WHO WE ARE

Cameo Launch is a short film platform that curates and highlights the best short films online.

We utilise our multiple content avenues of reviews, interviews, podcasts and social media to direct our audience to exceptional short films. We also aim to draw attention to the creators of the short films that we review and recommend.

WHAT WE DO

We select short films currently available to view for free online. They receive a review from a member of the Cameo Launch team and are included in our list of recommended short films, with a direct link to the short film in question, ensuring that the filmmaker hosting the film receives the traffic generated by our promotion of their work.

Additionally, we invite the filmmakers of the selected films to appear on our podcast and YouTube channel for an interview, in which they can share experiences and insights of producing their film with our audience.

We showcase first class short film and first rate filmmakers by creating entertainment content such as:

Short Film Reviews:
Our platform publishes written and video reviews in which we provide short film recommendations along with highlights of stand out aspects of each film. The reviews are accompanied by links to the films themselves allowing the viewer to go from our review straight to the movie.

Watchlist Reviews:
Our platform primarily reviews and displays short films available to watch for free, however we also review short films currently on the film festival circuit that are not available on AVOD or free to view platforms. We are now offering filmmakers the opportunity to have their film festival offerings available on our platform during the final weekend of the month. Viewers will be able to rent the film for 48 hours for £1.49, allowing the filmmaker to collect revenue from each rental.

Launchpad - Surrey Short Film Festival:
Cameo Launch is excited to be hosting the Surrey Short Film Festival between 6th-8th October 2023. The festival will kick off on 6th October with a short film showcase entitled 'Launchpad'. This will be a selection of short films featured on the Cameo Launch online platform in the year leading up to the festival. Successful short film submissions will be eligible for selection for the Launchpad showcase, thus granting the chosen films a theatrical screening as well as an online presentation.

Shortest Night of the Month:
Cameo Launch will also be hosting seasonal screening events entitled 'Shortest Night of the Month' with our partner venue Nova Cinema. Each event will see a short film that has been featured on our platform paired with a feature film for special event and season screenings at Nova Cinema. Special event screenings will present full short film showcases either centred around a theme or a particular filmmaker's anthology. These events will also allow for filmmakers and special guests to appear at a networking session in the Nova Cinema bar.

The Cameo Launch Short Film Podcast:
A film news and short film review podcast (video is also available via our YouTube channel). Our team gathers to discuss their short film recommendations as well as the latest goings on in the world of cinema and independent short film.

Filmmaker interviews:
Our podcast includes interviews with filmmakers whose films we have reviewed. In these episodes they discuss their experiences and insights gained in the making of their films. We also release these interviews as video content on our website and YouTube channel.

We select short films currently available to view for free online. They receive a review from a member of the Cameo Launch team and are included in our list of recommended short films, with a direct link to the short film in question, ensuring that the filmmaker hosting the film receives the traffic generated by our promotion of their work.

Additionally, we invite the filmmakers of the selected films to appear on our podcast and YouTube channel for an interview, in which they can share background details of producing their film with our audience.

Awards & Prizes

Short films selected for our line-up will be eligible to receive the following awards and benefits:

- Inclusion in the line up of short film reviews appearing on cameolaunch.com

- For accepted short films submitted to the Watchlist Review category, filmmakers/rights holders have the opportunity to receive revenue from rentals of their short film, should their submitted film be accepted.

- Films accepted in either the Review Showcase or Watchlist Review Showcase categories will be eligible for theatrical screening via the seasonal programming with our partner venue, Nova Cinema or for selection for our 'Launchpad' short film showcase at the Surrey Short Film Festival (selection for theatrical screenings will be made at the discretion of Cameo Launch)

- Filmmakers invited to appear on the Cameo Launch Short Film Podcast

- Film embedded on the film review from its host platform

- A "Cameo Launch" laurel, which can be included with any applicable promotional material that the filmmaker/rights holder sees fit to use

Rules & Terms

Entrant Age:
Any individual submitting a short film for any category must be 18 years old or older to enter.

Length:
Films can be up to 30 minutes long (although films of 15 minutes or less are preferred).

Film Age:
Submitted films can be up to 3 years old

Country of Origin:
Submitted films may originate from any country in the world.

Language:
Cameo Launch is an English-speaking platform, as such all submitted films must either be in the English language or contain English language subtitles.

Distribution Status:
Review Showcase: Submitted films can be in general release on any free-to-view/AVOD platform.
Watchlist Review Showcase: Submitted films must not be available to view for free on AVID platforms but can be available on TVOD or SVOD platforms as well as film festivals.

Submitted films may have distribution in place, in which case submissions must be made by the distribution rights holder or with the distribution rights holder's consent. Cameo Launch reserves the right to ask for proof of such consent at any time.

Rights:
Any films submitted must have all rights cleared including the use of any licensed footage or music. By submitting your film, you are declaring that you possess such rights and Cameo Launch will not bear responsibility for the violations of any copyright agreements, should these rights not be cleared prior to submission.

What We Are Looking For:
This is a platform for narrative filmmaking and includes all genres with the exception of promotional videos, music videos, experimental films that do not contain a clear narrative and trailers for films not appearing in our line-up.

We absolutely exclude any racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, religiously or culturally prejudicial, pornographic or obscene content.

Premiere Status:
Cameo Launch has no requirement that your film have premiere status, nor does Cameo Launch require exclusive rights to the film. Preference will be given to films seeking to premiere on the Cameo Launch platform, so please inform us if you intend to submit your film on this basis.

Refund Policy:
The fees charged for submissions are for your film to be considered. This does not guarantee that your film will be accepted or presented on the Cameo Launch platform. As such, we do not operate a refund policy internally, so please be 100% certain you wish to submit your film before doing so. As submissions are made via FilmFreeway, their refund policies in relation to payments made through their platform constitute the ultimate rule on this matter.

Exhibition:
Cameo Launch embeds rather than hosts the short films that it reviews. As such complete control remains with the rights holder as to the accessibility of the film from our website or elsewhere. The content owner is free to request the removal of their film from the Cameo Launch platform. Similarly, Cameo Launch retains the right to remove the film from its platform at the conclusion of its licensed season.

Credit:
Cameo Launch will credit the author and key cast and crew of the selected film on their film page as well as in the review in which the film is presented.

If Accepted:

Review Showcase: If your film is accepted, Cameo Launch will require a link and embed code for your film, enabling it to be included in our review and played in full HD (1920x1080) or higher.

Watchlist Review Showcase: If your film is accepted, Cameo Launch will require the video files containing the film and trailer to be sent via download link (Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, etc.). Relevant agreements with specified details will be provided ahead of time for filmmaker/rights holder perusal before agreeing to have their film hosted on the Cameo Launch website.

Cameo Launch will require an EPK and accompanying materials such as a poster in jpeg or png format (portrait and landscape - recommended image size 1994 x 2880 px), cast & crew list, synopsis, any available promotion and production stills.

If selected for theatrical screening at either the 'Shortest Night of the Month' or Surrey Short Film Festival 'Launchpad' events, the film will need to be provided in DCP SMPTE format and originate on 2K or 4K resolution video formats.

Cameo Launch may include the film or associated imagery in its promotions, including promotional videos, online newsletters and social media.

For further information please contact us directly on hello@cameolaunch.com.

1 Review
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  • Adam Elliott

    I've been making short films and web series for about 10 years now. I can say that the Cameo Launch platform is not only of the highest caliber, but the people behind it are as well. Here is a platform and online festival that not only champions short film and offers storytellers a place to tell their stories, but in doing so, Cameo Launch also seeks to build our community of filmmakers. I feel very fortunate to have connected with Cameo Launch and I would encourage anyone to submit and check out the amazing lineup of shorts they have curated!

    March 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for your wonderful review! Likewise, working with you has been a fantastic experience and a reminder why we work so hard to promote the short film medium and the filmmakers committed to it. We're incredibly proud to be able to include your work on our platform and hope your film and your team enjoy the broadest possible success with this and your future projects. Thanks again!