GENERAL RULES
All entries must be submitted in English or have English subtitles/translations.
The depiction of animal abuse or animal violence, whether real, simulated or implied, is not accepted. Any entries with content of this kind will be automatically disqualified and deemed ineligible for any awards or recognition given to eligible entrants such as but not limited to the HIFF Hollywood Star Laurel. No refund of entry fees will be given.
By entering your film/video into the festival, you give Headline International Film Festival the right to use related material from the film for promotional purposes, unless informed otherwise by the entrant.
No fee waivers.
If your film/video is selected for the festival, you allow Headline International Film Festival the right to upload a film still/poster and/or a promotional video clip/trailer online for promotional purposes, unless informed otherwise by the entrant.
All winning entrants will have their entry marked as "Accepted" and/or "Award Winner" on their FilmFreeway account. Please note this does not necessarily mean you film will be screened at our event as only the jury favorites from our category award winners will be screened at a chosen North American venue.
If your film has been selected to screen at our event, we will contact you directly with additional instructions.
All entry fees are non-refundable. Entries received without payment of the entry fee will be automatically disqualified.
Upon entering your film/video/screenplay into the festival, you are accepting sole responsibility of securing all permissions from the copyright owner(s) of all content and material within your film/video. Headline International Film Festival will not be held responsible for any unauthorized inclusion of any copyright or trademarked content or material within your film/video/script.
HIFF reserves the right to not award a winner in categories where significant quality entries have not been received.
After the judging process is complete, Headline International Film Festival will attempt to notify all entrants of the results, using the contact information provided on the entry form. It is the entrant's responsibility to ensure all contact information given is current and correct.
Not all winning films will be screened at our event. Film selection will be made by the Headline International Film Festival Committee. Filmmakers of screening films will be contacted. HIFF cannot assist with or reimburse any travel, visa, immigration or accommodation costs pertaining to attending the event.
HIFF reserves to right to update or modify these terms and policies without prior notice.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES AND ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
NARRATIVE FILMS
All Narrative films (shorts and features) made or produced by person(s) outside of a film school system are eligible for the HIFF Narrative Film Competition.
DOCUMENTARY FILMS
All Documentary films (shorts and features) made or produced by person(s) outside of a film school system are eligible for the HIFF Documentary Film Competition.
STUDENT FILMS
All Narrative and Documentary films (shorts and features) made by a film student or in association with a film school are eligible for the HIFF Student Film Competition.
SCRIPTS
Screenplays, Teleplays and Stage Plays of any length are eligible for the HIFF Script Competition.