Weird Market & WFest - International Animation Short Films Market & Festival

WEIRD MARKET - INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION SHORT FILMS MARKET & WFEST - WEIRD MARKET'S INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION SHORT FILMS FESTIVAL

16th edition
October 1st - 6th, 2024 / Valencia
Deadline for submissions June 27th 2024
REGULATIONS

1. ORGANIZATION AND OBJECTIVES

Weird is glad to organize the 16th International Animation, Video Games and New Media Market in Valencia (Spain) from October 1st to 6th 2024. The meeting will dispose of an International short film market with the aim of creating collaborations between international and national animation distributors, producers, TV channels, festivals, directors, professionals and students. The market is a meeting point for the dialogue and exchange among animation, video games and new media sectors.
Moreover, it will be celebrated as well the 13th edition of WFest - Weird Market's International Animation Short Films Festival. The festival will be composed by a short film selection from the participants of Weird short film market, divided in two categories: national and international competition.

2. CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

2.1. The international animation market and the WFest Festival are open to all directors, producers and distributors of animation short films whatever their country of origin.
2.2. EVERY TECHNIQUE OF ANIMATION IS ACCEPTED
2.3. The market is divided in two sections:
INTERNATIONAL SECTION:
- A selection of international short films completed after January 1st 2023 (about 100 short films).
- A selection of international music videos completed after January 1st 2023.
NATIONAL SELECTION:
-All Spanish short films completed after January 1st 2023, which get registered for the first time at the market.
2.4. We will NOT accept animation pieces of different formats to the aforementioned (short films and music videos).
2.5. The length allowed, credits included, is 30 minutes for the national and international categories and 10 minutes for the music videos.
2.6. In those works with a mixture of animation and fiction, it will be necessary for a significant number of the main characters to be animated and for the animation to represent a minimum of 75% of the duration of the work.
2.7. There is no submission fee.
2.8. The organization has the right to use some pictures or extracts (max. 20 seconds) of the selected short films to promote those works and Weird Market and WFest itself.
2.9. Short film distributors, buyers and programmers will be able to view the works of Weird Market on the online viewing platform, from September 30th to October 13th, also respecting and safeguarding copyright.
2.10. The deadline for submissions is June 27th 2024.
2.11. Participants are required to send their short film in original version with English subtitles (if the language is not English) or a copy in English. Subtitles will not be required in the music video category.
It will be also necessary to send two digital high-quality images in horizontal format (1920x1080) without titles, credits, logos or watermarks.
The platform to fill in the form is Filmfreeway.
*For the details of the technical specifications check the Summary of Categories at the end of these regulations.
Any doubts about the process please write to shortfilms@weirdmarket.es

3. WEIRD MARKET CATALOG

3.1. The works selected for Weird Market will be part of the catalog in its corresponding category.
3.2. The committee in charge of the selection of the international short films will be formed by film festival programmers and specialists of animation in all the categories.
3.3. The catalog will be available in digital format and will be distributed among the professionals who participate in the Market, as well as being sent to national and international animation professionals, institutions and events, with the only objective of promoting the works.
3.4. All the selected works will appear in the catalog with the distribution contact information previously provided and authorized.
3.5. Directors, producers or distributors must guarantee that they are in legal possession of the project rights, including those indirectly related (e.g. the music).

4. WFEST - WEIRD MARKET'S INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION SHORT FILMS FESTIVAL

4.1. The short films participating in the Market (international and national selection) will be eligible to be selected for WFest - Weird Market's International Animation Short Films Festival, which will be the subject of a second selection process.
4.2. The festival will take place in the Filmoteca Valenciana, Rialto building.
4.3. WFest - Weird Market's International Animation Short Films Festival short films screenings will be non-profit for professionals and general audiences, with the aim of promoting these selected works.
4.4. The selected short films will be screened exclusively within the period and place of the festival. The festival will not unilaterally manage new screenings or activities without prior communication or without permission of those responsible for the rights.
4.5. Several recognitions at the different sections, in addition to special mentions if the Jury considers it will be delivered.
Jury Awards, composed by national and international professionals of the animation:
Best International Short Film Jury Award
Best European Short Film Jury Award
Best Spanish Short Film Jury Award
Audience Awards, as result from the votes of the screenings:
Best International Short Film Audience Award
Best Spanish Short Film Audience Award
*None of the prizes will bring monetary compensation.
All awards will be announced on Saturday, October 6th, 2024.

5. COMMUNICATION OF SELECTION

5.1. The selected short films for Weird Market and WFest - Weird Market's International Animation Short Films Festival will be published in September on the website www.weirdmarket.es.

6. PROFESSIONALS ATTENDANCE

6.1. Please contact us at shortfilms@weirdmarket.es if you need more information or would like to participate in Weird Market 2024.
6.2. The short film directors selected at WFest - Weird Market's International Animation Short Films Festival will be invited by the festival to present their works. This invitation includes: professional accreditation for all the event, accommodation of one night and meals.
6.3. Under no circumstances we will require the presence of the directors or representatives of the short films to be selected or awarded in WFest - Weird Market's International Animation Short Films Festival.

7. REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

7.1. The participation in the market and festival implies that all conditions and terms described in these rules and regulations have been accepted.

WEIRD MARKET. Contact person:
Alex Pozo / shortfilms@weirdmarket.es
Loic Portier / animationfest@weirdmarket.es
SUMMARY OF WEIRD MARKET’S CATEGORIES

INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION
Registration deadline: June 27th 2024
Registration fee: no fee
Requirements:
Films completed after: January 1st 2023
Maximum running time: 30 minutes
Country of production: all (except Spain)
Language: English or with English subtitles if it is in another language.
Genres accepted: all kind of animation
Format*: H264 .MOV, Audio PCM or AC3

SPANISH ANIMATION
Registration deadline: June 27th 2024
Registration fee: no fee
Requirements:
Films completed after: January 1st 2023
Maximum running time: 30 minutes
Country of production: Spain
Language: English or with English subtitles if it is in another language.
Genres accepted: all kind of animation
Format*: H264 .MOV, Audio PCM or AC3

MUSIC VIDEOS
Registration deadline: June 27th 2024
Registration fee: no fee
Requirements:
Films completed after: January 1st 2023
Maximum running time: 10 minutes
Country of production: all accepted
Genres accepted: all kind of animation
Format*: H264 .MOV, Audio PCM or AC3

Any doubts about the process please write to shortfilms@weirdmarket.es