VISFF accepts films in any genre (with the exception of music videos, previews, and advertisements) that are 15 minutes or less, including credits. Videos promoting discrimination or hate will not be accepted.
Vancouver Island Short Film Festival (VISFF) Policy for Establishment of the Selection and Judging Committees
The Selection and Judging Committees are tasked with choosing the best short films according to a variety of criteria including compliance with VISFF rules and regulations, production quality, and originality. All persons who submitted to the festival will be advised if their film(s) have been shortlisted for selection, will be contacted if their film is to be screened, and informed if they are nominated for Goldie (VISFF award).
Selection and Judging Committee members are recommended by Executive Organizing Committee (EOC) and approved by VISFF Advisory Committee (Board).
QUALIFICATIONS, RULES, and REGULATIONS for CONSIDERATION by the SELECTION COMMITTEE
(1) Short Films are defined by the VISFF as having a running time of 15 minutes or less, including credits. Music videos, previews, and advertisements will not be considered.
(2) Films previously entered and screened at the VISFF are not eligible for re-entry in subsequent years.
(3) If the primary language of a film is not in English, then it must have hard-coded English subtitles.
(4) Short Films must be submitted online, in the highest quality possible. Films can be broadcast in High Definition at 1080p.
(5) Short Films must be compliant with all copyright laws. If music or additional film material used in your film is not original, then permission from the source must be obtained. The responsibility for this rests entirely with the filmmaker. Failure to obtain clearance could result in your film being withdrawn from the Festival. In this event, VISFF will not be liable to refund the fee or return the materials entered.
(6) A fee is required upon online submissions, which must be paid in full. One entry per fee. (Vancouver Island filmmakers may enter for FREE by emailing submissions@visff.com for a waiver code.)
(7) VISFF reserves 10% or 2 spots (depending on running time) of the total festival running time to local films (films made on Vancouver Island).
(8) By submitting to the VISFF, the participant is granting permission to view their film by the Selection and Judging Committee and if selected for screening, is granting permission to screen the film at the VISFF and use selected clips in promotional materials (including but not limited to press releases, websites, social media, TV, radio, and print). Selected films will be broadcast online for 48 hours after festival to be viewable by festival ticket holders. After the festival, VISFF may post the film online only if the film is publicly available for viewing.
The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is not responsible for resolving technical issues with submitted films.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
(1) There shall be a Vancouver Island Short Film Festival Selection Committee consisting of five (5) individuals appointed by the VISFF Board on the recommendation of the EOC and whose mandate shall be to nominate and elect short films, as per criteria, to be juried by the Judging Committee.
(2) Individuals forming part of the Selection Committee shall, in the opinion of the Board and EOC, be persons of integrity and ability and be knowledgeable in film production or criticism.
(3) It is intended that Selection Committee members be generally, but not exclusively composed of industry experts, members of the media who are experts in film, members of film academia. Selection Committee members should be knowledgeable in various technical, aesthetic, narrative, and entertainment qualities of film.
(4) Wherever possible, the Selection Committee should include a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and demographic make-up.
(5) The Selection Committee shall be composed of five (5) members for a one-year term, after which, individuals may continue to serve and be appointed to the Committee for a service period of up to a maximum of three (3) years. At the end of a three-year term, an individual may not be eligible for reappointment for a period of one (1) year.
(6) A person currently on the Board, on the Judging Committee, on the festival production and/or EOC, or a person who has directed, produced, acted in, or is affiliated with any film submitted to the festival in the current year is not eligible to sit on the Selection Committee.
(7) Members of the Selection Committee must serve without remuneration but may be paid reasonable and necessary expenses that they may incur directly out of the performance of their duties.
(8) The Selection Committee will review and screen all submitted qualifying Short Films during the selection process, and mark all entries on the criteria assigned on the festival’s web submission tool. The top 90 minutes (approximately) of Short Films shall be considered for screening. This is approximately 10 to 20 short films depending on the length of each individual film. Two spots or 10% of the running time of the festival is reserved for local films. If including films with tied scores would increase the running length of the festival over 90 minutes, the Selection Committee members will be encouraged to include films that will help create a diverse, more inclusive show.
(9) The VISFF promotes quality storytelling. Films with strong, well-told storylines will be given priority over films with high technical achievement.
(10) Decisions of the Selection Committee are final; there is no appeal process.
JUDGING COMMITTEE
(1) There shall be a Vancouver Island Short Film Festival Judging Committee consisting of five (5) individuals appointed by a Board on the recommendation of the EOC and whose mandate shall be to jury short films nominated by the Selection Committee, as per criteria.
(2) Individuals forming part of the Judging Committee shall, in the opinion of the Board and EOC, be persons of integrity and ability and be knowledgeable of quality production in film.
(3) It is intended that Judging Committee members be generally, but not exclusively, composed of industry experts, members of the media who are experts in film, or members of film academia. Judging Committee members should be knowledgeable of various technical, aesthetic, narrative, and entertainment qualities of film.
(4) The Judging Committee will select films to award Goldies, according to categories set by the Executive Steering Committee after watching all the year’s selections. Some example awards include but are not limited to:
- Best Cinematography
- Best Performance
- Best Film
- Best Writing
(5) Wherever possible, the Judging Committee should include a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and demographics.
(6) The Judging Committee shall be composed of five (5) members for a one-year term, after which, individuals may continue to serve and be appointed to the Committee for a service period of up to a maximum of three (3) years. At the end of a three-year term, an individual may not be eligible for reappointment for a period of one (1) year.
(7) A person currently on the Board, on the Selection Committee, on the festival production and/or EOC, or a person who has directed, produced, acted in, or is affiliated with any film selected for the festival in the current year is not eligible to sit on the Judging Committee.
(8) Members of the Judging Committee must serve without remuneration but may be paid reasonable and necessary expenses that they may incur directly out of the performance of their duties.
(9) The VISFF promotes quality storytelling. Films with strong, well-told stories will be given priority over films with high technical achievement.
(10) Decisions of the Judging Committee are final; there is no appeal process.
The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is not responsible for fixing any badly transferred data.
