GENERAL RULES, ELIGIBILITY AND MORE (READ CAREFULLY)
1. Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form.
2. Submissions must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.
3. Submissions must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway), a password-protected streaming URL, or on DVD with NTSC or PAL formatting (please test before sending).
4. In the event of a password change or link change after submitting, you must email the Festival at YELLOWSTONEFILMFEST@GMAIL.COM so we may update your record. If the Festival is not notified of the change and the link is found to be inactive or the password to be incorrect, the submission may be deemed ineligible.
5.YIFF screens films and series as digital files during the Festival screen on Blu-Ray, DVD, or DCP Only these formats will be accepted.
6. Feature Films and Short Films must have been completed after September 1st, 2024.
7. Short films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival may be considered for exhibition during the Festival but will be ineligible for awards. We prefer that shorts not be publicly available online.
8. Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a submission’s eligibility.
9. YIFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
10. Foreign language films must be made available with the original language soundtrack and English subtitles.
11. You may re-submit a previously submitted film, with the proper entry fee, only if the film has been significantly altered, re-edited or re-made since the initial submission. We will treat the submission as an entirely new project.
12* IMPORTANT - If the film is being submitted under the student film category, we request you to email us the filmmaker's student school ID card of the current year. otherwise, your film will be disqualified.
In addition to the id card, The email should also include the name of the project and the
13 IMPORTANT - No film can be withdrawn once the official selection announcements have been publicly announced or announced in press, Festival reserve right to take a decision on screening if a filmmaker decides to withdraw once press or other announcements are made.
ORIGINALITY AND Permissions; INDEMNITY
1. Submissions must be the original work of the applicants. If a film or series is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, the applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigate or attest to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.
2. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. YIFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
3. Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by YIFF in connection with the dispute.
4. You MUST include your physical address either in your entry or in your cover letter. Please do not submit a film without giving us your address, which we need for our records.
SELECTED ENTRIES AND WINNERS
1. YIFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.
2. YIFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by YIFF or by its volunteers.
3. Winners will be announced on OCTOBER 5TH. The judges’ decision is final. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: DVDs and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.
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Generals Rules & Guidelines only for films (13 Minutes or under) taking part in
2026 International Short Film Exchange - Rock The Boat Film Festival (Australia) and Yellowstone International Film Festival (India)
Terms & Conditions
Rock The Boat Film Festival (Australia) is committed to showcasing bold, independent voices from Western Australia, with a particular focus on impactful storytelling and championing emerging filmmakers. Yellowstone International Film Festival (India) is recognised for celebrating diverse global cinema, spotlighting innovative films and documentaries that inspire and connect audiences. These two independent film festivals have come together to present the International Short Film Exchange. Filmmakers submitting their projects to Rock The Boat Film Festival who indicate “Yes” to being considered for the International Short Film Exchange will agree to the following terms:
1. Eligibility - This opportunity is open to filmmakers who submit a short film or documentary to one of Rock The Boat Film Festival’s four categories in 2026, who agree to adhere to festival eligibility criteria and category rules (e.g. Open Short Film entries must have a maximum runtime of 13 minutes, including credits)
2. Expression of Interest - Filmmakers must opt in via the official festival submission form on Rock The Boat Film Festival’s FilmFreeway website and, when prompted, provide a short written response (50 words or less) outlining what the International Short Film Exchange opportunity would mean to them.
-Opting in does not guarantee selection. Only three projects selected by the Rock The Boat Film Festival team will be chosen for screening at Yellowstone International Film Festival in India.
3. Selection Process- Each festival will select up to three (3) films from its submissions to be shared with the partner festival.
-Final selections will be made by the respective festival teams (not judging panels). Selection will be based on a combination of factors, including artistic merit, storytelling originality, the potential to engage diverse audiences, and the filmmaker’s response (50 words or less). All selected films are subject to review and approval by the partner festival to ensure suitability for their audience and programming.
4. Screening Details - Selected films from Yellowstone International Film Festival (India) will be screened at the Rock The BoatFilm Festival (Australia) from 12 September to 24 October 2026.
- Selected films from Rock The Boat Film Festival (Australia) will be screened at the YellowstoneInternational Film Festival (India) from 14 to 20 November 2026.
- Screening format, session placement, and scheduling will be at the host festival's discretion.
5. Subtitles- Films must include English subtitles when requested, to ensure accessibility for international audiences.
6. Rights & Permissions- By opting in, filmmakers grant Rock The Boat Film Festival permission for their film to be screened at Yellowstone International Film Festival. This includes permission for associated festival promotion.
- Filmmakers must hold all necessary rights, licences, and clearances for public screening of their work.
7. Materials Required- Selected filmmakers may be required to provide a high-quality screening file and supporting materials (including stills, synopsis, and promotional assets) within specified deadlines. If your project is selected for this exchange program, Rock The Boat Film Festival will communicate with you which materials, if any, will be required to provide to Yellowstone International Film Festival.
- Failure to provide materials on time may result in withdrawal from the exchange program.
8. Communication
Selected filmmakers will be announced at RTBFF’s annual red carpet, black tie Awards Night in October.
- Both festivals may promote selected films across their marketing channels, including social media,websites, and press. In addition, selected filmmakers may be invited to participate in press releases, interviews, media briefings, or related festival media events. Media representatives interested in engaging with the program may arrange interviews or receive updates through official festival contacts.
9. No Monetary Exchange- Being selected for the International Short Film Exchange will not result in any prize or payment; this is strictly an opportunity to have filmmakers’ projects be screened internationally.
- Neither Rock The Boat Film Festival nor Yellowstone International Film Festival are responsible for any related costs or expenses incurred by filmmakers during the production or selection process.
10. Travel and Attendance - Filmmakers, cast, or crew whose projects are selected are optionally welcome to attend the screenings at the partner festival, in which case their attendance will be acknowledged; however, all travel, accommodation, visas, and related costs are the sole responsibility of the attending individuals.
11. General - Both festivals reserve the right to make necessary changes to their programs or schedules.
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Agreeing to these Terms & Conditions to participate in this initiative implies accepting Rock The Boat Film Festival’s Rules & Terms as listed on their FilmFreeway page under 2026 Terms & Conditions.
We are excited to offer this opportunity to connect filmmakers across Australia and India, and to sharestories with new audiences around the world. The International Short Film Exchange will showcase a diverse selection of films that illuminate global perspectives, human resilience, and authentic voices from each region. By encouraging filmmakers to explore both universal and uniquely local stories, the program aims to foster greater understanding and inspire audiences through innovation and creativity.
