Yale Student Film Festival

ENTRY REGULATIONS (Please read before submitting!)

ALL entries must be from students currently enrolled / recently graduated from in a UNDERGRADUATE degree program unless they are submitted to the high school category. Work submitted by MFA candidates in directing, producing, etc., or professionals will not be accepted. Films in the high school competition must have directors under the age of 19 who completed the film while enrolled in a high school. Recent graduates of undergraduate programs must have finished the film within 6 months of graduation, and must have graduated no more than 1 year previous to submission date.

Fee waivers are available to any undergraduate or high school student. Check with your university for a fee waiver. If you did not receive one, email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com

All submitted films must have been completed AFTER August 2024. All films in a language other than English must be subtitled.

**STUDENT VERIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED AND APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTACH A COPY OF THEIR STUDENT ID OR PROOF OF ENROLLMENT TO YOUR FILM’S PAGE.** All other entries will be disqualified for entry into the festival.

Any student is eligible to submit a film, regardless of filmmaking experience or film classes taken.

Please see the various categories for more information on submitting to each of the sections. Each category has a different runtime. A film can only be submitted to one category. It is important that you determine your film’s category when you submit it, as that determines eligibility for awards (for any further questions about the categories, please email theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com).

Yale Student Film Festival reserves the right to not screen films that it finds overly offensive, obscene, or vulgar.

Films that have previously screened in other festivals or on Yale’s campus are still eligible.

There is no limit to the number of entries.

COPYRIGHT

It is expected that filmmakers hold all of the respective rights required for their films before submitting them. This includes all music, sound effects, product placement, actor/model release forms, etc. For music, there are a number of fair use soundtrack sites with music available online for free (we recommend reaching out to student musicians as well). Filmmakers without these rights will not be able to screen their films. If a film with copyright violations is accepted into the festival, YSFF, their assignees and designees are absolved of any legal liability. Any questions on copyright can be directed to theyalestudentfilmfest@gmail.com

FORMAT REGULATIONS

All foreign language entries must have English subtitles. Projects must be submitted through online screener (online screener is the preferred method; we recommend using Vimeo or YouTube and password-locking your film).

COMPETITION
All entrants receive feedback cards from judges, and will be eligible to compete for category prizes.

PRESS MATERIALS
We want to help you show off your film! If selected, please use the FilmFreeway press kit to submit productions stills, bios, trailers, etc. about your film.

PHOTO/VIDEO/PUBLICITY RELEASE
By submitting to Yale Student Film Festival, you agree that upon acceptance, YSFF may use your film as part of promotion materials for the festival, in addition to your likeness in photos and video during the days of the event.

FURTHER QUESTIONS
We encourage you to ask any more questions you might have by reaching out to us at theyalestudentfilmfestival@gmail.com