CKIFF is looking for independent feature-length and short films from around the world from any genre.
Our Standard Festival Participation Agreement (Terms and Conditions), which all submitted films are also expected to follow is as follows:
GENERAL RULES AND CONDITIONS
1. Submission Format
Films must be submitted via online screener.
2. Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2024.
- CKIFF requires at least a Chatham premiere for all films.
- Works-in-progress and films with distribution are accepted.
- All films not in the English language are required to have subtitles.
3. Premiere Status
- CKIFF requires at least a Chatham premiere for all films and they may not have been screened publicly online. All films may have screened at other festivals but just not have screened in the Chatham Region.
- There is no Premiere policy for music videos, web series, or documentaries. They may have screened at other Festivals and/or online.
4. Film Classification
All films screened during CKIFF may receive an age rating that is decided by the Chatham-Kent City Council.
5. Submission Fee
All FilmFreeway submissions for CKIFF are to be paid by credit card or PayPal. The submission fee is non-refundable. Short films are films under 45 minutes in length.
6. Shipping
All shipping and postage costs, if the film is selected for the Festival, for all DCPs and additional materials sent to and returned from CKIFF must be borne by the submitting party. CKIFF will not accept Cash On Delivery shipments. CKIFF will not absorb any fees incurred in Canadian customs. All charges must be pre-paid
7. Selection of Films
Submissions are reviewed and selected under the following criteria:
- Quality of narrative and production values
- Independent nature of the production
8. Notification
CKIFF endeavors to complete all selection procedures by 8th of September 2025 and inform all submitting parties, in writing, if their film has been successful or not after that time.
9. Festival Screenings
Selected films MUST provide a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) or video file (.mov or .mp4).in order to be screened at the CKIFF. The film title MUST be clearly labelled on the hard drive.
10. Scheduling
Screenings are scheduled during the Festival at the discretion of CKIFF Programmers. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, CKIFF reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. CKIFF will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.
GENERAL AGREEMENT OF PARTICIPATION IN CKIFF:
By submitting to the Chatham-Kent International Film Festival I confirm that I have read and accept the terms and regulations of CKIFF. I will provide the festival with any additional information required pursuant to these rules and regulations. I authorize the CKIFF to exhibit my film, and if selected, I confirm that an exhibition copy will be available in a required format for screening during the 2025 festival (October 23rd - 26th 2025). I certify that I hold all necessary rights for the submission of this film/video to the CKIFF and that all rights and clearances have been made. This film is not subject to any litigation nor is threatened by any litigation. I hold CKIFF harmless from damage to, or loss of any or all materials en route to, from or otherwise at the festival. I assume all legal responsibilities therein. By Agreeing to these terms, I transfer to CKIFF the right to use excerpts of the submitted film, its stills, and trailers, for the purposes of publicity and marketing of the film at the 2024 festival, and for other non-commercial uses related to the promotion of the 2024 festival. I hereby agree to indemnify CKIFF, in the event that such rights have not been properly transferred.
