Lookout Wild Film Festival

Rights & Copyright – You confirm that you own or have the rights to all media in your submission, including video, audio, and photographs, and that your submission does not infringe on any third-party copyrights.

Festival Screenings – Submission of a film grants LWFF permission to screen it at the in-person festival. During the submission process, filmmakers may also choose whether to allow their film to be included in the virtual online festival and/or LWFF Film Tour.

Virtual Festival & Tour – Films may be selected for the virtual online festival or tour even if they are not screened at the in-person festival. If permission for the virtual festival or tour is granted during submission, it may be withdrawn by written request (email or letter) when the film is accepted.

Multiple Screenings & Exhibits – Films may be shown at multiple festival screenings, and photos may be exhibited at multiple events.

Required Exhibition Formats – If selected, filmmakers must provide an exhibition-ready version of their film in a format specified by LWFF. Failure to provide the required format by the deadline may result in removal from the festival.

Clearances & Third-Party Rights – The submitter must confirm that all necessary permissions, rights, and licenses have been secured for music, footage, images, and any other third-party content. LWFF is not responsible for any unauthorized content in submitted films. Any legal claims arising from copyright infringement or unlicensed material will be the sole responsibility of the filmmaker.

Marketing & Publicity Rights – By submitting, you grant LWFF the non-exclusive right to use trailers, clips, stills, and filmmaker-submitted materials for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, press releases, and festival marketing. LWFF will not sell or distribute any portion of a film without the filmmaker’s consent.

Film Selection & Programming – Submitting a film does not guarantee inclusion in the festival. Programming decisions are final, and LWFF is not obligated to provide feedback on selection decisions, though we may be able to provide that post-festival. LWFF reserves the right to determine the time, date, and venue of all screenings, as well as the right to move any scheduled screening to a virtual format if necessary.

Withdrawal Policy – A film may be withdrawn only before official selection is announced. After acceptance, filmmakers may not withdraw their film from the festival without written consent from LWFF.

Compensation – Aside from festival pass(es), filmmakers and photographers will not receive monetary compensation for screenings or exhibitions. However, some films may be eligible for cash compensation, and some filmmakers may receive assistance in attending the festival in support of their film.

Photo Category Winners – Award-winning photos may be printed for presentation. If the winner does not claim the print at the festival, it may be auctioned, with proceeds considered a donation to the Lookout Wild Film Festival. The photographer retains all rights to their work.

Liability & Indemnification – Filmmakers agree to indemnify and hold harmless LWFF, its staff, affiliates, sponsors, and venues against any claims, liabilities, losses, or damages resulting from screening their film.

Governing Law – These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee.

Changes & Final Decisions – LWFF reserves the right to amend these rules without prior notice. By submitting, you agree to abide by all festival rules and decisions, which are final and binding.

AI - The presence of AI in a film will not, by itself, benefit or disadvantage a submission during selection or judging. Films will continue to be evaluated on originality, storytelling, craft, technical quality, execution, and emotional impact.

Filmmakers submitting work to Lookout Wild Film Festival are required to be transparent about any substantial use of artificial intelligence in their films or production process. This includes the use of AI in creating or assisting with visual material, dialogue, music, sound design, sound effects, or other audio elements, as well as any AI use connected to writing, editing, post-production, or other creative and technical workflows.

Submissions must also disclose any use of AI to reproduce, simulate, imitate, or generate performances by real or fictional individuals.

Lookout Wild Film Festival understands that the level of AI involvement in a submitted film may not always be independently verifiable. For that reason, the Festival relies on filmmakers to provide complete, accurate, and transparent information about how AI has been used.

The Festival will not accept films that use AI to recreate, imitate, or represent identifiable people, living or deceased, unless explicit permission has been granted by the individual, their estate, or the appropriate rights holder. Films will also not be accepted if they contain AI-generated material that violates copyright, licensing agreements, intellectual property rights, data protection laws, or other applicable legal requirements.

Lookout Wild Film Festival may ask filmmakers to provide further information about AI use in any submitted work. The Festival reserves the right to withdraw or disqualify a film if it is found to breach these requirements.