Festivals learn a lot after their inaugural -- how to push and pull their programming to make the following year bigger and better for their filmmakers. At COVIDaVINCI we honor our TOP 100 films on the DaVinci platform as Official Selections and their shot at awards and more. But the rules have to be followed otherwise the film will immediately be disqualified.
The biggest rule that was broken by hundreds of entries was the Total Running Time. If it is literally 1 second over the 5 minute TRT criteria, it will be disqualified. We're not trying to be difficult, but if we make an exception for one, we will have to for all. And we received THOUSANDS of entries this past year. So PLEASE make sure your film is no longer than 5 minutes with credits. Thank you!
Learn more about DaVinci International Film Festival, programs, and access to our FAQ section at davincifilm.org. The COVIDaVINCI program is an online, ultra-short program that will screen in parallel with the DaVinci International Film Festival, September 24-26, 2021.
- Top 100 COVIDaVINCI films will be streamed on the DaVinci platform as IN COMPETITION projects during the festival.
- Film projects must NOT break state or federal COVID-19 mandates for quarantine or social gatherings. Meaning, if your state has a non-essential travel restriction in place, DO NOT go filming on location. This is a non-essential film contest (as are all others) and we take this very seriously. Any attempt to circumvent this regulation will result in immediate disqualification. And we're pretty wise to filmmaking ;)
- Practice social distancing and follow masking and testing state and federal mandates with your cast and crew.
- All non-English speaking films must be presented in their original version with English subtitles.
- No longer than 5 minutes TRT (including credits) for quarantine film. If your film is 5:01 it will be disqualified. As mentioned above, please understand that if we make an exception for one, we have to make for all, so we stick to this requirement.
- All submissions MUST have been filmed and produced between MARCH 2020 - SEPTEMBER 3rd 2021.
- Top 100 films will be online for DIFF's global audience to view and vote for the Audience Award.
- In the event of a film is withdrawn, DIFF will not refund or return any materials.
Questions? Please contact us at covid@davincifilm.org