An exciting showcase of world premiere films, the DeSales University Film Festival (DUFF) features the emerging voices of directors, screenwriters, producers, cinematographers, designers, editors, and animators in the DeSales TV/Film major, as well as the talented actors and dancers of the Performing Arts division. DUFF is a platform for young filmmakers taking their first steps toward a professional career, presenting a variety of genres, film forms, and cinematic journeys. Films are selected and adjudicated by television and film industry professionals. This lively, one-night event culminates in the award presentations for Best Cinematography, Best Directing, Best Performance, Best Editing & Sound Design, Audience Choice, and the DUFFY Award for Best Overall Film.

Awards & Prizes

The DeSales University Film Festival features awards for student filmmakers in the following categories:
- Best Overall Film (The DUFFY Award)
- Best Directing
- Best Cinematography
- Best Editing/Sound Design
- Best Performance
- Audience Choice Award

Additionally, there will be an award presented to the best overall high school film entered into the festival and to the winner of the Photography Contest!

Rules & Terms

DUFF SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- All films must be made between January 2023 and January 2024 to be eligible to screen in DUFF 2024.
- All submitted films must be made by current DeSales University students.
- Production Company logos may only appear in the first 3 seconds of the film.
- Films must not exceed a 20-minute runtime.
- Explicit language must be censored or removed from the film.
- Content that could be considered objectionable by the DeSales University school standards (graphic violence, nudity, excessive profanity, graphic drug use, exploitative situations/themes, etc.) will not be screened.
- A copyright statement should appear at the end of the final credits.
- Copyright the film to your production company. Do not use DeSales University or your own name for copyright.
- Any music (or other elements in the film) that are copyrighted and/or trademarked must be legally licensed by the filmmaker for use in the film. DUFF reserves the right to require proof of licensing from the filmmakers.
- Music requires both a Sync License and a Master Use License.
- Trademarked elements (such as logos that are prominently featured) require a signed release from the owner of the trademark.
- Logos that appear incidentally, on wardrobe or in the background, are allowed under the Fair Use doctrine.

HIGH SCHOOL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
- All films must be created by current high school students in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas.
- Films made within the last two years are eligible. (January 1, 2022 or later)
- Production Company logos may only appear in the first 3 seconds of the film.
- Films must not exceed a 10 minute runtime.
- Explicit language must be censored or removed from the film.
- Content that could be considered objectionable by the DeSales University school standards (graphic violence, nudity, excessive profanity, graphic drug use, exploitative situations/themes, etc.) will not be screened.
- Any music (or other elements in the film) that are copyrighted and/or trademarked should be legally licensed by the filmmaker for use in the film. DUFF reserves the right to require proof of licensing from the filmmakers.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST GUIDELINES:
- All photos must have been taken between January 2023 and January 2024 to be eligible for the photography contest.
- You must be a current DeSales student to submit photos.
- No more than 3 photos/photographer may be submitted.
- If a photographer submits more than 3 images, they will be disqualified from the competition.
- Content that could be considered objectionable by the DeSales University school standards (graphic violence, nudity, excessive profanity, graphic drug use, exploitative situations/themes, etc.) will not be included in the contest.
- Photos should not include a watermark or copyright information of the photographer.
- Trademarked elements (such as logos that are prominently featured) require a signed release from the owner of the trademark.
- Logos that appear incidentally, on wardrobe or in the background, are allowed under the Fair Use doctrine.
- All photos submitted to the competition will be judged by an independent jurist, who will critique the photos and choose the winners. The photo critique will be posted publicly on his YouTube channel, with the photographer's names being anonymous.