CONNECT HUB FILM FESTIVAL
Official Rules & Guidelines
The Connect Hub Film Festival is a curated, audience-powered streaming competition designed to elevate independent filmmakers through real exposure, measurable audience engagement, and professional recognition.
Not all submissions are selected.
All films are reviewed and curated.
Submission constitutes acceptance of the following rules.
1. Eligibility
• Open to filmmakers worldwide
• Films must be completed on or after January 1, 2023
• All entries must be original work owned or legally controlled by the submitter
• Submitter must hold all necessary rights including music, footage, performances, and distribution rights
• Non-English films must include English subtitles
• Filmmakers must hold an active Connect Hub subscriber account on Roku (free) in order to participate in the festival ecosystem and monitor festival screenings
Failure to secure proper rights may result in disqualification.
2. Categories
• Best Feature Film
• Best Short Film
• Best Short Horror
• Best Actor
Films may be submitted to multiple categories if eligible.
The festival reserves the right to reclassify any submission if entered incorrectly.
3. Runtime Requirements
Feature Film
Minimum 60 minutes
Short Film
Maximum 40 minutes
Short Horror
Maximum 40 minutes
Submissions exceeding runtime limits may be reclassified or disqualified.
4. Submission Requirements
• All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway
• All submission fees are non-refundable
• No waiver requests will be accepted
• Films must be submitted as secure online screeners
Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.
Selection is competitive and not guaranteed.
5. Exhibition & Festival Streaming
Selected films will stream during the official festival window on:
• Connect Hub Website
• Connect Hub Streaming Channel on Roku
By accepting official selection, the filmmaker grants Connect Hub a non-exclusive, worldwide license to stream and promote the film solely for the duration of the official festival window.
This license:
• Does not transfer ownership
• Is non-exclusive
• Does not restrict the filmmaker from distributing elsewhere
• Expires at the conclusion of the festival window
Any extended distribution requires a separate written agreement.
6. Mandatory Audience Engagement Requirement
The Connect Hub Film Festival is audience-powered.
To qualify for award consideration, films must generate verified audience votes.
To cast a vote, viewers must:
• Watch the film in full on the Connect Hub Roku channel or official Connect Hub website
• Hold an active Connect Hub subscriber account on Roku (free)
• Be a registered subscriber of the Connect Hub Roku channel
• Submit their vote through the official voting portal on the Connect Hub website
Only verified votes from active Connect Hub Roku subscriber accounts will be counted.
Films that fail to generate audience participation may not advance to finalist consideration.
Filmmakers are responsible for directing their audience to the official platforms.
7. Voting & Finalist Process
• Audience voting determines the Top 5 Finalists in each category
• Voting occurs exclusively on the official Connect Hub website
• One vote per verified Connect Hub Roku subscriber account
• Voting is open only during the official contest period
Fraudulent voting activity, duplicate accounts, or any attempt to manipulate the voting system will result in immediate disqualification.
8. Judging Process
• A panel of 2 Judges will review the Top 5 Finalists in each category
• Judges will select the Top 3 Winners
• Judges’ decisions are final
9. Awards & Top 10 Recognition
Category Winners
Best Feature Film – GOLD Universe Trophy
Best Short Film – SILVER Trophy
Best Short Horror – BRONZE Trophy
Best Actor – Certificate of Recognition
2nd and 3rd Place Winners – Certificate of Achievement
Top 10 Official Placements
In addition to finalists and winners, the Top 10 highest-performing films (based on verified audience engagement and voting) will receive:
• Official Connect Hub Top 10 Laurel
• Featured placement on the Connect Hub homepage
• Highlight placement inside the Connect Hub Roku channel
• Social media spotlight promotion
• Eligibility for monetized streaming consideration
Winner Distribution Benefit
All category winners will receive free distribution on the Connect Hub Roku TV channel, providing extended audience exposure beyond the festival window.
10. Earnings & Monetization Opportunities
Select Top 10 films and award winners may be offered:
• Extended streaming placement on Connect Hub TV
• Revenue-sharing agreements based on verified subscriber views
• Marketing and promotional support
• Featured trailer placement
Revenue participation will be outlined in a separate written agreement.
No perpetual rights are granted through festival submission.
11. Distribution & Royalties
Any distribution beyond the official festival window requires a separate written agreement detailing:
• Term length
• Revenue share structure
• Placement terms
• Territory
Connect Hub supports filmmaker ownership and transparency.
12. Legal & Rights
• Submitter is responsible for securing all rights and clearances
• The festival is not liable for copyright infringement by entrants
• The festival reserves the right to disqualify any submission found to violate rules
13. Code of Conduct
Films containing illegal content, hate speech, or unlawful material will be disqualified.
The festival reserves the right to remove any film that does not align with Connect Hub standards.
14. Final Authority
By submitting, the entrant agrees to these rules and acknowledges that all Connect Hub Film Festival decisions are final.
