The mission of the Cans Film Festival is to build the relationship between filmmakers and their audience by programming unique events and programs that foster connection and support for independent and local talent and community.

The Cans Film Festival's name comes from Michigan's unique 10-cent recyclable can and bottle deposit system (highest in the country!), in which we encourage film festival goers to bring a donation of their cans and bottles (or their deposit slips), the proceeds of which go to the filmmakers represented at the festival. This unique "community fund-raiser" program is just one of the many approaches we take to building a robust independent filmmaker culture.

The mission of the Cans Film Festival (CFF) is to build the relationship between filmmakers and their audience by programming unique events and programs that foster connection and support for independent and local talent and community.

GENERAL RULES
1. Dates and Venue
The Cans Film Festival (CFF) will take place in Grand Rapids. By submitting your film, you are giving CFF the rights to planned in-person screenings during the Festival dates.

2. Competition
To be eligible for competition, the submitted films may be completed at any time prior to the festival dates.

The Festival reserves the right to place entries into alternative categories if they feel it is to the benefit of the title. Each submission must be entered separately. Entries will be assessed and successful submissions will be programmed for screening and enter the Festival competition.

3. Formats
For the selection process, we accept online screeners ONLY.

Please note: if accepted, we require a ProRes file via upload.
ACCEPTED FILMS NOT IN THE REQUIRED FORMAT WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM COMPETITION AND SCHEDULE.

4. The Festival committee reserves the right to invite films for the competition and program. The final award-winning entries will be selected by a Festival Jury. The winners in each category are to be announced at the award ceremony. CFF reserves the right to schedule additional screenings of selected films.

5. Screenings
It is the responsibility of the entrant to ensure that films for screening are deposited with the Festival organizers at least 30 days before any scheduled screening. The Festival DOES NOT pay screening fees.

6. We reserve the right to use submissions for festival publicity and marketing purposes. Submitted films may be used for Festival and post-festival screenings for 12 months.

7. The Programming Committee's decision is final.
Cans Film Festival (CFF) is hereby granted the right to utilize a film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for online streaming and in-person theatrical screening and for promotional purposes for a period of 12 months. The Festival does not pay screening fees for any film submitted to the festival.

The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for online or in-person screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.

By submitting, you indemnify and hold harmless the Cans Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.