GALA EVENT: The Edmonton Short Film Festival welcomes ALL short film projects that are 15 minutes or less as long AS YOU (Director, Producer) ARE AN ALBERTA FILMMAKER.
Our goal is to support and promote independent film, so we will screen almost ANYTHING (we reserve the right to determine what may be considered as extreme violence, hatred, pornographic or copyrighted material).
You don’t have something new? That’s okay! Drag out something from your archives … maybe you have a fabulous film that you would love to show again. You’re working on a feature? Send us your trailer to promote the project! Of course, we also accept the “usual” – short dramatic or comedic narratives, horror, music videos, web series, documentaries and animations, etc. We would even love to see your amazing commercial!
The ESFF Adjudicators selects independently-created films based on the technical excellence and entertainment value of the film.
If your film is selected for screening you will need to provide:
A. 1920 x 1080 downloadable version of your film in a .mov format or .mp4 format
B. A high res still photo from your film or poster in 300 DPI resolution
C. Director's bio and photo and short film synopsis
D. Contact email and mailing address
E. Confirmation of who is to receive the screening fee (paid by cheque for Canadian filmmakers and by PayPal for International filmmakers)
WHAT ABOUT AI?
Human authorship must be central: Films submitted to ESFF festivals must demonstrate clear human authorship in their concept, storytelling, direction, and creative execution.
AI should enhance, not define, a film: Generative AI may be used as an assistive tool, but it should not dominate the film or compromise visual continuity, performance, production design, emotional resonance, or artistic integrity.
Assistive AI use is permitted: Films that use Generative AI in a limited, supportive way may be screened at ESFF festivals and may remain eligible for some or all awards, depending on the extent of AI use.
AI-generated primary content is not permissible: Films that rely on Generative AI as the primary source of principal photography, character creation, visual storytelling, or scene generation will not be eligible for screening or awards at ESFF festivals.
Human created work will be prioritized: When evaluating films for selection or judging, ESFF will prioritize projects that demonstrate the spirit of independent film - human skill, creativity, craftsmanship, originality and collaboration - over those that rely heavily on Generative AI tools.
Full disclosure of AI use is mandatory: Filmmakers must openly disclose all use of Generative AI in their submission forms and within the film. Disclosures should be clear, honest, and accurate. This helps maintain trust, fairness, and respect between filmmakers and the community. Misrepresentation or failure to disclose may result in disqualification.
The honour system applies: As a volunteer-run organization, ESFF cannot police or verify AI use. We expect filmmakers to act with integrity, honesty, and respect for the community.
ESFF reserves the right to request clarification: Programmers may ask filmmakers for additional details about how AI was used to ensure the film is appropriately categorized and eligible.
AI-created material must not infringe on rights or likenesses: Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that any AI-generated content does not violate copyrights, impersonate real individuals (dead or alive), or use unapproved likenesses of fictional characters, without written consent and/or approval.
Policies will evolve with technology: ESFF will review and update these guidelines regularly to ensure they remain fair, practical, and aligned with the needs of the community as AI tools continue to advance.
AI is a hot and controversial topic: While these policies may not satisfy everyone’s viewpoint, they are built through thorough industry consultation and are guided by transparency and fairness.
