Hispanic International Film Festival

### Submission Requirements

To qualify for HIFF, your submission must meet **at least one** of the following criteria:
- Produced or directed by a person of Hispanic origin
- Features a Hispanic lead or supporting actor
- Subject matter relates to Hispanic issues or Hispanic culture

Films produced in non–Spanish-speaking countries are welcome when meeting any of the above conditions.

### Eligible Countries

Films must originate from one of the following:
Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, USA, or Venezuela.

Films produced outside these regions may still be considered if they comply with all other submission requirements listed above.

### Language Requirements

Non-English submissions must include subtitles or dubbing.

### Authorization & Entry Rights

The individual or corporation submitting warrants they are authorized to commit the film for screening and accept all festival requirements and regulations. The festival reserves the right to refuse entries without providing waivers.

### Promotional Rights

By submitting, you grant HIFF rights to use excerpts from accepted competition films for promotional purposes. Clips from winning entries may be streamed on HIFF.COM and WRPN.TV.

### Category Submission Guidelines

**Official Selection Listing:** Your film appears on the Official Selection list only when submitted to a main (full-price) category. Films entered solely into reduced-rate production value subcategories will not be publicly listed.

**Subcategory Awards:** Entry into subcategories does not guarantee selection or award. Films submitted exclusively to subcategories (without a major category entry) risk rejection if judges find the specific subcategory submission lacking merit, regardless of overall film quality. Judges may also award subcategory honors you didn't enter if they identify exceptional technical achievement.

**Subcategory Limitation:** Winning an award in a subcategory does not qualify a film for live screening or distributor submission.

**Award Allocation:** The number of awards granted at each level varies based on the total number of entries received by the competition deadline.

### Independent Evaluation Method

HIFF employs an individual merit-based judging system. Entries are evaluated independently against internal excellence standards rather than compared to one another. Each film receives focused attention during review, scored against performance criteria rather than relative ranking.

**Award Distribution:**
- **Best of Festival & Best of Show:** Top-scoring entries per season
- **Awards of Excellence levels:** Exceptional artistic and technical achievement
- **Awards of Merit & Kudos:** Notable achievements
- **No Award:** Some entries may not reach the award threshold

### Live Screening Protocol

**Best of Festival winners only** are screened theatrically. These events capture authentic audience reactions for distributor consideration—not networking opportunities. HIFF does not host after-screening parties or seminars. Audience video interviews may be conducted and featured on WRPN.tv.

**Technical Requirements:** Winners must provide screening-quality files (DCP preferred) and submit all required materials by the deadline.

**Screening Cancellation Rights:**
- Audience participation varies and remains outside our influence, regardless of advertising efforts by the cinema partner or our festival team. If a film does not attract viewers, we reserve the right to cancel the screening.
- If a Best of Festival winner chooses not to screen live, fails to supply required materials, or doesn't respond to requests, HIFF may cancel the live screening while the award itself remains valid.

The festival reserves the right to modify program dates and times.

### Distributor Relationships

HIFF has no control or influence over Polaris Pictures or any associated distributors regarding production offers or email responses. HIFF's role is to facilitate introductions for top winners, not to determine outcomes.

### Refund Policy

- **Before Official Selection:** Full refund upon withdrawal
- **After Official Selection:** No refunds issued

### Professional Judging

All judges (selection through final awards) are compensated professionals. We do not use unpaid volunteers in the evaluation process.

### Communication & Notifications

**Subscribe to the WRPN.tv mailing list** to ensure receipt of award notifications and exclusive discounts. We are not responsible for missed opportunities due to unread or undelivered emails.

### Award Certificates

Ordering award certificates is optional. Ordenar un certificado es opcional.

### Indemnification

Submitters must indemnify and hold harmless the Hispanic International Film Festival, WRPN.TV, and ROMAN PICTURES from all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including attorney's fees and court costs) arising from copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, or loss/damage to submitted materials.