Único – International Amateur Film Festival is an international film festival dedicated to films made outside commercial and industrial production systems. The festival brings together works created independently, in educational contexts, within communities, or through personal or collective initiatives, valuing freedom of form, experimentation, pedagogy, archive practices, and diverse modes of expression.
Único is open to submissions from all over the world and welcomes filmmakers, educators, schools, collectives, and creators whose work exists beyond professional hierarchies and conventional industry frameworks.
2. Eligibility
- The festival is open to filmmakers of all nationalities and ages.
- Films must be produced outside the professional or commercial film industry.
- Films made in educational, community, personal, domestic, or independent contexts are eligible.
- Films previously screened at other festivals are eligible.
- There is no premiere requirement.
- Production Year: Films completed in any year are eligible.
Único – International Amateur Film Festival does not impose production date limits, recognizing that amateur cinema often exists outside standard production, distribution, and exhibition timelines.
3. Competitive Categories
- Films may be submitted to one or more of the following categories:
- Best Amateur Film – World Competition
- Best Amateur Film – Portugal Competition
- Best Super 8 Film – World Competition
- Best Film Made in School – World Competition
- Best Film Made in School – Portugal Competition
- Best School Cinema Project – Portugal (3 Awards)
4. Non Competitive Category
- International Pedagogical Spotlight is a non-competitive, curated section dedicated to international cinema education projects.
- This section highlights schools, educators, collectives, NGOs, and institutions that develop long-term or innovative pedagogical practices using cinema and audiovisual creation.
- Selected projects are presented through screenings, talks, or online showcases. No awards are attributed in this section.
5. Definition of Amateur Film
- For the purpose of the festival, an amateur film is defined as a film:
Made without major commercial or institutional funding
Produced outside industrial or professional film structures
Created independently, in schools, collectives, families, or informal contexts
“Amateur” refers to conditions of production, not to artistic value or technical ambition.
6. Super 8 Category
- Films must be shot primarily or entirely on Super 8 film.
- Films must be shot on Super 8 film and submitted as digital files for screening.
- Films must demonstrate a clear artistic, narrative, or experimental intention.
- Purely private home movies, holiday films, or raw footage without artistic intervention are not eligible.
7. School Films & Projects
- Films Made in School
- Films must be produced within a school or educational context.
- Created by students, with or without teacher supervision.
- All educational levels are accepted.
- School Cinema Projects
This category focuses on long-term or ongoing projects, not on a single film.
Eligible submissions include film clubs, annual programs, interdisciplinary projects, or innovative pedagogical approaches to cinema.
Submissions must include written documentation and audiovisual material.
8. Language & Subtitles
Films in languages other than English or Portuguese must include English subtitles.
9. Submission Format
- Films must be submitted digitally (online screener).
- Selected films must be provided in a high-quality digital format for screening.
- Detailed technical specifications will be communicated to selected participants.
10. Selection & Jury
- All submissions will be reviewed by the festival’s selection committee.
- Official selections will be announced on the festival website, social media and via email.
- Awards will be decided by independent juries composed of filmmakers, educators, programmers, and professionals from the audiovisual field.
- Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
11. Screening Rights
- By submitting a film, the submitter grants Único – International Amateur Film Festival:
The right to screen the film during the festival (physical, online, or hybrid formats).
The right to use excerpts (up to 2 minutes), stills, and trailers for promotional purposes related to the festival.
No screening fees are paid.
12. Copyright & Responsibility
The submitter confirms they hold all necessary rights to the film.
The festival is not responsible for copyright infringements related to submitted works.
Any legal responsibility remains with the submitter.
13. Acceptance of Terms
Submission of a film implies full acceptance of these Rules & Terms.
The festival reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the regulations when necessary.
