GENERAL RULES
1. Central Scotland Documentary Festival (CSDF) screening programmes are curated and all submissions will be fully considered by the Programming Team.
ELIGIBILITY
2. CSDF accepts feature documentary films on all subject matter, originating from anywhere in the world.
3. CSDF only accepts submission of documentary films, completed after 1 January 2025.
4. All entries must be in English or contain English subtitles. Non-English entries submitted without subtitles, or supplementary printed translations, will be automatically disqualified.
SUBMISSION
5. Only complete entries (Entry Form, Preview Screener, Payment) will be processed and considered for screening.
6. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate Entry Fee. Entry Fees are non-refundable. Projects submitted with the incorrect entry fee will not be considered for selection.
7. CSDF will only accept FilmFreeway and Vimeo Secure Online Screeners for preview purposes.
8. CSDF accepts completed films and films at fine cut stage for consideration.
9. An entrant may submit multiple projects; however, each project requires a separate submission and fee. Projects previously submitted to CSDF may not be resubmitted unless substantially revised and re-invited.
COSTS AND FEES
10. Waivers (free entry) are granted only to select applicants who have been invited to submit by the Programming Team.
We DO NOT accept speculative waiver requests.
11. If selected, the cost of postage and packing of screening copy (inbound print transport) to the Festival will be covered by CSDF. The filmmaker must cover the costs associated with the return or forwarding of screening copy (outbound print transport) after the Festival. CSDF cannot be held responsible for screening copies delayed or lost during transport.
12. CSDF offers standard screening fees to submitted projects selected for the Festival. CSDF’s standard screening fees are £100 (inc. VAT) for feature-length projects (over 50 minutes) for a single public screening and £20 (inc. VAT) for shorts (under 20 minutes).
NOTIFICATION
13. If a project is selected for screening, the Festival will contact the entrant by e-mail. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct throughout the entirety of the Festival selection period. All entries will be notified by Fri 24 July 2026 at the latest, barring unforeseen circumstances. If for some reason you haven’t received an email by this date, please check Festival website for programme announcements or contact the Programming Team.
14. Following selection, the Festival will provide all successful entrants with a Screening Agreement and delivery schedule.
SELECTION
15. All entries are viewed and chosen by the Programming Team. Final selections are at the sole discretion of the Festival.
16. CSDF is under no obligation to provide to the applicant or any other representative of the Project any comments or feedback regarding the submitted project, any information relating to the manner in which the project is, will be or was reviewed; any views that CSDF or any reviewers of the project may hold concerning the project; any reasons why the project, should it not be accepted for exhibition at CSDF, was not accepted; or any other information relating to the Festival’s review, consideration and/or selection process regarding the project specifically or submissions generally beyond the information set forth in these rules and regulations.
17. All projects selected will be made available for public viewing. All timings, date and venue details will be assigned by the Festival.
18. All projects selected may also be offered the opportunity to be made available on our VoD platform for the duration of the Festival.
19. CSDF does not require premiere status for general selection unless otherwise stated. Films that have previously screened at other festivals may be considered unless they have received UK theatrical distribution.
20. If selected, all request publicity materials must be submitted to CSDF no later than Fri 7 Aug, 2026 - two weeks after the notification of selection date. Failure to do so may result in selection status being revoked.
21. If selected, the entrant grants CSDF the right to utilise publicity materials related to the production (e.g. press kits, posters, stills, etc.) for promotional purposes and to broadcast or screen clips of a maximum of five minutes.
22. If selected, the entrant must provide CSDF with a secure online screener of the complete project for the Festival to make available to members of the press and jury (if applicable).
23. Successful entries may also be used for private press screenings prior to the Festival. In this case, the Festival would contact the entrant in advance.
24. All films will be required to be certified by Stirling City Council before screening and will be submitted by CSDF for this purpose. CSDF cannot be held responsible for any delayed or cancelled screening caused by this process.
AWARDS
25. All films selected for CSDF 2026 and screening as Scottish Premieres, are eligible for awards. Shortlisted films will be determined by the Programming Team.
26. Only feature length projects are eligible for monetary awards.
SHORTS
27. Short films that are selected will screen as a curated screening of short documentaries. The short that is voted Best Short Documentary Award by the audience at CSDF 2026 will screen prior to the main feature on the closing night.
GENERAL / OTHER
28. Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry into the Festival and to use all music, images and content in the entry.
29. CSDF is not responsible for any loss, damage, or failure to screen a film due to circumstances beyond its control, including technical failure, force majeure, or third-party actions.
30. CSDF reserves the right to alter festival dates, venues, or screening formats (including any online presentation) if required due to circumstances beyond the Festival’s control.
31. Personal data supplied during submission will be used solely for Festival administration, promotion, and communication, in accordance with UK GDPR regulations.
32. Submission of a film to CSDF constitutes acceptance of these Rules and Terms.
