Sanctuary International Film Festival

Here are our rules and terms to keep in mind before you apply to our film festival.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT PLEASE READ THROUGH CAREFULLY

1. Entry Requirements:

1a. Must have been made within the past three (3) years. (We have done this to allow for any films that were not able to be shown due to Covid Restrictions)
1b. Must meet our guidelines as listed below

2. Ownership, screening and marketing:

2a. The individual or corporation submitting the film/script hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for possible screening (private and/or public) and understands and accepts these requirements, rules and regulations.
2b. By submitting your film/script, take note that: The Sanctuary Film Festival is hereby granted the rights to utilize an excerpt (trailer/teaser/poster/stills) from any film/script submitted for promotional purposes in perpetuity.
2c. The film/script will not be available online unless otherwise decided at the discretion of SIFF for the purpose of an online screening as a participation of the festival only.
2d. You/ your production company own all the rights to the film.

3. Entries and fees:

3a. Multiple entries are allowed for each film maker. We encourage you to apply for all categories you think your film fits into. Please do not apply for categories that your film does not align with. 3b.
3b. Entry fees are non-refundable
3c. You cannot withdraw your submission after the official selection announcement of each round.
3d. SIFF does not provide entry fee waivers and does not reply to fee waiver requests.
3e. Entry fees are set in $USD - The reason for this is that most communities are best able to calculate the price in their native currency from the US dollar.
3f. Submissions are accepted exclusively via FilmFreeway. Any other form of submission will not be accepted.

4. Upload submission requirement.

4a. Upload an official poster
4b. Synopsis
4c. Vimeo link or upload your film to FilmFreeway submission page.
4d. We do not accept DVD, Blu Ray or DCP files. We accept all genres in any language, from around the world. Please select the right category while submitting to avoid disqualification.
4e. International titles in non-English language must have English language subtitles.

5. Any winners not able to attend the festival in person will receive the digital winners laurel via the FilmFreeway laurel center. Award winners able to attend the festival in person will also receive an additional trophy. Trophies will be purchasable by those unable to attend should they want the additional physical award.

5a. Films may only download the laurel applicable to their award.

6. Sanctuary Film Festival reserves the right to refuse entry to the competition at any given time at the discretion of the festival. Likewise, the Jury reserves the right to remove a submitted film of any format from the competition at any time at the discretion of Sanctuary Film Festival should the film go against our guidelines.

7. Only some of the top scoring Short Films of the year will be selected by the Jury for the Screening Event we host at Sanctuary Cove.

8. SIFF will promote the event and screening sessions to the best of their capabilities through multiple channels however SIFF will not and cannot be held responsible for actual attendee numbers.

9. SIFF is entitled to make interpretations in any case not considered in these rules and regulations and may make exceptions whenever justified. SIFF will review unforeseen cases. Whenever a controversy arises from the interpretation of any of the articles in these rules and regulations, the ruling document shall be the original document in English.

10. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Sanctuary Film Festival, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss or damage of the screening videos entered.

11. In the event that the Festivals in-person events are canceled, restricted or rearranged due to COVID-19, any Government regulations or unforeseen circumstances the Organiser will award all prizes to winners either during a digital awards ceremony or otherwise. Submission fees will not be refunded in the case of restrictions to the Festival.

12. Sanctuary Film Festival has the right to add, alter, change, or delete any portion of the guidelines at any time without notice.

13. By submitting your film/script, you acknowledge you have read, understood and accepted all rules and regulations.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT: 1. Amateur videos. 2. Extremist or propaganda content from religious or political organizations. 3. Pornography. 4. Films with a poor production standard (bad sound, lack of subtitles/captions for non-English films, video resolution lower than 720p HD). 5. We don't accept excerpts/scenes from films: you must submit the entire film. 6. If we think the categories submitted are not to a standard of the Sanctuary Film Festival, they will be removed.