OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS
VS FILM Festival for Very-Short Films – Official Guidelines
The VS FILM Festival for Ultra-Short Films is a premier cinematic platform dedicated to championing intensive visual storytelling, celebrating films that excel in artistic condensation and the capacity to convey compelling narratives within a restricted timeframe. Since its inception, the festival has sought to discover fresh cinematic voices and encourage filmmakers to explore innovative, boundary-pushing creative expressions that prioritize brevity and imagination.
The festival places particular emphasis on emerging digital media trends, especially filmmaking via mobile devices, recognizing it as a contemporary instrument of artistic expression that opens expansive opportunities for young creators.
Beyond screenings, the festival fosters cultural and artistic exchange through seminars and workshops, cultivating filmmaking skills and nurturing a new generation of visionary storytellers.
Rules and Conditions
Eligible Production Years
The festival accepts films produced in 2025 and 2026 within its three official competition categories:
Ultra-Short Films Competition (up to 5 minutes)
Reserved for films not exceeding 5 minutes, focusing on a distilled concept and a directorial vision capable of delivering a powerful narrative impact within a limited duration.
Short Films Competition (up to 10 minutes)
Open to films up to 10 minutes across genres, including narrative, documentary, animation, and music videos.
Mobile Films Competition (up to 10 minutes)
Dedicated to films shot entirely on mobile devices, with a maximum duration of 10 minutes, encouraging innovative and creative use of this versatile medium.
General Participation Requirements
Duration
All submissions must strictly adhere to the maximum runtime specified for each category. Films exceeding these limits will not be considered. The festival reserves the right to screen selected films outside the official competition categories.
Technical Quality
All entries must meet a minimum standard of HD quality, with clear picture and pristine audio. In specific cases, the festival may request a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) version for screening purposes.
Film Types
Eligible submissions include narrative, documentary, animated, or musical films. Works containing content offensive to religion or cultural norms, or promoting racism, hate, or extremism, will not be accepted, in line with universal human values.
Language and Subtitles
The festival welcomes films in all languages. Films in languages other than Arabic will be translated by the festival team to ensure their seamless inclusion in the official program.
Submission Procedure
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the official festival website, using the electronic submission form and uploading the film along with all required information. Incomplete submissions or entries submitted through unofficial channels will not be considered.
Deadline
The festival establishes a final submission deadline. Late entries will not be accepted, though extensions may be granted under exceptional circumstances.
Screening Status
Films must not have been previously screened in Egypt, with preference given to world or regional premieres.
Intellectual Property and Screening Rights
Filmmakers must retain full intellectual property rights over their work. The festival assumes no legal responsibility for materials used within submitted films. By acceptance, filmmakers consent to the screening of their films at the festival without remuneration, and selected films cannot be withdrawn.
The festival reserves the right to present selected films at special events within Egypt or other Arab countries, or worldwide for cultural and artistic promotion, without compromising the creators’ moral rights.
By submitting an application to participate in the Festival, the Contestant (Director/Producer/Rightsholder) hereby executes a full, final, and irrevocable acknowledgment and agreement to the following terms and conditions:1- The Contestant grants the Festival management an unconditional, royalty-free, perpetual (unlimited in duration) right to screen and exhibit the participating film, in whole or in part, across all events related to the current or future editions, as well as all extended activities of the Festival (including, but not limited to, cultural caravans, film clubs, or retrospectives).2- The Festival reserves the right to utilize stills, excerpts, posters, or the promotional trailer of the film across all media outlets, press platforms, digital media, and printed materials, solely for promotional purposes of the Festival or for documenting its cultural activities. Waiver of Compensation: The Contestant acknowledges that this grant constitutes an implicit and definitive waiver of any right to claim any monetary consideration, screening fees, or financial compensation for the aforementioned uses. Furthermore, the Contestant waives any right to object to the screening of the film within the contexts stipulated above. While the Contestant retains the original intellectual property rights to the work, they acknowledge that the Festival’s use of the film in accordance with these terms does not constitute an infringement of such rights. The Festival shall bear no liability for any legal disputes with third parties regarding the ownership rights of the film. This agreement shall be valid and effective worldwide, commencing from the date of the film’s submission to the competition, and shall survive the conclusion of the participating edition’s events.
Participants bear full legal responsibility for any disputes related to copyright or usage rights.
Selection Committee
All submissions undergo screening and evaluation by an independent selection committee, entrusted with full authority to determine the festival lineup. Committee decisions are final and binding, with no obligation to provide explanation.
Festival Dates and Venue
The VS FILM Festival will take place in Ain Sokhna, Suez Governorate, from 28 October to 1 November 2026, culminating in an Awards Ceremony. The festival organizers reserve the right to adjust dates or venue if necessary.
Final Acceptance
Submitting a film constitutes full acceptance of all festival rules and regulations. All organizational decisions made by the festival management are final.
