London Directors’ Talents

OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS - LONDON DIRECTOR'S TALENTS

1. Festival Scope
London Director's Talents is open to film directors and screenwriters from around the world. We welcome submissions from both emerging and established directors and screenwriters across all genres and styles.

2. Accepted Categories
The festival accepts:
• Short Films (up to 40 minutes, including end credits)
• Feature Films (over 40 minutes, including end credits)
• Documentary Films
• Animation
• Music Videos
• Web Series and TV Series (pilot episodes)
• Experimental Films
• Genre Films (Drama, Comedy)
• Fantastic Films (Horror, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery)
• Student Films
The final categorization of each project is determined by the festival programming team.

3. Production Eligibility
All films must have been completed after January 1, 2023.

4. Language Requirements
All non-English language films must include embedded English subtitles in the final screening copy.

5. Screening & Format
London Director's Talents is a physical, in-person event. Selected films must provide a high-quality MP4 file.
Failure to provide the required format may result in disqualification.
The festival will handle DCP conversion.

6. Premiere Policy
We prefer films with at least a London premiere status; however, premiere status is not required.

7. Multiple Entries
Multiple submissions from the same filmmaker or entity are permitted.

8. Submission Fees
All entry fees are non-refundable. No fee waivers are available.

9. Originality & Copyright
Submitted projects must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe upon any copyrights or third-party rights.
Entrants confirm that all required permissions and licenses have been secured.

10. AI-Generated Content
AI-generated content is accepted; however, its use must be clearly disclosed in the end credits.
Failure to disclose may result in disqualification.

11. Content Standards
The festival does not support films containing extreme violence, pornography, hate speech, or discriminatory content.
Such projects may be disqualified without refund.

12. Submission Authority
Films must be submitted by a legally authorized individual or entity holding full rights.
Accepted applicants include production companies, registered companies, professional representatives, and film schools.
Directors must be at least 15 years old.

13. Promotional Rights
By submitting, participants grant the festival the right to use excerpts (up to 2 minutes), trailers, posters, and promotional materials for marketing purposes across all platforms.

14. Awards & Recognition
London Director's Talents offers non-monetary and financial recognition designed to enhance visibility and professional opportunities.

🏆 BEST FEATURE FILM
Winner receive:
• CASH PRIZE – £100.00
• Norwich Film Festival (BAFTA-qualifying festival) - Industry Program Ticket
• BFI Membership (1 year)
• Professional Film Review by a BAFTA Member
• Premium Media Exposure Package: VIP Interview, Social Media Campaign, Trailer Showcase

Eligibility:
All feature-length films over 40 minutes submitted to one of the categories: Feature Film, Feature Documentary, First Time Director Feature Film (Debut), Low Budget (Independent) Feature Film.

🏆 BEST SHORT FILM
Winner receive:
• CASH PRIZE – £100.00
• Norwich Film Festival (BAFTA-qualifying festival) - Industry Program Ticket
• BFI Membership (1 year)
• Sundance Collab Course Access
• Professional Film Review by a BAFTA Member
• Premium Media Exposure Package: VIP Interview, Social Media Campaign, Trailer Showcase

Eligibility:
All short films up to 40 minutes, including end credits, submitted to one of the following categories: Short Fiction Film, Short Documentary, Short Animation, Short Experimental, Fantasia, Series – Pilot Episode, First Time Director Short Film, Low Budget Short Film, Music Video, Student Film, Super Short Film, British Director, LGBTQ Director, Female Director, Latin American Director, Young Director, Senior Director, Human Rights.

🏆 BEST SCREENPLAY
Winner receive:
• CASH PRIZE – £100.00
• Norwich Film Festival (BAFTA-qualifying festival) - Industry Program Ticket
• Professional Script Review by an AMPAS Member
• Exclusive Access to an OSCAR-nominated Screenplay (educational use)
• Industry Exposure Package: Interview Feature + Script Promotion

Eligibility:
Screenwriters who submit their screenplay to one of the following categories: Feature Screenplay, TV Pilot Screenplay, Genre Screenplay, Short Screenplay, Super Short Screenplay, First Time Screenwriter (Feature), First Time Screenwriter (Short).

🏆 PERFORMANCE & CRAFT AWARD
Winners receive:
• BFI Membership (1 year)
• Professional Industry Review by BAFTA Member
• Spotlight Media Feature (Interview + Promotion)

Eligibility:
Projects must meet the requirement that the film’s director is also an actor, actress, or cinematographer.

To receive any cash prize, winners must issue a valid invoice.
Failure to provide an invoice will result in forfeiture of the financial reward.
To claim awards, winners must contact festival support, which will provide further instructions.

Official Laurels
All winners and officially selected films receive official laurels.

15. Jury & Selection
All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

16. Legal Responsibility & Indemnification
The submitter assumes full legal responsibility and agrees to indemnify the festival against any claims.

17. Program & Schedule
The festival reserves the right to modify schedule, venue, and program without prior notice.

18. Withdrawal Policy
Selected films cannot be withdrawn.

19. Marketing Communication
Participants agree to receive marketing communication from the festival and its partners.

20. Additional Regulations
20.1 Feature Film Screening Policy
For categories Best Feature Film, Best Feature Documentary, and Best First-Time Director Feature Film, only the trailer will be screened.
The director will be invited to present the project in person.

20.2 Cinematography & Acting Categories
Submissions to Cinematography are allowed only if the director is also the cinematographer.
Submissions to Actor/Actress are allowed only if the submitter is the performer.

20.3 Actor & Actress Categories
Actor and Actress are judged and awarded as separate categories.

20.4 Age Categories
Young Director: maximum 30 years old at the time of production.
Senior Director: 31 years or older at the time of production.

20.5 Low Budget Category
Low Budget Short Film applies to films produced with a budget up to £25,000.
Low Budget Feature Film applies to films produced with a budget up to £1,000,000.

20.6 Screenwriting Eligibility
Screenplays may only be submitted if:
• The script has not yet been produced
• The screenwriter intends to direct the project

20.7 Professional Film Review Category (Short)
The review will be delivered within 3 months from category purchase.
Submission automatically qualifies the project for Best Short Film competition.
Discount codes cannot be applied to this category.

20.8 British Director (Short Film Category)
The British Director Short Film category accepts short films created by directors who are either originally from the United Kingdom or have been residing in the United Kingdom for more than one year.