Artists based in so-called Canada are invited to apply with a short movement-based film to the ninth annual F-O-R-M (Festival Of Recorded Movement) in November 2024.

In 2024, our Short Film Call will be open nationally to artists based across so-called Canada, marking a shift from our previous years’ international open calls. This year, F-O-R-M is embracing a more intimate and local focus, prioritizing the cultivation of deeper connections within our community here in so-called Vancouver. This intentional shift allows us to celebrate and uplift the incredible works of local and national artists. By looking inward this year, we aim to strengthen our foundation and look forward to welcoming international artists again in 2025 for our 10th annual festival.

Our 2024 festival will offer a hybrid of in-person events in so-called Vancouver and online programming. The festival will be responsive to government guidelines surrounding COVID-19. Selected short films will be screened in 3 presentation modes come our 9th festival in November 2024. Films may be screened at in-person cinemas or in our Public Screens Program, where films play on a loop on outdoor screens throughout so-called Vancouver (such as grunt gallery’s Mount Pleasant Community Arts Screen). All films will be available on our Digital Library to view online from anywhere in the world.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
➔ Applicants must identify as either a Youth Artist (15-25 years) or Emerging Artist (26+ and new to the practice of movement-on-screen).
➔ We are only accepting submissions from applicants who are either:
1) Currently based in so-called Canada
2) Are Canadian citizens or have Permanent Resident status
➔ Films must be between 3-15 minutes in duration to submit.
➔ All applicants must agree to our Rules and Regulations. (see below)
➔ Artists may apply with a maximum of two films each.

ABOUT F-O-R-M:
F-O-R-M presents films that investigate the body in motion through curiosity, experimentation, and imagination. We are interested in films that creatively explore our personal lived experiences and how such themes can be told through narrative or experimental approaches. Cinematography, experimental and DIY (Do It Yourself) editing styles/approaches, and post-production effects are also considerations that contribute and add layers to the subject matter. We invite proposals to consider the interplay between the camera and the movement, regardless of the form. Learn more about F-O-R-M on our About page: https://www.f-o-r-m.ca/about

F-O-R-M strongly encourages and prioritizes applications from Youth artists, and those from intersectional and traditionally marginalized communities; Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, folks with disabilities, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions (LGBTQ2S+).

THEMES:
We are prioritizing four specific themes in our curatorial approach this year:
1) Rethinking Movement
2) Accessibility
3) Street Dance
4) Recorded Movement

We understand that films aren’t one dimensional and are not limited to the themes listed. Within the submission form, you will find an option to select the theme that your film may fall under if you feel so inclined. We encourage you to choose a theme and add an additional explanation in the submission form to expand on your choice, as it assists our curatorial process.

Read more about the curatorial themes here: https://www.f-o-r-m.ca/short-film-submissions-2024/

If selected, artists will receive a minimum screening fee of $250 CAD as well as free admission to all festival screenings and events.

Submit for FREE via our website application form: https://www.f-o-r-m.ca/short-film-submissions-2024/

If you have any questions about our application process please e-mail Associate Artistic Director Erin Lum at erin@f-o-r-m.ca.

Rules & Terms

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, 2029).

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 2024 and the Festival of Recorded Movement (November 2024) without express permission from the Artistic Director Tamar Tabori (tamar@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 September 6, 2024 (for Short Films) or October 17, 2024 (for F-O-R-M Commissioned Films) 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 Cineworks when distributed / screened, and may be used for promotional or screening purposes, until December 31, 2029, 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, 2025 - December 31, 2029 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 April 18, 2024
7 Reviews
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  • Dustin Chok

    Incredible festival!
    So well curated and hosted, F-O-R-M festival instantly makes you feel like part of the community. Truly unique!

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Hadi Moussally

    I am very proud to be part of this festival, with it's selection & communication. Thank you for that and congrats for all the work you have done.

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Alfonso Sales

    Being part of F-O-R-M was such an enjoyable experience. Most events took place online due to the pandemic but the festival organizers were very welcoming and took care of everything and everyone so well that you'd feel as if you were there in person. Not only is F-O-R-M a great platform to showcase your film (or watch other eye-opening films ), but it's also a space wherein they shed light onto the people involved in creating these wonderful works, especially through their Artist Talkbacks. Congrats to the entire F-O-R-M team for putting this up!

    October 2021
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  • Clotilde Rullaud

    Unfortunately I couldn't attend. But it seemed to be an extraordinary event. Sophia and the entire team have been so easy to communicate with. And I loved the postcard we received to thank us for being part of the festival. This festival is definitely great support for new and established independent film makers!
    Thank you to all the festival team!

    October 2018
    Helpful
  • Sveinung Gjessing

    N-I-C-E film festival! Promotes dance on screen in a superb way!

    September 2018
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