Festival Regulations
1. The 4th Rhodopе International Documentary Film Festival will be held from 11th to 14th July 2024 in Smolyan.
2. The program is divided into the following sections:
– International Documentary Feature Competition
– International Documentary Middle-Length Competition
– International Documentary Short Competition
– Special Events: lectures, workshops
3. Film submissions are accepted for the following sections:
– International Documentary Feature Competition
– International Documentary Middle-Length Competition
– International Documentary Short Competition4. Eligibility criteria and duration of films
– Only films completed between 1st January 2022 and 1st March 2024 are eligible to participate in the Festival.
– All films must be submitted in the final cut version.
– A submission can be in any language; if it is not in Bulgarian, English subtitles must be included.
5. Film duration per category
International Documentary Short Competition: under 30 minutes
International Documentary Middle-Length Competition: 30‒60 minutes
International Documentary Feature Competition: over 60 minutes
6. Submissions
Early bird deadline for submissions: 15th January 2024
Regular deadline for submissions: 1 March 2024
The Festival Director will appoint a Selection Committee to view all the films.
7. The online submission form is available on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/RIFE-2024
8. Submission fee (Early Bird deadline / Regular deadline):
– International Documentary Feature Competition: 10 Euro / 15 Euro
– International Documentary Middle-Length Competition: 7 Euro / 10 Euro
– International Documentary Short Competition: 5 Euro / 7 Euro
Submission of any lenght Bulgarian documentary production is free and, if selected, the films are part of the international competition in the respective section.
The submission fees are non-refundable even if an application is either rejected or enrollment is cancelled.
9. Submission procedure
‒ Read and consent to the Regulations
‒ Submit via FilmFreeway
10. Film formats
– For selection purposes: secured online screener (valid for at least three months after the submission deadline).
– Screening format for the selected films: DCP or HD file with .srt file for the subtitles.
11. RIFE will cover the full costs of returning copies of films selected for the Competition sections in Smolyan to the address provided by the producer, unless the film is to be sent on to another destination. RIFE will cover the full costs of storage and insurance for the films during the Festival.
The Festival’s liability for any loss or damage incurred during this period is limited to the replacement value of the copy.
12. RIFE may invite one person representing each film in the International Documentary Competition in Smolyan for two days. The terms and conditions for Festival guests will be included in their personal invitations. Our Guest Services team will contact every filmmaker selected to provide all the information needed for transportation, accommodation and Festival accreditation.
13. Festival Juries and Awards
An international jury of three members will determine the award-winning films in each category.
Awards:
Grand Prix for Best Documentary Feature;
Featurette Film Award for Best Featurette;
Short Film Award for Best Short Film;
Audience Award: The audience will vote for their favorite Competition entry.
The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
The Festival reserves the right to present a selection of films after the Festival ends on an online platform limited to the territory of Bulgaria between 16th July and 31st July 2024.
14. The participant guaranties that they own or otherwise control all the rights to the submitted film.
15. All RIFE participants undertake to comply in full with the present Regulations.
The Festival Director has the right to settle all disputes and issues not covered by these Regulations.
16. For additional information please check the festival website www.rife.bg or contact us at info@rife.bg
Consent
A submission to RIFE constitutes your consent to all rules, regulations and conditions contained in this document, including your consent to the consideration of your film for any awards that may be given at the Festival. Submission also certifies that all film and music rights and clearances have been obtained (in accordance with Bulgarian copyright laws). Rights holders grant RIFE the right to use existing trailers or an excerpt lasting at most 30 seconds to be chosen by us from the film for the purpose of advertising the Festival. Similarly, for the purpose of advertising the Festival, rights holders grant RIFE the right to use the photographs and stills provided. By submitting, you agree not to withdraw your film from RIFE once it has been accepted by the Selection Committee.
