This Submission & Participation Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between the submitting party (“Entrant”) and the Vertex MicroDrama Film Fest, including its affiliates, sponsors, partners, and successors (“Festival”).
By submitting a film, Entrant agrees to be bound by the terms herein.
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 “Work” means the submitted film, including all audiovisual elements, scripts, music, performances, AI-generated content, and related materials.
1.2 “Festival” includes Vertex MicroDrama Film Fest, its organizers, sponsors, affiliates, partners, jurors, distributors, and promotional agents.
1.3 “Submission Platform” refers to FilmFreeway or any authorized portal.
1.4 “Likeness” includes name, image, voice, performance, and any digitally or artificially generated representation.
2. ELIGIBILITY & WARRANTIES
Entrant represents and warrants that:
Entrant is the sole rights holder or authorized representative of the Work.
The Work does not infringe any copyright, trademark, moral rights, or privacy rights.
All necessary releases (including talent, location, music, archival footage) have been secured.
The Work complies with all applicable laws and industry standards.
3. AI, DIGITAL RECREATION & SYNTHETIC MEDIA DISCLOSURE
3.1 Entrant must disclose any use of:
AI-generated performances
Voice cloning or synthesis
Digital likeness recreation
Deepfake or synthetic imagery
3.2 Entrant warrants that:
Any real person depicted via AI or digital means has provided explicit written consent OR
Entrant has legal authority from the estate or rights holder (if deceased).
3.3 The Festival assumes no liability for unauthorized AI-generated likeness use.
3.4 Entrant agrees that failure to disclose AI usage may result in immediate disqualification and legal liability.
4. TALENT & LIKENESS RIGHTS
4.1 Entrant grants that all individuals appearing in the Work have:
Granted full consent for exhibition, distribution, and promotional use
Waived claims for compensation beyond agreed production terms
4.2 Entrant indemnifies Festival against any claims involving:
Unauthorized use of likeness
Misappropriation of identity
Posthumous digital recreation disputes
5. GRANT OF FESTIVAL RIGHTS (NON-EXCLUSIVE)
Entrant hereby grants Festival a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:
Exhibit the Work during Festival programming
Use clips (up to 60 seconds), stills, titles, and behind-the-scenes material
Promote the Work across digital, broadcast, press, and partner channels
Include the Work in Festival trailers, recap films, and promotional compilations
Entrant retains full copyright ownership.
6. SPONSOR & BRAND INTEGRATION RIGHTS
6.1 Entrant acknowledges Festival may include Work in:
Sponsored programming blocks
Brand activations
Partner showcases
Cross-promotional campaigns
6.2 No sponsor shall acquire ownership of the Work.
6.3 Any commercial exploitation beyond Festival promotion requires separate written agreement with Entrant.
7. DISTRIBUTION OPTION (SEPARATE AGREEMENT)
7.1 Festival may offer selected Works participation in distribution opportunities including:
Streaming platforms
Mobile-first distribution networks
Anthology collections
Branded content partnerships
7.2 Such participation is optional and governed by a separate agreement.
7.3 No implied transfer of rights occurs by submission.
8. RIGHT OF FIRST DISCUSSION
For award-winning or featured Works, Festival shall have a 30-day right of first discussion for potential:
Licensing
Distribution
Co-production
Monetization partnerships
No obligation arises unless a written agreement is executed.
9. INDEMNIFICATION (BROAD FORM – ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY STANDARD)
Entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Festival, its affiliates, sponsors, partners, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising from or related to:
Breach of this Agreement
Copyright or trademark infringement
Unauthorized use of likeness or AI-generated representation
Defamation, invasion of privacy, or publicity rights violations
Any third-party claim arising from the Work
This indemnity survives Festival participation.
10. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
Festival shall not be liable for:
Technical submission failures
Lost, corrupted, or incomplete files
Programming changes or cancellations
Indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
Festival liability, if any, shall be limited to the submission fee paid.
11. SELECTION & PROGRAMMING DISCRETION
Festival retains sole discretion to:
Select or reject any Work
Assign categories
Edit screening schedules
Modify program structure
All decisions are final and non-appealable.
12. TERMINATION & DISQUALIFICATION
Festival may disqualify any submission if:
False or misleading rights representations are discovered
AI usage is undisclosed or unauthorized
Legal disputes arise regarding ownership or likeness
Festival may terminate participation at any time without refund.
13. DISPUTE RESOLUTION (MANDATORY ARBITRATION CLAUSE)
13.1 Any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be resolved exclusively through binding arbitration, not court litigation.
13.2 Arbitration shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its commercial rules.
13.3 Venue shall be Atlanta, Georgia, USA, unless otherwise agreed.
13.4 Each party shall bear its own legal fees, except as otherwise determined by the arbitrator.
13.5 Entrant waives the right to:
Jury trial
Class action participation
14. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to conflict of law principles.
15. FORCE MAJEURE
Festival shall not be liable for delays or cancellations caused by:
Natural disasters
Government restrictions
Labor disputes
Technology failures
Public health emergencies
16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between Entrant and Festival and supersedes any prior communications.
17. SEVERABILITY
If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full effect.
18. ACCEPTANCE
By submitting a Work, Entrant acknowledges that:
They have read and understood this Agreement
They have the legal authority to bind all rights holders of the Work
They agree to all terms herein without modification
