OFFICIAL RULES
The Sundial Film Festival (SFF), in its 16th year, showcases the talent and diversity of filmmakers in the North State.
One of the guiding objectives of the SFF is to educate and foster film production among people who hope to discover an interest or career using these media.
Organizer – The Sundial Film Festival (SFF) is presented by:
Active 20-30 Club of Redding Foundation
PO Box 991566
Redding, CA 96099 (530) 255-4911
OFFICIAL RULES AND GUIDELINES
- An individual or the subject of the film must have an "association" to the Far Northern California Region. Association is defined to include, but is not limited to, residence (or former residence) of any of the film's cast, crew, actors, musicians, editors, writers, or other production members. Association shall also include the subject matter, filming location, or topic of the film. Any film not having such an "association" shall be deemed and categorized as an "Invited Film". An Invited Film is eligible to win "Best Invited Film" and a medallion.
- The Sundial Film Festival Film Committee has the final discretion in all films selected and awarded.
– Short films, up to 30 minutes in length, will be accepted for competition in the following categories:
• Narrative
• Documentary
• Animation
– Movies up to a minute in length will be accepted for competition in the "one minute movie" category.
– Movies over 30 minutes in length may be accepted for competition in the “Invited Film” category.
GENERAL RULES:
1. FILM ENTRIES MUST:
• Include a properly completed online entry form and payment with filmfreeway.com by March 9th, 2023.
• Not to exceed 30 minutes in length, except as otherwise noted.
• Not be a winning film from a previous SFF.
• All persons submitting a film for entry will be notified no later than March 15th, 2024 of film acceptance for showing at the SFF.
• Video files intended for use in the festival must not exceed 720p resolution.
Film entries may use any visual medium and/or digital manipulation technique.
– Sundial Film Festival organizers reserve the right to:
• Change the category of any submission in adherence to respective guidelines.
• Reject any entries not meeting the criteria in these Official Rules and Guidelines.
• Exclude entries from the public display element of the SFF due to limitations in screen time and/or other resources.
2. OWNERSHIP
• All entrants must own all rights to the material and be authorized to submit it to the SFF. All material must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe upon the copyrights, trademarks, rights of privacy, rights of publicity, intellectual property rights or any other rights of any person or entity.
• If the material submitted contains elements not owned by the entrant and/or is subject to the rights of third parties, the entrant is responsible for first obtaining all releases and consents necessary to permit use by the SFF as set out in these Official Rules and Guidelines.
3. GUIDELINES
– The SFF is a contest and a public display of creative filmmaking. All entries must be useable as such. The SFF organizers reserve the right to make final determination on the acceptability and/or presentation of any film submitted. Guidelines for acceptable entries include:
• Films must not make unauthorized use of copyrighted property or material from any other film, song, composition, artwork, drawing or photograph.
• Films must not exploit children or animals.
• Films must not contain material the SFF, in its sole discretion, deems offensive, including but not limited to explicit and gratuitous violence, nudity, language, sexual content or political content.
• Films should adhere to the MPAA's guidelines for PG-13 material. To read the guidelines, please visit the MPAA website on ratings.
• Films must not contain materials that are hateful, defamatory, slanderous, libelous or that expose others to harm, ridicule or other tortuous conduct or that promote any of these things.
• Films must not contain materials that are unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws and regulations of the United States of America or the State of California.
• Films must not contain materials that can be considered advertising for a specific product or organization.
• Film quality must be sharp and have good contrast.
• Films must be in English, or must contain English subtitles or must be dubbed in English.
4. JURY SELECTION AND AWARDS
• Awards will be determined by independent juries selected by the SFF organizers, comprising filmmakers, critics, educators, and interested others.
• Finalists and winners will be selected by judges on their technical quality, creativity, and originality. Decisions are at the complete discretion of the judges and are final.
• The SFF organizers reserve the right not to issue an award in a category with an insufficient number of suitable entries or to change the category if appropriate.
• Winners will be announced either before or on the night of the SFF. Prizes will be delivered subsequent to announcement of the winners.
• Cash prizes and awards will be granted as follows:
FILM
• Best of Festival – $1,000 and a SFF trophy
• Best Narrative – $500 and a SFF medallion
• Best Documentary – $500 and a SFF medallion
• Best Animation – $500 and a SFF medallion
• Best "One Minute Movie" – $100 and a SFF medallion
• Best Local School Annual Production – $500 to the school and a SFF trophy
• People's Choice Award – $100 and a SFF medallion
• Best Invited Film - A SFF medallion
• Best Performance - A SFF medallion
• Medallions will be presented to the runner-up in "Best Narrative", "Best Documentary", and "Best Animation". The "Best Local School Annual Production" Runner-up will receive a trophy.
** All Prize Checks must be cashed within 90 days of receipt**
** If Prize check is lost Active 20-30 Club must be notified within 90 days of filmmaker having received prize check**
5. FEES AND RETURN OF ENTRIES
FILM
• A $40.00 entry fee is required for each film submitted, including "One Minute Movie". There is no limit on the number of entries by the same individual.
• Copies of all accepted entries will be retained in the SFF video library.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
• Entrant agrees and grants the SFF permission to use names and entries in all media in perpetuity without compensation or payment to entrant. Except where legally prohibited, submission of an entry into this festival contest constitutes permission for the SFF to use the entrant's films, photographs, names, likeness, voice, address (city and state), and testimonials, in print media, broadcast media, or new media, in perpetuity, in any manner the SFF deems appropriate to promote the submission or the SFF without further compensation or payment to entrant. Entrant agrees to waive the right to inspect or to approve the finished product(s) and/or advertising copy or other matter used by the SFF to promote the film, photograph, SFF, or prize. Entrant waives all claims to royalties or monetary compensation connected with recordings, creations or photographs, or the advertising, publication or distribution of same to promote the film, photograph, SFF or prize awarded.
• The SFF assumes no responsibility or liability for loss of or damage to DVDs, CDs, or framed photographs hanging at the SFF or the physical venue.
• Entrants warrant that they have sufficient right, title, and interest in their entry to convey these rights to the SFF and that the entrant has not previously conveyed any rights or entered into any licenses that conflict with the rights conveyed herein.
• Entrants warrant that their entry does not infringe any copyrights or other proprietary rights of third parties, is not the subject of any notice of any infringement(s), is not in litigation or subject to threatened litigation and is not the subject of any license or arrangement with a third party that would conflict with entrant's copyrights in the entry.
• Entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and Guidelines and by the decisions of SFF, which are final and not subject to appeal. Prizes are not transferable. Prize fulfillment will be arranged by the SFF. Receipt of prize requires compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations. Prize winners are solely responsible for payment of all taxes incurred as the result of any prize awarded.
• This contest is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. In the event of a winner's noncompliance with the Official Rules and Guidelines, an alternative winner may receive the respective prize.
• The SFF is granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the SFF or promotional purposes of any kind or type.
• The entrant shall indemnify, defend, release and hold harmless the SFF, The Active 20-30 Club of Redding, The Active 20-30 Club of Redding Foundation and their agents, members, legal representatives, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, affiliates, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to attorney fees and costs, arising out of anything related to the SFF or to the possession and/or use of the film entry and/or in connection with any breach of the terms and conditions of the Official Rules and Guidelines, the film entry form and certification and any claims of third parties related in any way to the foregoing.
