STARS International Film Festival

2024 2nd Annual STARS International Film Festival
Terms and Conditions

Feature Films

1. SIFF showcases feature films from emerging talent and established filmmakers with distinct voices and bold new ideas. Films intended to participate in SIFF 2024 will be selected by our submissions team.

2. Eligible projects include narrative feature films (runtime ≥ 40 minutes), including animated narrative features. Documentaries are not accepted. Films qualifying year: produce during December 1st 2023 through December 31, 2024.

3. If an Applicant’s film is officially selected, such Applicant must submit SIFF with an exhibition copy of the film by November 30, 2024, in a theatrical screening format, as specified by SIFF upon invitation.

Subtitles

1. All non–English-language films must include English subtitles.

2. All English-language films or multilingual films that include spoken English dialogue must include closed captions in English, an English transcription of spoken dialogue, and a description of audio cues. We strongly encourage these productions to also include open captions (OC).

Submission Procedure

1. To submit a film for SIFF 2024 consideration, an applicant must: (a) complete the registration process at FilmFreeway, and (b) provide to SIFF an online screener (the “Submission Screener”) via FilmFreeway for review by the SIFF 2024 submissions team. We do not accept submissions in any other manner or format, including: DVDs, content burned to Read/Write (RW) discs, Blu-ray discs, external online links, downloadable files, or trailers.
STARS accepts submissions via FilmFreeway.

2. Applicants should test their Submission Screener thoroughly before submitting it and ensure their Submission Screener remains active on FilmFreeway until November 5, 2024. The applicant has sole responsibility for ensuring that the Submission Screener plays in its entirety. The Submission Screener must contain English subtitles if the original language is not English. If the SIFF 2024 submissions team is unable to view the Submission Screener, we may attempt, but are under no obligation, to contact the applicant in order to obtain a replacement Submission Screener

3. The SIFF 2024 submissions team will not review multiple versions of a submitted film. Only one version of the film may be submitted.

Deadlines and Fees

1. In order to be eligible for consideration, Submission Screeners must be submitted online via FilmFreeway with a FilmFreeway registration completed no later than October 31, 2024.

2. SIFF 2024 does not require any submission fees.

Selection

1. Entity will consider for inclusion in SIFF 2024 all eligible films that have been submitted by the applicable deadline and in accordance with all applicable terms. Entity reserves the right to consider for inclusion in SIFF 2024, and include in SIFF 2024, films received at any time and through any means, channel, or process, including means, channels, or processes other than those outlined in these terms. Nothing in these terms or otherwise requires Entity to select for SIFF 2024 inclusion any of the films submitted through the process outlined in these terms.

2. All selection decisions are at the sole and absolute discretion of Entity and are final, unreviewable, and not subject to appeal.

3. SIFF will notify all applicants who have been selected to participate in SIFF 2024 on a rolling basis, but no later than November 15, 2024. All applicants who are not selected to participate in SIFF 2024 will be contacted by email around November 15, 2024, and Entity is under no obligation to inform applicants of their submission status before this date. SIFF will contact applicants using the contact information provided by the applicant in the FilmFreeway registration form. Applicants are responsible for providing correct and functional contact information. Entity is not responsible for any missing or incorrect applicant contact information or failed attempts to contact applicants using the contact information provided by the applicant.

4. Upon receiving the selected notice, the applicant is required to submit the official trailer, posters, and all other film-related media kits within ten (10) business days. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from award consideration.

Scheduling

1. SIFF may schedule Films for up to five (5) in-person screenings (including public and Press & Industry) over the course of SIFF 2024. Any additional public, Press & Industry, or private screenings will be done only with consent from the applicant.

2. The time(s), date(s), and locations(s) of all in-person film screenings will be selected by Entity in its sole and absolute discretion and are subject to change at any time with no notice to the applicant.

Screening Protocol

1. SIFF highly suggests that the film's director(s), and any other guests/talent participating in SIFF 2024 with the film, including, where applicable, the in-person or digital publicity events, and including but not limited to an introduction (preceding the screenings), a question-and-answer session (following the screenings), and STARS events.

2. The films will be presented in a physical screening venue (i.e., a cinema) in accordance with health and safety guidelines and recommendations made by Entity and government health officials at the time of planning.

By submitting a project to SIFF 2024 for consideration, you hereby represent that you have read, understood and agreed to the following:

1. The undersigned represents and warrants to STARS International Film Festival that: (a) The undersigned is duly authorized, on behalf of the undersigned and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights, licenses or interests (including, without limitation, intellectual property rights or distribution licenses) in or relating to the Project (collectively and separately hereafter called the “Project’s Owners”), to permit Entity to exhibit this Project in SIFF 2024 and to make the promises, representations and warranties set forth herein, (b) exhibition of the Project in SIFF 2024, whether such exhibition is theatrical (live), digital, or any combination thereof, will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity; (c) the Project is not subject to or the subject of any threat of any litigation, arbitration, or other adversarial claim or proceeding, including disputes regarding ownership of the Project; and (d) there are no agreements, and neither the undersigned nor the Project’s Owners shall make any agreements subsequent to submitting the Project, that would or could impair their ability to provide the Project as contemplated herein or that would otherwise conflict with any provision of these Terms and Conditions.

2. The undersigned further represents and warrants, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners, that the exhibition of the Project in SIFF 2024, whether such exhibition is theatrical (live), digital, or any combination thereof, will not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity, and that the Project does not and will not constitute or include any defamation of any person or entity. All license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from or associated with the exhibition of the Project in or in connection with SIFF 2024, have been and will be timely paid in full.

3. In the event that the Project is accepted by Entity for inclusion in SIFF 2024, the undersigned acknowledges, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners, that Entity’s exhibition or presentation of the Project in SIFF 2024 does not and will not create any confidential or fiduciary relationship between Entity on the one hand and the undersigned and/or the Project’s Owners on the other. The undersigned further acknowledges, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners, that neither the undersigned nor any of the Project’s Owners will receive any compensation for such exhibition. The undersigned acknowledges that no obligation of any kind is assumed by, or may be implied against, Entity or SIFF 2024 in the event of, by virtue of, or as a result of Entity’s selection of the Project for SIFF 2024. The undersigned and the Project’s Owners understand and acknowledge that the selection of the Project for inclusion in SIFF 2024 does not and will not in any way constitute an express or implied endorsement or approval by Entity or SIFF 2024 of the content of the Project or any opinion expressed therein.

4. The undersigned agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, to indemnify and hold harmless Entity and its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, creative advisors, agents, licensees, volunteers, and representatives (collectively with Entity, the “Entity Related Parties”), from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that may be asserted by any person or entity, or may be incurred by any Entity Related Parties, at any time in connection with the Project or with Entity’s use, handling, consideration or exhibition thereof, and/or arising from any breach or alleged breach of any representation made by the undersigned to any Entity Related Parties, including, without limitation, any express or implied representation in these Terms and Conditions.

5. The undersigned warrants and agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that the Project is being submitted to Entity voluntarily and without promise or inducement, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of any Entity Related Parties to accept the Project for inclusion in SIFF 2024, to exhibit the Project in SIFF 2024, to acknowledge the submission of the Project, or to return any Project materials to the undersigned or others.

6. The undersigned further agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners and every other representative or person affiliated with the Project, that, in submitting the Project for consideration, the undersigned, the Project’s Owners, and any other representative or person affiliated with the Project are jointly and severally waiving, forfeiting, forgoing and relinquishing any right that they might otherwise have to assert any claim or commence any proceeding in any forum or tribunal against any Entity Related Parties, based upon, arising out of or otherwise relating to the submission, selection, exhibition or failure to select or exhibit the Project (including, without limitation, claims relating to any failure or refusal to exhibit the Project in SIFF 2024, the exhibition or marketing of the Project at or in connection with SIFF 2024, alleged oral or written representations by any Entity Related Parties relating to the submission or exhibition of the Project, and any other matters arising from or relating to the submission of the Project), whether such claims may be based on theories of contract, implied contract, tort, statute, or other legal theory (hereinafter, “Claim”). In the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, in violation of the agreement set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the undersigned, on behalf of the undersigned, the Project’s Owners, and any other representative or person affiliated with the Project agrees to indemnify the Entity Related Parties from any and all Claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that are incurred by any Entity Related Parties as a result of or in connection with any such Claim or any action, arbitration or other proceeding brought in violation of the representations and agreements set forth herein..

7. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth herein, the undersigned further agrees and accepts that, in the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, by the undersigned, any of the Project’s Owners, or any other representative of or person affiliated with the Project, in violation of the agreements set forth herein, and in the further event that an arbitrator or other tribunal should permit such Claim to proceed despite the waiver language set forth in paragraph 6 above, the sole and maximum remedy that could be awarded to any person or entity asserting any Claim shall be a refund of the out-of-pocket costs actually paid in connection with the submission of the Project to Entity for consideration for SIFF 2024. Under no circumstances shall any other remedy, including without limitation actual, expectancy, reliance, consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or any other damages, or injunctive, declaratory, provisional, equitable or other relief, be available to the undersigned, the Project’s Owners, or any other person or entity representing or affiliated with the Project.

8. In the event that the Project is accepted by Entity for inclusion and exhibition in SIFF 2024, the undersigned, requiring the consent of no other party to do so, hereby grants, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, each of the following rights to Entity and any other Entity Related Parties acting on Entity’s behalf without reservations, conditions or qualifications: (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Project for promotional purposes; (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the Project and all personnel related to the Project; and (c) to use the names, likenesses and biographical information of all Project personnel, including, without limitation, director(s), producer(s), writer(s), cast member(s) and crew in connection with the exhibition of the Project in, and promotion of, SIFF 2024 and the promotion of Entity.

9. In the event that the Project is accepted by Entity for inclusion and exhibition in SIFF 2024, and if the undersigned or the Project’s Owners and any other representative or person affiliated with the Project have contractual obligations to any producers, distributors, creators, cast or crew regarding "festival benefits" (which may include but are not limited to production credits, screening tickets, Festival credentials or monetary compensation), the undersigned agrees and accepts that those “festival benefits” must be administered and distributed by the undersigned and/or the Project’s Owners, do not impact the nature or quantity of benefits provided by Entity and that Entity has no responsibility whatsoever in connection therewith.

10. The undersigned warrants and agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that Entity has made no claims, representations or guarantees, and has provided no assurances, in relation to the internal process utilized by Entity with respect to selection of projects for inclusion in SIFF 2024, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of any Entity Related Parties to provide comments, feedback or other information pertaining to the viewing or consideration of the Project by Entity for possible inclusion in SIFF 2024.

11. The undersigned warrants and agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that by submitting the Project to Entity, Entity and all persons employed by, contracted by, or otherwise directly associated with Entity are deemed to have been granted the irrevocable right to view and/or download all digital assets associated with the Project, including, but not limited to, any representation of the Project 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. All digital assets referenced above shall remain active and accessible by Entity until the conclusion of SIFF 2024. Entity takes reasonable anti-piracy and security precautions. While in Entity’s possession, all films are securely stored and regularly inventoried. Access to films is limited to personnel who require access in order to screen and consider submissions. No duplication and loaning of Films is permitted. By submitting the Project to Entity, the undersigned agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, to release the Entity Related Parties from any and all liability in the event of theft, unauthorized access or copying, or any breach of copyright of the Project while it is in Entity’s possession or on the online Festival platform.

12. The undersigned represents that if the undersigned is younger than the legal age to enter into contracts in the state of the undersigned’s principal place of residence, Entity has been provided with signed, written consent from the undersigned’s parent or legal guardian.

13. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of this submission agreement, the undersigned agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that any claim, dispute or controversy arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise related to the Project, SIFF 2024, or these Terms and Conditions, including, without limitation, any Claim (as this term is defined above) and any other claim or cause of action of any nature arising from the actual or alleged breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity of these Terms and Conditions, as well as the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, will be governed by the internal, substantive laws of the State of California and will be subject to and submitted to exclusive, binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Los Angeles, California, which shall be the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such claim, dispute or controversy. Such arbitration will be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect. The arbitrator will be selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator, will be appointed by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect. The arbitrator shall issue a written award and, subject to the terms of paragraph 7 hereof, shall have the right to award monetary relief. The undersigned specifically agrees and acknowledges that the arbitrator shall not have the power to award punitive or exemplary damages, nor shall the arbitrator have the power to order Entity to include the Project in SIFF 2024 or to award any injunctive or non-monetary relief. The arbitrator shall have the power to award, and shall be required to award, to the substantially prevailing party in any such arbitration, its reasonable outside attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration (including, without limitation, reimbursement of that party’s share of the arbitrator’s fees and JAMS administrative charges). The arbitrator’s award shall be final, binding and non-appealable. Judgment on the arbitrator’s award may be entered in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction in the United States. In agreeing to this exclusive arbitration provision, the undersigned hereby waives, forfeits and relinquishes, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, any right or entitlement that the undersigned and/or the Project’s Owners might otherwise have had to bring or litigate any claim or claims in any federal or state court against any Entity Related Party, and further waives, forfeits and relinquishes any right to a trial by jury with respect to such claim or claims.

14. The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the undersigned has the right to consult with an attorney of its own choosing with respect to these Terms and Conditions and with respect to the Rules and Regulations for submitting a project to SIFF 2024. By completing the submission application for SIFF 2024 consideration, the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the undersigned is doing so after having consulted with an attorney or having freely or voluntarily elected not to do so without coercion or duress.

15. A cornerstone of Entity’s belief system is that everyone has the right to respect and fair and equitable treatment from others. Entity does not tolerate violence, mistreatment, or harassment — verbal, physical, sexual, or otherwise — towards staff, volunteers, delegates, audience members, attendees at any of Entity’s festivals, conferences, or events, or in any correspondence with staff, including during the submission process. SIFF 2024 staff and volunteers are committed to ensuring the best possible experience for all attendees. If the safety of SIFF guests is in question, SIFF will take immediate steps to ensure the matter is addressed. Entity shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to take any action it deems appropriate, including but not limited to rescinding the person’s invitation to participate in SIFF 2024 and/or disqualifying any film from participation in SIFF 2024.

16. The undersigned hereby acknowledges on behalf of all Project Owners that the undersigned has read and understood the Rules and Regulations for submitting a project to SIFF 2024, located at ahttps://www.sundance.org/submissions-rules, and that the information contained in said Rules and Regulations does and shall supersede any information obtained elsewhere, including, but not limited to, information contained in any current Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents and/or rules and regulations documents from prior years.

17. By completing the submission application for SIFF 2024, the undersigned, on behalf of the undersigned and all Project Owners, freely and voluntarily gives and expresses full and complete acceptance of all of the terms and provisions set forth in these Terms and Conditions. The parties acknowledge that no oral representations, inducements, promises or assurances of any kind, and no representations, inducements, promises or assurances not set forth in these Terms and Conditions, have been made to the undersigned or the Project’s Owners by any Entity Related Parties.

18. Entity reserves the right to rule, in its sole and absolute discretion, on cases and situations not foreseen by these Terms and Conditions.
In the event that the Project is accepted for SIFF 2024, the Project Owners will enter into a Festival Participation Agreement incorporating all of the terms and conditions of this agreement, which terms and conditions shall be and remain binding upon the undersigned, the Project and the Project Owners. Entity reserves the right to rescind any and all Festival acceptance invitations given to the Project and the Project Owners, whether verbally or in writing, in the event that SIFF 2024 Participation Agreement is not accepted by the Project Owners.