RULES AND TERMS
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1. ORGANIZERS
The Brussels International Women’s Film Festival organisation (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Festival’) is operated by the Elles Tournent non-profit association (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Organiser’) whose head office is currently located at 10, rue du méridien, 1210 Brussels, Belgium.
2. DATES AND DURATION OF THE FESTIVAL
Dates: 13–18 October 2026.
Screenings will take place in several major cinemas located in the centre of Brussels.
3. TERMS OF ADMISSION
The selection is open only to female directors. Directors must identify as women. Films may only be (co-)directed by women.
3.1 Entries must be submitted between 10 March and 17 April 2026 via the FilmFreeway digital platform.
3.2 Films may be submitted by their director or production company (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Participant’). Any individual Participant must be 18 years of age or older.
3.3 Films must be submitted in their final version and in their original language, with French and English subtitles for international films, and French and Dutch subtitles for Belgian films (see Article 4.4)
3.4 Unless otherwise agreed by the Organiser, films produced before 1st January 2025 are not eligible.
3.5 Films that have already been screened at another festival or publicly broadcast in Brussels are not eligible.
3.6 Films that have already been submitted to a previous edition of this Festival will not be accepted.
4. SELECTION - CRITERIA
4.1 The Festival Programming Committee has the exclusive authority to accept or reject any film submitted to the Festival and to decide on any exceptions to the rules in force.
4.2 Selected works will be screened during the Festival. Please note that no feedback or reasons will be given for these decisions. Selection results will be notified via FilmFreeway.
4.3 Participants whose films are selected will be contacted to provide the Festival with a DCP copy to be sent electronically via the GOFILEX platform.
4.4 SUBTITLES :
DCP in English must have French subtitles. DCP in French must have English subtitles. DCP in other languages must have both English and French subtitles.
International films:
– If the language spoken in the film is French, please provide a DCP copy with English subtitles as a priority.
– If the language spoken in the film is English, please provide a DCP copy with French subtitles.
– If the language spoken in the film is Dutch, please provide a DCP copy with French and English subtitles.
– If the language spoken in the film is neither French nor English, please provide a DCP copy with French and English subtitles.
If the director or production company does not have French subtitles and is unable to produce them, please contact the festival (before 1st August 2026) to discuss the most appropriate solution for translating the film.
To obtain a translation of English SRT files into French SRT files, Participants are asked to follow the steps below :
- You must provide the English SRT subtitle file so that the French subtitles can be translated.
- The Festival could provide French translation based on the English subtitled SRT and return a French subtitled SRT to the production company. In this case, the production company is requested to produce the new DCP with French and English subtitles embedded.
4.6 DEADLINES for subtitle translation and DCP delivery:
- If the DCP already has the appropriate subtitles (in French and/or English), it must be sent to the Festival via GOFILEX by 25 August 2026 at the latest.
- If subtitle translation has been requested, the new DCP with the requested subtitles embedded must be sent to GOFILEX by 31 August 2026 at the latest.
5. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS :
DCP compositions must be:
• DCI 4K container resolution, either 3996x2160 (1.85/Flat) or 4096x1716 (2.39/Scope).
• DCI 2K container resolution may be used, either 1998x1080 (1.85/Flat) or 2048x858 (2.39 Scope).
If the content has an aspect ratio of less than 2.30 (e.g. 2.00, 1.89, 1.78, 1.66, 1.33) the active image must be fit to a DCI Flat container.
If the content has an aspect ratio equal to or greater than 2.30 (e.g. 2.35, 2.50) the active image must be fit to a DCI Scope container.
• Audio: 3 chanels minimum. Use LRC (L,R,C) or 5.1 (L,R,C,LFE,LS,RS) / Audio : 24bits/48kHz uncompressed
6. FILMS LENGTH
- Feature FICTION films: minimum 75 min - maximum 120 min
- Feature DOCUMENTARY M ANIMATION/ EXPERIMENTAL films : minimum 60 min - maximum 120 min
- Short films: maximum 35 min
7. SELECTION – PARTICIPATION
7.1. The selection of a film implies that the participant and any other relevant rights holders of the film that has been submitted agree to:
- accept the screening of the selected film on the date proposed by the festival. By submitting a film, the participant undertakes not to withdraw it from the Festival after its acceptance by the Festival Programming Committee. In the event of withdrawal, the Festival may charge the director or their production company for any costs incurred.
- keep the selection confidential until the official announcement is made by the festival
7.2. The directors of all selected films (feature films and short films) will receive accreditation for the entire duration of the Festival.
7.3. No film submitted to the Festival may be screened in Brussels before the end of the Festival without the prior authorisation of the Organiser.
7.4. Where the costs of inviting producers, directors and/or performers of selected feature films can be covered by the Organiser, details will be provided in an email sent by the Organiser to each person concerned.
8. COMMUNICATION – PROMOTION
8.1. Applications must provide information for publication and communication: a short synopsis, a short biography, a photo of the director, a poster of the film and photos from the film, as requested in the application form.
8.2. Unless otherwise specified, the participant agrees that the Organiser may, at its discretion, inform other festivals or contacts in its network of the existence of a film that may be suitable for screening in other forums and, where appropriate, share relevant information about the film.
8.3. All selected films must provide (upon notification of selection) an MP4 file for the selection of a few seconds of footage for the creation of the festival trailer.
8.4. All selected feature films must provide the film trailer with French subtitles (and English subtitles if possible).
9. OPERATING LICENCE
9.1. By submitting a film, the participant grants the Festival permission to use promotional images provided, as well as up to 30 seconds of footage, for the marketing and promotion of the Festival. These promotional materials may be used before, during, and after the Festival.
9.2. Participants certify that all rights, licences and authorisations for films and music have been obtained in accordance with copyright laws and that all applicable laws have been complied with in the making of the film. The Festival shall not be liable for any copyright infringement.
9.3. All selected feature films must provide a trailer with French subtitles (and English subtitles if possible).
10. COMPETITION : Awards details TBC
11. CATEGORY & ENTRY FEES - see below
