The following are the rules and instructions that must be followed with all film submissions to the El Paso Media Fest (“EPMF”). Only films that are submitted through this platform will be considered for competition.
ELIGIBILITY
Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY. All films must have English subtitles, if language is foreign at the time submitted.
Films must be submitted as an online streaming video through a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway), with a password-protected streaming URL. DVDs & Blu-Rays will NOT be accepted as a form of submission.
EPMF will screen films as digital files for short/feature films during the Festival event. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your short film as a digital file, or your feature film as a digital file or Blu-Ray disc for exhibition, contact us to proceed differently if possible.
Films must be available for screening during the El Paso Media Fest on October 4th thru 6th, 2024.
If your short film or feature film has already screened as a World Premiere, North American, US Premiere, Texas Premiere, Hometown Premiere, Cast & Crew Premiere - you are still allowed to submit to our festival. However, films that are available online or have screened online are not eligible to be submitted. We want your films to exclusively be showcased at our festival event, for our community to enjoy the work produced by filmmakers all over the world.
EPMF reserves the right to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund. Judge reviews will be available by email request.
ORIGINALITY & PERMISSIONS
Films must be the original work of the applicants. At any moment, if the work is stolen or borrowed without permission, your film will be immediately disqualified from the festival.
By submitting to our festival, you "the filmmaker" acknowledge that you have secured all necessary rights. EPMF will not be responsible for any accusations from third party "filmmakers".
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. EPMF disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Works in progress will not be accepted. Your film should be in complete form with all aspects of filmmaking. We strongly advise filmmakers to submit their film once it has reached the strength to compete in the festival circuit. The film will be judged as a completed piece through every aspect of filmmaking: from the sound to the cinematography to the quality of story and acting. "Story is sacred" and EPMF embraces the powerful essence that story-telling brings to the world.
Once an entry payment has been received, we cannot provide a refund at any time. If a payment is disputed by a submitter for any reason, the submitter may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by EPMF in connection with the dispute.
Online Debit/Credit Payment is the only method we accept for submission fees.
Please include in your cover letter if your film was filmed in El Paso, or if you are an El Paso Filmmaker. If so, you are qualified for our exclusive "El Paso Made" categories where you as an El Paso Filmmaker will solely compete against films made in El Paso.
SELECTED FILMS AND WINNERS
Official Selections will be announced on August 20th, 2024.
Award winners will be announced on October 6th, 2024 at the fifth annual EPMF.
RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
Press materials will not be returned under any circumstances.
COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
COMPETITION CERTIFICATION
I have read understand, and have complied with all of the rules. This warrants the submission of my/our original work. There are no disputes regarding the ownership of the project submission.
I also acknowledge that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead. To the best of my/our knowledge, all the statements herein are true and accurate.
I understand that any failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of my entry fee. I acknowledge that once an entry payment has been processed, EPMF will not provide a refund.
No revisions of materials will be accepted once entry has been submitted.
BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.