RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR 2026 GENERAL FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS
(Scroll down for Summer Shorts Contest and Music Video Lab rules)
The following is an explanation of the Rules and Guidelines governing film submissions to the 2026 Desert Waves Film Festival. Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is necessary in order to participate in the Film Festival. Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of the Rules & Guidelines, therefore, please carefully read through the Rules prior to submitting your film. If you have any questions, please contact Desert Waves via email at desertwavesfilmfestival@gmail.com.
1. Desert Waves accepts submissions for films in the following categories:
Short Films (under 40 minutes) – Horror, Comedy, Drama, Action, Animated, Sci-Fi, Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Student, Las Vegas, LGBTQ+, and International.
Feature Films (90 minutes or less) - Horror, Comedy, Drama, Action, Animated, Sci-Fi, Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Student, Las Vegas, LGBTQ+, and International.
2. The Entrant(s) submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, as well as all necessary clearances for public exhibition.
3. The Filmmaker(s) retain(s) all submission and intellectual property rights.
4. Films must be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway.
5. The Filmmaker(s) is/are responsible for making sure all submission materials are submitted by the submission deadline indicated. If your film is not uploaded by the deadline for which you have registered, you may be required to pay the higher submission fee or withdraw your submission.
6. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Submission fees are in U.S. Dollars per submission and are non-refundable. Cash is not accepted.
7. If a film received 50% or more of its funding from sources outside of the United States, the film may be submitted as an International Film.
8. Subtitles for foreign films are required and must be in English.
9. Please keep screener links and passwords up-to-date and notify the DW office promptly with any changes. Please test your media prior to submission to make sure they run properly and are not damaged.
10. Filmmakers are allowed to submit more than one film for the Festival provided that each film is submitted separately and meets DW guidelines.
11. Filmmakers are allowed to re-submit a film that was previously submitted provided significant changes were made and all eligibility requirements are met. When re-submitting the film, include a brief cover letter detailing the changes made.
12. A student submitting a film must provide a photocopy of a current and valid student ID or a letter from his/her school verifying enrollment. Students can email these required items to desertwavesfilmfestival@gmail.com. A student can be enrolled in K-12, graduate, or post-graduate.
13. All personal contact information is to remain confidential and not to be shared with any third parties.
14. DW reserves the right to use images from films selected in the Festival for marketing purposes.
15. All decisions regarding award winners are considered final and incontestable.
16. Applicants acknowledge that DW reserves the right to change the nature of screenings and events due to circumstances related to public health and welfare or at the direction of local, state, or federal authorities. In such cases, no submission refunds shall be issued.
17. All submitted films must generally adhere to PG-13 guidelines. The festival runners reserve the right to deny films at their discretion.
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SUMMER SHORTS CONTEST
The challenge will kickoff on - 1 May 2026
The challenge will conclude on - 30 May 2026
Screening - June 19 2026
1. Participating teams must complete and submit their films by 30 May 2026. Unless awarded extra days.
2. Total film runtime must be between 5-10 minutes. This includes credits.
3. Late submissions will be accepted for screening during the film festival, but not eligible for judging.
4. A member of the team must be present during the premiere night to be eligible to have their film screened and to be included in the judging and awards.
5. Participating teams must include both required props in their film.
CREATIVE PROCESS
All creativity must take place during the competition time period. Any creative work prior to the competition weekend is prohibited.
Creative work includes, but is not limited to:
● Writing the script
● Rehearsing
● Costume/Set Design
● Shooting
● Editing
● Sound Design
● Rendering
● Outputting to USB drive or other media
Thank you and HAVE FUN!
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MUSIC VIDEO LAB
Kick-Off: 1 Sep 2026
End: 30 Sep 2026
Screening: 17/18 October (during festival)
Selected directors and musicians will be paired to create a music video in ONE month. Those selected and paired as a team will be given a set monetary amount to use as their production budget.
Receipts will be given to DW staff at the end of the project to show proof of funds use.
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SCREENING/PRESENTATION TERMS OF AGREEMENT
Desert Waves Film Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes.
The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
The individual or corporation submitting the film shall indemnify and hold harmless Desert Waves Film Festival from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
Should your film be accepted, we ask permission to keep a copy of the film for our festival library. This request is voluntary and is not conditional. The copy of the film in the DWFF library will not be used for profit. Should we consider re-screening the film for a public paid event, we will notify individuals or corporations representing the film for permission and conditions.
Posters & Marketing Materials - any shipping costs of marketing materials shipped to Desert Waves prior to the festival must be borne by the sender and must indicate the title, shipper's name, and FilmFreeway tracking number. Please email desertwavesfilmfestival@gmail.com to coordinate.
