This is where we start, the dark side of movies, inspired by the legendary Pink Floyd’s album. We start with the dark side, not visible to the naked eye, mysterious, obscure - a side with blurred boundaries and infinite nuances, where nothing is certain, precise, predetermined. Not visible rather than invisible, lying under the surface, or elsewhere, it’s something that can’t be simplified as it continuously alludes to deeper meanings. It’s the side of cinema that is never accommodating and always inquiring, making us question the meaning of what we see, listen, perceive.
If you look closely, you’ll see that there’s a dark side to everything. You find it in Brothers Grimm’s folk tales, in Fritz Lang’s fantastic and apocalyptic visions, in Stephen King’s archetypes of narrative fiction, in Stanley Kubrick’s unforgettable imagery, in Homer’s poems as in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings epic. From the Holy Scriptures to Game of Thrones, the dark side is the driving force behind every art form and Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest is its cinematographic icon.

Ravenna Nightmare is organised by Start Cinema and from 2024 it's a member of the M.I.F.F. – Méliès International Festivals Federation.

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NOTICE: SPECIAL FEE FOR MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS
Considering the high request for participation from film schools and institutions, we established a special fee for multiple submissions from the same school/insitution. Please contact us at info@ravennanightmare.it to take advantage of this discount.

- Méliès d’argent Award - competition for best European short film from the fantastic genre;
- Audience award "ANELLO D’ARGENTO" (SILVER RING) for BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM AWARD;
- WESHORT AWARD 4 LIFE : assigned to a short film by the WeShort selection committee;
- Audience award "Anello d'oro" (Gold ring) competition for Best International Feature Film
- CRITIC’S AWARD assigned by a jury composed of journalists and film critics for Best International feature film.

Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest offers candidates the opportunity to be put in direct contact with the On-Demand platform for short films WeShort - In Short We Trust. This is a new opportunity for short films: to have a paid distribution contract and give visibility to a large paying audience for your short. For info write an email to info@weshort.com and WeShort will respond with a proposal. Website of the www.weshort.com platform
WeShort Award: the winner will receive an access 4Life to the platform and the licence agreement to land on WeShort.

Any other award raffled off by Institutions or Sponsors shall be assigned according to the rules established by their respective patrons.
All decisions of the jury are final.

SUBMIT YOUR FILM USING A VIMEO OR YOUTUBE LINK, we often have problems watching films submitted using filmfreeway streaming service.

1. GENERAL RULES
1.1 AIMS AND PURPOSES
Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest explores “the dark side of movies” in its broadest sense, through a feature film competition, a short film competition, retrospectives and related events.

1.2 PROMOTERS
Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest is organized by Start Cinema, in collaboration with Ravenna Municipality, with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism – General Directorate of Cinema and with the contribution of Emilia-Romagna Regional Administration. From 2018 Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest adheres to A.F.I.C. (Association of Italian Film Festivals). From 2024 it's a member of the M.I.F.F. – Méliès International Festivals Federation.

1.3 VENUE, LOCATION AND DATES
The 22nd Edition of Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest will be held in Ravenna from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th October 2024 and on the online platform MYMovies ONE.

Organizational unit Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest:
Via Canala 43,
48123, Ravenna, Italy
www.ravennanightmare.it / info@ravennanightmare.it

1.4 SECTIONS
The Festival comprises the sections listed below:
- Méliès d’argent Award - competition for best European short film
- International Competition for Feature Films
- International Competition for Short Films
- Special Events

2. REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

2.1 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS
Fiction films, animation movies and documentaries from all countries, finished after May 2023 (with priority to unpublished films in Italy), that explore “the dark side of cinema” in its broadest sense and that effectively encourage both stylistic and thematic renewal of cinema, may participate in International Competitions for Feature Films (new works) and Short Films.

2.2. Admission to the Méliès d’argent award is restricted to short films (running time: 25 minutes max), completed in the 18 months before the Festival, shot in any format, classified as science-fiction and fantasy genres in their broadest sense. All films must be qualified as a European Production, according to the rules of the E.F.F.F.F.
2.2. Admission to the Méliès d’argent award is restricted to short films (running time: 25 minutes max), completed in the 18 months before the Festival, shot in any format, classified as science-fiction and fantasy genres in their broadest sense. All films must be qualified as a European Production, according to the rules of the E.F.F.F.F.
a) If the director is not a European national, the production must be entirely
European (even a minor non-European contribution is eliminatory);
b) if the director is a European national, a non-European co-production will be
considered. The Board of the Mèliès International Festivals Federation will
make the final decision on the line up.

2.3 Applications to enroll in the Competitions shall be submitted, according to what is specified at sections 3.1 e 3.3 of this Regulation, using official registration form. Movies specifically invited by the Administration may participate in the Competition. Participation in the Festival can be denied to movies unable to ensure high quality public screening.
Feature films should have a duration of at least 70 minutes. Short films should not be longer than 25 minutes. This is a general rule: exceptions can be considered according to the unquestionable judgment of the Festival's Administration.

3. REGISTRATION TO PRE SELECTION PHASE OF THE COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS

3.1 REGISTRATION OF FEATURE FILMS
Registration of feature films includes a payment of a registration fee:
- By May 15th 2024: 20,00€
- By July 15th 2024: 25,00€
- By August 10th 2024: 30,00€
Registration can be done only through FilmFreeWay platform:
FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/RavennaNightmareFilmFest

3.2 FEATURE FILM AWARDS AND JURIES
The Audience Jury of the Festival, which includes members of the audience, industry professionals, critics, journalists and cultural directors, is going to assign the following awards to feature films with highest scores:
FEATURE FILMS: ANELLO D’ORO (GOLDEN RING) BEST FEATURE FILM AWARD
FEATURE FILMS: CRITIC’S AWARD assigned by a jury composed of journalists and film critics.

3.3 REGISTRATION OF SHORT FILMS
Registration of short films includes a payment of a registration fee.
Registration can be done only through FilmFreeway platform
Registration of feature films includes a payment of a registration fee:
- By May 15th 2024: 12,00€
- By July 15th 2024: 15,00€
- By August 10th 2024: 20,00€

3.4 INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS AWARDS AND JURIES
The Audience Jury of the Festival, which includes members of the audience, industry professionals, critics, journalists and cultural directors, is going to assign the following award to short film with the highest score:
SHORT FILMS: ANELLO D’ARGENTO (SILVER RING) BEST SHORT FILM AWARD
SHORT FILMS: WESHORT AWARD 4 LIFE assigned by the WeShort selection committee

3.5 MELIES D’ARGENT (best European short)
Competition for best European short film from the fantastic genre – Méliès d’argent award Admission to the Méliès d’argent award is restricted to short films (running time: 25 minutes max.), completed in the 18 months before the Festival, shot in any format, classified as science-fiction and fantasy genres in their broadest sense. All films must be qualified as a European Production, according to the rules of the M.I.F.F. 1 . The final selection features at least ten films; the films must not have been released in Italy yet. The Méliès d’argent will be awarded to the short film that gets the highest marks by the Festival's audience. The same film may be selected at various M.I.F.F. festivals. A film that has won an award at one of the festivals of the Federation, however, cannot be screened in competition at the ensuing member festivals. The films awarded a Méliès d’argent participate in the yearly competition for the Méliès d’or (www.melies.org).
The film awarded the Méliès d’argent shall include the mention of the award in all promotional materials and in all forms of distribution (theatrical, home video and VOD), in accordance with the official graphic design provided by the Festival.

3.6 Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest offers candidates the opportunity to be put in direct contact with the On-Demand platform for short films WeShort - In Short We Trust. This is a new opportunity for short films: to have a paid distribution contract and give visibility to a large paying audience for your short. For info write an email to info@weshort.com and WeShort will respond with a proposal. Website of the www.weshort.com platform
WeShort Award: the winner will receive an access 4Life to the platform and the licence agreement to land on WeShort.

Any other award raffled off by Institutions or Sponsors shall be assigned according to the rules established by their respective patrons.
All decisions of the jury are final.

4. SCREENINGS
4.1 Screening schedule shall be defined by Festival Organisers. Films are going to be screened several times in various theaters, depending on the needs.
4.2 Foreign movies shall be presented in their original versions with Italian subtitles. As for movies spoken in a language other than English, the copy provided to the Festival must be English-subtitled in format srt; of course Italian subtitles are more than welcome.
Movies for the International competition we’ll be scheduled, after authorship of the right holder, also on the platform MYmovies and, after that, also on MYmovies ONE.
4.3 Festival Organisers reserve the right to accept the following projection formats: DCP also in streaming, file Apple ProRes or H264 with English subtitles + downloadable screener with English subtitles for the preparation of the subtitles 100% identical to the screening copy of the film + file SRT in English. Other formats are possible and shall be agreed in advance with the Administration.

5. PROMOTION
5.1 The Administration will contact selected authors of both International Competitions by 25th September 2024.

5.2 In order to enable the drafting of the Festival’s General Catalogue and to implement promotional initiatives, authors of selected movies shall send the material listed below (if they have not already sent it) by 10th October 2024 to segreteria@startcinema.it:
- link to film official website, trailer and social networks
- complete technical and artistic specifications
- detailed synopsis in either Italian or English
- brief synopsis in either Italian or English (max. 500 characters)
- complete biography and filmography of the author
- various stills of the movie in high definition (whose free publication has been authorized) that are going to be inserted in the Festival’s Catalog and made available to the press
- 2 photographs of the director in high definition
- posters, advertisements and any other promotional material
The above documents shall be sent to: segreteria@startcinema,it
5.3 In connection with promotional purposes related to the Festival and at its discretion, Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest reserves the right to disseminate trailers (max. 5 min.) of selected works on TV channels (including satellite ones) and over the Internet, on both Festival’s official website and connected platforms (Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram).
5.4 The film will be made available in the Videolibrary of the Festival, during the days of the event, for the exclusive use of the press, jurors and film professionals.
5.5 Unless otherwise agreed with the copyright holders, Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest may organize further film presentations, arranging special promotional cultural events in other Italian cities.
5.6 The Festival wishes to thank all the authors, producers and distributors of selected movies by Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest who are going to insert the Festival’s logo in the opening credits and in any promotional material.

6. SHIPMENTS
6.1 The copies of movies shall be delivered by October 15t 2024 and shall remain at the disposal of the Festival until November 30th 2024. In exceptional circumstances and for well-founded reasons, the shipment deadline can be extended.
6.2 By the abovementioned deadline DCP with English subtitles also in streaming, Apple ProRes or H264 file with English subtitles + downloadable screener with English subtitles for the preparation of the subtitles 100% identical to the screening copy of the film + dialogue list with time code + SRT file in English. must be sent to Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest.
6.3 Transportation costs of movie copies will be charged to Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest. The sender shall comply with the instructions provided by the Festival, and shall provide the Organisers with information about modalities and date of dispatch, consignment note number or airliner and Airway Bill (AWB) number. Copies of correct transport documents and pro forma invoice shall also be sent by fax or email (for dispatches subjected to customs control).
6.4 Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest shall not cover costs of reshipment if the material has to be forwarded to another Festival or event or destination other than the original one at a higher dispatch cost than the one covered by shipment to Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest.
6.5 Copies shall be reshipped within two weeks after the end of the Festival. If the movie has to be sent to another address, the latter shall be stated in the Registration Form or by fax or email, specifying the date by which the movie must be delivered.
6.6 Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest shall be liable for the copies from the moment they are delivered to its offices until they are reshipped. In case of damages to or loss of the copy, the Festival’s liability shall anyhow be limited to the value of the cost of the copy as established by rates in force in Italy.

7. PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA
By participating in the competition, authors authorize processing of personal data (law 675/96) contained in their works and complementary material; they authorize storage of presented works at the premises of the event organizer that commit to catalog and make them available for all screenings, events and communications promoted by the same organizer, or in collaboration with other festivals, for cultural and non commercial (unless otherwise specified at the moment of submission). Participation in the competition implies the integral acceptance of the exposed conditions.

8. WITHDRAWAL
A film submitted to the festival can withdraw any time BEFORE the official selection, once officially selected it can’t be withdrawn. To withdraw a film, please contact programmer@ravennanightmare.it

9. UNFORESEEN EVENTS AND CONTROVERSIES
This Regulation has been drafted in both Italian and English. In case of divergent interpretations, the Italian version shall apply. Accepting the invitation to participate in Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest implies the unconditional acceptance of this Regulation. All issues that are not mentioned in this Regulation shall fall within the competence of Ravenna Nightmare Film Fest’s Board of Directors. Ravenna Law Courts shall be the competent authority for any potential controversy.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Great festival, excellent communication, generous hospitality. A good venue for the screening. One of the most important festival in Italy for the "fantastic" films. I recommend it!

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Christophe. We hope to see you soon. All the best

  • Nicole Pursell

    We literally just got back from Ravenna and the Festival was an amazing experience. Their communication before the festival was always clear and prompt and they were extremely hospitable during the festival. They made us feel right at home. Their slate of films was very impressive and we enjoyed meeting other filmmakers, and programmers from other festivals. They treated us and our film with great care. It was a great experience in a beautiful city -- we would highly recommend!

    November 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you very much, guys. It was great to have you here with us.

  • Ray Raghavan

    It was an absolute honour to have been selected for the official competition of the 2022 Ravenna Nightmare festival. If not already, they are one of the best and most prestigious genre festivals in Europe. I loved how they had personal profiles of the films in their promotions. The communication was always prompt. My only regret is not being able to make it in person. Hopefully next time.

    November 2022
  • Uno dei migliori festival a cui abbia partecipato, comunicazione e accoglienza perfetta. È stato un piacere ed un onore partecipare all'edizione 2021 del vostro festival con il mio corto CUORE DI STREGA.

    November 2021
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    Response from festival:

    Grazie Marco, è stato un grandissimo piacere anche per noi! Speriamo di avere altre occasioni di incontro, magari con altri tuoi lavori alle prossime edizioni del Nightmare!

  • AFASIA FILMS

    Great festival. Great selection of titles. Great communication. Caring people. Pretty recommended!

    November 2020