SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
1. You may submit the same film in multiple categories, but must pay for each entry and/or category.
2. MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS: We accept films from middle school and high school students in the U.S. and U.S. territories only. You must upload a photo of your current student ID. Submissions without photos will be disqualified. Only one film per submitter is allowed. Anything over one film will be disqualified.
3. COLLEGE STUDENTS: We accept films from college students in the U.S. and U.S. territories only. You must upload a photo of your current student ID. Submissions without photos will be disqualified. Only two films max per submitter is allowed. Anything over two films will be disqualified.
4. You may submit a film that was previously submitted but not accepted or one that did not receive an honorable mention.
5. If your film is selected and you do not respond to emails or download requests, the film status will be changed or "withdrawn" as we cannot screen your film without your authorization.
TIME LIMIT:
1. The TRT (total run time) limits of all films include the complete end credits.
2. Any submission exceeding the time limit of the category the film was entered, will be disqualified.
3. The minimum runtime for films for this showcase cycle is 3 minutes with a maximum of 2 hours.
4. Any submission under 3 minutes or over 2 hours will be disqualified.
SUBTITLES:
1. If your film includes non-English language, please include subtitles within the film or an option to turn them on via other platforms.
2. Non-English language films without subtitles may be disqualified or may not be ranked as high if the screeners are unable to understand the context.
ACCEPTABLE FORMATS/LINKS:
1. Acceptable submission formats are: FilmFreeway, Vimeo, or YouTube. If your film is submitted in any other format it will be labeled as "Incomplete."
2. After 2 or more days of being "Incomplete" the project may be disqualified.
3. If submitting a password-protected project, please remember to include passwords, if applicable. Also, be sure the password is correct. If the project contains an incorrect password, we will make attempts to reach the submitter for correction or assistance. If there is no response, the submissions may be disqualified.
FORMATS & SELECTIONS:
Currently, we do not accept DCP formats. If your film is selected, you must allow us to download an MP4 file (1080 HD) or upload a digital file of your project (MP4 - 1080 HD), within 7 days. You will receive additional instructions from the festival coordinators, if needed. If you or your film is selected for panel, additional information will be requested beforehand.
AUTHORIZATIONS:
By submitting a project to the Huntington Beach Cultural Film Festival, the applicant confirms and warrants that they are entitled to submit the project to the Huntington Beach Cultural Film Festival and have authorization and consent from the owners of copyright and related rights, any trademarked content and/or other subject matter of intellectual property on the content included within the submission. Dominion InnerTainment and all its affiliates, will not and cannot be held liable for any infringements.
Furthermore, by submitting to the Huntington Beach Cultural Film Festival the applicant guarantees that all rights are cleared, declares to be the owner of the rights in the work submitted and that he/she is authorized to grant rights of usage and/or to transfer it to third parties. PLEASE NOTE: If your film does not have proper releases and user rights, it may be disqualified.
Huntington Beach Cultural Film Festival, its representatives, authorized persons and/or employees shall not be held responsible for any unauthorized inclusion of any content that might be the basis for third parties’ claims.
The applicant shall protect and fully indemnify Huntington Beach Cultural Film Festival, all of its affiliates, representatives, authorized persons and/or employees against all claims, losses, damages, liabilities, and expenses arising out of or in connection with claims by third parties in relation to the submission.
Huntington Beach Cultural Film Festival reserves the right to disqualify and exclude any film that is subject to third parties’ claims.
Please be advised, WE DO NOT PAY TO SHOWCASE, FEATURE OR SCREEN FILMS. If you have a distribution deal, by submitting to this showcase, you give us permission to display, broadcast, share, feature copyright protected content in our live, in-person screening, on our website and/or other online/streaming formats free of charge and without any claims of copyright or trademark infringement.
