🎬 Film Fest Antwerp – Official Rules & Submission Guidelines
Please read the following regulations carefully before submitting a film via FilmFreeway.
By submitting a film, the entrant fully agrees to all terms and conditions outlined below.
🔻 1. Production Year & Completion
* Only films completed in 2024 or later are eligible.
* The production year is determined by the date of final completion (picture lock).
* Works-in-progress will not be accepted.
* The submitted version must be the final festival version of the film.
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🔻 2. Genres, Duration & Categories
* All genres are welcome, including fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, hybrid forms, and others.
* Both national and international productions are eligible.
* The duration of the film determines its category (short film / feature film), in accordance with FilmFreeway guidelines.
* The festival reserves the right to place films in a different category if deemed necessary.
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🔻 3. Language & Subtitles
* Films in Dutch or English may be screened without subtitles.
* Films in any other language must be provided with **accurate English subtitles**.
* Subtitles must be technically correct and clearly readable.
* The submitter is responsible for the quality and synchronization of the subtitles provided.
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🔻 4. Premiere Status
* A Belgian, Flemish, or Antwerp premiere is not required.
* Films that have previously screened at other festivals or are available online remain eligible.
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🔻 5. AI-Generated Content (Strictly Prohibited)
Film Fest Antwerp stands for cinematic authenticity and human creative craftsmanship.
Therefore, the following applies:
* Films that are fully or partially generated by artificial intelligence (AI) are not permitted.
* This includes, but is not limited to:
* AI-generated images or animations
* AI-generated scripts or dialogue
* AI-generated voice-overs
* AI-generated music or soundtracks
* AI-generated actors or deepfake technology
* AI may not be used as the primary creative source for image, sound, or narrative content.
* Limited technical applications (such as color correction tools or standard post-production software with AI-assisted features) are permitted, provided they do not generate creative content.
* The festival reserves the right to request additional information regarding the production process.
* If a selected film is found to violate this clause, its selection may be immediately withdrawn without refund of submission fees.
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🔻 6. Rights & Legal Responsibility
By submitting a film, the entrant declares that:
* They hold all necessary rights (copyrights, music licenses, image rights, personality rights, etc.).
* All music used in the film is properly licensed.
* The film does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.
* All involved parties have granted permission for public screening.
Film Fest Antwerp cannot be held liable for any legal disputes arising from submitted works.
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🔻 7. Selection Process
* All submissions are reviewed by the official selection committee.
* The decisions of the selection committee are final and not subject to appeal.
* Individual feedback for non-selected films will not be provided.
* The festival is not obliged to select a minimum number of films per category.
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🔻 8. Screening Rights
* If selected, the submitter grants Film Fest Antwerp the right to screen the film during the festival without additional screening fees.
* Screenings may take place in a physical venue and/or as part of a special festival program.
* The film may be screened multiple times during the festival period if required for programming purposes.
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🔻 9. Technical Requirements
* Selected films must be delivered on time in the requested screening format (e.g., DCP or high-quality digital file).
* If the provided material is technically insufficient, the festival reserves the right to cancel the screening.
* Subtitles must be provided separately if requested.
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🔻 10. Promotional Use
By submitting a film, the entrant grants Film Fest Antwerp permission to:
* Use excerpts of up to 60 seconds for promotional purposes.
* Use stills, posters, trailers, and press materials on the festival website, social media, and in press communications.
* Publish the film’s title, synopsis, and credits in the official festival program.
Such use is strictly for the promotion of the festival and the selected film.
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🔻 11. Submission Fees
* Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
* Payment of a submission fee does not guarantee selection.
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🔻 12. Disqualification
The festival reserves the right to disqualify a film if:
* False or misleading information has been provided.
* The film does not comply with technical requirements.
* The film violates the AI policy.
* The film contains hateful, illegal, or criminal content.
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🔻 13. Force Majeure
Film Fest Antwerp cannot be held responsible for cancellation, postponement, or modification of the festival due to force majeure (including but not limited to pandemics, government measures, technical failures, or security concerns).
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🔻 14. Acceptance of the Regulations
By submitting a film via FilmFreeway, the entrant declares that:
* They have fully read and understood these regulations.
* They agree to all terms and conditions stated above.
* They are legally authorized to submit the film.
Film Fest Antwerp reserves the right to amend these regulations if necessary.
