COLOFILM FEST – SUBMISSION RULES & TERMS
GENERAL TERMS
By submitting a film to COLOFILM Fest (CFF), you confirm that you have:
• Read, understood, and agreed to the Terms outlined below.
• Obtained all necessary permissions and rights from the film’s creators, producers, writers, and other authorized representatives.
Submission fees are non-refundable and must be paid in USD.
COLOFILM Fest reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify or reject any submission if it determines that the film does not align with the festival’s best interests or these Terms. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Films that do not comply with submission guidelines.
• Cases where the submitter or any person associated with the film is involved in public scandal, disrepute, or behavior that violates CFF’s Code of Conduct.
In such cases, CFF may exclude the film and/or individuals from the festival without refunding submission fees or returning submitted materials.
SUBMISSION CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY
COLOFILM Fest accepts submissions in the following categories:
1. Ukrainian Short Films
• Short films (under 40 minutes) directed by Ukrainian citizens or produced in Ukraine.
2. International Short Films
• Short films (under 40 minutes) produced outside Ukraine or by non-Ukrainian filmmakers.
3. Ukrainian Feature Films
• Feature-length films (40+ minutes) directed by Ukrainian citizens or produced in Ukraine.
4. International Feature Films
• Feature-length films (40+ minutes) produced outside Ukraine or by non-Ukrainian filmmakers.
5. Documentary Films
• Short and feature-length documentaries, Ukrainian and international.
6. Classic Shorts
• Films produced before 2023, including archival, restored, and notable past works.
SUBMISSION FEES
• International Films – Submission fees reflect the cost of reviewing and screening international films, ensuring sustainability for the festival.
• Ukrainian Films – Domestic submissions may be free or offered at a reduced rate.
Specific fee amounts will be listed on FilmFreeway.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
A film is eligible for submission even if it has been publicly available, except in the following cases:
• If it has been made available for sale on DVD, Blu-ray, or VOD (applies to all categories).
• If it has been openly listed for free on YouTube or Vimeo (applies only to competition categories: Best Short Film, Best Feature Film, and Best Documentary).
• Films submitted to the Classic Shorts category are exempt from these restrictions.
All films must be submitted as online screeners through FilmFreeway.
SUBTITLES & LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
1. English Subtitles Required
• All films not in English must include English subtitles in SRT format. Films without English subtitles may be disqualified.
• English-language films are encouraged to provide an SRT file to facilitate translation for international audiences.
2. Ukrainian Translation
• COLOFILM Fest will provide AI-generated Ukrainian subtitles for local audiences.
• By submitting an English SRT file, you grant permission for the festival to generate Ukrainian subtitles for screening purposes.
DCP & EXHIBITION FORMATS
1. DCP Not Mandatory
• A DCP is encouraged but NOT required for submission.
• If selected, you may provide a DCP or an alternative high-quality format (such as ProRes).
• If you need a DCP, the festival offers DCP conversion services for a fee of [Specify Amount].
ADDITIONAL TERMS
• The festival does not pay screening fees for selected films.
• The festival may use short excerpts (up to 30 seconds) for promotional purposes.
• The festival retains the right to schedule selected films in any festival programming section at its discretion.
MATERIALS TO SUBMIT
1. Required Materials:
✔ Film File – A high-quality digital copy of the film (usually MP4 or MOV, H.264).
✔ Synopsis – A short and long description of the film.
✔ Director’s Bio & Filmography – A brief background of the director and their past work.
✔ Film Stills – High-resolution images (JPEG/PNG) for promotional use.
✔ Poster – A high-quality, vertical or/and horizontal version of the official film poster.
✔ Credits List – Full cast and crew details.
✔ Trailer (if available) – COLOFILM Fest usually needs a teaser or trailer for marketing.
✔ Subtitles – If the film is not in the festival’s primary language, subtitles are required.
2. Optional/Additional Materials:
✔ Press Kit (EPK) – Includes director’s statement, production notes, and media coverage.
✔ Behind-the-Scenes Photos – Used for promotions.
✔ Social Media & Website Links – Helps with audience engagement.
✔ Screener Passwords (for private links) – If using Vimeo or other platforms.
✔ DCP – COLOFILM Fest may request it later.
✔ Music Rights Clearance – If copyrighted music is used.
By submitting, you acknowledge and agree to all the terms outlined above.