2025 FILM REQUIREMENTS
1. Down Under Film Festival accepts films of all genres and running times. There is no restriction regarding the production year but films not older than 2 years are preferred. Participation in other festivals does not preclude participation in Down Under FF.
2. Films must fulfill at least one of the following four prerequisites:
a) The film's subject matter strongly depicts Australian or New Zealand people, places, landscapes, cultures, or any other Australian or New Zealand themes.
or
b) The film was completely or partially produced and/or funded by an Australian or New Zealand entity or legal person.
or
c) Australia or New Zealand was the main filming location.
or
d) At least one of the directors and/or writers of the film is from Australia or New Zealand
or has their main place of residence in Australia or New Zealand.
3. Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway only.
4. Films must be password-protected if available online (e.g. on YouTube or Vimeo).
5. Should the submitted film be available on SVoD/VoD by 15 August 2025, the submitter must inform the festival about this immediately and state the respective release date and content provider. This rule also applies to a European cinema and/or television release.
6. All films must have an embedded soundtrack.
7. Subtitles: Australian and New Zealand English and slang is not always easy for foreign audiences to follow. We therefore ask filmmakers to provide English or German or Danish subtitles with their films, if possible, once selected. All non-English language films MUST have embedded English subtitles.
8. You must have express permission from the film’s rights holder to submit. The same rule applies to all films if more than one film is submitted.
9. You must have the appropriate copyright clearances for all music used in the film (if required). The same rule applies to all films if more than one film is submitted.
ENTRY FEES
Entry fees are in EUROS, per film, and are non-refundable.
ONLINE SCREENER
1. You can only submit your film online by providing us with an online screener.
2. The festival reserves the right to provide the local press with a copy of the film for promotional purposes leading up to the festival.
PR & INFO MATERIAL
1. Providing the following PR material with your online submission is mandatory as it is needed to produce the festival's marketing material (e.g. catalogue):
a) contact details (email, telephone, postal address)
b) press material (synopsis, cast/crew information, EPK, etc.)
c) printable high-resolution film stills (in 300 dpi) including copyright information
d) poster image
e) link to the film’s website and/or social media profiles
f) film trailer (if available)
g) information about the film’s cinema release (national, international).
2. Please also provide:
a) information about the possible attendance of you or other film team members at the festival
b) the director’s short biography, filmography, and photo
3. All submitted material will be used for promotional purposes only.
SELECTION
1. All submitters will be notified of acceptance via email. Please regularly check the email you used to submit your film.
2. In case of selection, all PR material must be provided with the submission or by 7 AUGUST 2025 at the latest. The screening copy of the film must be provided by 7 August 2025.
3. No screening or any other fees can be paid for submitted films selected through the Call for Entries.
4. Selected filmmakers are very welcome to attend the festival and will be given complimentary screening tickets.
Unfortunately, the festival can neither provide room, board, or travel nor cover any costs related to attendance at the festival. We can help with arrangements so don't hesitate to contact us.
SCREENING COPY
1. The screening copy of a film must be provided as a download link (preferred) fulfilling the following technical requirements:
a) DCP (CRU or USB)
b) digital files (mp4, mov, mkv; codecs: h264, mpeg2, mpeg4, h264)
2. We do not accept physical hard drives for screeners anymore. Please provide electronic assets only.
Print Traffic Manager: Ben Packer:
b.packer@downunderfilmfest.eu
VIOLATION OF AGREEMENT
1. In case of withdrawal of a film by you or a third person after being notified of your acceptance, you must pay a compensation fee of up to 500€ per film. This is to cover our marketing and other costs.
2. Any violation of the following requirements by the submitter will lead to the exclusion of the submitted film(s). In this case, you must pay a compensation fee of up to 500€ per film.
3. Compensation fees must be paid within four weeks after the notification date of the withdrawal or the exclusion. Withdrawals and exclusions can only be accepted if sent in written form.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
1. The legal domicile of Down Under Film Festival e.V. is Berlin, Germany.
Any disputes arising hereunder will be settled before a competent Berlin court of law. The applicable law is the law of Germany.
2. Participation in Down Under Film Festival implies acceptance of all the above-mentioned rules and terms. Down Under Film Festival does not agree to any terms other than those mentioned above.
3. If any part of these rules and terms shall be or become invalid, then they shall be replaced by that valid term that comes closest to its meaning and intention. All other parts of these rules and terms shall remain valid in that case.
4. Festival dates and venues are subject to change.
5. Festival reserves the right to revise rules and terms, film selection criteria, screenings, awards, and activities if necessary.
CONTACT
For any questions, please contact: gday@downunderfilmfest.eu
For more information about the Down Under Film Festival, visit www.downunderfilmfest.eu
