film in each age group.

18. The overall awards for Best Under 16, Best 16-21 and Best British Young Filmmaker will be selected from the winners of both competitions.

19. Films entered in this competition in a previous year may not be entered again unless substantially revised. (If in doubt, please ask.)

20. Entry to the competition is free for IAC members and affiliated clubs if received before 20th December 2021.

21. The judges’ decisions are final.