About Spotlight Dorado
McDonald’s USA is bringing back Spotlight Dorado, its multi-year platform aimed at empowering and amplifying diverse voices across different industries, starting off with film. Together with a roster of key industry leaders and film experts, we aim to support emerging filmmakers and screenwriters in the Latino and Hispanic community with the tools and resources they need to bring their stories to life.
Through Spotlight Dorado, McDonald’s is using its influence and scale to help advocate for Latino and Hispanic representation in film. Our goal is to provide these talented storytellers with the platform, financing, and distribution to produce their films, while receiving invaluable mentorship from renowned industry leaders to help bring their stories to life and advance their careers.
Our Commitment to the Latino and Hispanic Community
Spotlight Dorado underscores McDonald’s long-standing commitment to championing the Latino and Hispanic community’s diverse culture and rich heritage through purpose-driven initiatives that fuel Latino pride and representation. For more than three decades the Golden Arches has given back and connected with the Latino and Hispanic community through initiatives in music, education, and sports, as well as supporting local charities and organizations. All these actions aim to uplift the voices and stories of Latinos and Hispanics across the U.S.
Now entering its second consecutive year, the McDonald’s Spotlight Dorado short film contest continues to advocate for underrepresented filmmakers while taking actionable steps towards fueling new voices and driving change for Latinos and Hispanics in the film industry. The contest is free to enter.
How It Works
Three finalists will be awarded a production budget of $75,000 to bring their short films to life and receive invaluable mentorship from industry leaders. Once produced, the short films will be submitted to a national popular vote, where the public will have a chance to watch and vote for their favorite short films to determine the grand-prize winner to be presented at the McDonald's Spotlight Dorado Proprietary Showcase.
Three (3) Finalists will be awarded:
• $75,000 each to produce and edit their Short Film (as defined below) including the opportunity to work with key industry figures chosen by Sponsor in its sole discretion that will provide mentorship throughout the production process
• Entry fees for up to six national film competitions in 2024
One (1) Grand Prize Winner will be awarded:
• The opportunity to direct, write or be involved in a significant way in next year’s Spotlight Dorado campaign – a year-long opportunity to work with the brand on other creative/film development, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion
• One (1) Apple MacBook
• A one (1) year software subscription package (i.e. FinalDraft, Adobe Creative Cloud, MasterClass, Studio System)
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
AFFIDAVIT OF ELIGIBILITY MAY BE REQUIRED
Spotlight Dorado is a short film contest that was created to empower and amplify aspiring Latino voices in film. Our goal is to give Latino filmmakers and content creators access to resources that help bring their creative vision to life and accelerate their journey from where they are now to where they want to be.
Eligibility and Sponsor: The Spotlight Dorado: Short Film Contest (the “Contest”) is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry, and whose primary source of income is not filmmaking. The Contest is sponsored by McDonald's USA, LLC (“Sponsor”), whose address is 110 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607. Employees, officers, and directors of Sponsor, Loud And Live, Inc., Hispanic Heritage Foundation (“HHF”) and their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, advertising and promotion agencies, manufacturers or distributors of promotion materials (collectively, “Contest Entities”), and their immediate families (parents, children, siblings, spouse) or members of the same household (whether related or not) of such employees, officers and directors are not eligible to enter. The Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Void outside the U.S., in Puerto Rico, and wherever else prohibited by law.
Agreement to Official Rules: By participating in the Contest, entrant fully and unconditionally agrees to and accepts these official rules (the “Official Rules”) and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Contest. Any entrant may be disqualified at Sponsor’s sole discretion if he/she/they fails to comply with any terms of these Official Rules. Whether an entrant receives a Prize (as defined below) is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein. In the event of a conflict between the Contest Page, SpotlightDorado.com website or correspondence, or any other communications or marketing materials relating to the Contest and these Official Rules, the Official Rules shall govern.
Timing: Entries must be received between March 10, 2023 at 12:00:00 am PST and April 28, 2023 at 11:59:59 pm PST (the “Contest Entry Period”), to be eligible to win a Prize (as defined below).
How to Enter: Visit the contest page at: SpotlightDorado.com (the “Contest Page”) for more information on how to enter.
In order to enter, each entrant must complete an application and submit supporting documents as set forth below in Section 5, at FilmFreeway.com/SpotlightDorado (“Content”). Entrant must have an account with FilmFreeway.com to submit their Content. Entrant must log into entrant’s FilmFreeway account, click on “My Projects” to “Add a Project”. In the “Edit” tab, fill out the Project Information and Submitter Information forms. In the “Project File” tab, (i) upload your Content and (ii) click on “Add Director Biography” to complete your Director’s Statement in the space provided.
On the Contest Page, click “Submit Now”. Select your Content, complete all required fields, click on “Add to Cart & Checkout” and press “Complete Order”.
Once Content is submitted, it may not be substituted or modified.
The Content may not have been exhibited on broadcast TV, cable or licensed to a streaming platform. Content previously submitted to Spotlight Dorado will not be eligible for consideration.
Content Requirements and Restrictions: Unless otherwise permitted by Sponsor, your Content must include the following materials, and must be submitted as follows:
- Submission Form
- Content Creator Profile
- Written Personal Creator Statement in logline format (one sentence description)
- Links to Content Creators Reel (if any)
- Original narrative/non-fiction concept
- Self-taped 1 minute video of why their project should be selected
- Story Treatment
- Script (first 5 pages)
- Short Bios of key creatives
The Content must not: (i) contain material that violates or infringes any rights of any other party, including but not limited to copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity or any other intellectual property rights; (ii) in any way disparage Sponsor or any other person or party; (iii) contain material that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene hateful, tortious, defamatory, slanderous or libelous; that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; or any material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations of the United States or of any jurisdiction where Content is created; (iv) promote illegal drugs or firearms (or the use of any of the foregoing), or any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous, or (v) promote any particular political agenda or message. Further, the Content must be consistent with the image and values of Sponsor and be consistent with and satisfy the purpose of the Contest.
Each entrant acknowledges that other entrants may have used ideas and/or concepts in their Content that may be similar in idea or concept to what is included in entrant’s Content. Each entrant understands and agrees that he/she shall not have any claim against any other entrant or Sponsor arising out any such similarity or be entitled to any compensation because of any such similarity.
The Contest entrant must be the sole creator of the Content or a co-creator of the Content. If the entrant is a co-creator, the entrant must have permission from the other creator(s) of the Content to enter this Contest and to abide by these Official Rules. Additional documentation may be requested from co-creators per Section 9 below. Limit one (1) entry per person. Only one person may submit each piece of Content. Any attempt by a person to use multiple accounts or identities to gain more entries than permitted by these Official Rules shall result in disqualification at the discretion of Sponsor. Multiple entrants are not permitted to submit the same Content or share the same email account. Sponsor is under no obligation to correspond about entries, nor is Sponsor required to acknowledge its receipt of entries. Proof of submission of entry does not constitute proof of receipt of entry. Potential Finalist may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. In the event a dispute regarding the identity of the person who actually submitted an entry cannot be resolved to Sponsor's satisfaction or if multiple people enter the same Content, the affected entry(ies) will be deemed ineligible. Normal internet access and usage charges imposed by your online service will apply. If you participate from your mobile phone, such activity will be subject to the charges pursuant to your wireless service provider’s rate plan. You further understand that if you are a potential Finalist, the Sponsor may contact you via mobile phone, which will be subject to the charges pursuant to your wireless service provider’s rate plan. Please consult your wireless service provider for more information. Entrants are solely responsible for any related equipment, application, and internet access charges, if any.
Prizes:
Prizes will be awarded as follows: (a) Three (3) Finalists will be awarded: (i) $75,000 each to produce and edit their Short Film (as defined below) including the opportunity to work with key industry figures chosen by Sponsor in its sole discretion that will provide mentorship throughout the production process; (ii) entry fees for up to six national film competitions in 2024; and (b) One (1) Grand Prize Winner, selected among the Finalists, will be awarded the opportunity to direct, write or be involved in a significant way in next year’s Spotlight Dorado campaign – a year-long opportunity to work with the brand on other creative/film development, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion; one (1) Apple MacBook; a one (1) year software subscription package (i.e. FinalDraft, Adobe Creative Cloud, MasterClass, Studio System) (individually and collectively a “Prize”). For clarity, Grand Prize Winner will only receive the opportunity to be considered to direct, write or be involved in a significant way in next year’s Spotlight Dorado campaign and there are no guarantee of employment. All decisions will be decided by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion. Approximate retail value of each finalist Prize USD $75,000. Approximate retail value of Grand Prize $5,500.
Contest Prizes are non-transferable and no substitution will be made unless Sponsor, in its sole discretion, determines otherwise. No cash redemptions. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a Prize for one of equal or greater value should it become unavailable for any reason. Prize recipients are responsible for all taxes and fees associated with Prize receipt and/or use. Please note that approximate retail values listed here are reasonable estimates and actual value may change. All unspecified expenses are the responsibility of winners.
If any Prize remains unclaimed after three (3) potential winners have been notified for that Prize, the Prize may remain unawarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. No responsibility is assumed by Sponsor for any incorrect or missing email address or phone number associated with an entry, or any change of email address or phone number of entrant after entry submission. Any Prize details and restrictions not specified will be determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. All other costs and expenses associated with acceptance and use of a Prize not specified herein as being awarded are the sole responsibility of the Prize recipient. Sponsor makes no representations regarding the tax liability associated with any Prize, and Finalist is advised to seek counsel regarding any tax liabilities associated with their Prize. Unless otherwise indicated herein, all Prizes are awarded as-is and without warranty of any kind, implied or express. Any difference between the approximate value and actual value of a Prize will not be awarded.
Judging Criteria; Winner Selection. There will be four (4) contest rounds (each a “Contest Round”).
During Contest Round 1, the Content of all eligible entries will be judged by a panel of judges, chosen by Sponsor in its sole discretion, who have the required knowledge and experience to apply the Judging Criteria (defined below). Each entrant’s Content will be judged based on the following equally-weighted judging criteria (the “Judging Criteria”): (a) originality/creativity, (b) direction, (c) writing, (d) cinematography, (e) performances, (f) production value, (g) pacing, (h) structure, and (i) sound/music. Subject to verification and compliance with these Official Rules, the entrants with the top twenty (20) scoring Content from Round 1 will be notified via email and will move on to Contest Round 2 as quarter-finalists (each a “Quarter-Finalist”).
During Round 2, each Quarter-Finalist’s Content will be further evaluated, based on the Judging Criteria, by a panel of judges, chosen by Sponsor in its sole discretion, who have the required knowledge and experience to apply the Judging Criteria, and each Quarter-Finalist will be interviewed and asked to submit additional information related to their entry, which may include, without limitation, the following:
- Letter of Support from a personal mentor
- Short Bios of creative team (Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer)
- Visual Pitch Decks
- 10 page script
- Budget outline (Top Sheet only)
- Production timeline
- Non-Disclosure Agreement
- Appearance Release Waiver
- Provide date/timing availability for interview
The Quarter-Finalists with the top ten (10) scoring Content from Round 2 will be notified via email and will move on to Contest Round 3 as semi-finalists (each a “Semi-Finalist”).
During Contest Round 3, each Semi-Finalist’s Content will be further evaluated, based on the Judging Criteria, by a panel of judges, chosen by Sponsor in its sole discretion, who have the required knowledge and experience to apply the Judging Criteria, and each Semi-Finalist will be asked to submit additional information related to their entry which may include, without limitation, the following:
- Additional team profiles: bios, and work samples of their team (above-the-line and editor)
- Updated, itemized production budget
- Creative’s statement
- Finalist Long Form Agreement
The top three (3) scoring Semi-Finalists will be selected, and will move on to Contest Round 4 as finalists (each a “Finalist”). On or about July 5, 2023 the Finalists will be announced.
During Contest Round 4, each Finalist will be connected with a team of film industry professionals and mentors that will provide guidance and consult, during the development and production of each Finalist’s entry into a short film (“Short Film”), within a timeline and budget determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion. On or about November 6, 2023 each of the Finalist’s Short Films will be published to the Contest Page, where the general public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite film. The entrant’s Short Film with the highest number of qualifying votes will be determined the potential Grand Prize winner of the Contest (the “Winner”). Public voting will close on November 26, 2023 at 12:00:00am PST. The potential Grand Prize Winner will be notified and will be required to follow any instructions provided by Sponsor in such notification and to take all steps required to accept their respective prizes within 48 hours after the time the notification message was sent or forfeit the Prize, and Sponsor may designate the Finalist with the next highest scoring Short Film as the applicable Prize recipient, pending verification of eligibility. The Winner will be publicly announced in December 2023. In each case of the aforementioned Contest Rounds, an entrant’s advancement is subject to compliance with these Official Rules, including responding to Sponsor within any time frames designated by Sponsor.
Any attempt by any voter to submit more than the stated number of votes by using multiple/different email addresses, identities or any other method will void that voter’s vote. The use of robotic or automatic devices for voting is prohibited, and Sponsor reserves the right to nullify any and all such votes and to disqualify from voting the responsible individual. Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including engaging in vote-farming or vote-exchanges or offering prizes or other inducements to members of public, as determined by Sponsor, in its sole discretion and Sponsor reserves the right to nullify any and all such votes and to disqualify from Contest the responsible entrant.
If any potential Quarter-Finalist, Semi-Finalist or Finalist cannot be contacted within five (5) calendar days of first notification attempt, if any notification is returned as undeliverable, or in the event of noncompliance with these Contest rules and requirements, the Contest spot will be forfeited and may be awarded to an alternate (time-permitting). Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given. Potential Quarter-Finalists, Semi-Finalists and Finalists may be required to sign and return, where legal, an Affidavit or Declaration of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and/or rights transfer document within the time frame designated by Sponsor.
Travel Conditions: The Finalists must depart from a major airport, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. The Finalists shall be responsible, at their sole cost and expense, for all travel arrangements between their point of origin and the departing airport of the applicable city. All other expenses relating to acceptance of the Finalist Prize not explicitly stated herein, including but not limited to insurance, taxes, upgrades, meals, beverages, alcoholic beverages and gratuities are the responsibility of the Finalists. Certain travel restrictions may apply. Travel must be completed on dates specified by the Sponsor or the Finalist Prize will be forfeited. The Finalists must book travel through the agent designated by Sponsor. Specifics of the travel package are subject to the Sponsor’s sole discretion. If in the judgment of Sponsor, air travel and lodging is not required due to Finalists’ proximity to the designated location (as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion), ground transportation will be substituted for roundtrip air travel and lodging at Sponsor’s sole discretion. Complete terms and conditions of the Prize trip will be furnished with prize notification. Travel must be made in accordance with the Sponsor’s directions and notifications. Each Finalist is responsible for obtaining all required travel documents. If for any reason the any Finalist cannot take the trip to be in location specified by the Sponsor on the date specified by the Sponsor, the Sponsor shall, in its sole discretion, have no further obligation to such Finalist.
Released Entities (defined below) are not responsible if the trip or any part thereof is delayed, postponed or cancelled due to events outside of its reasonable control, including due to COVID 19 restrictions. If in the event the trip or any part thereof cannot be provided, including as a result of epidemics, pandemics or other public health concerns, including COVID 19, the trip may be provided at another time, as determined by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion. As a condition of taking the trip, Finalist may be required to agree to comply with Sponsor’s and/or any prize supplier’s COVID safety protocols (collectively, “Sponsor’s Safety Protocols”), including, but not limited to, testing, mask wearing, social distancing and quarantining, all as applicable and as determined by Sponsor. Finalists agree to execute any documents provided by Sponsor to confirm such compliance and compliance with these Official Rules.
Further Action: By participating in the Contest, each entrant agrees to sign (and to require any co-creator of the Content to sign) any further documentation requested by Sponsor consistent with these Official Rules. Awarding of any Prize shall be conditioned upon the potential Winner signing a license agreement, a tax acceptance form and a release form provided by Sponsor, which shall release the Contest Entities of all liability, to the extent permitted by law. Failure to complete and sign any documents requested by Sponsor may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate potential Winner.
Submission Rights Grant: By participating in the Contest, except where prohibited by applicable mandatory law, such entrant hereby grants to Sponsor, its affiliates, successors, licensees, assignees and Sponsor’s authorized designees, a fully-paid, royalty-free, transferable, fully sublicensable, worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use, adapt, translate, reproduce, edit, modify, create derivative works from, combine with other works, post, transmit, perform, display, publish, communicate, communicate to the public, broadcast, reformat, make available, disseminate, distribute, and/or otherwise aurally and/or visually exploit (any one or more of the foregoing referred to as “Use”) the entirety of the rights in and to the Contest submission, which includes both the entrant’s Content and the other registration information that the entrant provides, the Short Film (in whole or in part), and the entrant’s name, likeness, image, photograph, voice, performance, rendering, signature, silhouette, sounds and/or biographical data contained therein and/or in the registration information accompanying the entrant’s contest entry, or with respect to any photography, video, audio or other recording of the entrant or any person included in the Content or in connection with any participation in the Contest or related events (collectively, the “Submission”), in any media, manner, technology or content delivery mechanism now known or hereinafter devised, for any purpose, including, without limitation, in connection with the Contest, its administration, judging, advertising and/or publicity, on any Sponsor property or otherwise, without the necessity of further consent or additional consideration. Submissions may be displayed on the Contest Page or the websites of Sponsor, or SpotlightDorado.com. Entrant hereby accepts and acknowledges that Sponsor shall not be obligated to use the Submission, or any part thereof, and that Sponsor, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to refrain from using the Submission. Sponsor shall not incur any liability whatsoever to the extent Sponsor chooses to refrain from any exploitation of its rights hereunder.
Content Representations, Prohibitions & Third Party Materials: Entrant hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is the creator or co-creator of the Content and possesses all rights necessary to grant the rights granted in Section 10, (b) the Content is wholly original has not otherwise been published or appeared in public, (c) Sponsor will not be responsible for any residuals or third party payments necessitated by its exploitation of the Content, (d) the Content and the exploitation by Sponsor as contemplated hereunder will not infringe upon, violate or conflict with any rights whatsoever of any person or entity, including without limitation infringement upon the trade name, trademark, copyright, literary or dramatic right or right of privacy of any claimant, (e) entrant has not made, and will not make, any grant or assignment that will conflict with or impair the complete enjoyment by Sponsor of the rights granted, and (f) there is no action, claim or dispute pending which could adversely affect the rights granted. Entrants shall not include within any Content material that is unlawful, pornographic, obscene, defamatory, libelous, threatening, discriminatory, harassing, bullying, vulgar, indecent, profane, hateful, racially, culturally or ethnically offensive, or that encourages criminal conduct, or that gives rise, or potentially gives rise, to civil or criminal liability, or that violates any applicable laws, rules, or regulations. Each entrant shall have obtained authorization for the inclusion of any third-party materials (including, without limitation, artwork, company names, logos, music, name, voice, image, likeness or other branding or proprietary elements of any third party) that are included within entrant’s Content.
Publicity: Except where prohibited by applicable mandatory law, participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s consent for Sponsor, its affiliates, successors, licensees, assignees and Sponsor’s authorized designees to Use entrant’s Contest Submission for promotional purposes in any media, manner, technology or content delivery mechanism now known or hereinafter devised, without the necessity of further consent or additional consideration.
Release: By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Entities, together with their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, together with the respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents of each (aforementioned individuals and organizations collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and actions arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use/misuse of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors or any errors made in the advertisement of the Contest; (d) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; (e) changes to platform policies and procedures that may interfere with the operation of the Contest; (f) claims based on publicity rights, defamation and/or invasion of privacy and the collection, use and/or sharing by Sponsor of personally identifiable information of the entrants; or (g) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of any prize.
Conduct: By participating in the Contest, entrants: (a) fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by all decisions of Sponsor (which decisions shall be final and binding in all respects), including without limitation decisions regarding eligibility, Finalist(s) and the interpretation of terms used in these Official Rules; (b) represent and warrant that all information provided by entrant in connection with the Contest is true, accurate and complete; and (c) agree to comply with all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Sponsor reserves the right, at any time and at its sole discretion, to disqualify and/or deem ineligible to participate in the Contest or any future Sponsor promotions, any individual it suspects: (a) to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or any website; (b) to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or Sponsor’s privacy policy or other terms, conditions or guidelines; (c) to be acting in bad faith or in a disruptive manner, or with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person; (d) to have failed to agree to these Official Rules; or (e) to be in violation of these Official Rules. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES AS WELL AS CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SPONSOR BELIEVE OR BECOME AWARE THAT SUCH AN ATTEMPT HAS BEEN, IS BEING, OR WILL BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK REMEDIES AND DAMAGES FROM ANY RESPONSIBLE ENTRANT(S) AND OTHER RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL(S) IN THE ATTEMPTED DAMAGE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.
Indemnification: Each entrant shall fully indemnify and hold harmless each of the Contest Entities from any and all claims, damages, losses, demands, causes of action, proceedings, expenses, and/or liabilities resulting or arising from or connected with, or claimed to have arisen, resulted from or be connected with: (i) the entrant’s Submission, participation, attempt to participate, or inability to participate, in the Contest; (ii) submission and/or Use by the Released Parties of any Submission (and/or any parts thereof); (iii) the entrant’s failure to comply with any one or more of the Official Rules or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (iv) the unauthorized use by the entrant of, as applicable, the name, likeness, voice, work product, brand, trademark, logo, patent, trade secret, or copyrighted material of any person or entity; (v) the breach or alleged breach of any warranty, representation (including, without limitation any eligibility-related representation) or covenant made by the entrant in connection with the Contest; (vi) acceptance and/or use of any prize, if any; (vii) any right or benefit granted by the entrant to McDonald's in connection with the Contest; and/or (viii) the entrant’s negligence, willful misconduct, violation of any applicable laws, rules or regulations or these Official Rules, or his or her violation of any third party’s intellectual property, privacy, publicity or other right.
Limitations of Liability: The Contest Entities are not responsible for: (1) any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by entrant, printing errors or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest; (2) technical failures of any kind, including, but not limited to malfunctions, interruptions, or disconnections in phone or cable lines, network hardware or software, malfunctions of computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmission or any combination thereof, or other technological malfunctions; (3) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Contest; (4) technical or human error which may occur in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; (5) late, lost, undeliverable, damaged or stolen mail; or (6) any injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use or misuse of any Prize. If for any reason an entrant's Submission is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, entrant’s sole remedy is another entry in the Contest, if possible. No more than the stated number of Prizes will be awarded. Entrants further agree that in any cause of action, the Released Parties’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Released Parties be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrants waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. Without limiting the foregoing, the Contest, all prizes, and all materials provided on or through any Contest Page are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.
PRIVACY POLICY AND TERMS OF USE: BY ENTERING THE CONTEST, EACH ENTRANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT: (a) HE/SHE/THEY HAS OPTED-IN TO SPONSOR'S, HHF’S AND SPOTLIGHTDORADO.COM’S PRIVACY POLICIES AND HHF’S AND SPOTLIGHTDORADO.COM’S TERMS OF SERVICE ON THE CONTEST PAGE AND LINKED HEREIN; AND (b) BY OPTING-IN, HE/SHE/THEY HAS READ AND CONSENTS TO SUCH POLICIES. EACH ENTRANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT CERTAIN OF HIS/HER/THEIR IDENTIFYING INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND/OR DISCLOSED TO THIRD PARTIES AT LEAST AS REQUIRED BY LAW INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ON A FINALISTS LIST. SPONSOR'S PRIVACY POLICY IS LOCATED AT: https://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/privacy.html, HHF’S PRIVACY POLICY IS LOCATED AT: https://hispanicheritage.org/privacy-policy/.
ARBITRATION/CHOICE OF LAW: BY ENTERING INTO THE CONTEST, EACH ENTRANT AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE CONTEST (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ITS PRIZING) OR RELATING TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES, THEIR ENFORCEMENT, ARBITRABILITY OR INTERPRETATION, SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO JAMS ("JAMS") FOR FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION UNDER ITS COMPREHENSIVE ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES IF THE MATTER IN DISPUTE IS OVER US$250,000 OR UNDER ITS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES IF THE MATTER IN DISPUTE IS US$250,000 OR LESS, TO BE HELD IN MIAMI, FLORIDA, BEFORE A SINGLE ARBITRATOR. THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE SELECTED BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES OR, IF THE PARTIES CANNOT AGREE, THEN BY SELECTING AN ARBITRATOR FROM A LIST OF ARBITRATORS SUPPLIED BY JAMS. IF THE PARTIES STILL CANNOT AGREE ON AN ARBITRATOR, THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE APPOINTED BY JAMS. THE ARBITRATION SHALL BE A CONFIDENTIAL PROCEEDING, CLOSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE ARBITRATOR SHALL ISSUE A WRITTEN OPINION STATING THE ESSENTIAL FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS UPON WHICH THE ARBITRATOR'S AWARD IS BASED. THE PARTIES WILL SHARE EQUALLY IN PAYMENT OF THE ARBITRATOR'S FEES AND ARBITRATION EXPENSES AND ANY OTHER COSTS UNIQUE TO THE ARBITRATION HEARING (RECOGNIZING THAT EACH SIDE BEARS ITS OWN DEPOSITION, WITNESS, EXPERT AND ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES TO THE SAME EXTENT AS IF THE MATTER WERE BEING HEARD IN COURT). NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE ARBITRATOR MAY REQUIRE THAT SUCH FEES BE BORNE IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS THE ARBITRATOR DETERMINES IS REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE TO BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. Each entrant acknowledges that the internal substantive laws (as distinguished from the choice of law rules) of the State of Florida and the United States of America applicable to contracts made and performed entirely in the State of Florida shall govern the validity and interpretation of these Official Rules and all other causes of action (whether sounding in contract or in tort) arising out of or relating to these Official Rules.
NO INJUNCTIVE RELIEF: EACH ENTRANT UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT HE/SHE/THEY SHALL HAVE NO RIGHT TO ENJOIN OR RESTRAIN THE DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION, ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, DISTRIBUTION OR EXPLOITATION OF THE SPONSOR’S WEBSITE, APPLICATION, OR ANY OTHER PROJECT OF SPONSOR OR ANY OF ITS PARENTS, SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES.
OFFICIAL RULES AND ONLINE PAGE LISTING FINALISTS: For a copy of the Official Rules or for a list of the names of the Finalists, please visit the Contest Page.
SPONSOR: McDonald's USA, LLC, 110 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607.