F-O-R-M (Festival of Recorded Movement)

Artists may apply with a maximum of 2 films each.

Applicants must identify as either a Youth Artist or Emerging Artist.

We are accepting submissions from international applicants

Film genres accepted (but not limited to):
- Animation (i.e., drawing, stop motion)
- Documentary
- Experimental
- Narrative
- Music Videos

We prioritize films that are between 3-15 minutes.
***While we prioritize films within this length, we are open to discovering films shorter or longer than this. Please reach out via email if you have questions about your film's eligibility.
Please note: we unfortunately cannot consider films that are 35+ minutes.

All applicants must agree to the Rules and Regulations listed below
***Please note: if selected, artists must own all necessary rights and permissions of the video and audio material in their films (i.e., you must have the rights to use copyrighted music) by September 2025.
Here is a resource about Licensing Music for Short Films (source: Show Me Shorts Festival) https://www.showmeshorts.co.nz/education/filmmaker-resources/hitting-the-festival-circuit-xnwzz-yxk8b-h6pre-nn22t-4a8d2

—Rules and Regulations—
Individuals and groups (“Applicant”) submitting short films to F-O-R-M for consideration and possible showing must possess all necessary rights and permissions for all video and audio tracks submitted to F-O-R-M. F-O-R-M is not responsible for clearing, publishing, performance or other rights for the short films it screens or promotes on its site or at the festival.

Any lead applicant(s) younger than 18 years old at the time of the submission deadline must send a letter to F-O-R-M written by a legal guardian (e.g. parent) in order to apply to the festival. This letter must include the guardian’s contact information. Due to legal requirements we cannot accept applications by people younger than 18 years old without consent from their legal representatives.

All successful applicants grant F-O-R-M the non-exclusive rights to reproduce the applicant’s video in whole or in part and to showcase the short film for the purposes of the festival and/or its promotion (until December 31, 2030).

F-O-R-M retains the right to alter, shorten or cancel the festival, and will not be held liable for compensation in any of these situations. F-O-R-M agrees that in the event of festival cancellation, all rights related to the selected submission will revert to the Applicant and where relevant, the Applicant's associates.

All applicants, by submitting to F-O-R-M, hereby allow F-O-R-M to preview the short film. By agreeing to these rules and regulations all applicants pledge that they hold the rights to this film and have the right to distribute this material to F-O-R-M. All applicants understand that once submitted, their entry cannot be withdrawn. They understand that although F-O-R-M will take every precaution, F-O-R-M cannot be held responsible for loss or damage of submission materials. If accepted, F-O-R-M reserves the right to keep all short films filed for F-O-R-M educational and archival purposes. If accepted, lead artists expressly grant F-O-R-M the royalty-free, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to exhibit their short film or video and to use, reproduce, publish, translate, and exhibit any and all publicity materials related to the film, including but not limited to stills, press releases, bios, and trailers, in whole or in part, without limitation to territory, and/or to include said publicity materials with other works in any form, media, or technology. F-O-R-M agrees not to claim these rights in relation to submissions that are not selected for the festival.

All applicants agree to hold F-O-R-M, its management, employees and volunteers, as well as any of its funders, sponsors and affiliated entities, harmless from any damages or losses relating to any materials applicants may submit.

Successful applicants may not have another public screening of their short film in Metro Vancouver between October 2025 and the Festival of Recorded Movement (November 2025) without express permission from Associate Artistic Director Erin Lum (erin@f-o-r-m.ca)

Successful applicants will be required to submit a high quality, screen-ready, digital version of their film to F-O-R-M (i.e. the short film must be at least 1080 pixels high, and in MPEG, MOV, AVI, or MP4 format). Failure to submit a film, meeting the minimum technical quality requirements, by July 30, 2025 (for Short Films), September 5, 2025 (for Mini Commissions Program) or October 20, 2025 (for Commissioning Fund Program) may result in elimination from the festival.

Films screened at F-O-R-M that include spoken dialogue must contain closed captions in the final version submitted for screening. If this requirement is a barrier, please contact Associate Artistic Director danielle Mackenzie Long (danielle@f-o-r-m.ca) to discuss alternative options / support for meeting this requirement.

Films commissioned by F-O-R-M must always credit F-O-R-M and Commissioning Fund Production Partners (i.e., Cineworks) when distributed/screened, and may be used for promotional or screening purposes, until December 31, 2030, at which point the promotional or screening rights are transferred to the lead artist; however, F-O-R-M retains educational and archival rights. Full length screenings of the film coordinated by F-O-R-M taking place between January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2030 will always be communicated to and approved by the lead artist.

No refunds will be issued once the application fee has been paid.

Last updated February 27, 2025