The North Film Festival

The North Film Festival (TNFF) - Submission Guidelines and Rules:

Main Rule for Screening Eligibility:
The festival will only screen films with representatives present at the event in Barcelona - Spain. If no representative is available, the film will remain selected but will only be showcased online. Priority for screenings is given to films with representatives attending the festival, including local filmmakers from Spain.

Rule: Timely Filmmaker Engagement and File Submission
As part of our commitment to running a well-organized and professional festival, filmmakers are required to stay engaged and respond promptly to all communication. This includes submitting files, attendance forms, and other requested materials by the stated deadlines.

Failure to meet these deadlines may result in your film being excluded from the schedule, as we cannot make adjustments once the final program is locked. It is the filmmaker's responsibility to provide the necessary materials on time. After the deadlines have passed, no further accommodations can be made.

STUDENTS: We are proud to support student filmmakers worldwide by offering a discounted submission fee. However, if you submit your film under the student category, you must be prepared to provide valid proof of your student status upon request. Failure to do so will result in your film being removed from the selection, nominations, and schedule, as it constitutes a violation of our terms and rules.

Late Submissions and Screening Limitations:

If you submit your film within two months of the festival’s start date, please note that selected films will primarily be scheduled for online screenings due to constraints with the finalized in-person schedule. While we will make every effort to accommodate your film for an in-person screening if space becomes available, this cannot be guaranteed. Please keep this in mind when submitting close to the festival date.

Nominations Eligibility for Late Submissions:

Films submitted within one month of the festival’s start date may still be selected for screening ONLINE only but will not be eligible for nominations in any award categories. This is to ensure fairness and allow adequate time for the selection committee to review all submissions thoroughly.

We encourage filmmakers to submit their projects as early as possible to ensure the best possible experience at the festival.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a successful festival experience for everyone.

Rules & Terms of Entry
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1. Entries in foreign languages must come with English subtitles include Spanish films (This is an International Film Festival. English Rules).

2. All entries must have been completed AFTER 2023

3. Any film submitted to the TNFF can be re-submitted at any time for a second chance.

4. Works in progress are accepted.

5. You must own or be given all of the rights to anything you submit to the festival.

6. Multiple entries are allowed. You can submit more than one film to the same category. But keep in mind the entry fee must be paid for each one.

7. At our discretion, we may choose to transfer a film to the correct category, but only if the appropriate level of submission fee has been paid.

8. A screening committee determines which films shall be exhibited, submissions are not guaranteed to be shown. All decisions of the committee are final. Except for the audience award, separate juries select festival winners

9. After a film has been an official selection, the filmmaker will be notified.

10. Winners will be presented with their awards during the TNFF Awards Ceremony Gala, Feb 20 2026 at our venue.

11. Submissions are NON-refundable. We cannot be held liable for materials which are lost or damaged.

12. We totally retain the right to change the date and venue of the festival under special circumstances. All filmmakers will be informed about any changes through our online website + social media platforms or email.

13. The festival will not pay any fee for screening a film.

14. If your film is selected by our festival, you automatically agree that we may use images from your project for marketing purposes for our festival. If you do not agreed, and do not consent to give us promotional rights to your material, please let us know with a call or via email; and then we will withdraw your film from the promotion of our festival. If we do not receive any notification from you within 48 hours after your film is selected, we will assume that you agree this policy.

15. We don't give your information to 3rd Parties.

16. We reserve the right to update our terms and conditions.

17. By submitting to us, you give us the right to screen your film in front of a live audience in BARCELONA, Spain.

18. ***Due to the limited screening time, screenings are prioritized with a representative of the same who attends in person during the days of the Festival. Therefore, confirm your attendance as soon as possible, otherwise they will be moved to the Online Section. Please keep that in mind!!!***

19. Before submitting your projects to The North Film Festival (TNFF), we kindly requested that you carefully read and familiarize yourself with our festival's terms and rules. As part of our commitment to maintaining a respectful and positive environment, TNFF retained the right to unselect any film, even if it had been nominated, if we found any form of disrespect towards our festival.

Furthermore, please be informed that films that have been selected or nominated can also be removed from our festival if they exhibit disrespect towards our festival or fail to comply with the guidelines, rules, and terms mentioned.

I also acknowledge that the film submission fee does not guarantee acceptance and no refund will be provided if my film is not selected. 
 
Applicants who do not follow the guidelines will not be accepted.

Questions regarding submissions may be directed to thenorthfilmfest@gmail.com