RULES & TERMS OMVF EUROPEAN MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
The competition is open to filmmakers and production companies residing in EU and EEA countries, as well as the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Georgia.
Music videos participating in the Finnish Music Video Competition do not automatically compete in the European Music Video Competition, nor do Finnish music videos submitted to the European competition automatically participate in the Finnish competition. Both competitions have separate submission processes.
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SUBMISSION TERMS
OULU MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL – EUROPEAN MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION 2026
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Oulu Music Video Festival (OMVF) is an international festival dedicated to music videos and audiovisual music culture. Founded in 1994, OMVF is the longest-running music video festival in the world.
The European Music Video Competition is part of OMVF 2026, which takes place in Oulu, Finland, as part of Oulu – European Capital of Culture 2026.
The festival is committed to fairness, artistic freedom, and sustainable, respectful collaboration with filmmakers, artists, and rights holders across Europe.
II. ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSION
1. Eligible Works
Only music videos are eligible.
Maximum length: 20 minutes (including credits).
Completion date: Videos must be completed between January 2024 and June 2026 and not have been submitted to Oulu Music Video Festival before
Videos must be European productions, defined as:
Directed, produced, or primarily created by individuals or companies based in Europe. Europe in this context is defined as EU (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain & Sweden) and EAA (Iceland, Norway & Liechtenstein) countries as well as the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Georgia.
OMVF reserves the right to determine eligibility.
2. Submission Platform
Submissions must be made via FilmFreeway.
Each video may be submitted only once.
Resubmissions are only accepted if the work has been substantially revised.
3. Language
Dialogue or lyrics do not need to be in English.
4. Versions
Works-in-progress are accepted for submission.
The pre-judging process where videos chosen to be screened at the festival and compete in the European Music Video Competition series will be made using the submitted video.
The submitted version should be close to final; picture lock is recommended.
If selected, a final screening copy will be requested.
III. COMPETITION & SELECTION
1. Selection Process
All submitted works are viewed and evaluated by OMVF programmers and invited experts. The selection process may take place partially outside Finland and is not limited to the FilmFreeway platform.
Selection decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
2. Notification
Videos selected to the competition series will be notified by email.
Notification dates will be announced on FilmFreeway and OMVF channels.
Due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback cannot be provided.
IV. FESTIVAL PRESENTATION
1. Screenings
If selected, the music video may be:
Screened publicly during OMVF 2026 in Oulu
Included in curated festival programmes
Shown multiple times during the festival period
Videos selected to the European competition series may be screened at partner festivals and events as part of a OMVF screening
Screenings may take place in cinemas, cultural venues, or other festival contexts.
2. Technical Delivery
Videos should be provided as high quality files.
Preferred file format: QuickTime (.mov) or MXF (OP1a)
Video codec: Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, XDCAM or HDV (DV or DVCPRO also acceptable for SD-videos). Uncompressed PCM Audio (stereo or 5.1).
You can also provide a DCP if available, but a file is required for entry.
Files may be provided via FilmFreeway (up to 10GB) or the festival’s own upload server. Detailed instructions and technical specifications will be provided upon selection.
3. Promotion & Credits
By submitting a work, the submitter grants OMVF the right to use:
- The film title
- Still images
- Credits and creator names
- Short excerpts (max. 30 seconds)
for festival promotion, press, reporting, and archival purposes, across all media platforms, without additional compensation.
V. RIGHTS & LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY
1. Rights Clearance
By submitting, the submitter confirms that:
They hold all necessary rights to the music video, including music, image, and performance rights, or
They are authorised to submit the work on behalf of the rights holder(s).
The submitter is solely responsible for clearing all copyrights and neighbouring rights.
2. Liability
OMVF shall not be held liable for any third-party rights claims. In the event of a legal claim, the submitter agrees to indemnify the festival in accordance with Finnish law.
VI. DATA PROTECTION (GDPR)
OMVF processes personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Finnish data protection legislation.
Data is used solely for festival administration, communication, and archival purposes.
Data will not be shared with third parties outside the scope of festival operations.
Data is retained only as long as necessary for these purposes.
Submitters have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of their personal data.
VII. FINAL PROVISIONS
OMVF reserves the right to make necessary changes to festival organisation, scheduling, or programme structure.
Any significant changes will be communicated via official festival channels.
Finnish law applies to these submission terms.
In case of interpretation disputes, the English version of these rules shall prevail.
VIII. CONTACT
For questions regarding submissions:
Oulu Music Video Festival (OMVF)
📧 juhani@omvf.net
🌐 www.omvf.net
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RULES & TERMS FINNISH MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION (Finnish language rules https://www.omvf.net/saannot)
OULU MUSIC VIDEO FESTIVAL – FINNISH MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION 2026
Music videos participating in the Finnish Music Video Competition do not automatically compete in the European Music Video Competition, and vice versa. Both competitions have separate submission processes.
I. GENERAL INFORMATION
The Oulu Music Video Festival (OMVF), founded in 1994, is the longest-running music video festival in the world. The Finnish Music Video Competition has been held as part of the festival every year since 1994.
OMVF 2026 takes place in Oulu, Finland, 27–30 August 2026, as part of Oulu – European Capital of Culture 2026.
II. ELIGIBILITY & SUBMISSION
1. Eligible Works
– Only music videos are eligible
– Maximum length: 20 minutes (including credits)
– The video must be directed by a Finnish director or a director working in Finland.
– There are no restrictions regarding the year of production, provided the work has not been previously submitted to OMVF. If you want to submit a video that is over 5 years old, please contact kilpailu@omvf.net.
Oulu Music Video Festival Association (OMVF) is not responsible for the content of submitted videos. OMVF is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided about the work or for ownership and copyright matters.
OMVF reserves the right to refuse to accept or screen any submitted work.
All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
2. Submission Platform
– Submissions must be made via FilmFreeway
– Each video may be submitted only once
– Resubmissions are accepted only if the work has been substantially revised
Videos should be provided as high quality files. A streaming link is not enough for submission.
Preferred file format: QuickTime (.mov) or MXF (OP1a)
Video codec: Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, XDCAM or HDV (DV or DVCPRO also acceptable for SD-videos). Uncompressed PCM Audio (stereo or 5.1).
You can also provide a DCP if available, but a file is required for entry.
Files may be provided via FilmFreeway (up to 10GB) or the festival’s own upload server. An upload link will be provided in the submission confirmation email.
3. Versions
– Works-in-progress are accepted
– The selection process is based on the submitted version
– The submitted version should be close to final
III. COMPETITION & SELECTION
1. Selection Process
All submitted works are reviewed by a pre-selection jury appointed by the festival.
Videos that will be screened at the festival are divided into:
– The Finnish Music Video Competition Series
– The Finnish Music Video Showcase Series
All selected videos will be screened either in the Competition Series or the Showcase Series.
The final awards are decided by an independent jury appointed by OMVF.
Videos in both the Competition and Showcase Series are eligible for the Audience Award.
Selection and award decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
2. Notification
Selected videos will be notified by email by 9 July.
Due to the volume of submissions, individual feedback cannot be provided.
IV. FESTIVAL PRESENTATION
1. Screenings
If selected, the music video may be:
– Screened publicly during OMVF 2026
– Included in curated festival programmes
– Shown multiple times during the festival
Selected works may also be presented in future OMVF screenings and touring programmes.
V. RIGHTS & USAGE
1. Rights Clearance
By submitting, the submitter confirms that:
– They hold all necessary rights (including music, image, and performance rights), or
– They are authorised to submit the work on behalf of the rights holder(s)
The submitter is solely responsible for all copyright and neighbouring rights.
2. Archiving
All submitted videos will be archived as part of the OMVF Finnish Music Video Archive.
OMVF reserves the right to store the works in its archive and database for internal use, research purposes, and non-commercial cultural access, including access by researchers. The videos may also be screened at OMVF-related screenings at separate events or festivals.
3. Festival Screenings
By submitting, the submitter grants OMVF the right to screen the video free of charge at the festival and in future OMVF-organised screenings and events.
4. Online Use
OMVF may present selected videos online (e.g. via festival platforms) for a limited time in connection with the competition and festival promotion.
5. Promotion
OMVF has the right to use:
– Film title
– Stills
– Credits and names
– Short excerpts (max. 30 seconds)
for promotional, press, and archival purposes without additional compensation.
6. Further Distribution
Awarded videos may be included in international screenings and festival collaborations organised by OMVF.
VI. LIABILITY
OMVF is not responsible for the content of submitted works or for the accuracy of the information provided.
OMVF shall not be held liable for any third-party rights claims.
The submitter agrees to indemnify the festival against any such claims.
VII. DATA PROTECTION (GDPR)
OMVF processes personal data in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Finnish data protection legislation.
Data is used solely for festival administration, communication, and archival purposes.
VIII. FINAL PROVISIONS
OMVF reserves the right to make necessary changes to festival organisation, scheduling, or programme structure.
Finnish law applies to these submission terms.
IX. CONTACT
Oulu Music Video Festival (OMVF)
📧 juhani@omvf.net
🌐 www.omvf.net
By submitting the entry form, the submitter acknowledges that they have read, understood and accepted the regulations without reservation.
