1ST TNIFF 2020 FILM SUBMISSION – RULES AND REGULATIONS
The 1st Tamil Nadu Film Festival of (TNFF 2020) will be held from 5th October o 15th November, 2020 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
ARTICLE 1: MISSION & OBJECTIVE
MISSION
Tamil Nadu Film Festival (TNFF) is an international competitive festival of its kind, to be hosted in Chennai City. TNFF is all about celebrating, educating, empowering, promoting and proliferating amazing quality independent Cinema in Chennai (Formerly known as Madras) the capital city of the State of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Film festival is a platform to promote inter-cultural relationship, discuss diversity in the current state of the Film Industry and help bring change in the future state of the Film Industry.
OBJECTIVE
TNFF will strive to acquire thought-provoking films and showcase excellence in film making. TNFF will strive to ensure that Cinema will remain the most powerful vehicle for the freedom of speech and expression. TNFF will strive on discovering new voices by being transparent in programming films mostly from submissions. TNFF will try to screen films with Closed Captioning and Audio Description to enable people who are blind and deaf to enjoy films just like all the enabled people. TNFF will strive to become the Filmmaker's Festival and the People's Festival by being a platform that lets audiences to be truly engaged and connected with every film through open questionnaire session after screenings. TNFF will promote both classic & contemporary films of all genres. TNFF will strive to help people appreciate and respect the ethnicity of the people and the places projected through the films. TNFF will strive to spread Hope, Peace, Joy & Love to filmmakers, producers and fans alike. TNFF will strive to build strong alumni services for the film makers of all editions to come.
Article 2: ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
JD Media Promotions, an organization involved in promoting and empowering the film Medium from April 2009 is organizing the first edition of Tamil Nadu Film Festival 2020 (TNFF 2020). JD Media Promotions has been the backbone for getting recognition for its many film makers (Clients). These film makers have achieved great heights because of the visibility they received through screening and winning awards at many International and National film Festivals.
ARTICLE 3: FESTIVAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
TNIFF offers 10 days of celebration, of amazing quality independent Cinema through the following programs; Live screenings of Local & International Cinema, press opportunities, networking occasions, industry attendance, markets, speed pitches, live reads, Discussion Forum & high-quality Workshops. Film categories include Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Short Documentary, Short Films, Animated Films, Music Videos, Ad films and Student Productions from film schools.
The TNIFF will begin with the Inauguration Ceremony & the Opening film on the first day and will conclude with the Awards Ceremony on the final day.
Each year the TNFF will comprise of about 150 films of every genre, length and format. These films find their place in one of the 9 sections:
1. International Mix (for international cinema)
2. World Panorama (for films by legendary filmmakers)
3. Indian Special Mix (for new discoveries and promising talents from the Indian film world)
4. Tamil Special Mix (for challenging new trend Tamil Cinema)
5. Campus Student Mix (Student films from all over the world)
6. Generation Next – Grade Schooler: 5-12 yrs. (films for young audiences) & Generation Next – Teen: 13-18 yrs. (films for young audiences)
7. Retrospective & Homage (which focuses on a great personality of cinema)
8. Indian Classics (will show current restored film classics as well as rediscovered films)
9. Special Presentations (a few number of handpicked special films will be curated in this section)
The competitive sections are International Mix, Panorama, Indian Special Mix, Tamil Special Mix, Campus Student Mix, Generation Next – Grade Schooler & Generation Next – Teen.
The non-competitive sections are World Panorama, Retrospective & Homage, Indian Classics & Special Presentations
Awards will be given under 6 major Categories Namely International, National, Regional, Generation Next (Grade Schooler & Generation Next –Teen), Campus Student & Special.
ARTICLE 4: SECTIONS
GENERAL RULES OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION SECTION:
The international competition section comprises of International Mix, Panorama, Indian Special Mix, Tamil Special Mix, Campus Student Mix, Generation Next – Grade Schooler & Generation Next – Teen.
Eligibility:
All films produced or coproduced from or after 1st May 2015 are eligible for this section. Films must not be on YouTube or other digital platforms.
Run Time:
Films with the maximum run time of 120 Min is eligible under Narrative Feature, Films with the minimum run time of 50 Min and above and up to any length is eligible under Long Documentary Feature, Films with the maximum run time of 120 Min is eligible under Animated Feature, Films with the maximum run time of 50 Min is eligible under Short Documentary, Films with the maximum run time of 45 Min is eligible under Short Film, Films with the maximum run time of 45 Min is eligible under Animated Film, Videos with the maximum run time of 5 Min is eligible under Music Video, Films with the maximum run time of 1 Min is eligible under Ad Films.
RULES OF INDIAN SPECIAL MIX:
Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Animated Feature, Short Documentary, Short Films, Animated Films, Music Videos, Ad are eligible. This section is for films produced or co-produced in India in an approved Indian language. Films must not be on YouTube or other digital platforms.
RULES OF TAMIL SPECIAL MIX:
It comprises of Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Animated Feature, Short Documentary, Short Films, Animated Films, Music Videos and Ad films. This section is for films which are challenging and new, made in Tamil language. Films must not be on YouTube or other digital platforms.
RULES OF CAMPUS STUDENT MIX:
It comprises of Short Documentaries, Short Films, Animated Films, Music Videos and Ad films. This section is for films made by students belonging to film schools. Proof of film school Student will be requested upon selection of the film. Films must not be on YouTube or other digital platforms.
RULES OF GENERATION NEXT:
Generation Next is a Competition Section which is further sub divided into two sub divisions namely A) Generation Next – Grade Schooler Section for films made for children in the age group of 5 - 12 yrs. & B) Generation Next – Teen Section for films made for children in the age group of 13-18 yrs. Narrative Features, Documentary Features, Short Documentary, Short Films, Animated Films, Music Videos and Ad films are eligible. Films from all countries including Indian films will compete together in this section. Films made for children by both Children and grown-ups are eligible. Films must not be on YouTube or other digital platforms.
ARTICLE 5: GENERAL RULES FOR FILMS IN COMPETITION
a) Films originally in other languages must have English subtitles. All films screened in the Competition Section will be in the Original Language with English subtitles.
b) The date of completion for International films, where no proof is available, the date of the first theatrical screening will be considered. For all Indian films the date on the certificate issued by the Central Board of Film Certification will be considered. If no certificate is available a signed affidavit on Rs.100/- Stamp Paper stating date of completion of film will be considered. Theatrical screening dates will not apply to Indian Films.
c) For all Films without a Certification from the CBFC, the Festival will apply for an exemption from the Information &Broadcasting Ministry, Government of India, for the period of the Festival. The film will be screened subject to receiving this exemption.
d) Selection of films for competition, are done by a Selection Committee, set up by the Festival Committee. The decision taken by the Festival Committee on the recommendation of the Selection Committee will be considered as final and non-appealable. The Festival Director has a special right to waive any condition for participation in the Competition.
e) No legal claim can be filed for participation in the competition.
f) Once officially selected No film shall be withdrawn from the festival programme.
g) TNIFF does not pay rental/screening fees. Instead, our limited resources are invested in the production and promotion of the best possible showcase for your work.
h) Previously submitted works are not eligible for re-submission.
i) Films available on YouTube and other OTT platforms are not eligible. The film contains no material, which is gory, obscene, libellous or defamatory.
j) During the festival, before the official screening, none of the invited films shall be screened outside the festival venue by the film makers or entrants
k) Selection at any other International festival does not ensure selection at TNIFF.
l) Films or revised version of films submitted in a previous edition of the festival will not be considered for any of the Competition Sections but maybe considered for inclusion in non-competitive sections.
m) Films selected in the Competition sections will be screened by the organizer JD Media Promotions as part of its non-commercial screening activity in other parts of Tamil Nadu State. Prior information will be given to the respective film owners on such occasions.
ARTICLE 6: GENERAL RULES FOR NON-COMPETITIVE SECTION
a) All films produced or coproduced before 1st May 2015 are eligible for this section.
b) Films with the maximum run time of 120 Min is eligible under Narrative Feature, Films with the minimum run time of 50 Min and above and up to any length is eligible under Long Documentary Feature, Films with the maximum run time of 120 Min is eligible under Animated Feature, Films with the maximum run time of 50 Min is eligible under Short Documentary, Films with the maximum run time of 45 Min is eligible under Short Film, Films with the maximum run time of 45 Min is eligible under Animated Short Film, Videos with the maximum run time of 5 Min is eligible under Music Video, Films with the maximum run time of 1 Min is eligible under Ad Films.
c) Films except those in English must be in their original version with English subtitles. A Selection committee set up by the Festival committee will recommend films for the non-competitive section called World Panorama.
d) Curated Sections: The following curated sections are also included in the festival:
1. World Panorama
2. Retrospective & Homage
3. Indian Classics &
4. Special Presentations as per Festival programme
ARTICLE 7: ENTRY FEES, DEADLINES & SELECTION OF FILMS
a) All submission must be made only through the partnered online submission platforms like FilmFreeway, Festhome, Festival life etc.
Click on this link to submit https://filmfreeway.com/TamilNaduIndependentFilmFestival
b) All submissions will be considered only upon receiving the entry fee plus 18% GST.
c) Entry Fee:
Early Bird Submission Deadline: -- Till 15th Jan 2020 2019
Feature Film Rs. 2000/-
Documentary Feature Rs. 1200/-
Animated Feature Rs. 1800/-
Short Documentary Rs.500/-
Short Films Rs.800/-
Animated Short Rs.700/-
Music Videos Rs.300/-
Ad Rs.200/-
Regular Submission Deadline: -- Till 15th Feb 2020
Feature Film Rs.2500/-
Documentary Feature Rs.1500/-
Animated Feature Rs. 2100/-
Short Documentary Rs.700/-
Short Films Rs.1000/-
Animated Short Rs.900/-
Music Videos Rs.500/-
Ad Rs.400/-
Late Submission Deadline: -- Till 10th Mar 2020
Feature Film Rs.3000/-
Documentary Feature Rs.1800/-
Animated Feature Rs. 2400/-
Short Documentary Rs.900/-
Short Films Rs.1200/-
Animated Short Rs.1100/-
Music Videos Rs.700/-
Ad Rs.600/-
Extended Submission Deadline: -- Till 31st Mar 2020
Feature Film Rs.3500/-
Documentary Feature Rs.2100/-
Animated Feature Rs. 2700/-
Short Documentary Rs.1100/-
Short Films Rs.1400/-
Animated Short Rs.1300/-
Music Videos Rs.900/-
Ad Rs.800/-
Student Fee (Same Submission Deadlines): --
Feature Film Rs.1000/-
Documentary Feature Rs.600/-
Animated Feature Rs. 900/-
Short Documentary Rs.300/-
Short Films Rs.500/-
Animated Short Rs.350/-
Music Videos Rs.200/-
Ad Rs.100/-
ARTICLE 8: RULES FOR SELECTION COMMITTEE
a) The Festival Committee will appoint the Selection committee consisting of eminent persons including filmmakers and others from different fields within the film Industry.
b) Selection committee members should submit a signed affidavit in the prescribed format stating non- involvement of themselves or any close relative in the entries.
c) The selection committee can suggest films for screening in Sections other than the entrants’ choice.
d) The selection Committee will preview films submitted through the partnered online submission platforms only.
e) Since the festival is in the inception stage it will not be able provide feedback on the submitted films or give specific reasons for the rejection of any film.
f) Notification date of official selected films is approximately June 30, 2020.
ARTICLE 9: JURIES & AWARDS
JURIES
a) A category-specific jury, comprised of studio/network/streaming executives, entertainment attorneys/managers/ agents, content creators, and other industry experts will be appointed by the Festival Committee. Also an independent international Jury will be appointed by the Festival Committee. The appointed jury selects the winner (and any deserving honourable mentions) in each category. The decision of the Jury will be final.
b) The Jury will sit in judgment of films chosen by the Selection Committee for Competition.
c) In addition to the Cash Awards, the Jury is free to award Special Jury Awards and Mentions to any aspect of filmmaking. These will not carry any cash prizes.
OFFICIAL AWARDS
a) The Festival Jury will be the final and only authority to judge the films for competition.
b) The total number of awards given in each edition of the festival will depend on the financial situation of the organiser.
c) Each Best Award will receive a memento, certificate and cash award (Note: the cash amount depends on new sponsors. It will be shared equally between the Producer and Director of the Best film.)
d) Festival Attendees Poll: In addition to the above, TNIFF festival attendees vote in an Audience Poll to select an Audience Award winner in the Best Feature and Best Short categories.
e) Winners are announced via press release to the key industry trade outlets. Each year, various award categories are sponsored by companies who provide cash and/or in-kind prizes to the winners.
f) Following awards will be given for films in competitive category;
INTERNATIONAL MIX AWARDS
1) Best Narrative Feature
2) Best Long Documentary Feature
3) Best Animated Feature
4) Best Short Documentary
5) Best Short Film
6) Best Animated short
7) Best Music Videos
8) Best Ad film
9) Best Debut Director (For International Feature)
10) Best Female Debut Director (For International Feature)
11) Best Director (For International Short)
12) Best Debut Director (For International Short)
13) Best Female Debut Director (For International Short)
14) Best Screenplay (For International Feature)
15) Best Young Filmmaker (Ages 18 - 25 Years Old)
INDIAN SPECIAL MIX AWARDS
1) Best Narrative Feature
2) Best Long Documentary Feature
3) Best Animated Feature
4) Best Short Documentary
5) Best Short Film
6) Best Animated Short
7) Best Music Video
8) Best Ad films
9) Best Screenplay (For Indian Feature)
10) Best Director(For Indian Feature)
11) Best Debut Director(For Indian Feature)
12) Best Female Debut Director(For Indian Feature)
13) Best Actor (For Indian Feature)
14) Best Director(For Indian Short)
15) Best Debut Director(For Indian Short)
16) Best Female Debut Director(For Indian Short)
17) Best Young Filmmaker (Ages 18 - 25 Years Old)
TAMIL SPECIAL MIX AWARDS
1) Best Narrative Regional Feature
2) Best Long Documentary Regional Feature
3) Best Animated National Regional
4) Best Regional Short Documentary
5) Best Regional Short Film
6) Best Regional Animated Short
7) Best Regional Music Video
8) Best Regional Ad films
9) Best Cinematography (For Regional Feature)
10) Best Editing (For Regional Feature)
11) Best Music (For Regional Feature)
12) Best Background score (For Regional Feature)
13) Best Screenplay (For Regional Feature)
14) Best Director (For Regional Feature)
15) Best Debut Director (For Regional Feature)
16) Best Female Debut Director (For Regional Feature)
17) Best Actor (For Regional Feature)
18) Best Actress (For Regional Feature)
19) Best Child Artist (For Regional Feature)
20) Best Cinematography (For Regional Short)
21) Best Editing (For Regional Short)
22) Best Music (For Regional Short)
23) Best Background score (For Regional Short)
24) Best Screenplay (For Regional Short)
25) Best Director (For Regional Short)
26) Best Debut Director (For Regional Short)
27) Best Female Debut Director (For Regional Short)
28) Best Actor (For Regional Short)
29) Best Actress (For Regional Short)
30) Best Child Artist (For Regional Short)
31) Best Young Filmmaker (Ages 18 - 25 Years Old)
GENERATION NEXT AWARDS
Generation Next – Grade Schooler
1) Best Narrative Feature
2) Best Long Documentary Feature
3) Best Animated Feature
4) Best Short Documentary
5) Best Short Film
6) Best Animated Short
7) Best Music Videos
8) Best Ad films
9) Best Director (For Narrative Feature)
10) Best Debut Director (For Narrative Feature)
11) Best Female Debut Director (For Narrative Feature)
12) Best Actor (For Regional Feature)
13) Best Actress (For Regional Feature)
14) Best Child Artist (For Regional Feature)
15) Best Director (For Narrative Short)
16) Best Debut Director (For Narrative Short)
17) Best Female Debut Director (For Narrative Short)
18) Best Child Artist (For Narrative Short)
19) Best Young Filmmaker (Ages 18 - 25 Years Old)
Generation Next –Teen
1) Best Narrative Feature
2) Best Long Documentary Feature
3) Best Animated Feature
4) Best Short Documentary
5) Best Short Film
6) Best Animated Short
7) Best Music Videos
8) Best Ad films
9) Best Director (For Narrative Feature)
10) Best Debut Director (For Narrative Feature)
11) Best Female Debut Director (For Narrative Feature)
12) Best Actor (For Regional Feature)
13) Best Actress (For Regional Feature)
14) Best Child Artist (For Narrative Feature)
15) Best Director (For Narrative Short)
16) Best Debut Director (For Narrative Short)
17) Best Female Debut Director (For Narrative Short)
18) Best Child Artist (For Narrative Short)
19) Best Young Filmmaker (Ages 18 - 25 Years Old)
CAMPUS STUDENT AWARDS
1) Best Student Documentary
2) Best Student Short Film
3) Best Student Animated Short
4) Best Student Music Videos
5) Best Student Ad films
SPECIAL AWARDS
Special honourable jury mention Awards, Special festival mentions Awards & Audience Award in each category (based on festival attendees vote)
ARTICLE 10: INSURANCE & SHIPPING
a) The festival will not incur shipping cost of films in official Selection of the Festival.
b) Only the final screening material of the Films will be sent back to the participants in the address indicated in the entry form or as instructed in writing.
c) TNIFF 2020 will pay storage and insurance costs of films selected for the festival throughout the period during which the cinematographic materials are held in the custody of festival authority. In case of print loss or damage, the liability of the festival authority will not exceed the value indicated in the official entry forms.
ARTICLE 11: COPIES FOR ARCHIVE
Film submitted for the Competition will be stored in the Festival Library for use by the Festival Office for non-commercial, educational screening.
ARTICLE 12
The Director of the festival has the authority to settle all cases not covered by the present rules. All appeals maybe addressed to the Festival Director.
ARTICLE 13
No cuts or changes will be made in the films by the festival management for any reason. Festival undertakes to abide by International Regulation not to screen an entry more than three times.
ARTICLE 14
a) The final screening materials of selected film must reach the Festival Office by 10th September 2020.
b) The required format of the final screening material for the festival will be intimated to the film owners upon the official selection of the films.
ARTICLE 15
The import, distribution & commercial exhibition of all films to be presented in any section of the festival will be exempted from customs duty.
ARTICLE 16
Films will be presented within the official section of the festival, only if they have been produced following cinematographic professional rulings in the country of production and if their priority destination is for normal and continued theatrical exhibition.
ARTICLE 17
List of films selected for the festival will be posted on the Festival website https://tniff.com/ by 30th June 2020. Only the entrants of films selected will be informed in writing.
ARTICLE 18
The festival will ensure that the films are screened at the best available theatres/ location depending upon the funds available to conduct the festival. The names of the theatres/locations and their seating capacities will be made available for information. The festival will also make available a schedule of the entire program that will take place during the festival period.
ARTICLE 19
All relevant information regarding a film should be furnished in the submission for inclusion in the official festival book.
ARTICLE 20
The festival will not present any film to any person or organisation (other than the International jury) before the official public screening or eventually, before the general screening for the journalists, unless specifically asked for by the producer.
ARTICLE 21
a) One representative either one director or one producer of the officially selected film for competition will be invited for participation in the festival.
b) If he/she is unable to attend he/she may nominate any other member of the cast or crew, in writing.
c) The Festival Director reserves the right to invite any person or persons connected with the film as guests for participating in the festival.
ARTICLE 22
a) Participation in the festival implies acceptance of all the aforementioned regulations and selection conditions.
b) All final exhibition materials may be sent via online file transfer. Since we are completely eco-friendly festival we do not like any material in hard copies.
