FILM COMPETITION RULES
FenceSitter Film Festival
Date: April 23 - 26 2026
Location: Bernardsville Cinema, Bernardsville, NJ
FenceSitter Film Festival-South
Date: July 9-12, 2026
Location: The Beach Theater, St. Pete Beach Florida
The FenceSitter Film Festival does not waive entry fees. The same rules and entry fees apply to all applicants so no one film is favored over another. FSFF does not invite films to be in competition. Only films submitted are considered for competition.
The following rules govern all film submissions to the FenceSitter Film Festival(“FSFF” or the “Festival”)
ELIGIBILITY
1. Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form via FilmFreeway.com. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.
2. All submissions must be submitted as an online streaming video via FilmFreeway.com.
3. FSFF screens films as digital files during the Festival. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file for exhibition, DO NOT SUBMIT your film.
4. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023. Films must be available for screening during the FenceSitter Film Festival, April 18–21, 2024.
5. Films with US distribution are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for a special screening.
16. Short films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival may be considered for exhibition during the Festival, but will be ineligible for Jury Awards. We prefer that shorts not be publicly available online. Online, private screenings through a festival’s online program do not count as publicly available online.
7. Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a film’s eligibility.
8. FSFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
9. Films that are selected to screen at the Festival may not necessarily be selected to be “in competition” for awards purposes. Notifications regarding potential selection for competition status possibly may occur subsequent to notifications of acceptance for exhibition.
ORIGINALITY AND PERMISSIONS; INDEMNITY
1. Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.
2. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. FSFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
1. Films that have not received a full color edit, or sound edit are eligible for submission. FSFF prefers picture-locked submissions for the consideration process. FSFF’s focus is on story, technical changes such as color or sound will not affect the final decision of any film. Should the film be accepted to play during the Festival, the filmmaker will have the opportunity to supply the Festival with their most recent version.
2. Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by FSFF in connection with the dispute.
3. You MUST include your physical address either in your entry or in your cover letter. Please do not submit a film without giving us your address, which we need for our records.
SELECTED FILMS AND WINNERS
1. FSFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.
2. FSFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by FSFF or by its volunteers.
3. Winners will be announced on April 21, 2024. The judges’ decision is final.
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October 19-22, 2023
5 Mine Brook Rd | Bernardsville,NJ 07924
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