Tikvah Film Awards

The Tikvah Film Awards
Inaugural Season 2026
OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES
Free to Enter. Open to US Residents. Under 20 Minutes.
Grand Prize: $500 Cash
Effective Date: June 2026
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026
Awards Event: October 17, 2026
Contact: team@tikvahproductions.com
Governed by the laws of the State of Michigan (Berrien County)
Quick Reference
Competition Name The Tikvah Film Awards
Presented By Tikvah Productions
Entry Fee Grand Prize FREE — No cost to submit
$500 Cash (Best Short Film)
Film Length Who Can Enter Under 20 minutes including credits
US residents 18 years of age or older
Theme Submission Platform Hope, faith, and redemption in everyday life
FilmFreeway (filmfreeway.com) or Google Form
Submissions Open Deadline July 1, 2026
August 31, 2026
Notification Date September 20, 2026
Event Date October 17, 2026
Governing Law Contact State of Michigan, United States (Berrien County)
team@tikvahproductions.com
Section 1: Competition Sponsor
The Tikvah Film Awards is presented by Tikvah Productions, a faith-based production company based in Michigan.
Tikvah Productions exists to tell stories that remind the world that hope is real, healing is possible, and God shows
up in the middle of ordinary life. The word tikvah is the Hebrew word for hope.
For questions, contact: team@tikvahproductions.com
Section 2: Eligibility
Who May Enter
● The competition is open to all filmmakers who are legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age or
older at the time of submission.
● Filmmakers may submit as an individual or as part of a team. If submitting as a team, one designated
director or producer must serve as the primary contact and prize recipient.
● Employees, contractors, judges, and immediate family members of Tikvah Productions are not eligible to
enter.
Who May NOT Enter
● Individuals under 18 years of age.
● Residents outside of the United States.
● Anyone who has served as a judge or official of the Tikvah Film Awards in the current season.
● Immediate family members of Tikvah Productions staff or judges (spouse, parent, child, sibling).
Section 3: Film Requirements
Length
● Films must be under 20 minutes in total length, including opening titles and end credits.
● Films under 30 seconds will not be considered.
Completion Date
● Films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.
● Films completed before January 1, 2024 are not eligible regardless of whether they have been publicly
screened.
Content Requirements
● Films must align with the theme of hope, faith, or redemption. Films do not need to be explicitly Christian
but must be consistent with the values of Tikvah Productions.
● Films must not contain graphic violence, sexually explicit content, nudity, or language that is grossly
offensive without redemptive purpose.
● Tikvah Productions reserves the right to disqualify any submission that conflicts with its mission and
values at its sole discretion.
Language
● Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles burned into the film or provided as a
separate SRT file.
Prior Distribution
● Films that have previously been distributed on major commercial streaming platforms (Netflix, Hulu,
Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc.) are not eligible.
● Films that have screened at other film festivals, churches, schools, or community events remain eligible.
● Films previously posted to YouTube, Vimeo, or social media remain eligible provided they have not been
commercially distributed.
Technical Requirements
● Minimum resolution: 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels).
● Accepted file formats: MP4 or MOV.
● Minimum frame rate: 24 frames per second.
● Audio must be clearly mixed and audible. Stereo or 5.1 surround accepted.
● Films that do not meet minimum technical requirements may be disqualified at the discretion of Tikvah
Productions.
Section 4: How to Submit
Submission Methods
Filmmakers may submit through either of the following methods:
● FilmFreeway (preferred): Visit filmfreeway.com and search for The Tikvah Film Awards. Create a free
FilmFreeway account and follow the submission instructions. Upload your film file directly or provide a
private Vimeo or Google Drive link.
● Google Form (backup): If you are unable to use FilmFreeway, email team@tikvahproductions.com to
request the backup submission form. Attach or link your film file, and complete all required fields.
What to Include
● Film title and total runtime.
● Year of completion.
● Director name and contact email.
● A short synopsis of 100 to 250 words describing the film and its story.
● A director's statement (optional but encouraged) of up to 150 words explaining the faith, hope, or
redemption element in your film.
● At least one high-resolution promotional still image (minimum 1920 x 1080 pixels).
● Film poster or key art (optional).
Submission Deadlines
DEADLINE TYPE DATE
Submissions Open July 1, 2026
Deadline August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Notification Date September 20, 2026
Event Date October 17, 2026
Submissions received after August 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time will not be considered under any
circumstances. Tikvah Productions is not responsible for technical failures, internet outages, or late submissions due
to platform errors.
Section 5: Entry Fee and Prizes
Entry Fee
There is no entry fee to submit to the Tikvah Film Awards. Submission is completely free for all eligible
filmmakers.
Prizes
● Grand Prize (Best Short Film): $500 cash. Paid via Zelle, PayPal, Venmo, or check at the winner's
preference within 7 days of the awards ceremony. This is the only cash prize awarded.
● All other category winners receive an official Tikvah Film Awards digital certificate and a feature on
Tikvah Productions social media platforms.
● All finalists receive official Tikvah Film Awards laurels for use on their film's promotional materials.
Prize Conditions
● Prizes are non-transferable. The winner must be the primary contact listed on the submission.
● Winners must respond to prize notification within 14 days or the prize may be forfeited and awarded to an
alternate.
● Tikvah Productions is not responsible for taxes owed on prize winnings. Winners are solely responsible for
any federal, state, or local taxes resulting from receipt of prize money.
● If the grand prize exceeds $600 in a single tax year, Tikvah Productions may be required to collect the
winner's Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number and issue a Form 1099-MISC in
accordance with IRS regulations. Winners consent to provide this information upon request.
● Tikvah Productions reserves the right to substitute an alternative prize of equal or greater value if
circumstances require.
Section 6: Judging and Selection
Judging Panel
All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges selected by Tikvah Productions. Judges may include
filmmakers, faith leaders, creative professionals, and ministry leaders. Judge identities will be announced at the
awards ceremony.
Judging Criteria
Films will be evaluated on the following weighted criteria:
CRITERION WEIGHT
Story and Narrative Impact 30%
Faith, Hope, or Redemption Integration 25%
Technical Execution (cinematography, sound, editing) 20%
Originality and Creative Vision 15%
Overall Impression 10%
Selection Process
● All eligible submissions will be reviewed by the judging panel between September 1 and September 15,
2026.
● Judges will score each film independently using the weighted criteria above.
● Tikvah Productions will compile scores and facilitate a final selection meeting with the panel.
● Winners and finalists will be notified on or around September 20, 2026.
● The Audience Choice Award winner will be determined by public vote open from September 20 through
October 5, 2026.
● All other category winners will be announced at the awards event on October 17, 2026.
Decisions Are Final
All judging decisions are final and binding. Tikvah Productions reserves the right to make final determinations in all
matters related to eligibility, judging, and prize awards. No appeals will be accepted.
Section 7: Award Categories
Main Awards
● Best Short Film (Grand Prize)
● Best Director
● Best Original Screenplay
● Best Cinematography
● Best Performance
Special Awards
● The Tikvah Hope Award (for the film that most embodies the spirit of hope and redemption)
● Audience Choice Award (voted by the public)
Tikvah Productions reserves the right to combine, add, or eliminate award categories at its sole discretion based on
the number and quality of submissions received.
Section 8: Intellectual Property
Filmmaker Retains Ownership
Submission to the Tikvah Film Awards does not transfer ownership or copyright of any submitted film to Tikvah
Productions. Filmmakers retain full copyright and all rights to their work.
License Granted to Tikvah Productions
By submitting, each filmmaker grants Tikvah Productions a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to do the
following:
● Screen the submitted film for judging purposes.
● Use clips, stills, and excerpts from the film for promotional purposes related to the Tikvah Film Awards,
including on social media, the Tikvah Productions website, and marketing materials, with filmmaker credit.
● Feature finalist and winning films in recap content, highlight reels, or ceremony recordings.
This license does not grant Tikvah Productions the right to commercially distribute, sell, or license the film to third
parties without the filmmaker's separate written consent.
Original Work
By submitting, each filmmaker warrants that the film is their original work and does not infringe upon the
intellectual property rights of any third party, including but not limited to copyrighted music, footage, images, or
script material. Filmmakers are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary licenses and clearances for any third-
party content used in their film.
Tikvah Productions is not liable for any intellectual property claims arising from submitted content.
Section 9: Disqualification
Tikvah Productions reserves the right to disqualify any submission for any of the following reasons:
● The submission does not meet eligibility requirements as stated in these rules.
● The film contains content that conflicts with the mission and values of Tikvah Productions.
● The filmmaker provides false, misleading, or incomplete information on their submission.
● The film infringes upon the intellectual property rights of a third party.
● The filmmaker engages in any attempt to manipulate the judging process, including the Audience Choice
vote.
● The submission does not meet minimum technical requirements.
● The filmmaker is found to be ineligible after submission.
Disqualified submissions forfeit all eligibility for prizes. Entry fees are non-refundable — however as this
competition is free to enter, no entry fees are charged. Tikvah Productions will make reasonable efforts to notify
filmmakers of disqualification.
Section 10: Publicity and Promotion
By submitting to the Tikvah Film Awards, each filmmaker agrees to the following:
● Tikvah Productions may use the filmmaker's name, film title, synopsis, and promotional materials for
purposes of publicizing the competition and its results.
● Winners and finalists may be featured on Tikvah Productions social media platforms, website, and
marketing materials.
● Winners agree to participate in reasonable promotional activities related to the Tikvah Film Awards,
including social media posts and interviews, at no cost to the filmmaker.
● Tikvah Productions will always credit filmmakers when featuring their work.
Section 11: Limitation of Liability
By entering this competition, each filmmaker agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Tikvah Productions
and its officers, employees, agents, and judges from any and all claims, damages, losses, or liability arising from
participation in the Tikvah Film Awards, including but not limited to:
● Any injury, damage, or loss caused by receipt or use of any prize.
● Technical failures, errors, or omissions in the submission process.
● Any claim arising from the content of submitted films.
● Lost, late, misdirected, or incomplete submissions.
Tikvah Productions is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing, offering, or announcement
of any prize or in the administration of the competition.
Section 12: General Conditions
● These rules constitute the entire agreement between the filmmaker and Tikvah Productions regarding the
Tikvah Film Awards.
● Tikvah Productions reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the competition at any time if fraud,
technical failure, or any other factor beyond its reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper
functioning of the competition.
● Tikvah Productions reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. Amended rules will be posted at the
official competition listing and communicated via email to registered submitters.
● This competition is governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to conflicts of law
principles. Any disputes arising from this competition shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal
courts located in Berrien County, Michigan.
● If any provision of these rules is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision shall be
deemed severable and shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions.
● By submitting, each filmmaker confirms they have read, understood, and agreed to these Official
Competition Rules in their entirety.
Section 13: Contact Information
For questions, submission issues, or any other inquiries related to the Tikvah Film Awards, contact Tikvah
Productions at:
Tikvah Productions
The Tikvah Film Awards
team@tikvahproductions.com
Michigan, United States
Response times may vary. Tikvah Productions will make every effort to respond to inquiries within 3 to 5 business
days.
The Tikvah Film Awards
Stories that remind the world that hope is real.
Jeremiah 29:11
These Official Rules are effective as of June 2026.
Tikvah Productions | Michigan | 2026