The Royal Gorge Film Festival is a unique blend of history and modern storytelling, where the cinematic past of the American West meets the creative voices of today. Held in the picturesque Royal Gorge Region, our festival offers an unforgettable experience that celebrates the legacy of Western film while showcasing fresh perspectives and fostering community connections.

Awards & Prizes

Physical Trophies & Certificates

Handcrafted Trophies
Locally Made Awards: Each category winner receives a custom-made trophy produced through CTCF, adding a unique local touch and story to the award.
Engraved Plaques: Small wooden, glass, or metal plaques can be affixed to the trophies, featuring the festival name, category, and year.

Certificates of Achievement
Winners & Official Selections: High-quality printed certificates presented to winners, runners-up, and officially selected films.
Signed by Festival Leadership: Certificates can bear the signatures of the Executive Director, Chairman of the Board, and Head of the Founders Committee, enhancing their prestige.

Public Recognition & Promotion

Online & Social Media Spotlight
Website Showcase: Winners’ names, film titles, and a short synopsis displayed on the official festival website in a dedicated “Winners” section.
Social Media Announcements: Posts featuring film stills or trailers, tagged with the filmmaker’s account, across festival social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.).

Festival Laurels
Official Laurels: Official festival laurels for each category (e.g., “Winner,” “Finalist,” “Official Selection”) to use on future promotional materials, posters, and websites.

Press Releases & Media Coverage
Local News Outlets: A post-festival press release announcing all winners, finalists, and special mentions, pitched to newspapers and community radio or TV outlets in the Royal Gorge Region.
Industry Publications (as feasible): Outreach to regional or genre-specific film blogs and online magazines to feature highlight reels or interviews.

Screening Opportunities & Festival Perks

Encore Screenings
Special “Best Of” Encore: Winners may be invited to a special encore screening event or local community showcase, giving their films additional visibility.
Partner Screenings: If the festival collaborates with local arts organizations or small theaters, winners might be offered the chance to screen their films at other local events.

All-Access Festival Passes
Winners’ Passes: Complimentary or heavily discounted passes to the next edition of the Royal Gorge Film Festival for winning filmmakers, encouraging them to return and engage with future programming.
Discounted Guest Passes: Winners can receive discounted passes for cast, crew, or guests, fostering community engagement.

Networking & Workshop Invites
Priority Access: Winners gain priority or free entry to festival-run workshops, panel discussions, and filmmaker networking events, expanding their industry connections.
Filmmaker Spotlight Sessions: Opportunities to present or speak about their film in small group sessions or Q&A panels during the following year’s festival.

Sponsor-Provided Benefits (As Available)

Local Business Vouchers
Dining & Lodging Credits: If local sponsors (restaurants, cafes, hotels) are willing, winners can receive small gift cards or discounts.
Recreation & Tourism: Vouchers or discounts for local attractions (e.g., Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, whitewater rafting, local museums) to enrich winners’ festival experience.

Industry-Related Gifts
Filmmaking Tools: If any sponsors are equipment rental companies or post-production service providers, they might offer a small credit or discount.
Subscription Services: Could include short-term licenses for editing software, screenwriting platforms, or other creative tools, if such partnerships are secured.

Special Mentions & Recognition

Special Jury Awards
Unique Categories: For example, “Best Cinematography,” “Best Western-Inspired Film,” “Innovative Storytelling,” or “Audience Choice.” These add excitement beyond the main categories and spotlight distinct creative elements.

Community Awards
Local Spotlight Award: Dedicated to celebrating a filmmaker from the Royal Gorge Region or Colorado, if relevant.
Cultural Heritage Award: Honoring a film that best captures historical or cultural aspects related to Western or frontier storytelling.

In-Kind Recognition
Festival Swag: T-shirts, totes, or collectible posters—created in small batches or donated by local sponsors—offered to winners and key participants as a token of appreciation.

Networking & Future Collaborations

Filmmaker Networking Group
Year-Round Engagement: Winners are invited to join a private online group or mailing list for RGFF alumni, facilitating collaborations and project sharing.

Panel Invitations
Speaker Opportunities: Winners may be invited as panelists or judges in subsequent editions, contributing their expertise and building the local film community.

Rules & Terms

GENERAL RULES

1. Eligibility

1.1 Open Submissions: The Royal Gorge Film Festival (hereinafter "RGFF") is open to filmmakers worldwide. Submissions are welcome from students, emerging filmmakers, and industry professionals alike.

1.2 Original Works: All submitted films must be the original work of the applicant. By entering, the applicant confirms that they possess the necessary rights, permissions, and clearances (including music, footage, and any other third-party materials) for exhibition.

1.3 Language: Non-English language films must include English subtitles. English-language films with accessibility subtitles or captions are encouraged but not required.

1.4 Prior Screenings: Films that have screened elsewhere (including online, at other festivals, or via limited theatrical release) are eligible for submission, provided they still align with RGFF’s submission requirements.

1.5 Categories: The festival accepts short films, feature-length films, documentaries, Western or Western-inspired works, experimental films, animations, student projects, and any other category the festival chooses to highlight.

2. Submission Process

2.1 Platform: All films must be submitted via FilmFreeway. RGFF does not accept physical submissions (DVDs, Blu-rays, USB drives).

2.2 Multiple Entries: An applicant may submit more than one film; however, each film must be submitted with a separate entry form and fee.

2.3 Entry Fees: All submissions must include the appropriate submission fee, paid in full and non-refundable. Early bird, regular, and late submission deadlines may differ in fee amount.

2.4 Screener Requirements: Films must be made available for review via a secure online screener (e.g., FilmFreeway upload, Vimeo link, or YouTube link) with any required passwords provided.

2.5 Screening Quality: Filmmakers are responsible for ensuring that their submissions play correctly. Links must remain active and accessible until final festival selections are announced.

3. Selection & Notification

3.1 Selection Process: RGFF’s programming team will review all eligible submissions. Final selections will be determined based on artistic, technical, and thematic merits, with an emphasis on creativity, storytelling, and alignment with the festival’s ethos.

3.2 Notification: Entrants will be notified of official selections via email by the date specified on FilmFreeway. Applicants not selected will also be notified.

3.3 Screening Format: If selected, filmmakers must provide a high-resolution digital file (e.g., DCP, ProRes, or festival-preferred format) for festival screenings, along with promotional materials as requested by RGFF.

4. Categories & Awards

4.1 Categories: RGFF may present awards in various categories (e.g., Best Feature, Best Short, Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Audience Choice, etc.). Specific categories are subject to change or addition.

4.2 Jury & Audience Awards: Juried awards will be decided by an independent panel of industry professionals, while audience awards will be determined through audience voting at the festival.

4.3 No Cash Guarantees: RGFF reserves the right to withhold any award if, in the festival’s judgment, no entry meets the standards of excellence in a given category.

5. Festival Participation

5.1 Publicity & Promotion: By submitting a film, entrants grant RGFF the right to use the film’s title, synopsis, stills, and clips for publicity related to the festival (e.g., in press releases, social media, the official website, and promotional materials).

5.2 Scheduling: Screenings and scheduling are at the sole discretion of RGFF. Selected films may be screened multiple times during the festival, on dates and at venues chosen by the festival.

5.3 Filmmaker Attendance: While not required, RGFF encourages attending filmmakers to participate in Q&A sessions and panel discussions to enhance audience engagement.

6. Withdrawal & Refunds

6.1 Withdrawal: If a film is accepted, it cannot be withdrawn from RGFF’s official schedule.

6.2 Entry Fee Refunds: Submission fees are non-refundable, even if a film is not selected or is withdrawn by the entrant prior to selection notifications.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Legal Authority:
By submitting to RGFF, the submitter (director, producer, or authorized representative) confirms that they have the necessary authority to enter the film into this festival and that all rights and permissions have been secured.

Copyright & Clearances:
Entrants must hold all intellectual property rights to the submitted film and associated materials. This includes, but is not limited to, the film’s script, footage, music, and any other creative elements. RGFF disclaims any responsibility for, and will not be held liable for, any disputes regarding rights or permissions.

Promotion & Marketing:
If selected, RGFF may use excerpts from the film, still images, and the filmmaker’s name and likeness for marketing, publicity, and other promotional activities. Filmmakers agree to allow RGFF to publish basic information about their films in festival programs, on the official website, and in other media.

Liability & Insurance:
Filmmakers are solely responsible for the insurance and shipment of their materials to RGFF. Although every precaution will be taken, RGFF cannot accept responsibility for materials lost or damaged en route, due to technical malfunction, or while in the festival’s possession.

Screening & Venue Limitations:
RGFF retains the final decision on screening dates, venues, and the number of screenings. The festival reserves the right to re-categorize entries and to place films in the program at its own discretion.

Compliance with Festival Policies:
All participants agree to abide by these Terms & Conditions, as well as any festival rules or guidelines issued by RGFF staff, volunteers, or representatives.

Code of Conduct:
RGFF is committed to providing a safe, harassment-free environment. All attendees, participants, and staff are expected to treat one another with mutual respect. RGFF may revoke attendance or participation privileges if an individual’s behavior is deemed disruptive or unsafe.

No Political Advocacy or Infringement:
Entrants agree that their film does not infringe on any person’s rights, defame any person, and is not political campaign content. Films must adhere to all legal standards and must not violate any applicable laws.

Disputes:
If any dispute arises regarding entry or participation in the festival, the decision of RGFF shall be final. RGFF reserves the right to interpret and amend these Rules and Terms & Conditions as it deems appropriate for the overall integrity of the festival.

Acceptance of Terms:
By submitting a film through FilmFreeway, each entrant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to the Royal Gorge Film Festival’s General Rules and Terms & Conditions. Any changes or additions to these rules and terms will be communicated on the festival’s official pages, including FilmFreeway and RGFF’s website.

CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions, clarifications, or concerns, please email our festival team at Contact@RoyalGorgeFilmFest.com. We look forward to showcasing your work at the Royal Gorge Film Festival and celebrating the spirit of Western film and contemporary storytelling!