INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
The International Competition is a selection of works amongst the best films around the world, carefully curated by the programmers to showcase arthouse films that tell compelling stories.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for consideration to the International Competition:
1. You must fully comply with the present Rules & Regulations
2. All films must retain a Belgian premiere status prior to June 27, 2023, excluding “work-in-progress” screenings at which an incomplete version of the film was previously screened. This means that the film shall not be available in Belgium in any way and on any media prior to and throughout the festival (festival and theatrical screenings, TV broadcast available to the Belgian audience, home video commercial distribution, any digital broadcast…)
3. Fiction films, documentaries and animations are eligible for this section
4. All films must be submitted via a password-protected link and must be subtitled in English or French if the language spoken is other than English or French
5. All films must be at least 60 minutes in length
6. All films have to be produced (or the 1st public exhibition) after December 31, 2021
7. All films must be submitted before April 30, 2023
8. Print and subtitles :
a. For films spoken in another language than English: all films must be available in DCP 2K format including English subtitles, as well as Dutch and French subtitles if available. For the purpose of translation and the creation of Dutch and French subtitles if not available, all available materials such as .srt subtitle file, a list of the film’s dialogs in their original language and a translated version in English are required.
b. For English-spoken films: all films must be available in DCP 2K format including Dutch or French subtitles. For the purpose of translation and the creation of other subtitles, all available materials such as .srt subtitle file and a list of the film’s dialogs in their original language are required.
DIRECTORS’ WEEK (EUROPEAN COMPETITION)
The Directors’ Week will focus on emerging directors with a bold and distinctive style and point of view, to celebrate the creativity and the future of European cinema.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for consideration to the Directors’ Week Competition:
1. You must fully comply with the present Rules & Regulations
2. Only films produced in Europe, including Russia and Turkey can apply to the Directors’ Week.
3. All films must retain a Belgian premiere status prior to June 27, 2023, excluding “work-in-progress” screenings at which an incomplete version of the film was previously screened. This means that the film shall not be available in Belgium in any way and on any media prior to and throughout the festival (festival and theatrical screenings, TV broadcast available to the Belgian audience, home video commercial distribution, any digital broadcast…)
4. Fiction films, documentaries and animations are eligible for this section.
5. All films must be submitted via a password-protected link and must be subtitled in English or French if the language spoken is other than English or French.
6. All films must be at least 60 minutes in length.
7. All films have to be produced (or the 1st public exhibition) after December 31, 2021
8. All films must be submitted before April 30, 2023
9. Print and subtitles:
a. For films spoken in another language than English: all films must be available in DCP 2K format including English subtitles, as well as Dutch and French subtitles if available. For the purpose of translation and the creation of Dutch and French subtitles if not available, all available materials such as .srt subtitle file, a list of the film’s dialogs in their original language and a translated version in English are required.
b. For English-spoken films: all films must be available in DCP 2K format including Dutch or French subtitles. For the purpose of translation and the creation of other subtitles, all available materials such as .srt subtitle file and a list of the film’s dialogs in their original language are required.
NATIONAL COMPETITION
The National Competition presents a selection of the best Belgian film production of the year. It aims to highlight the quality and diversity of Belgian talents.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for consideration to the National Competition:
1. You must fully comply with the present Rules & Regulations
2. Only films matching one of the criteria listed below can apply to the National Competition :
- Films must be produced in Belgium
OR
- The director’s nationality or country of residence must be Belgium
OR
- The society of production of the film has to be located in Belgium
3. All films must retain a Belgian premiere status prior to June 27, 2023, excluding “work-in-progress” screenings at which an incomplete version of the film was previously screened. This means that the film shall not be available in Belgium in any way and on any media prior to and throughout the festival (festival and theatrical screenings, TV broadcast available to the Belgian audience, home video commercial distribution, any digital broadcast…)
4. Fiction films, documentaries and animations are eligible for this section
5. All films must be submitted via a password-protected link and must be subtitled in English, French or Dutch if the language spoken is other than English, French or Dutch
6. All films must be at least 60 minutes in length
7. All films have to be produced (or the 1st public exhibition) after December 31, 2021
8. All films must be submitted before April 30, 2023
9. Print and subtitles:
a. For films spoken in another language than English: all films must be available in DCP 2K format including English subtitles, as well as Dutch and French subtitles if available. For the purpose of translation and the creation of Dutch and French subtitles if not available, all available materials such as .srt subtitle file, a list of the film’s dialogs in their original language and a translated version in English are required.
b. For English-spoken films: all films must be available in DCP 2K format including Dutch or French subtitles. For the purpose of translation and the creation of other subtitles, all available materials such as .srt subtitle file and a list of the film’s dialogs in their original language are required.
ADDITIONAL MATTERS
1. The organization committee will settle all cases not covered in these regulations in accordance with the Belgian law. The organization committee is the only one allowed to deal with the persons most closely concerned in case of litigation. Submitting a film to our competitions implies the acceptance of these regulations. In case any legal dispute would occur, the Belgian Legislation will have force of law.
2. A selection committee, chosen by the organization committee, will be appointed to view all submissions for pre-selection. Only selected films will be allowed to participate to the competition. The selection results will be notified on June 7, 2023.
3. The organizers will publish an illustrated catalogue of the complete festival program. The festival also publishes its program (with synopsis, credits and stills) on the festival website. By submitting your film you give the authorization to the organization committee to use this information and material in its publications.
4. All selected films may be excerpted (limited to 3 minutes of the length) for publicity purposes on TV or via the Internet. Extracts of the selected films may be broadcast on TV channels and on the internet in the context of divulging information regarding the Festival. The Festival’s press agents are likely to hand over photos from the selected films to the media, for regional, national and international communication purposes.
5. Copies of selected films must be sent before June 17, 2023. The address and practical details will be communicated later to the selected participants. If copies haven't arrived before this date, their screening will not take place. The Festival will take in charge the shipping costs (round trip) of the selected films. The choice of the transport company must be determined in advance with the festival. For movies traveling as a temporary importation, it will be necessary to fill in pro forma invoices. If the sender doesn't complete this invoice, the costs will be at his expense. Shipments from international must be free of customs duties (indicate "non-commercial value"), otherwise they may be refused by the festival. If films have to be sent from another festival, the transport to Brussels will be at our expense. If films have to return to another festival, it will be the responsibility of this one.
a. The Festival will not be held responsible in case of damaged reception or non-reception of the submitted material, no matter what means of transmission is used and the reason for the problem.
b. The Festival will insure the physical support for the selected films only during the Festival and on the premises of the Festival. In case of damage, no claim will be taken into account fifteen (15) days after the return of the print to the sender. Should a print be damaged or lost, the Festival’s responsibility can be engaged up to 200 Euros.
6. Selected films directors or the main actor(s) will receive an invitation for the Festival in Brussels for 3 days and an accreditation. This invitation may not be used by a third party. The festival will cover the guest’s travel costs and accommodation.
7. The organization committee will not provide any comments or feedback regarding the submitted films and has no obligation to provide any information about the selection process regarding the project specifically or the general submissions beyond the information set forth in the present Rules and Regulations.
8. For the Directors’ week & the International competition :
- Opening date : September 21, 2022
- Earlybird Deadline : November 30, 2022
- Extended Deadline : January 31, 2022
- Regular Deadline : February 28, 2023
- Late Deadline : March 31, 2023
- Extended Deadline : April 30, 2023
- Notification Date : June 7, 2023
Registration is free in national competition.
9. The winners and the film distribution companies undertake to use the wording of the prizes won in their advertising. The laurels will be sent to the winners at the end of the festival.
10. Be careful, once the film is registered, it can’t be removed. This registration implies the unconditional acceptance of the regulation.
