RULES FOR SUBMISSIONS
1. All entries must be submitted online via FilmFreeway. Contact us if you need assistance.
2. Subtitles are REQUIRED for all films, for accessibility purposes.
3. Submissions are open to high school students (juniors and seniors only), undergraduate and graduate college students. Films can be completed within two years of graduation, between September 1, 2023 and before March 17th, 2025.
4. Any submissions that do not meet these requirements will not be refunded their fee and considered a donation.
5. There are four categories for award eligibility:
Narrative
Documentary
Animation
High School
6. The LFF Selection Committee, which will screen and evaluate all submissions, includes professional judges from the film and television industry.
7. The number of selections for each category is at the Committee’s discretion.
8. Criteria for judging is based on creativity of visual images, visual and audio production quality (irrespective of the cost of production), and the originality of the storytelling in any genre.
9. All Official Selections for each of the four categories will be announced on the LFF website and social media platforms. Directors will also be notified by email between March 7th and 17th,
TERMS
1. Submissions for the Lowell Film Festival For Future Filmmakers (LFF) is open to high school students (juniors and seniors only), undergraduate and graduate college students. Films can be completed within two years of graduation.
2. Films must have been completed between September 1, 2023 and before March 17th, 2025.
3. Student films and videos must present proper documentation from their academic institution. Examples include an academic ID of the director/producer or documents from an academic adviser or institution. Any films submitted as a student film without proper identification will not be judged or considered for exhibition.
4. Submissions will be checked for their eligibility and judged only in their appropriate categories.
5. All films must be presented in their original language with English subtitles if they are in a language other than English.
6. The film must be registered on FilmFreeway.com as a student project and be submitted no later than two years after graduation.
7. Premiere status on FilmFreeway is not required.
8. Running time, including credits, should not exceed 25 minutes.
9. All accepted films will be featured in an LFF program book.
10. Entry fees are non-refundable in the event that the submission is withdrawn.
11. If your film is selected for the festival, the filmmakers and/or production companies must provide LFF a subtitled copy of their film for exhibition at least 15 working days (3 weeks) before the festival.
12. Changes to the rules are at the discretion of LFF.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How do I submit captions/subtitles file to FilmFreeway?
If you have uploaded your video directly to FilmFreeway, Go to 'My Projects' > 'Project File', find the sub-section titled 'Subtitles and Captions', use the dropdown menu to select your language, then click 'Choose File' to upload your subtitle / caption file. You can also replace the video file with a version that includes superimposed subtitles/captions.
If your submission is an embedded file from Vimeo or YouTube, you are required to manage the subtitle files on those respective platforms since they technically host the video.
2. Do I need to submit a finished film for judging?
No. You do not have to meet our Technical Requirements (below) until your film is accepted by the festival. However, we expect the entire will be film submitted. It can be a fine cut without final credits, final mix or final color grading. But we expect to see a version that's very close to the length of the finished production. We will review the final version that you submit to check that there are no substantial changes.
3. Can I request a waiver or fee reduction for the submission fee?
Of course. See SUBMIT YOUR FILM on our website (linked on the FilmFreeway Home Page). Fill out the Assistance Request Form and submit it us.
4. Can I request an extension past the January submissions deadline?
Yes. Fill out the Assistance Request form on our website form (linked on the FilmFreeway Home Page). Fill out the Assistance Request Form and submit it us.
5. How will I be notified?
All filmmakers whose film will be screened at the festival will be notified by email between March 7th and 17th, 2025.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITION
1. The filmmakers and/or production companies must provide LFF a copy of their films for exhibition at least 10 working days (2 weeks) before the festival, so that the festival can decide whether these submitted formats will be acceptable.
2. A site will be provided to post the finished film.
3. All films must be of standard cinema aspect ratio and resolution (Square Pixels 1.0). Flat:1.85:1 2K (1980×1080) or 4K (3960×2160) Scope: 2.39:1 2K (2048×858) or 4K (4096×1716) and/or HD quality digital copy of the film in QuickTime (Pro Res 422) if applicable.
4. H264 (MP4) files can be accepted, provided the images are of excellent quality.
5. We will accept films with varying frame rates, but we ask that you identify if your work is 24fps, 30fps, or 25fps (or an international standard) upon submission.
6. Other formats may be possible to submit, but are not required. This includes a DCP. But the filmmakers/producer must give our projectionist the rights to re-format it for screening purposes.
RIGHTS
1. The submission of any films to the festival means that the filmmakers and/or the production company agree without any reservation to all the rules and regulations of LFF.
2. LFF is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted for promotional purposes of the festival.
3. The filmmakers and/or the production company allow LFF to use their film’s Press Kit or promotional materials for promotional purposes.
4. LFF will request a photo or digital image from the film to post online and include in the program book, as needed. Tiff, AI, or png files are preferred. JPG may be acceptable.
5. All music and other copyrighted material used in the film must be properly licensed and attributed. This includes student-produced music videos. LFF will require a release form or letter proving the film has the right to use the media.
