PLEASE READ ALL RULES AND TERMS BEFORE SUBMITTING
Our focus is on independent films and video games that are self-produced and financed. Please inform us if your entry is having any kind of premiere with us.
When submitting your project, ensure you apply to the correct and appropriate category. Our starting point for judging films is by length. If placed in the wrong category - It will be rejected.
There are NO restrictions on when your film or video game was completed or previously screened. Even if it is already online, you may enter your film or video game.
If your project is 'not in' English, please EMBED SUBTITLES in your screening file.
When submitting a video game, you must explain your involvement in the work. Please also have the right to submit a game (get permission from the publisher). Should you be selected, you must provide a copy for us to play.
A video will have to be submitted to enter. However, our goal is to create an environment where game creators are met halfway and can relax about promotion - A screen capture is fine. MAKE SURE to list where or if the game is published.
For all films and video games submitted, make sure your content is available to download in the highest quality possible, preferably via FilmFreeway or Vimeo. If you wish to send your film, do so on a USB stick. But it will only be returned if you send a Stamp addressed envelope.
We accept no responsibility for illegal submissions under any circumstances. Please check you are authorized to submit the film and that it is not subject to any litigation or under threat of litigation. If you have a distributor, make sure they agree to allow the film to be submitted. Each Applicant must possess all of the legal rights and clearances to the submission. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to clear all content of the Project from any and all actual or potential legal claims and issues, including, without limitation, claims based upon theories of libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, violation of rights of publicity, theft of trade secrets, breach of confidence, breach of confidential relationship, and breach of express or implied contract (“Third Party Claim(s)”). The Festival expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any content or materials within or relating to the submitted Project that are or may be the basis for any Third Party Claims based upon any of the foregoing legal theories or others.
In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Project makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any copyrighted content or material, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend the Festival, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.
The applicant permits HHFF to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the film. We also encourage accepted filmmakers and video game developers to do their promotion of the festival on social media - THIS BENEFITS US ALL.
Applicants agree to HHFF holding additional exhibition screenings if selected or win. The screening selections are at the sole discretion of the festival judges - All Decisions Are Final.
Anyone from any country can take part in this competition. EXCEPT those from a RESTRICTED/SANCTIONED country, in which case you CANNOT be included in the competition. Those countries include - Iran, Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, Myanmar(Burma), Mali, Venezuela, Afghanistan and those countries listed on the U.S. Department of Treasury website - https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs-and-country-information. If you are from a sanctioned country and you submit your film, the festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submissions fees collected from the Applicant.
For entrants under the age of 18 parental consent must be provided.
We do not offer screening fees under any circumstances.
It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that any Project submitted to the Festival for consideration is viewable in its entirety. The Festival reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Project that is not viewable due to any technical issue, whether the fault of the Applicant or any third-party system.
The overall winner (if attending) will receive their award on Saturday evening. All submitters are invited to attend.
The General Admission is TBD.
We cannot pay for travel or accommodation - If you attend, we will do our best to make your stay at the festival as much fun as possible.
You may withdraw your submission at any time, but there are NO REFUNDS.
We offer a discounted rate for films we invite you to submit. As festivals go, our entry fees are very reasonable.
Applicants acknowledge that HHFF reserves the right to change the nature of screenings and events due to circumstances related to public health and welfare or at the direction of local, state, or federal authorities. In such cases no submission refunds shall be issued.
HHFF is under no obligation to provide comments regarding submitted films to any applicant. The festival is not responsible for any internal comments obtained by the applicant regarding their film.
If the film is selected for the live screening of the annual, the director must be able to attend the screening in New York.
By submitting to the festival, you agree that you have read, understand, and will comply with all Terms & Conditions as stated in the items above.
