PRELIMINARY GUIDELINES
All short films must be 12 minutes or less in length and be a PG rating as this is a family event. In some cases, we may accept longer videos up to 12 minutes. Extreme violence, profanity, sexual jokes and references, nudity, racial jokes, witchcraft, or other non-PG rated inferences will NOT be accepted. Any genre (action, suspense, comedy, romance, stop motion, adventure, trick shot compilations, history) is acceptable.
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted. Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform or a password-protected streaming URL. In the event of a password change or link change after submitting, you must email the Festival at filmfestival@jlvideo.com immediately with that change so we may update your record. If the Festival is not notified of the change and the link is found to be inactive or the password to be incorrect, the submission may be deemed ineligible.
We won’t accept films on Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file for exhibition, DO NOT SUBMIT your film.
Films must have been completed after January 1, 2019. Films must be available for screening during the JL Video Film Festival on February 26, 2022.
Films with US distribution (obtained prior to being selected for JLVFF screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition. Short Films that have played in Tampa in a theatrical setting to a public audience prior to February 26, 2022 are not eligible to compete at the JL Video Film Festival. This includes online screenings through festivals based in Tampa. The ONLY exception is that a short may play as part of a class screening for an accredited university’s film program. We prefer that shorts be Florida premieres. Submitted films may not be publicly available online prior to the festival. Private screenings to a small group of friends and family do not count as publicly available online. Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a film’s eligibility.
JLVFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund. Films that are selected to screen at the Festival may not necessarily be selected to be “in competition” for awards purposes. Notifications regarding potential selection for competition status possibly may occur subsequent to notifications of acceptance for exhibition.
ORIGINALITY AND PERMISSIONS; INDEMNITY
Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the festival. Neither the festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. JLVFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Should the film be accepted to play during the Festival, the filmmaker will have the opportunity to supply the Festival with their most recent version, but JLVFF must approve again before playing at the event.
SELECTED FILMS AND WINNERS
JLVFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process. JLVFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by JLVFF or by its volunteers.
Winners will be announced on the event date, February 26, 2022. The judges’ decision is final. Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.
