1. GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1. The organizer of the Szczecin Film Festival (hereinafter referred to as the Festival), including the Competition Part (European Competition for Documentary Films), is the OFFicyna Association (hereinafter referred to as the Organizer), with its registered office in Szczecin, postal code 71-445, at 3-4 Lenartowicza Street, mailing address: al. Wojska Polskiego 90, 70-482 Szczecin, POLAND.
1.2. The European Competition for Documentary Films aims to select and present the most interesting, inspiring, and innovative films from the latest productions, depicting the contemporary world in its diversity. Submitted works must not contain content that violates the law or morality. The subject matter and format of the films are free.
1.3. Only documentaries no longer than 90 minutes and created after January 1, 2025, as part of a European production or co-production, are eligible for selection.
1.4. Detailed information about the festival and the program can be found on the website: www.szczecinfilmfestival.com.
1.5. Films can be submitted via the FilmFreeway portal. Submissions through the FilmFreeway portal are subject to a fee, as specified there (€6 per submitted film).
1.6. Films presented in the European Competition are selected by the Program Committee.
1.7. The Program Committee reserves the right to screen the film as part of the Accompanying Program.
1.8. Film premieres are preferred.
1.9. Films should have dialogue list and English subtitles. This also applies to Polish-language films. Additionally, please submit: a short synopsis of the film (max. 90 words); The director's bio and filmography (please provide original titles and production date); stills from the film (at least 3); and a photo of the director (at least 1) in 300 dpi resolution.
1.10. Prizes will be awarded by a jury appointed by the Organizer.
1.11. Qualified films will be screened in DCP format. Films submitted in other formats will be converted to DCP format. The possibility of screening in formats other than those listed above must be agreed upon individually with the Organizer.
1.12. The applicant must own the copyright to the submitted works.
Failure to meet the requirements in sections 1-12 will be grounds for rejection of the entry.
2. DATES, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1. 1.4. The European Competition screenings will take place from October 16-18, 2026, in Szczecin and online from October 22-25, 2026 via Vimeo. The selected winning films will be presented as part of SFF on the Road, a traveling screening in the region, until the end of 2026. The applicant consents to the film being shown free of charge during the screenings.
2.2. The deadline for submitting applications is June 30, 2026.
2.3. The Organizer will only inform the Filmmakers whose films have been selected for the festival program about the selection results.
2.4. The Program Committee is not required to provide a justification for its selection decisions.
2.5. A film production selected for presentation during the competition and whose participation has been confirmed cannot be withdrawn from the program after August 31, 2026.
2.6. The Organizer will not return submitted materials.
2.7. Qualified films will be made available to the Organizer free of charge.
3. PROMOTION
3.1. The applicant consents to the use of excerpts from the film for promotional activities conducted by the Organizer as part of the European Documentary Film Competition. The Organizer reserves the right to use selected excerpts (up to 3 minutes) of the qualified films for promotional and informational activities of the Festival (e.g., festival trailer, television broadcasts, etc.).
3.2. The Organizer reserves the right to post submitted information about the film and its creators on the Festival website, on social media (e.g., Facebook), and in all promotional publications (e.g., catalog, program booklet, press releases, etc.).
3.3. The Organizer reserves the right to use submitted materials as part of promotional activities related to the Festival, both before, during, and after this year's edition.
4. SHIPPING AND INSURANCE OF FILM COPIES
4.1. The copy for the Festival presentation must be received by August 31, 2026. The copy will be returned after the Festival. The copy should be sent to: 21. Szczecin Film Festival, al. Wojska Polskiego 90, postal code 70-482 Szczecin, Poland, or to competition@seff.pl (for electronic files).
4.2. Films are shipped at the sender's expense and risk. No shipments will be accepted at the recipient's expense.
4.3. The Organizer is not responsible for shipping film copies to Szczecin, Poland.
4.4. The Organizer is responsible for shipping costs for films after the Festival.
4.5. Film copies are insured during the Festival in Szczecin from the moment they are picked up from the transport company until they are returned to the transport company.
4.6. In the event of damage or loss of the media, the Organizer will only reimburse the cost related to the physical value of the media (e.g., DVD, hard drive).
5. PERSONAL DATA
5.1. The Applicant entrusts the Organizer with the right to process personal data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016. This applies to information about individuals included in the application form, particularly filmmakers. The processed information includes: first name and last name, email address, and telephone number. The Organizer is authorized to share the data with other entities within the scope of its obligations.
5.2. The entrustment covers the personal data of individuals listed in the application form and those listed on the payroll, particularly filmmakers. The entrustment covers the following information: first name and last name; email address; telephone number; and occupation.
5.3. The Organizer is authorized to further entrust the processing of personal data to other entities to the extent necessary.
6. FINAL REMARKS
6.1. Submitting a film to the Festival constitutes acceptance of the above regulations and the information contained in the entry form.
6.2. Submitting a film to the competition constitutes an invitation to the filmmaker, if their film is selected, to attend the festival screening and audience discussion in Szczecin or online, either in person or through a representative (connected with the film or its production).
6.3. The Organizer reserves the right to amend these regulations.
6.4. The Festival Management will resolve matters not covered by these regulations.
6.5. Prize amounts are gross. Prizes awarded to winners of the European Competition are subject to taxation under Polish law.
Acceptance of the Regulations
I accept the regulations of the European Documentary Film Competition of the 21st Szczecin Film Festival.
