*Please read all information prior to submitting.
Submission Guidelines and Categories -
Works considered will include:
1. Screendance films not exceeding 15 mins duration to be presented in a cinematic context.
2. Screendance films not exceeding 40 mins duration to be presented in a cinematic context.
3. Screendance feature length films over 40 min duration. This category may include feature length documentary, and narrative or non-narrative film. Please note only a limited number of longer films can be selected due to screening time capacity during the festival.
4. Student Films in which the director and/or choreographer is a registered student on a course up to and including MA level only during the production of the submitted work. Students can submit works in categories 1, 2, and 3 via FilmFreeway by selecting the Student Fee.
5. Screendance Open Format (A separate Open Call for this category will be announced on www.lightmoves.ie later in January). This category will invite artists’ proposals that go beyond the parameters of screenings. Keep an eye on our channels for further information.
Submission Handling Fees -
- Early bird before Friday 28 February 2025: €20
- Final deadline Friday 21 March 2025: €25
- Student: €10
Submission Fee Support -
Light Moves is a not-for-profit organisation and submission fees contribute directly to programme costs. Submission fee support is available to artists from emerging and developing countries as defined by the list of ODA recipients, or certain hardship circumstances. See Film Submission and Awards Terms and Conditions, 2025 4.b for more information.
Submitting your works -
Film Submissions must be made via FilmFreeway.com.
Enquiries re submissions can be made to lightmovescommunications@gmail.com before Friday 14 March 2025.
FILM SUBMISSION AND AWARDS TERMS AND CONDITIONS 2025
1. COPYRIGHT & USAGE POLICY
a. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that full copyright and permissions have been acquired in advance of submission to all categories. The festival will not be accountable for any additional presentation costs. Please pay particular attention to ensure that music used has been cleared for copyright and that music presentation tariffs are not required.
b. By submitting to the festival, applicants cede the right to reproduce extracts and images of the submitted works for the purpose of promoting Light Moves festival events. Submitters waive all claims to remuneration where extracts of work are presented in such contexts.
c. Please ensure that uploaded stills, images and headshots must be high resolution. By submitting these materials you allow the Festival to use them for promotional and press purposes.
2. SUBMISSIONS
a. Applicants may submit more than one application.
b. Films which are close to completion will be considered and these should be submitted in the usual fashion. Such works should clearly indicate what stages of finalisation are required before completion. Generally such works should be at the final edit stage with only elements such as audio mix or colour correction required. The duration of such works must not change from the duration submitted with the initial version to the final version. Such films must be submitted no later than one month prior to the festival dates.
c. All film submissions must include appropriate credits which clearly indicate those involved in the creation of the work. Where appropriate, funding bodies and any sponsors involved should be included. English subtitles are required where language plays a central role.
d. Submissions which are deemed to not meet the submission requirements cannot be considered.
e. The final deadline for receipt of film submissions is Friday 21 March 2025 (final deadline).
f. Only submissions accompanied by the correct fee and received by the allocated deadline, will be accepted/considered.
g. Light Moves welcomes the submission of feature films. However, please be aware that, due to the nature of the screening timetable, there are limited slots for feature length works.
h. Student films are defined as those either directed or choreographed by students during their studies on registered educational courses no higher than MA level. Submissions that do not clearly define the school or college you are/were registered at the time of production and the course title and degree type will not be considered.
i. Categories are a guide for submitters and are an organisation tool for programming the festival, but the festival may not screen works from every category. Works are selected based on a range of criteria, needs, contexts each year. If your film is not selected, it does not reflect on the quality of your work and ideas, but on the festival context, situation and programming in any given year.
3. SUBMISSION METHODS AND SCREENING FORMATS
a. Light Moves will accept works in a wide variety of formats and frame-rates. Aspect ratios from 1:1.37 to 1:2.39 are acceptable. However any film which deviates from 16:9 should be pillarboxed or letterboxed accordingly. Audio channels may be up to 5.1 surround sound and audio track ordering should conform to the standard AC3 arrangement (L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs). If alternative arrangements for media delivery are required please contact the festival team.
b. For digital online screenings, the screening format eligible for inclusion is h264 1080p digital file.
c. Light Moves requires that submission of works be made online via FilmFreeway and that, where possible, submitters also include a screening file of their work, to be downloaded if the submission is selected. Here is the link to the Light Moves festival listing on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/LightMovesFestival2025
d. In addition to the information requested on FilmFreeway, when completing your submission please be sure to include the following details:
- Choreographer(s);
- Composer/Sound;
- Dance/Production Company;
- Stereo/Surround Sound;
- Date of first screening of submitted work;
- College/University (student submissions);
- Academic Course Title (student submissions);
It is essential to also include at least two high resolution production photos (jpeg or png format is preferred).
e. Light Moves will not be held liable for any of the costs involved in submitting materials for the festival.
f. Works for the cinematic context will be presented at scheduled screenings with the facility to screen in HD, up to 2.39 widescreen and in stereo or 5.1 surround sound.
4. SUBMISSION FEES & SELECTION PROCESS
a. Film submission fees are as follows and are non-refundable:
Early bird : €20
Final deadline: €25
Student: €10
b.Light Moves is a not-for-profit organisation and submission fees contribute directly to programme costs. Submission fee support is available to artists from emerging and developing countries as defined by the list of ODA recipients here https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/DAC-List-of-ODA-Recipients-for-reporting-2022-23-flows.pdf or certain hardship circumstances. Please email lightmovescommunications@gmail.com for further information.
c. Film submissions will be selected by the festival curating team and selected works will be scheduled to screen at one of the film screenings during the festival. d. Entering a film into the festival indicates that the film/ work is copyright compliant and cannot be withdrawn following selection.
e. All entries to the festival submitted via this Open Call will be considered for the festival awards unless otherwise specified by the applicant.
f. The festival has the right to refuse to accept the film when its technical quality is faulty or publicity or other materials are not supplied by the required dates.
g. All festival decisions are final.
5. AWARDS
a. All films and video works selected for Light Moves which have been produced in the past five years will be considered for the festival prizes.
b. Works may be considered for the best student award where the director/choreographer or the creative team have created the film while studying at undergraduate or master’s level during 2021-2024 in an area related to dance and/or moving image. Works will be automatically considered for the Student Award where they have been submitted at the Student Rate. Proof of affiliation should be provided.
c. Award categories may include: Festival Award for outstanding overall work, Most innovative use of Sound/Music, Outstanding choreography and/or performance and Strong National/International Student Work.
d. The Jury for the competition prizes will be composed of internationally recognised film, media arts and dance experts invited by the Light Moves festival team.
e. The Festival Team reserves the right to add additional / remove award categories. Prizes will be announced prior to the festival in November 2025.
The Festival reserves the right to change the Terms and Conditions at any time.
