ReadingFilmFEST

PLEASE read these “rules and terms” carefully. Failure to follow submission “rules and terms” may result in automatic rejection of your project! Reading FilmFEST DOES NOT guarantee fee refund for these automatic rejections.

***FILM COMPETITION***

1. STUDENT (College or High School) and FATF rules below.

2. CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS: Please make sure your email address is correct. We suggest you regularly check this email account for communications from us. If we request additional information and do not hear from you within a reasonable time, we may reject your submission.

3. COMPLETION DATE: Films must have been completed after January 1, 2025.

4. FOREIGN FILMS: We love foreign language films! Films may be submitted in any language with English subtitles. Please ensure English subtitles are accurate, readable, and in sync with the action on the screen.

5. USE OF FILMS FOR PROMOTION: All films selected for screening at the festival grant ReadingFilmFEST the right to use stills and excerpts of up to two minutes for promotional purposes.

6. RFF FILM RESPONSIBILITY: Festival is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged entries.

7. MULTIPLE ENTRIES: Multiple entries are permissible (except FATF countries – see below), but each entry must be accompanied by a separate submission and fee.

8. FILM DURATION: Short films must be no more than 30 minutes long. Feature films should run 60 to 120 minutes. Documentary films must be less than 120 minutes. Student films must have a runtime of no more than 20 minutes

9. CONTENT NOTICE: While ReadingFilmFEST does not restrict or censor the artistic content or style of any submission, the Festival DOES reserve the right to not accept or honor with award a film perceived to promote a careless or malicious culture of hate, violence, or obscenity.

10. FEE WAIVER: None. ReadingFilmFEST DOES NOT grant fee waivers except for filmmakers from FATF countries (see below).

11. FEE REFUNDS: All fees are nonrefundable.

12. STUDENT (College or High School) filmmakers must submit a copy of their student IDs to info@readingfilm.org. Email your Name, Name of School, School Location (city, state, or country if applicable), graduation year, Name of Film Project, and a copy of your current student ID. We may require additional documentation of student status. Student films will be reviewed only AFTER proof of matriculation is received—no refunds for films submitted without proper ID.

13. FAFT country filmmakers may request a fee waiver CODE by emailing submissions@readingfilmfest.com. Include in your email the name of the film, category (Shorts only. We are not accepting waivers for Narrative Feature films) and the run time of your film. You MUST follow the following.

FATF FEE WAIVER RULES:
a. Filmmaker must be from FATF country (see FilmFreeway submission page for list).
b. Fee waiver code can only be used once.
c. Only one submission per filmmaker per year.
d. Filmmaker MUST be the submitter (name must match film credits).
e. Film must have been completed after January 1, 2025.
f. A submission cannot be substituted for a different film.

Failure to follow these requirements will result in rejection of film submission and may lead to submission rejection from future Film Festivals.

There are a limited number of Fee Waivers available, so we encourage early entry.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Online submissions will receive a confirmation email.

RFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information:
i) identities of readers or judges;
ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted material; and/or
iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.

Except as explicitly stated, no representations or guarantees are made regarding the feedback or comments provided, or the quality thereof. The opinions of the readers/viewers are their own and do not reflect the opinions of RFF. RFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by RFF or by its readers, judges, and sponsors.

Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY
However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation or rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigate or attest to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE APPLICANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.