Lighthouse International Film Festival

GENERAL RULES

ENTRY REGULATIONS

Completion Date:
- Entries must have had their first showing on or after January 1st, 2026.

Language:
- Foreign language films must include English subtitles.

SUBMISSION REGULATIONS

Formats:
- Entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway's online platform with a working screener.

Notification:
- Films selected for screening will be notified on or around May 1st, 2026.

REQUIRED SUBMISSION MATERIALS

- Paid entry fee.
- A working screener. (We welcome works in progress; however, trailers, reels, or anything other than a complete screener for the film will not be considered.)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

- The filmmaker has read and understood the rules and regulations, and to the best of their knowledge, all statements are true. The filmmaker is duly authorized to submit this film to the Lighthouse International Film Festival.

- LIFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission without refund of submission fees.

- Feature Film Eligibility & Distribution Policy: Feature-length films that have been released (theatrically or online) or otherwise made publicly available prior to the festival dates are ineligible for selection. The festival reserves the right to disqualify any feature film distributed before its scheduled screening at LIFF. This policy applies strictly to feature-length films only across all categories (shorts and TV projects are exempted).

- Films must not have publicly screened in the greater Central New Jersey area prior to the festival (NYC and Philadelphia are not included in this area). While premiere status (world premiere, U.S. premiere, or otherwise) is not a requirement for LIFF, this information is taken into consideration when making final programming decisions.

- All accepted films may be screened at least once or more than once and are scheduled at the discretion of the Lighthouse International Film Festival staff.

- Films included in the festival's "Headliners" lineup are not eligible for jury awards.

- Upon submission, the filmmaker consents to allow their screener material to be shared in its entirety with appropriate LIFF staff, including programming staff, volunteer screeners, and other appropriate members of the staff; shared with press outlets in efforts to secure press for the film; with our jury members to determine award winners; and with select individuals representing community partners who may be interested in supporting the film’s screening or taking part in a panel or Q&A associated with the film.

- The festival is hereby also granted the right to utilize images and/or biographical information of the filmmaker(s) for promotional purposes. The festival reserves the right to fill in any information not supplied by the filmmaker from whatever sources are available and will not be held responsible if incorrect information is entered.

- It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to secure authorization for any copyrighted material that may be used in the film. The filmmaker shall indemnify and hold harmless Lighthouse International 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 files entered.

- LIFF does not pay screening fees for submitted films, nor can LIFF guarantee travel, lodging, or distribution for filmmakers.

- By submitting, the filmmaker expressly acknowledges and agrees to these terms in consideration for LIFF's consideration of their film, and the filmmaker agrees that they shall be bound by the terms of this agreement.