A. General Festival Rules:
1) Eligibility:
All submissions must be completed from January 1, 2024, onward.
Submissions must be minimum New Zealand Premieres, with preference given to World and International Premieres.
The submitting party ("the Submitter") must have the authority to submit the film to Doc Edge and exclusive rights (including music clearance rights) for theatrical and virtual screening in New Zealand.
2) Submission Requirements:
Doc Edge accepts documentary films in the following International and New Zealand categories. Please carefully review the qualifications for each category to avoid disqualification. Contact us if you have any doubts.
International Documentaries:
Short Film: available for world premiere (under 40 minutes)
Short Film: non-world premiere (under 40 minutes)
Feature Film: available for world premiere (over 40 minutes)
Feature Film: non-world premiere (over 40 minutes)
Immersive Project
New Zealand Documentaries:
To qualify as a New Zealand documentary, a film must meet one of the following criteria:
- Have at least one key crew member (director or producer) who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- More than 50% of its funding comes from New Zealand.
Proof of qualification is required with your submission.
Short Film (under 40 minutes)
Feature Film (over 40 minutes)
Immersive Project
Secondary Student Film
Tertiary Student Film
Premiere Policy:
All qualifying films must be minimum New Zealand Premieres, meaning they should not have been publicly screened in New Zealand at other festivals, theatrically, on broadcast, available on VOD/online, or any other public platform.
Preference is given to premieres in the following order:
World
International
Asia-Pacific
Australasia
New Zealand
Deadlines and Fees (in USD):
Note: We do not offer fee waivers.
International Films/Projects:
Early Bird: September 15, 2024 - Feature $50 | Short: $30 | Immersive: $30
Regular: December 22, 2024 - Feature $60 | Short: $40 | Immersive: $40
Late: January 19, 2025 - Feature $70 | Short: $50 | Immersive: $50
Extended: January 26, 2025 - Feature $80 | Short: $60 | Immersive: $60
New Zealand Films/Projects:
Early Bird: September 15, 2024 - Feature $30 | Short: $20 | Immersive: $30
Regular: December 22, 2024 - Feature $40 | Short: $25 | Immersive: $40
Late: January 19, 2025 - Feature $50 | Short: $30 | Immersive: $50
Extended: January 26, 2025 - Feature $60 | Short: $40 | Immersive: $60
New Zealand Student Films (free to submit, must be NZ student, proof required):
By January 26, 2025: New Zealand Secondary Student Film
By January 26, 2025: New Zealand Tertiary Student Film
Other:
All submissions must include a secure working online screener link.
Non-English films must have English subtitles, and closed captions should be available where possible. Dubbing is not acceptable.
Incomplete entries will not be accepted.
Works in Progress (WIP) may be submitted if the following conditions are met:
- The film must be at least at the picture-lock stage.
- The submission is made during the Late Submissions period only.
- The Submitter accepts that the rough cut is the ONLY VERSION that can be submitted. No further cuts of the film will be considered.
If you have any queries regarding WIPs, or if you have a WIP immersive experience you want to submit, please get in touch with us.
Doc Edge is not obligated to provide comments or feedback regarding the submitted film.
The applicant is solely responsible for securing clearance from all copyright holders of materials and music included in the film.
The Submitter warrants to keep the festival indemnified against all claims for the unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted materials or music.
Doc Edge reserves the right to disqualify any film with unauthorized copyrighted materials or music.
Programming decisions will be communicated to Submitters by April 20, 2025. The decision is final.
Important:
Please do not submit a film that has already been screened or is available in New Zealand in any form. This will result in immediate disqualification, and submission fees will not be refunded.
Only documentaries are eligible for entry. No refunds will be offered for films not meeting the eligibility criteria.
3) Selected Films
Screener Link:
Upon selection confirmation, the Submitter must provide Doc Edge with a screener and password. This screener link will remain valid until the end of the festival. The Submitter acknowledges that the screener link will be used for reviews, ratings, promotional purposes, and by the jury.
Screening Fees:
Doc Edge, being a not-for-profit charitable organization, may advise the Submitter of any applicable fees once the film is confirmed.
Screenings:
At its discretion, Doc Edge has the right to schedule up to three festival screenings in each city. The film will also be screened as part of the Virtual Cinema during the agreed festival period. Additionally, the Festival may schedule screenings as part of the Doc Edge Schools and/or encore season, which can be both physical and/or online.
Film Exhibition Format:
Complete details regarding the film's exhibition format will be provided to the Submitter in due course after selection.
Film Withdrawal Policy:
Once the Festival confirms the film's selection in writing:
- The Submitter cannot withdraw the Film from the Festival without mutual agreement in writing.
- The Submitter must communicate this policy to the film's sales agent(s) and/or distributor(s) during negotiations for the film's sales or distribution, ensuring that all parties comply with this policy.
- The Submitter acknowledges that any withdrawal of the film after selection may cause the festival to incur losses, and the festival reserves the right to seek compensation and restitution for such losses.
Changes to Film Status:
The Submitter must notify Doc Edge in writing of any changes that may affect the selection or legality of the film's screenings.
Publicity:
Upon selection, Doc Edge is authorized to use the publicity materials related to the film, such as EPKs, posters, trailers, stills, and/or clips, either in their entirety or as part of edited montages, to promote the film, the festival, and/or its events.
B. Agreement:
I, the Submitter, confirm that I hold the sole and exclusive ownership of all rights related to the submitted production or have the full authority to submit the production to the festival on behalf of all other interested parties (director, producer, sales agent, or film distributor).
Furthermore, I confirm that all necessary rights and clearances have been obtained, and I agree to indemnify the festival in case of any disputes arising from the public screening of the film during the festival, as per these rules and regulations.
I certify that the information provided in this Entry is complete and accurate. By submitting the film, I acknowledge, accept, and agree to comply with this Agreement.
