WHISTLEBLOWER SUMMIT GENERAL FILM & SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Please read this agreement carefully before you submit your film or screenplay. By submitting your film or script for consideration for the 13th Annual Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by the terms of this agreement. All films will screen on DCP unless otherwise mentioned.
This year the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival will include a short film script competition open to related genres and subject matter, i.e., whistleblowing, freedom of speech, civil rights, human rights and social justice.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Contemporary features, documentaries, shorts and screenplays from around the world that demonstrate a bold commitment to the themes of whistleblowing, First Amendment, civil rights and human rights; and display excellence in cinematic craft and innovation in storytelling.
Features – films and/or documentaries are 41 minutes or longer.
Shorts – films and/or documentaries are 40 minutes or less, including all credits.
Feature films / documentaries must have been completed on or after January 1, 2022.
Shorts must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.
If the documentary is in a language other than English, it must be subtitled in English.
Promotional, instructional or industrial films, and raw documentation of performances are not eligible.
All film entries selected for the festival grant the Whistleblower Summit the rights to use footage, stills and/or titles and information from the film for promotional purposes.
All films submitted must be free from any legal disputes and the filmmaker must have cleared all rights for music and exhibition.
The Whistleblower Summit reserves the right to change any information contained in this document (including festival dates, venues, events, awards and eligibility requirements) without further notice.
TERMS OF ENTRY:
You hereby grant Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival (“festival”) all rights necessary to exhibit and promote the submitted film at the 2024 festival. You represent that such exhibition will not violate or infringe upon any rights whatsoever (including copyright, trademark, musical or contract right) of any person or entity. You further represent that you are authorized to submit the submitted film and, if selected, will deliver the DCP to the festival office no later than July 1, 2025. Additionally, you indemnify the festival (organizers and directors) from any and all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, and attorney's fee arising out of or in connection with third parties in regards to the screening of said film. Further, you hereby agree that you have read and agree to the General Rules and Regulations for submissions to Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival 2024.
LIABILITY
Great care will be taken with entries while with us, however we cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage incurred en route, or due to normal wear and tear. The Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival is held harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses that may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity or screening of any film.
GUIDELINES FOR ALL FILMS. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023. All non-English language films must have English subtitles. A separate entry form and additional entry fee must be submitted for each film.
SUBMISSIONS will be received between November 2024 and May of 2025, with notification of acceptance no later than June 10, 2025.
ENTRY FORM AND PREVIEW MATERIALS FOR ALL FILMS. All films must be submitted and paid for through FilmFreeway. Materials received after June 1, 2025 will be discarded without notice or refund.
Earlybird Deadline Dates:
Earlybird Deadline - $45 ($35 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by December 1, 2024 will have to pay the extended earlybird deadline entry fee.
Extended Earlybird Deadline - $55 ($45 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by December 21, 2024 will have to pay the last chance earlybird deadline entry fee.
Last Chance Earlybird Deadline - $59.50 ($50 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by January 10, 2025 will have to pay the regular entry fee.
Regular Deadline Dates:
Regular Deadline - $65 ($55 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by January 31, 2025 will have to pay the extended regular entry fee.
Extended Regular Deadline - $75 ($65 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by February 20, 2025 will have to pay the last chance regular entry fee.
Last Chance Regular Deadline - $79.50 ($70 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by March 12, 2025 will have to pay the late deadline entry fee.
Late Deadline Dates:
Late Deadline - $80 ($70 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by April 1, 2025 will have to pay the extended late deadline entry fee.
Extended Late Deadline - $85 ($75 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by April 21, 2025 will have to pay the last chance late deadline entry fee.
Last Chance Late Deadline - $89.50 ($80 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by May 11, 2025 will have to pay the extended deadline entry fee.
Extended Deadline Dates:
Extended Deadline - $95 ($85 Gold)
Entry forms that do not include full payment of entry fees and working online screener by May 31, 2025 will not be accepted.
o We do NOT grant fee waivers.
o Entry fees must be paid online with any major credit card.
o We do NOT accept checks.
o Entry fees are non-refundable.
o Entries will not be viewed without payment.
o Filmmaker Feedback will NOT be provided this year.
ONLINE SCREENERS. All films must be submitted using the FilmFreeway Secure Online Screener System, via a Vimeo link entered directly on the submission application. We cannot accept links via e-mail or streaming links other than Vimeo at this time. If you choose to provide a Vimeo link on your submission application, please ensure that you select “Anywhere” under the “Where can this video be embedded” section of your video’s privacy settings. Due to the volume of submissions we receive we are unable to contact each applicant individually if we are unable to access your film due to privacy settings or broken link. It is your responsibility to ensure that your online screener is working before the selected deadline. Submissions may not be withdrawn from the festival once they have been entered, except at the sole discretion of the festival directors.
REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS. All entries are automatically included in the General Film Competition. The Whistleblower Summit will review films in their entirety. Films will be watched and reviewed by members of the Screening Committee. After the final submission deadline, the Selection Committee will review the total scores of all the films in competition and select final films from a group of the top scorers. In addition to the top scoring films, final screening decisions will be influenced by the time constraints of showcases, etc. Award information is explained below.
AWARD INFORMATION. Awards will be presented in the following categories: Best Feature; Best Documentary; Best Short; and Impact Award (Important Film). In addition, audience members in each screening will vote on Audience Favorites. Awards are subject to change before the event, with an updated list to be posted at www.WhistleblowerSummit.com All awards will be announced at the final event.
NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE. Letters of inclusion or non-inclusion, will be sent to the email address provided on the entry form no later than June 10, 2024. Whistleblower Summit does not send physical mail — please ensure that your email address is accurate on your application. Whistleblower Summit is not liable for emails delayed by spam filters, server rejections, outdated or unattended email addresses.
If your documentary is selected to screen in the festival, you will need to provide the following:
o A DCP by the required deadline. Each filmmaker is responsible for the delivery costs of the DCP, including any applicable customs fees.
o Press kits, trailers, promotional materials and additional screeners for preview.
Note: The Whistleblower Summit reserves the right to change any of this information (including festival dates, venues, events, awards and eligibility requirements) without further notice.
SCREENING FORMATS. Films, acceptance contracts and other materials mentioned in the Letter of Acceptance must arrive at the Festival office no later than 11:59 pm, July 1, 2025. Whistleblower Summit requires two files for projection: a professionally converted DCP (24fps only) and an AppleTV formatted .mp4 file. Films with incomplete materials by the deadline will forfeit their ability to screen in the festival. Neither the Whistleblower Summit nor its members, directors, employees, and volunteers are responsible for lost, misplaced, and undelivered film and media.
GUIDELINES FOR ALL SCRIPTS. Student screenwriters and group projects are welcome. Both represented and non-represented writers are eligible.
Must be original work and property of the group or person submitting.
Script Length:
o Between 1 and 40 pages for Short Scripts
o Between 45 and 75 pages Maximum for The Pilot Competition
o Between 90 and 140 pages Maximum for The Screenplay Competition
All applicants must complete the official festival submission form located on FilmFreeway.com.
All entries must be received on or before midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on the date of the deadlines listed in the "Dates & Deadlines" section on https://filmfreeway.com/whistleblowersummit-filmfestival and must be paid in full to be considered.
After submission, no drafts or revisions will be accepted.
Foreign submissions allowed, however, must be translated to English.
For Short Scripts - Unpublished or published work is accepted, any genre allowed.
Writers under the age of 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate. If under 18, send an email to WhistleblowerSummit@gmail.com to receive a parent or legal guardian waiver form to accompany your submission.
Entry fees paid in US Dollars, non-refundable.
We DO NOT offer individual feedback on script submissions.
By submitting a script you confirm that you have read and agree to our eligibility and rules. Judges’ decisions are final.
FILMMAKER AND WRITER ATTENDANCE. Whistleblower Summit encourages filmmakers to attend the festival. To this end, we will assist every filmmaker (and one guest) who wishes to attend by providing invitations to all parties, tours and events, and discount passes for all film screenings and summit events. The Whistleblower Summit is unable to provide financial compensation for travel expenses or additional expenses incurred during the Festival week.
COMMUNICATIONS. Whistleblower Summit does not send physical mail — please make sure the email address in your entry form is accurate. Whistleblower Summit is not liable for emails delayed by spam filters, server rejections, outdated email addresses or any other technical or human error. Whistleblower Summit staff can be reached by email at WhistleblowerSummit@gmail.com
PUBLICITY AND MARKETING. All selected films and scripts may be excerpted for publicity purposes. Whistleblower Summit reserves the right to promote any film or script to print, broadcast or internet media as required to market the Festival or our parent organization.
THEATRICAL SCREENINGS. By submitting your project to Whistleblower Summit, the filmmaker grants non-exclusive rights to screen their film once at a public programming session. Films screened will not be announced prior to the event, and filmmakers will not be informed of their participation. Not all films are selected for this event. By accepting inclusion in the Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival, the filmmaker grants non-exclusive rights to showcase their film during the festival season (July 23—August 3, 2025) in as many screenings as required. In addition, the Whistleblower Summit has non-exclusive rights to repeat the showcases or virtual presentations through December 31, 2026 for fundraising and other purposes. All ticket sales are the sole property of the Whistleblower Summit.
CONTROLLING LAW, VENUE AND SEVERABILITY. This License shall be governed by the laws of the United States and the District of Columbia without consideration of conflicts of laws provisions and principles. All claims between the parties, regardless of legal theory and whenever brought, shall be resolved in the state or federal courts of the District of Columbia, USA, and you stipulate that you expressly submit to the personal jurisdiction of such state and federal courts, and you further agree that any judgment may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision, or portion thereof, of this Agreement to be unenforceable, the remainder of this License shall continue in full force and effect.
COMPLETE AGREEMENT. This License constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the use of films and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject matter. No amendment to or modification of this License will be binding unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival. Nothing in this Agreement constitutes a waiver of Whistleblower Summit (organizers or directors) rights under the United States of America patent and copyright laws or any other Federal or State law, nor of any of Whistleblower Summit (organizers or directors) rights under the rules or laws of any country, territory, republic, and/or province. The Whistleblower Summit reserves the right to remove a film from the festival program for any reason or for no reason and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising out of such removal.
