RAMSGATE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The 9th Ramsgate Film Festival will take place in Ramsgate from March 26th to 29th, 2026.
Films must be submitted via online screener ONLY.
We do not normally accept subsequent cuts or more complete versions of submitted films, therefore changing or updating the originally submitted link is likely to invalidate your submission. However, please communicate with us and we will try to accommodate you if possible.
Submission Eligibility
- All submissions must have been completed after 1 January 2024
- Ramsgate International Film Festival requires England South East Premiere and preferably UK Premiere, however not mandatory.
Running time:
Feature film: min. 40 min
Short film: max. 39 min
Web series: max. 30 min worth of episodes
TV pilot: max. 50 min
The submitter agrees on behalf of the Film’s Owners that, by submitting the Film to RIFFEST, to grant the irrevocable right to view and/or download all digital assets associated with the Film, including, but not limited to, any representation of the Film in the form of video files, still images, assets streamed via the Internet, and/or all other assets and information provided by the Applicant on the application. In the case of online screenings, all digital assets referenced above shall remain active and accessible by the Festival until the conclusion of the Festival on March 29th, 2026. Any dissemination of these materials, incidental or otherwise, shall not be the responsibility of the Festival or any related parties.
Screenings are scheduled at the discretion of RIFFEST. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, RIFFEST reserves the right to make changes at any time for any reason. RIFFEST will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling.
No film may be withdrawn from the festival programme after its selection.
Each filmmaker with a film selected to be screened at the Ramsgate International Film Festival 2026, will receive two festival passes. More passes can be given but it is discretionary. A festival pass gives free access to all screenings and talks throughout the festival (but not special meals)
Screening Package:
Your screening package must arrive by February 15, 2026, NO LATER.
Some venues require a DCP, others a file. Please provide your film to us for screening in format requested:
1. DCP at 24fps or 25fps with the original source material being at least 1080p resolution
2. .mov or .mp4 file at 24fps or 25fps in at least 1080p resolution
3. a link to download a .mov or .mp4 at 24fps or 25fps in at least 1080p resolution
Cost of shipping DCPs and other materials to and from the Festival are the filmmakers' responsibility. Attending filmmakers may collect their DCP or material at the event after the screening.
Once programming has been established, if DCP is required (depending on venue) and the filmmaker does not have a DCP, the Festival can arrange for a DCP to be created from a .mov or .mp4 at 24fps or 25fps in at least 1080p resolution, at the cost of UKP 50 for a short film or UKP120 for a feature film including shipping back after the event, if the filmmaker did not collect it then.
Please note that the same deadline, 30 April 2024 applies to digital downloads as to shipped media and that all transfers must be completed in time. An email address to send your digital file will be supplied on acceptance of your film.
If you are providing a DCP, subtitles must be burnt in to the image, not supplied as a separate data stream.
Please do not encrypt your DCP. If you send us one, we will ask for an unencrypted version. If you are unable to supply this, we will be unable to screen your film.
Surround sound audio is much preferred, but not obligatory.
If not already included with your FilmFreeway submission package, please send us high-resolution stills from your film, poster, synopsis, and biographies from key cast and crew, together with a link to a trailer if you have one.
SHIPPING OF FILMS
The address to which you will be asked to ship your film will be provided upon selection.
In case of a DCP hard drive, the full cost of transport, including customs fees and insurance, as well as the return freight, must be borne by the producer or their authorised representatives.
All shipments must be sent prepaid. Shipments sent through international courier services must clearly indicate on their waybill that all costs for duties and taxes are to be billed to the sender.
All shipments from outside the European Single Market must obtain customs clearance before being imported into the United Kingdom. For this purpose, all said shipments must have three copies of proper customs documentation (i.e. commercial invoice) included with the courier waybill, providing all the required information. If you are shipping via international post, please affix a customs declaration label to the outside of the package.
When filling out shipment or customs forms, please assign the package a value that does not exceed 10 euros or 10 dollars and state on the envelope: “No commercial value, for cultural purposes only”.
The sender should inform the festival beforehand by e-mail at info@ramsgateiftvfest.org of the title of the film, the date and means of shipment and the shipment number or airway bill number.
By submitting your film, you grant Ramsgate International Film Festival (RIFFEST) the nonexclusive right to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film, as well as your name, photograph, and likeness in connection with any and all publicity and promotional activities regarding RIFFEST prior to, during, and/or after the festival.
RIFFEST may use images, sounds and excerpts from the films for promotional purposes in all media including the website and may present accepted films at any 2026 RIFFEST event.
• Please DO NOT send film prints, master tapes, primary hard drives, DVD Masters or other irreplaceable original media.
• RIFFEST is not responsible for any materials that are lost or damaged.
• The entrant shall release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless RIFFEST, and its agents, respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, contractors, partners, sponsors, and volunteers from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs and expenses (including, without limitations, legal fees).
• The entrant warrants that he/she is the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal right and title thereto have absolute authority to submit the enclosed material to RIFFEST.
• By entering, the applicant agrees that all information is true and correct and agrees to all festival rules and guidelines.
Filmmakers accepted and attending the Festival are responsible for travel and all other expenses. Details of local accommodation are available on www.visitramsgate.co.uk. You will also find a link on our website www.ramsgateiftvfest.org.
Finally, thank you for submitting your film to Ramsgate International Film Festival 2024 and good luck!
With best wishes,
Sylvie Bolioli (Festival Director)
BY SUBMITTING THEIR FILMS, FILMMAKERS AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS ABOVE
