Covid-Update Aug 2021: We are still in Look-Down and it's unclear when the 7th edition of the FilmkreisShorts will happen.

The sixth Filmkreis Shorts will take place on January 30th, 2020. We will present you a diverse program of short films from all around the world. If you are a filmmaker please feel free to submit your film to the contest. With a bit of luck you may win one of the three audience prices or one of the three jury prices.

Die sechste Ausgabe der Filmkreis Shorts erwartet euch am 30. Januar 2019. Wir präsentieren euch wie gewohnt ein bunt durchmischtes Programm von ca. 2 Stunden Länge mit Kurzfilmen aus aller Welt. Wenn ihr selber Kurzfilme dreht seid ihr hiermit dazu aufgerufen euren Film bis zum 17. August bei uns einzureichen. Mit etwas Glück gewinnt euer Film einen der sechs Publikums- oder Jurypreise.

In total six awards are presented. Three jury awards and three audience awards. The prizes will be granted to the director. In case there are multiple co directors, the prize money will be awarded based on the order of names in the after-movie credits. All movies selected for the Filmkreis Shorts automatically enter the competition for the jury and audience awards.

1st Jury Award: 300€
2nd Jury Award: 200€
3rd Jury Award:100€

1st Audience Award: 200€
2nd Audience Award:125€
3rd Audience Award: 75€

For more information visit the rules and regulations on our website:
GERMAN: https://filmkreis.de/assets/Uploads/6-Filmkreis-Shorts-Reglement.pdf
ENGLISH: https://filmkreis.de/assets/Uploads/6-Filmkreis-Shorts-Reglement-English-Version.pdf

VERY IMPORTANT: Please make sure that if you are submitting your Film via FilmFreeway, the submission preview copy of your movie can be downloaded, or your film might not be accepted!

Please read the full rules and regulations here. The German version is the binding one.
GERMAN: https://filmkreis.de/assets/Uploads/6-Filmkreis-Shorts-Reglement.pdf
ENGLISH: https://filmkreis.de/assets/Uploads/6-Filmkreis-Shorts-Reglement-English-Version.pdf

In order to submit your film to the Filmkreis Shorts using FilmFreeway, you need a free waiver code. You can retreive the code here: https://filmkreis.de/programm/shorts/6-filmkreis-shorts/submission-code

As we are not native English speakers, this translation has to be seen as a “service
translation“. The German version is the binding version.
1. General
• The regulations will be automatically accepted by submitting at least one film.
• The number of films that can be submitted is not limited.
• No submission fee is charged.
• Submitted movies must conform to the following limitations:
◦ has been produced in 2017 or later.
◦ have a running time of a maximum of 20 minutes.
◦ have either German or English dialog, or at least feature German or English subtitles.
• Resubmissions of films, that have been submitted to a prior Filmkreis Shorts, are allowed if the film has not been shown in this event yet.
• Allowed to submit are exclusively those persons, who belong to the direction or the production of that film; or those who have been authorized by them to do so.

2. Awards
In total six awards are presented. Three jury awards and three audience awards.
The prizes will be granted to the director. In case there are multiple co directors, the prize money will be awarded based on the order of names in the after-movie credits. All movies selected for the Filmkreis Shorts automatically enter the competition for the jury and audience awards.
2.1 Jury awards
The first jury award features prize money of 300€, the second jury award 200€ and the third jury award a prize money of 100€. The winners will be selected prior to the Filmkreis Shorts event.
2.2 Jury
The jury consists of 3 to 5 members, which are selected by the Studentischer Filmkreis.
2.3 Audience awards
The first audience award features prize money of 200€, the second jury award 125€ and the third jury award a prize money of 75€.
2.4 Out of competition
All submissions of films in which members of the Studentischer Filmkreis with voting power were involved or have worked on are ineligible for any awards.

3. Rights
By submitting, the filmmaker confirms, that the film is allowed to be shown at the 6th Filmkreis Shorts. Additionally, the Studentischer Filmkreis is permitted to use film clips (up to 59 seconds), graphic material, credits etc. for advertising purposes on their homepage and other events. The respective right holders agree to a gratuitous use of the film as part of the Filmkreis Shorts event. Furthermore, the use does not violate the rights of third parties (eg. copyrights, performance protection laws, personality rights, name and trademark rights) and in particular the rights to any third party material (eg. music, film, pictures or text) are also clarified for the use. The submitting person assumes full liability for the use of the respective film. In this regards the Studentischer Filmkreis an der Technischen Universität Darmstadt e.V. is exempted from all third party claims for using the film. This included the necessary and reasonable costs of legal defence. The place of jurisdiction is Darmstadt.

4. Rules for submission and entry deadline
The submission form with all necessary documents as well as the evaluation copy must have been received by 17 August 2019 at the Filmkreis in Darmstadt. For more information go to the homepage of the Filmkreis Shorts: https://filmkreis.de/shorts.
In addition to the form on our website the Studentischer Filmkreis also accepts submissions via the filmfreeway.com platform, which are made available for download.
The submission occurs digitally and can only be sent by mail in exceptional cases.

5. Evaluation copy
The filmmaker has to provide an evaluation copy of his*her movie for previewing purposes. Films in a different language than German or English must have German or English subtitles. The following rules apply to this evaluation copy:
• Maximum file size: 400 MB
• Codec:
◦ Video: H265, H264
◦ Audio: AAC, DTS, MP3, OGG, AC3
• Container format: MP4 or MKV
• Digital handover is possible through Dropbox, GoogleDrive, Wetransfer, MyAirBridge,
OneDrive, FTP, Vimeo, Download, FilmFreeway (in this case a download of the film must be possible), etc.
The Filmkreis is not providing any upload server. In exceptional cases and with a prior agreement the copy can be sent by mail as DVD, BluRay, USB stick, USB hard drive or as a film. In this case, the shipping costs are not covered by the Filmkreis. Please include postage costs for sending the evaluation copy back. (Please attach the suitable stamps)

6. Screening copy
The final copy for screening should be in the highest possible quality. Films in a different language than German or English must have German or English subtitles. In case of trouble with the final screening copy, we will use the evaluation copy instead. The download or shipment of the final screening copy will be agreed upon by the Studentischer Filmkreis and the submitter in December.
6.1 Digital format
DCP up to a resolution of 4K with a maximum of 7.1 audio channels. If possible, the format should be handed over as a 7zip or zip file or alternatively with an SHA/md5 checksum.
6.2 Film file (if DCP is not available)
• Codec: ProRes, H265 or H264 up to a resolution of 4K
• Container format: MP4 or MKV
• Audio channels: up to 7.1
• If possible, the format should be handed over as a 7zip or zip file or alternatively with an SHA/md5 checksum. Should the submitter not provide a DCP for the film, the Filmkreis reserves the right to create a DCP from the provided material.

7. Shipping
The Studentischer Filmkreis rejects all liabilities for damages to the movie/hard drive/disk etc. caused by the submitting person or the transport company, including damages through inadequate packaging. Damages caused by the members of the Studentischer Filmkreis have to be reported in writing within one week after receiving the copy back. Otherwise all later claims will be forfeited.
7.1. Shipping and contact address
Studentischer Filmkreis an der Technischen Universität Darmstadt e. V.
Karolinenplatz 5
D-64289 Darmstadt
For further questions contact shorts@filmkreis.de via e-mail.
7.2. Mode of shipment
National or international transport: by mail or courier. Shipments from non-EU countries with goods up to a value of 22€ must have a text on the label saying “No commercial value – for cultural purposes only”. There always has to be a pro
forma invoice attached containing all necessary information. Deliveries causing additional costs will be refused. In case of shipment of expensive goods, an insured shipment is necessary.
7.3. Shipping charges
The Submitter bears all costs of the shipment.
7.4. Return Shipment
The evaluation copies will only be sent back if the suitable stamps were attached. Otherwise, they will remain in the Filmkreis archive.

8. Notification
Submitters will receive a notification via e-mail in around the middle of December, if their film has been accepted. A list of all accepted films will be published on the homepage (https://www.filmkreis.de/shorts) at the end of December.

9. Refund of travel expenses
The intention to apply for the refunding of travel expenses must be announced to the Filmkreis before arrival. If a reimbursement has been confirmed by the Filmkreis, the Filmkreis will pay a maximum of 150 € (for travel from abroad up to 250 €) of travel expenses per film that has been included in the program after submission of receipts.
Every person that has been demonstrably involved in the filmmaking of an accepted movie and attended the 6th Filmkreis Shorts event can request a travel cost refund.
In case of multiple applications per film on refund of travel expenses, the 150 € or 250 € will be divided in percentages depending on the amount of the receipts.
The travel budget per film will be split among up to four persons according to the above
regulations.

In order to submit your film to the Filmkreis Shorts using FilmFreeway, you need a free waiver code. You can retreive the code here: https://filmkreis.de/programm/shorts/6-filmkreis-shorts/submission-code