The spirit of the GATFFEST Film Festival is one of social and community upliftment, cooperation and human development. Therefore, we do not accept submissions that ridicule or demean people; incite hatred towards individual or groups; or promote violence.
The Film Review Committee chooses and invites the films which will be presented in the festival and reserves the right to cancel any submission during the festival.
Each film invited to be a part of the Official Selection by the Film Review Committee will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Only films that meet the following conditions may be chosen for invitation in the Official Selection:
Films that have been produced during the twenty four months preceding the Festival;
Films that are less than 30 minutes in length, in total run time, inclusive of credits.
Once a film has been selected it cannot be withdrawn from the Festival programme during the event.
During the entire duration of the GATFFEST Film Festival none of the films invited may be shown outside the Festival's official theatres before its official screening.
All films must be presented in their original language, with English subtitles. Original language means the language in which a film is or will be exhibited in its country of origin.
It is for the Film Review Committee to decide whether or not a film that does not exactly meet this criterion may participate in the Festival.
Films not presented in English or Jamaican Creole must have subtitles in English.
Each Committee Member votes by secret ballot. Decisions will be reached by an absolute majority of votes.
The Director designates the four Judges and Chief Judge of the short films in competition.
No person having taken part in the production or exploitation of a film in competition may be on the Committee.
Films may be submitted in the following categories:
Drama
Comedy
Romance
Animation
Documentary
Musical
Science Fiction
Horror
The Judges for the feature films in competition are obliged to award :
Best Directing (Franklyn St. Juste Award)
Most Original Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Local Film (Lennie Little-White Award)
Best International/Regional Film.
Best UWICFP Film
The Spirit of GATFFEST Award
Best of GATTFEST – “The Archie” — (Archibald McDonald Award)
Best Animated Film
Films chosen to be part of the Official Selection agree to use the “Official Selection” logotype of the GATFFEST Film Festival on all publicity. When publicizing awards, the award winners and distribution companies also agree to use the exact wording of the awards used by the GATFFEST Film Festival
The Director of the GATFFEST Film Festival has the power to settle all cases not covered by the present rules and regulations.
Participation in the GATFFEST Film Festival implies acceptance of all the aforementioned regulations and respect of pre-selection conditions.
