REGULATIONSel ojO cojo International Film Festival1. PURPOSEThe el ojO cojo International Film Festival is dedicated to short and feature films, fiction, documentaries, and animation. Its objective is to promote intercultural dialogue, migration, and coexistence by disseminating quality cinematographic works that rarely reach Spain. It focuses on raising awareness about various facets of reality while striving to avoid clichés. The Festival aims to serve as a space for encounters and discussions on projects of mutual interest.2. ORGANIZATIONThe Festival is independent and will grant Jury Awards as well as Participatory Community Awards.3. THEMEThe theme of the el ojO cojo Film Festival is open, provided that the films promote coexistence, diversity, and inclusion, prioritizing irony, celebration, and humor. Films made under lockdown conditions during the COVID-19 crisis will have a special place in the programming.4. SECTIONSOfficial Competition Section:CategoryModalityDurationFiction Feature FilmOfficial CompetitionFrom 80 min.Documentary Feature FilmOfficial CompetitionFrom 60 min.Fiction Mid-length FilmOfficial Competition20 – 80 min.Documentary Mid-length FilmOfficial Competition20 – 60 min.Short FilmOfficial CompetitionUp to 20 min.ScreenplayOfficial Competition—Films received that do not meet the duration criteria but stand out for their quality or testimonial value may be selected for out-of-competition exhibition.Monographic sections and cycles will also be programmed, featuring works of outstanding cinematographic level and social commitment, grouped by nation, theme, movement, or reference to a specific reality.Films aspiring for awards must have been completed or premiered after January 1st of the previous year and must not have applied to previous editions of the Festival.5. TECHNICAL EXHIBITION SPECIFICATIONSTechnical Specifications for Film Delivery
Minimum Accepted Format (if no DCP is available):
Codec: H.264 / H.265 in MP4 or MOV container.
Minimum Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD).
Average Bitrate: 15 – 25 Mbps.
Audio: AAC or PCM stereo / 5.1, 48 kHz, 320 kbps minimum.
Frame Rate: 24 or 25 fps.
Watermarks/Encryption: No watermarks or encrypted codes (grounds for disqualification).
Version: A version without burned-in subtitles (Clean VO or VOSE) is mandatory.
DCP File Requirements (if projection in this format is possible):
Resolution: 2K (2048×1080) or 4K (4096×2160).
Image Codec: JPEG2000 (MXF OP-Atom profile, per SMPTE 429-2).
Frame Rate: 24 fps or 25 fps.
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 or 7.1, PCM 24-bit, 48 kHz (SMPTE 428-12).
Packaging: SMPTE DCP compliant (DCI-compliant).
Subtitles: DCDM / XML embedded or sidecar file per SMPTE 428-7.
KDM Encryption: No KDM encryption for festival screenings (or KDM delivered at least 72 hours in advance).
Delivery: USB 3.0 external hard drive or encrypted digital copy via secure link.
⚠ Note: Titles delivered in DCP Dolby format will have programming priority in theaters equipped with DCI-certified digital projectors and Dolby audio processors. Disqualification Warning: No watermarks or encrypted codes. A clean version without burned-in subtitles is mandatory.⚠️ Titles delivered in DCP Dolby format will have programming priority in theaters equipped with DCI-certified digital projectors and Dolby audio processors.6. ENTRIESEntries open on July 1st at 10:30 AM and close on February 6th.Films may only be registered by their directors or with express, signed authorization for this festival from them.Registrations from distributors without the director's express authorization are not accepted.Authorized distributors may register a maximum of 4 films, paying the registration fee for each.For the registration to be effective, it is essential to upload the film to the platform designated on the festival website.Films participating in partner ("friendly") festivals may also be registered directly.Once completed, the entry form will have the status of a sworn statement and implies knowledge and acceptance of these regulations.Materials to be delivered along with the DCP / Exhibition file:Trailer (Subtitled in Spanish or in Spanish): MP4, 5–10 MB, 24 or 25 fps.Poster with title and background (2000×3000 px minimum; .psd / .ai layers are also accepted).3–4 HD film stills.Director's photograph.Subtitle file: SRT, STL, or XML DCP synchronous with the image.Spanish subtitles are mandatory; optional: Catalan, Basque, or Galician.Unsolicited mass email submissions are not accepted. Content openly available on YouTube or Vimeo is not accepted, nor are TVOD licenses valid for less than 48 hours.7. TERMS AND CONDITIONSThe preferred presentation language is Spanish or a version subtitled in Spanish with accessibility features. If the copy lacks accessibility and is not in Spanish, Spanish SRT dialogues must be uploaded within 20 days following registration, along with a clean copy without subtitles (failure to comply results in exclusion).Once registered and selected, the film cannot be withdrawn from the program. Withdrawal entails a €200 penalty.Exhibitions will take place in Madrid in a hybrid format (physical theaters, alternative spaces, public spaces, and online screenings) and, subsequently, as an itinerant tour through cultural spaces in Spain via the el ojO cojo Video Library. In case of unforeseen events, exhibition modes may be modified.By registering, directors cede exhibition and distribution rights to el ojO cojo.8. PARTICIPATIONEach director must use the spaces provided by the Festival to promote their work. Those attending to present a film commit to attending at least 3 presentations by other directors within the festival and one meeting, if applicable.Films selected for competition will have the opportunity to be acquired for exhibition; therefore, their official presentation during the Festival by the director or their representatives is indispensable.Invitations: The Festival, depending on the possibilities provided by each year's supports and sponsors, will facilitate contacts for the stay and travel of filmmakers aspiring for Jury awards.9. TRANSPORT OF COPIESCopies shall be sent through the registration platform designated by the festival. In the exceptional case of physical media shipment:Shipping and insurance costs from the place of origin are the responsibility of the person registering the film.All physical shipments must be made with prepaid shipping costs and taxes; shipments charged to the Festival will not be accepted.Inform the festival via email (elojocojo@elojocojo.org) with the airway bill number, company, flight number, and shipment date.Always declare that the copy has no commercial value and a maximum value of USD 15 for customs purposes.Physical copies will not be returned.10. DIFFUSIONBy being registered, each director commits to disseminating their participation and festival news on their social media, from registration until the awards ceremony.el ojO cojo will strive to provide the greatest publicity and disclosure to the films presented, will recommend films for local distribution in cinemas and online platforms, and will conduct an itinerant tour with festival selections through different cultural spaces.11. AWARDS — "GUIÑOS" (WINKS)Depending on the confirmation of funding sources, the Festival Jury will grant:"Guiño" AwardAmount"Guiño" Award for Best Fiction Feature Film€ 1,500"Guiño" Award for Best Documentary Feature Film€ 1,000"Guiño" Award for Best Short Film€ 500"Guiño" Award for Best Film Made with a Mobile Phone€ 500"Guiño" Award for Best Film on the Subject of Migrations€ 500"Guiño" Award for Best Film for Young Audiences€ 500"Guiño" Award for Best Film by a Director of the Diaspora€ 500Best Written Screenplay€ 800Mention for TikTok Vertical Short Films (up to 10 min)€ 800Community "Guiño"DiplomaIf the Jury deems it appropriate, Special "Guiños" consisting of diplomas recognizing specific outstanding qualities may be awarded.The diploma and the cash prize, if any, will be sent only to the director. Winning films commit to mentioning the award in all their advertising, using the Festival logo and respecting the exact wording of the Jury's decision.12. EVALUATION CRITERIANarrated reality and impact of the topic addressed.Originality of the treatment.Direction quality.Environment in which it was made and its difficulties.Adversities faced to carry it out.Quality of the screenplay.Artistic and technical quality.13. GENERAL PROVISIONSFor cases not provided for in these regulations, the decision will rest with the Festival Direction.The direction will establish the order and date of exhibition of each film in agreement with the theaters. Requesting a change of order by a film's representatives may be considered a serious offense and lead to exclusion from the competition.The Festival direction may eliminate a section due to a lack of quality titles or other reasons and integrate the selected films into the Parallel Showcase.Contact: elojocojo@elojocojo.org · www.elojocojo.org
