1. General Information
The Lisbon Underwater Film Festival (LUFF) is an annual event celebrating underwater cinematography and ocean storytelling. Hosted in Lisbon, the festival aims to raise awareness for ocean conservation and highlight the creative and scientific achievements of filmmakers, explorers, and researchers.
The present regulations apply to all films submitted for consideration and participation in LUFF.
2. Eligibility
Films must relate to the underwater world, marine life, conservation, subaquatic exploration, underwater archaeology, or related themes.
Submissions are open to professionals and independent filmmakers worldwide.
Films completed on or after January 1, 2023 are eligible.
All genres are accepted: documentary, fiction, experimental, animation, and short formats.
Films must include English or Portuguese subtitles if the spoken language is not English or Portuguese.
3. Categories
Submitted films may be considered for the following categories:
- Best Underwater Documentary
- Best Short Film (under 20 minutes)
- Best Film on Ocean Conservation
- Audience Choice Award
The Selection Committee reserves the right to assign submitted works to the most appropriate category.
4. Submission Guidelines
All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway, the official platform of the Lisbon Underwater Film Festival.
Required materials include:
- A screening copy (link or upload)
- Film trailer
- Synopsis
- Director’s bio
- Three promotional stills
- Declaration of Copyright Assignment for Public Exhibition (please follow the minute at the end of these Rules & Terms).
The submission deadline is November 13, 2025.
Selected films will be notified by December 15, 2025.
5. Submission Origin
Film entries can be submitted in one of the following ways:
- Spontaneous submission by filmmakers via FilmFreeway.
- By invitation from the LUFF organisation, based on curatorial research and recommendations.
Both types of submissions are subject to the same eligibility and evaluation criteria, but only spontaneous submissions will be submitted to the festival Selection Committee.
6. Selection & Screening
A curatorial committee composed of filmmakers, divers, scientists, and programmers will review all submissions.
Selected films will be screened at Cinema São Jorge, and some may be included in an online/hybrid program, geo-restricted to Portugal.
For theatrical screenings, all selected films must be delivered as a Digital Cinema Package (DCP).
The festival reserves the right to schedule additional sessions or special screenings during the event.
7. Awards & Jury
Films in competition will be evaluated by a jury of international filmmakers, ocean advocates, scientists, and journalists.
Winners will be announced during the Closing Ceremony on February 15, 2026.
The jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal or recourse.
Unless announced otherwise, no financial prizes are guaranteed, but trophies and media promotion will be provided.
8. Rights & Responsibilities
By submitting, the entrant authorises LUFF to use excerpts (up to 2 minutes), stills, and text for promotional purposes.
The entrant affirms that all rights, including music, images, and footage, are cleared for public exhibition.
LUFF is not liable for unauthorised use of copyrighted material.
9. Participation
Selected filmmakers will be offered complimentary access to festival events and may be invited to participate in Q&A sessions, panels, or workshops.
LUFF may support travel or accommodation for selected filmmakers, subject to budget and sponsorship availability.
10. Agreement
Submission to the Lisbon Underwater Film Festival implies full acceptance of these regulations. The festival reserves the right to make final decisions on any matters not covered herein.
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Declaration of Copyright Assignment for Public Exhibition
City, Month Day, Year
Parties Involved:
Cedent (Copyright Holder):
- Name: [Entity Full Name]
- Address: [Entity Address]
- E-mail: [Entity Email Address]
- Represented by [Representative Full Name]
Cessionary:
- Name: Cinema São Jorge
- Address: Av. da Liberdade 175, 1250-096 Lisboa, Portugal
- E-mail: info@cinemasaojorge.pt
Description of the Work:
- Title of the Movie: [Title of the movie]
- Brief Description: [Title of description]
[Description]
Copyright Assignment:
[Entity Full Name] hereby declares that it is the rightful copyright holder of the movie titled [Title of the movie]. For public exhibition, [Entity Full Name] willingly and unconditionally assigns all rights related to this work to Cinema São Jorge.
This assignment includes, but is not limited to:
- The right to publicly exhibit the movie in any authorised venue.
- The right to reproduce, adapt, and publish the movie for promotional purposes related to public screenings under the Lisbon Underwater Film Festival Rules & Terms.
- The right to use images or promotional materials associated with the movie.
Recommended Viewing Age Statement:
The filmmaker or producer of [Title of the movie] recommends the following age level for viewing:
☐ General Audience
☐ Ages 6 and up
☐ Ages 12 and up
☐ Ages 16 and up
☐ Ages 18 and up
☐ Other: [Specify if needed]
Purpose of the Assignment:
This assignment is free of charge and valid only for the exhibition of the movie [Title of the movie] at the Lisbon Underwater Film Festival at Cinema São Jorge, in Lisbon, Portugal, from February 13 to 15, 2026. It is intended to facilitate legal and authorised screenings under Portuguese copyright laws.
Signature and Date:
[Entity Full Name] signs this declaration on [Insert Date].
Signature:
Date:
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