Suomifornia – Skate & Surf Film Festival
Call for Films / Submission Rules
1. General
Suomifornia – Skate & Surf Film Festival is an international event held in Helsinki, Finland, celebrating films connected to skateboarding, surfing, and board culture.
The festival accepts all types of films related to these themes — documentaries, fiction, experimental films, shorts, and video projects — without restriction of production year, nationality, or duration.
2. Festival Dates
The first edition of Suomifornia will take place in Helsinki in Fall 2026.
3. Rights and Authorizations
Anyone submitting a film guarantees that the information provided is accurate and that they hold all necessary rights for exhibition, reproduction, and distribution. They must also have obtained all required authorizations from rights holders.
4. Invitations
Filmmakers of selected films may be invited to attend the festival in Helsinki.
5. Multiple Submissions
A filmmaker may submit several films, but only one may be selected for the official competition.
6. Submission Deadline and Format
Submissions are made exclusively via FilmFreeway.
Entries should include an online viewing link (Vimeo, YouTube, or similar) that remains active until the festival.
Submission deadline will be announced on the festival’s FilmFreeway page.
7. Selection and Notification
The official selection will be announced approximately two months before the festival. Selected filmmakers will be notified by email.
A screening fee may be offered to participating films.
8. Withdrawal and Exclusivity
Once officially selected, films may not be withdrawn from the festival lineup. The filmmaker agrees not to screen the film in Finland prior to Suomifornia’s conclusion.
9. Competitions and Awards
The selected films will compete in two main categories:
• Best Skateboarding Film
• Best Surf Film
Additionally, short films (<30’) in both categories may receive special mentions.
10. Jury
The festival’s jury is appointed by Suomifornia’s organizing team and includes international figures from skateboarding, surfing, film, and the arts.
No person involved in the production or commercial distribution of a competing film may serve on the jury.
11. Screening Formats
Accepted screening formats (e.g., DCP, .mov, or .mp4) will be communicated to selected filmmakers closer to the event.
12. Subtitles
Films must include English subtitles (and Finnish if available). A time-coded transcript may be requested for subtitling purposes.
13. Shipping and File Transfer
Screening copies can be delivered digitally or physically (details provided after selection).
All shipping and customs fees are the responsibility of the sender.
14. Insurance and Liability
The festival is responsible for insured copies from the moment they arrive until they are returned. Liability is limited to the value of the screening copy.
15. Promotional Use
By submitting, participants grant Suomifornia the right to use up to 3 minutes of excerpts from their film for festival promotion across all media (web, social media, press, TV).
Excerpts or trailers may remain archived on the festival’s website for promotional and historical purposes.
16. Legal Terms
Submitting a film to Suomifornia implies full acceptance of these rules. The organizing body reserves the right to resolve any matters not covered herein.
17. Extended Promotion
Suomifornia may organize off-site screenings or touring showcases in Finland and abroad to promote selected films, under separate agreements with rights holders.
