MEDIA AVE STUDIOS FILM FESTIVAL 2026 SUBMISSION TERMS & CONDITIONS
Submissions are accepted and judged on a quarterly basis. Winners are announced at the end of each quarter.
Annual Competition: All quarterly winners are automatically entered into the annual MAS Film Festival Awards, held at the end of the calendar year.
Open to filmmakers of all nationalities and backgrounds.
Films of all genres and styles are welcome: narrative, documentary, animation, experimental, etc.
You may submit more than one project, but each entry requires a separate submission and fee.
The undersigned, as authorized representative of the submission named below (hereafter the “Project”) and on behalf of all persons or entities with ownership or license interests in the Project (collectively, the “Project Owners”), hereby submits the Project to Media Ave Studios Film Festival (hereafter “MAS Fest” or “Festival”) and represents, warrants, and agrees as follows:
Authority & Clearances
(a) The authorized representative of the submission and to grant all rights herein on behalf of the Project Owners.
(b) The inclusion, exhibition, or distribution (live or digital) of the Project in the Festival will not infringe or violate any law or third‑party right.
(c) The Project is not subject to any pending litigation, dispute over ownership, or contractual arrangement that would conflict with these terms.
(d) No future agreement will be entered into that impairs the rights granted under this submission.
Rights, Releases & Clearances
Submissions require all necessary rights, licenses, releases, permissions, and clearances (music, stock footage, underlying rights, actor releases, etc.) have been obtained and are paid in full so that the exhibition of the Project in the Festival (live, digital, or hybrid) will not infringe any privacy, publicity, defamation, trademark, copyright, or other rights
Minor Consent
If the undersigned is under the age of majority in their jurisdiction, written consent from a parent or legal guardian is required.
Festival Benefits & Internal Obligations
Submission to MAS Film Festival does not guarantee compensation or define a confidential relationship with Media Ave Studios.
If the project owner(s) are contractually obligated to provide “festival benefits” (passes, credits, compensation) to participants (producers, cast, crew, etc.) of the production, the project creator is solely responsible for managing those obligations. Media Ave Studios has no responsibility in regard to distributing benefits to anyone except the submitter.
Compensation eligibility is dependent on the official selected award amount of the winners' non-recurring prize.
guarantee of compensation or distribution, and that acceptance does not create any trustee or confidential relationship.The submitter agrees that MAS Film Festival’s selection does not imply endorsement of content or viewpoint.
Eligibility for royalties is singly based on the conditions of a MAS TV membership. Therefore, it is understood that the production's eligibility for a compensation contract is a separate entity aside from a submission to MAS Film Festival. The creator must inquire about acquisition of the MAS TV membership to secure a binding agreement between the creator and Media Ave Studios.
To distribute your work on an on-going basis and form a partnership, a supporting contract is to be made with a MAS TV network submission.
Indemnification
The undersigned (and Project Owners) shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Media Ave Studios, the Film Festival, its officers, employees, agents, advisors, volunteers, licensees, and any associates. By submitting to MAS Film Festival, you assign (collectively, “MAS Related Parties”) from all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to breach of these representations or any third‑party claim in connection with the Project or its exhibition.
Voluntary Submission; No Obligation
Submission is voluntary. MAS Fest is not obligated to select, exhibit, return materials, or provide notice regarding non-selection.
Waiver of Claims / Limitation of Remedies
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the undersigned and Project Owners waive any right to bring any claim, suit, or proceeding against Media Ave Studios related parties arising from submission, selection, exhibition, or non-selection (contract, tort, statute, or otherwise). If any such claim proceeds notwithstanding this waiver, the sole remedy shall be refund of the submission fee (if paid). Under no circumstances shall any MAS Related Party be liable for consequential, punitive, exemplary, or other damages, or injunctive or declaratory relief.
Rights Granted Upon Acceptance
If the Project is accepted for the Festival, the undersigned grants (without additional compensation and without further approval) to MAS Fest and its agents the irrevocable, non‑exclusive rights to:
(a) use excerpts, stills, trailers, and titles of the project for promotional, marketing, and archival purposes;
(b) issue publicity, press materials, and announcements referencing the Project and its makers;
(c) use names, likenesses, biographies, and credits of cast/crew in connection with Festival promotion.
No Guarantees of Feedback or Process Transparency
MAS Fest does not guarantee feedback, commentary, or disclosure of internal review or programming decisions. Submission does not imply any obligation to provide input on evaluations.
Digital Assets & Access
By submitting, the undersigned grants MAS Fest and its agents the right to view, access, and store all digital assets (screeners, stills, trailers, press kits) until the close of the Festival. MAS Fest will take reasonable security measures (watermarking, restricted access). The undersigned and Project Owners release MAS Related Parties from liability for unauthorized copying, piracy, or access while in their possession or on official Festival platforms.
Governing Law; Arbitration; Dispute Resolution
These terms shall be governed by California law. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms, the Project, or the Festival shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration under JAMS rules (Streamlined or otherwise), to be held in Los Angeles, California. The arbitrator shall have no power to award punitive damages or compel inclusion of the project in the festival.
Community Code & Disqualification
MAS Film Festival promotes a safe and respectful environment. If any person affiliated with the project engages in behavior contrary to the festival’s community code or harassment/discrimination policies, MAS Fest reserves the right (in its sole discretion) to rescind screening, disqualify the project, or deny attendance privileges and resubmission.
Superseding Rules & Updates
The rules and regulations posted on the official MAS Fest site (submission deadlines, format guidelines, etc.) shall govern and supersede any contradictory statements elsewhere (e.g. FAQs). MAS Fest reserves the right to update rules; the version posted at time of submission controls.
Binding On Successors
If accepted, a formal Festival Participation Agreement will be executed incorporating these terms. MAS Fest reserves the right to revoke acceptance if such agreement is not executed.
Severability & Interpretation
If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be modified to the extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining terms will remain in full force and effect.
