Entry into the Stage One International Film Festival is open to any filmmaker of any age in any genre. Submitting your film means that you have read, understood and accepted the following rules and guidelines. If you have any questions or concerns about these rules be sure to contact our team before you submit.
General rules:
Your film must abide by the Stage One International Film Festival rules whether the film has been submitted by yourself or via an agent.
Your film must be an original work completed in 2015/2016. It does not have to be made specifically for the Stage One International Film Festival.
Your film must be in 1080 HD digital format and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound.
Your film must be between two minutes’ and seven minutes’ duration, including credits and titles. Credits and titles should be no longer than two minutes in length.
All licensing and copyright clearances, including—but not limited to—permissions for use of cast, crew, locations, products, branding, logos and music, must be approved before submitting your film. The Stage One International Film Festival and its coordinators accept no responsibility for any breaches or infringements of copyright that occur as a result of screening, exhibiting or promoting your film.
Non-English dialogue in your film must contain accompanying subtitles.
By entering your film in this festival you give permission for the Stage One International Film Festival to exhibit your film, as well as any images, for the purposes of promotion of the Stage One International Film Festival. This right encompasses all forms of media, including web, print and visual media across the globe in perpetuity. You also give permission for your film, whether or not it is selected as a competition finalist, to be screened at the Stage One International Film Festival.
How to submit:
Films are accepted for entry via password-protected online link (Vimeo or YouTube) or through our submission partners. The password must be provided to the Stage One International Film Festival coordinators and the film must be downloadable.
All submissions are subject to entry fees. Fees are accepted in Australian dollars AUD, or USD and must be paid at the time of submission. Entry fees are non-refundable.
The Stage One International Film Festival official entry form must be completed at the time of online submission.
Multiple entries are permitted and welcome. Each entry must be submitted separately with its own individual fee payment and entry form.
Material submitted for entry into the Stage One International Film Festival will not be returned.
If your film is selected:
You will be notified whether your film has been selected as a Stage One International Film Festival finalist via your nominated mode of contact by 15 February, 2016.
Once selected, you will be required to:
--complete and sign a release and agreement stating that you accept that your film has been selected into the Stage One International Film Festival for judging and exhibition purposes. The release will also require you to accept any responsibility for all necessary clearances and copyright for public exhibition of any or all parts your film at the Stage One International Film Festival or in any associated social media, press or publicity.
-- provide an unmarked (ie no water marks, logos or advisory messages such as “For screening purposes only”), HD digital DVD copy of your film by a date nominated by the Stage One International Film Festival coordinators. The DVD must be shipped at your own expense and at your own risk and responsibility. Stage One International Film Festival will not finance or reimburse any costs associated with delivering your DVD to us. Your DVD will be kept in the Stage One International Film Festival archives and will not be returned. Please note it is only required to send a DVD if you are selected as one of the finalists who will be showen on the night.
-- provide a press kit with information and assets pertaining to your film.
--complete and sign an official Stage One International Film Festival finalist form granting permission to the Stage One International Film Festival to use your press kit and assets in publicity and promotions relating to the Stage One International Film Festival.
Please note, once your film has been selected as a finalist in the Stage One International Film Festival, it may not be withdrawn from competition. If your film is found by the Stage One International Film Festival to be in breach of any of the rules and regulations set here, or is granted special permission to withdraw from the Stage One International Film Festival due to exceptional circumstances, you will be liable for any costs incurred by Stage One International Film Festival for promoting and/or withdrawing your film (eg advertising, programs, marketing materials). You may also be responsible for reimbursement to Stage One International Film Festival of any loss or damages that occur as a result of your film’s withdrawal.
The Stage One International Film Festival will promote your film by displaying your film’s poster, title, short synopsis, trailer and/or cast and crew names on our website, social media pages, press and marketing material.
You will be provided with Stage One International Film Festival Official Selection laurels for use in your own publicity, marketing and advertising. Only approved Stage One International Film Festival laurels, logos and materials may be used.
You may provide printed posters, flyers, business cards and/or other literature for display at the Stage One International Film Festival offices or at the Roxy Theatre on festival night if you wish. Delivery and collection of such materials will be at your own expense.
The credited director of each film finalist will receive a complimentary VIP ticket to attend the Roxy Theatre on the evening of the Stage One International Film Festival. A discounted table price will be offered to members of the cast and crew who are credited on the films selected for exhibition.
Festival Program:
Film submissions are invited in the categories of:
One Shot Films (Worldwide)
International Short Films
Australian Short Films
Australian Music Videos
One Shot Films may be submitted from any country worldwide. In addition to the rules set out above, One Shot Films must consist of one single continuous take in entirety without any edits, cuts, wipes, transitions, mixes, or any other kind of visual editing effect that results in two or more cuts being merged together. In other words, the film must not consist of more than one camera shot; frames may not be added or removed from the original single take.
Standalone titles and credits may be attached providing they do not affect the film’s core narrative content.
Post-production effects, such as animation, special effects, colour grading, and musical score, are acceptable.
International Short Films
In addition to the rules set out above, entries into the General Films (International) category must have been produced in entirety in any country other than Australia. Australian-based productions are not permitted in this category. There are no restrictions on the number of edits contained within the film.
Australian Short Films
In addition to the rules set out above, entries into the General Films (Australia) category must have been produced in entirety in Australia only. Non-Australian-based productions are not permitted in this category. There are no restrictions on the number of edits contained within the film.
Australian Music Videos
In addition to the rules set out above, entries into the Music Videos (Australia) category must have been produced in entirety in Australia only. Non-Australian-based productions are not permitted in this category. There are no restrictions on the number of edits contained within the video.
Stage One International Film Festival reserves the right to screen film finalists in the category best suited to the festival program. This is at the sole discretion of the Stage One International Film Festival coordinators.
Judging categories for the Stage One International Film Festival are open in the following subcategories:
One Shot Films (Worldwide):
Best Film
Best Director
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Cinematography
Audience Choice Award
International Short Films:
Best Film
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Cinematography
Australian Short Films:
Best Film
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Cinematography
Australian Music Videos:
Best Music Video
Best Cinematography
Awards will be given to the winning film’s director unless prior written notification has been given to the Stage One International Film Festival coordinators.
Awards are not transferable and will be subject to any laws, restrictions or conditions imposed by international, federal, state of other authorities governing the country of the recipient filmmaker. The award winner will also be responsible for any relevant fees, taxes, customs charges, insurances or other costs (if any) incurred as a result of their win.
Awards, categories and subcategories of the Stage One International Film Festival are subject to change at the coordinators’ discretion without notice.
Use of our logo and materials:
The Stage One International Film Festival logo, images, information and materials are subject to worldwide copyright in perpetuity. No information, including images, may be reproduced unless express written consent is obtained prior to use. We are usually pleased to grant permission for you to use our material; we simply ask you to check with us first.
