2019 South Georgian Bay Film Festival
“Official Contest Rules, Regulations, Terms and Conditions”
Short Films
The 2019 South Georgian Bay Film Festival (the “Contest”) (hereafter called the SGBFF).
The film Creator/Director/Producer, the person that will be recognized for the film and will be the recipient of the award if their film is selected (hereafter called the Producer).
The person or party that is submitting the film/video (hereafter called the Entrant).
1. By submitting a short film/video, you confirm that you and/or the Producer own 100% of the rights to the work. If the work’s copyright is held by more than one person, the submitter must have the written consent of all other owners prior to submitting. Note: If the film/video is being submitted by a film school/institute, instructor or educator, it is the student that is to be recognized as the Producer for it is their film/video. The film school/institute or educator is the submitter and will be viewed as the film/video submitter or Entrant.
2. Each Submission must be accompanied by a completed registration entry form. If the film is being submitted by someone other than the Producer, both the Producer and the Entrant must indicate that they have read, understood and agreed with the Rules and Regulations.
3. All third-party music (music other than your own creation) and other copyrighted and/or intellectual material (this includes Corporate Brands) and/or property used in films must be properly licensed and credited. The SGBFF Committee reserves the right to request any and all licensed documents and failure to produce said documents gives the SGBFF Committee the right to refuse and disqualify your entry.
4. Films may originate from anywhere in the world, however, all films must be in English or subtitled in English. So that local audiences can understand and follow the narrative and storyline.
5. No more than three submissions will be accepted from an individual Producer/Entrant and a single film can only be submitted to one category.
6. Any film/video entry published prior to January 1, 2017 is not eligible for submission.
7. All submissions must have a 30 second trailer submitted with each film/video entry, with the exception of Video Advertisement sub-categories. These trailers will be utilized to advertise both the View and Votes and Gala with our media partners. Submission of a trailer will be taken as permission by the entrant/ producer to use the clips on social media and other public viewing outlets.
8. Film/Video submissions will be accepted from March 01, 2019, until 11:00 p.m. on August 2, 2019. Submissions are only accepted through FilmFreeway.com and the Submission Fees are as follows:
• Early Submissions Fee: March 1st until April 30th, 2019, $25 US Dollars paid by credit card;
• Regular Submissions Fee: May 1st until June 28th, 2019, $30 US Dollars paid by credit card;
• Late Submissions Fee: July 1st until August 2nd, 2019, $40 US Dollars paid by credit card.
The National Teen and Region Youth Categories [ages 7 to 17 years] Submission is Free.
Note: The Submission Fee is non-refundable.
9. Film/video duration including title and credits are not to exceed 15 minutes, Documentaries are not to exceed 60 minutes, and National Video Advertisement are not to exceed 2 minutes, 30 seconds. Title and credits are not to exceed 30 seconds and credits are not to exceed 45 seconds. Please refer to the South Georgian Bay Film Festival website for the 2019 Short Film Category Chart and related category breakdowns and time requirements.
10. Final Consolidation of Categories:
In the event a category has less than 5 qualified submissions, the SGBFF assumes the right to consolidate the appropriate categories to create competition. Film and Video categories will be consolidated prior to voting and judging.
All winners will be featured in the SGBFF Press Releases, on the SGBFF Website, through the media and all the SGBFF social media and/or promotional channels.
11. Selection and Judging Criteria:
The selection jury evaluates entries based on the following criteria: Originality, Direction, Writing/Script, Cinematography, Performances, Quality of Production, Pacing, Structure, Sound/Music, Powerful Story and Theme, Creativity, Plot, Entertainment Value and Authenticity. Each film will be viewed by the SGBFF Committee for acceptance and then by three Judges for final award selection.
There are three (3) phases in the selection process:
PHASE 1- South Georgian Bay Film Festival Selection Committee:
The selection committee will view all eligible Film/Video submissions. Based on the distribution of qualified Films/Videos, the selection committee will reorganize and consolidate the categories if deemed necessary. Films/Videos will be judged according to the following criteria (weighted equally); i) Originality; ii) Creativity; iii) Plot; iv) Structure; v) Cinematography; vi) Script; vii) Entertainment Value; and vii) Quality of Production. Only Films/Videos that qualify for the second phase of selection (voting) will be notified by June 16, 2019. If you have not been notified by June 20, 2019, your film/video has been disqualified and not selected to move on and will not be included in any of the SGBFF marketing or promotions. The SGBFF has no obligation to contact Entrants/Producer whose Films/Videos are not selected to proceed to Phase 2. The decisions of the selection committee are final and cannot be appealed. Category consolidation by the selection committee may take place if any category is not made up of at least five qualified entries.
PHASE 2— Public View and Voting:
Public viewing and voting will be carried out at public screenings scheduled (Schedule to be announced in May of 2019) in the month of July 2019, the week before the Awards Event (date to be announced). The public screening votes will represent 35% by weight of the overall final tabulation.
PHASE 3 - Judging and Public Viewing on GALA Screenings:
A panel of judges will be appointed by the SGBFF Committee to judge each category of Films/Videos. The judging votes will be carried out the week before the July 1, 2019. The panel of judges’ vote will represent 65% by weight of the overall final tabulation.
The total score will consist of normalized weighting of 65% based on a panel of judges appointed by the SGBFF Committee and a weighting of 35% of the combined votes tallied at the public screening days deemed by the SGBFF Committee scheduled according to the finalized program arrangements prior to the Awards Event (Date to be announced in May of 2019). No explanation will be given for acceptance or for reason of award selection.
12. Eligibility:
The Contest is open to all persons over the age of 18 years of age. A person under the age of 18 years old will be permitted to participate with a written letter of consent from their parent or a legal guardian. Email letter of consent to: info@sgbfilmfest.com
13. Video Format and Content:
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY YOUR FILM/VIDEO FOR SELECTION
Each submitted Film/Video:
a) Must be an original work containing entirely original materials, created and recorded solely by the Producer registered on the Application Form, over which the Producer/Entrant has all necessary rights, title and interest, including copyright; (successful Entrants screened through the Phase 1 SGBFF selection process must submit copyrights and waiver documentation to proceed through to the next phase of judging and voting) The music video entry must have original music performed by the artist(s) filmed on the video or have expressed approval to use the music by the originating artist(s).
b) Must not defame or infringe upon the personal or proprietary rights of any third party, including, without limitation, the intellectual property rights, or publicity or privacy rights of any third party, living or deceased;
c) Must not contain brand names, trade names, trademarks or logos of any third parties improperly used or shown; or show images of celebrities without proper written permission and credited;
d) The time duration of the submission must meet the time duration requirements specified in Film/Video Submission requirements;
e) Must be intended for a general audience viewing and contain only content that, in the sole and unfettered discretion of the SGBFF is suitable for all persons;
f) Must not, in the sole and unfettered discretion of the SGBFF, contain any sexually explicit, disparaging, discriminatory, offensive, libelous or other inappropriate content; Films/videos that are excessively graphic, violent, show nudity and/or profanity for no apparent reason will be disqualified and the SGBFF has the right to refuse your entry.
g) Must comply with these Official Contest Rules and Regulations; and
h) All identified individuals and/or identified businesses that appear in the video must have provided a signed consent.
i) Film/Video File Size Cannot Exceed 4Gb On Upload. We will require access to download your Film/Video so that we can show your Film/Video at our Public View and Vote Events in a reliable format.
14. Consent of Film Participants:
All individuals and identifiable businesses who appear in any submitted Film/Video must have consented to appear in the Film/Video and to the use of the Film/Video in the Contest and as otherwise as contemplated hereunder, including, without limitation, and in connection with the advertising and promotion of SGBFF and its products and services. At the SGBFF’s request, any Entrant/Producer may be required to provide proof of consent, including, without limitation, by having individuals who appear in the Film/Video sign an appearance release.
15. Representations and Warranties:
By entering the Contest and submitting a Film/Video, the Entrant/Producer represents and warrants that he/she:
a) owns and controls all rights, title and interest, including copyright, in and to the Film/Video and all elements and materials contained within the Film/Video;
b) has the requisite consent and permission from all individuals appearing in the Film/Video;
c) has the right and authority to, and does hereby, grant to the SGBFF an irrevocable, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license in perpetuity to use, reproduce, broadcast, communicate, translate, distribute, edit, adapt, copy, modify and otherwise use without limitation all or any part of the Film/Video submitted under this Contest in any manner and media (whether now known or hereafter devised) for any purpose whatsoever, including, without limitation in connection with the Contest and/or the advertising or promotion of the SGBFF, and
d) waives any and all moral rights that he/she may have in the Film/Video with respect to the uses contemplated herein. Entrant/Producer acknowledges and agrees that the grant of rights described above includes, but is not limited to, the right (but not the obligation) at the SGBFF’s sole discretion to use the Film/Video, or a modified, edited, or translated version thereof, in whole or in part, (i) on the Contest Website and SGBFF associated Social Media sites, (ii) in a compilation Film/Video combining some or all of the Films/Videos entered into past, present and future South Georgian Bay Film Festival (SGBFF), and (iii) for any advertising or promotion of Contest. The Entrant/Producer agrees to indemnify and save the SGBFF harmless from and against any claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damage, loss, deficiency, cost, liability and expense which may be made or brought against the SGBFF or which the SGBFF may suffer or incur as a result of, in respect of or arising out of (v) any non-performance or non-fulfilment of any covenant or agreement on the part of the Entrant/Producer contained in these rules and regulations or in any document related thereto and given in order to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and (vi) any misrepresentation, inaccuracy, incorrectness or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Entrant/Producer contained in these rules and regulations or contained in any contemplated hereby.
16. SGBFF’s Right to Disqualify:
The SGBFF reserves the right, at any time, in its sole discretion, to disqualify an Entrant/Producer and/or remove any Films/Videos that it finds or believes not to comply with the conditions above or otherwise with these Official Contest Rules and Regulations, and to pursue all other applicable rights and remedies. Films/Videos not complying in any way with the Rules will be disqualified.
17. Awards and Prizes:
Awards and Prizes for the winning Films/Videos in the Categories that are finalized after the submissions deadline will be awarded to the “designated award recipient” identified on the entry form. Any cash prizes will be assigned to an overall Master Category and/or a Sub Category as deemed by the South Georgian Bay Film Festival Committee. Category awards and the cash prize amount will be finalized a week prior to the Red Carpet Gala Awards. The finalized category winner will also receive a trophy or certificate at the discretion of the SGBFF that will acknowledge the award recipient, the award and the sponsor of the award.
All winners will be featured in the SGBFF Press Release, on the SGBFF Website, through the various media coverage of the film festival (SGBFF) and through all of the SGBFF promotional channels.
18. Releases:
Before being accepted and/or declared a winner, a finalist will be required to sign and return to the SGBFF a release form (the “Release Form”) confirming compliance with the Official Contest Rules and Regulations, and releasing the SGBFF, their affiliated and related companies, advertising and promotional agencies, the independent contest organization and their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any liability in connection with the Contest or any Contest-related travel or activities. The Release Form must be returned within the time period specified by the SGBFF or prizes will be forfeited and may be awarded to the Entrant/Producer with the next highest number of votes.
19. Privacy:
By entering this Contest, Entrant/Producer consents to the use of his/her personal information by the SGBFF and its authorized agents for the purpose of administering the Contest and, only if consent is given at the time of entry, to provide the Entrant/Producer with information regarding upcoming promotions and/or events from the SGBFF. By entering the Contest, Entrant/Producer further consents to the use by the SGBFF and its authorized agents of his/her name, address (city/province), photograph, voice, appearances and statements (as captured in the Video or otherwise), without further notice or compensation, in connection with any publicity carried out by or on behalf of the South Georgian Bay Film Festival (SGBFF), in any manner and media, including without limitation, on the www.sgbfilmfest.com website, anywhere in the world, in perpetuity.
20. Limitation of Liability:
By entering this Contest, the Entrant/Producer releases, discharges, indemnifies and agrees to hold harmless the Released Parties from any real or alleged claims, damages or liability due to any claims, injuries, damages or losses to any person or property arising out of or resulting from, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, participation in this Contest, including, without limitation the submission or posting of a Film/Video, or any Contest-related activity or from the acceptance of any prize.
The Released Parties will not be responsible or liable for: (a) late, lost, corrupt, illegible, garbled, incomplete or destroyed entries, or entries submitted through illicit means, all of which such entries will be deemed void; (b) any incomplete or inaccurate information, whether caused by Contest website users or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest, or by any technical or human error that may occur; (c) printing errors, (d) the theft, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration/tampering of, entries or the Contest Website; (e) any problems with, or technical malfunctions of, telephone networks or lines, computer systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, viruses, Trojan horses, worms, or bugs; (f) any failure of any electronic submission to be received by or from the Sponsor for any reason including but not limited to traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof; (g) damage to an Entrant’s or other person’s system occasioned by participation or downloading of materials in this Contest; (h) any breach of any third party’s ownership or intellectual property rights with respect to the Film/Video.
21. General:
By entering the Contest, the Entrant/Producer agree to abide by these Official Contest Rules and Regulations and the decisions of the independent contest organization, the selection committee and/or SGBFF which are final and binding without appeal in all matters related to the Contest. The SGBFF reserves the right, to terminate or amend this Contest at any time and in any way, without prior notice. Without limiting the foregoing, if for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as originally planned by these Official Rules and Regulations, whether due to tampering, infection by computer virus or for any other reason the SGBFF reserves the right to cancel the Contest and conduct the selection from all eligible entries received prior to cancellation. The SGBFF reserves the right to modify these Official Contest Rules and Regulations in any way at any time it deems necessary or appropriate.
This Contest is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws.
2019 South Georgian Bay Film Festival (SGBFF) • Rules, Regulations, Terms and Conditions
By submitting a film/video the applicants states that they have read, understands and agrees with the South Georgian Bay Film Festival (SGBFF) • Rules, Regulations, Terms and Conditions.
Email: info@sgbfilmfest.com
South Georgian Bay Film Festival
C/O Project Manager
Late entries will not be accepted.
