NOTE: Due to the pandemic, we have changed this to an online film festival. We have secured services with top notch security to protect your assets. As soon as it is safe to do so, we will return to in person screenings as that is the way films were meant to be enjoyed.
The HerStory Cinephilia Society will host a monthly film festival on the Second Saturday of every month beginning in March 2021.
“Film” has no gender. It has no color, and no age. It knows no bias, and no judgement. HerStory Cinephilia Society was born to showcase filmmakers who happen to be women. Creators who live and breathe the visual medium. Artists with an insatiable hunger to produce fresh, creative content.
Stay hungry. Stay creative. Stay unapologetically female.
The HerStory Cinephilia Society, a sponsored project of the Arts and Business Council of Nashville (abcnashville.org), is a safe haven for filmmakers and cinephiles. Film festivals have long been held as a refuge for a classic form of cinephilia. The festival supports filmmakers who happen to be women. Women want to be recognized simply as filmmakers without the caveat that they are women.
As emergent digital technologies plot new lines of connectivity and establish new modes of participation and viewer behaviour, expectations surrounding audience interaction and event experiences are shifting.
Join the Society and balance your cinephile identity against the impulse to engage with technological change. Submit your project for the opportunity to share space with fellow cinephiles in a jamb packed weekend in Music City USA (Nashville, TN).
The festival will present a mix of films - shorts and features, documentaries and narrative - created a mix of women - national and international from all walks of life but all presented from her point of view. Come for the films and stop into a master class or panel discussion on hot topics in the industry.
At the Academy Awards and Golden Globes ceremonies held every year, filmmakers who happen to be women gain recognition yet continue to be underrepresented. Are the skills needed to make a major film truly restricted to the male majority?
Claim your voice.
Celebrate self-expression.
Empowering past, present and future generations of artists currently underrepresented in front of and behind the camera, HerStory Cinephilia Society, will present arts and entertainment created from a woman’s point of view during film screenings online beginning in March 2021. We will return to in person screenings as soon as it is safe to do so.
Artistic innovation and experimentation welcome.
All films will share in the gross revenue (income before expenses) for their film screening.
There will be awards on a monthly and annual basis.
GENERAL RULES
The following is an explanation of rules and regulations (“Rules and Regulations”) governing the submission of a creative work (hereafter called the “Project”) to HerStory Cinephilia Society (hereafter called the “Society”) for consideration for all aspects of the 2021 HerStory Cinephilia Society Film Festival (hereafter called the “Society”).
I. GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR SUBMISSION OF A FILM TO THE HERSTORY CINEPHILIA SOCIETY:
Preference is given to material completed after January 1, 2019 though material completed prior to this date will be considered for the monthly HerCineCircle Film Screenings.
In order for your work to be considered for the Annual Awards, female representatives from films accepted into the Society must make themselves available for a Talk Back session following the screening of the film either in person or via Skype.
1) U.S. and International Narrative and Documentary Feature Films may have been previously exhibited theatrically at one or more private screenings for which tickets were available to the general public retain eligibility for submission to the Society.
2) It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure authorization and permission from the copyright owner(s) of any and all copyrighted content or materials included within the submitted Film. The Society expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted content or materials within or relating to the submitted Film, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third party claims for copyright infringement. The Society reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Film with any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Film makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any copyrighted content or material, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend the Society, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.
3) It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to secure authorization and permission from the owner(s) of any and all trademarked content or materials included within the submitted Film. The Society expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any trademarked content or materials within or relating to the submitted Film, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third party claims for trademark infringement, trademark dilution or unfair competition. The Society reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Film with any unauthorized inclusion of trademarked content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Film makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any trademarked content or material, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend the Society, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.
4) It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to clear all content of the Film from any and all actual or potential legal claims and issues, including, without limitation, claims based upon theories of libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, violation of rights of publicity, theft of trade secrets, breach of confidence, breach of confidential relationship, and breach of express or implied contract (“Third Party Claim(s)”). The Society expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any content or materials within or relating to the submitted Film that are or may be the basis for any Third Party Claims based upon any of the foregoing legal theories or others. The Society reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Film that is or may become the subject of any Third Party Claims. In the event that any Third Party Claim(s) shall be asserted by any person or entity, Applicant shall fully indemnify and defend the Society, and each of their representatives and affiliates from any liability in connection therewith and from any and all fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that each of any of them may incur in connection therewith.
5) Applicants submitting Films that contain significant non-English spoken dialogue must provide on-screen English subtitles. The Society reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from the Applicant, any Film that contains significant non-English spoken dialogue that does not include accompanying on-screen English subtitles.
6) All Films must be submitted to the Society through FilmFreeway. The Society reserves the right to disqualify, without refund of any or all submission fees previously collected from Applicant, any Film that is not submitted using one of these formats. If the Film is submitted in multiple parts, the Society reserves the right to judge the Film based on the first part of the submission, with no further obligation to view the contents of the remaining parts.
7) In the event that the Applicant remits an updated version of the Film to the Society after having submitted a previous version of the Film to the Society during the same calendar year, the Society is under no obligation to view any or all of the updated version.
8) Upon completion of the Society selection process, the Society will attempt to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form to notify the Applicant of the Film’s acceptance status. The Society disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any failure to contact the Applicant using the contact information provided on the submission form. It is the sole responsibility of the Applicant to ensure that the contact information provided on the submission form is correct throughout the entirety of the Society selection period.
9) The Society is under no obligation to provide to the Applicant or any other representative of the Film any comments or feedback regarding the submitted Film, any information relating to the manner in which the Film is, will be, or was reviewed; any views that the Society or any reviewers of the Film may hold concerning the Film; any reasons why the Film, should it not be accepted for exhibition at the Society, was not accepted; or any other information relating to the Society’s review, consideration and/or selection process regarding the Film specifically or submissions generally beyond the information set forth in these Rules and Regulations. The Society disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible or liable for, the contents of any internal comments or feedback regarding any Film that are or may be obtained by the Applicant or any other representative of the Film; any communications by any representative of the Society relating to the Film or the Society selection process; the manner in which the Film shall be, is or was considered and reviewed; the identity or identities of any specific reviewers of the Film; and/or any failure on the part of the Society to provide the Applicant or any other representative(s) of the Film with information concerning the Society’s consideration and/or review of the Film.
II. SUBMISSION CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Films submitted to the Society for consideration for the Society may apply in one of the following submission categories. The Society reserves the right to determine eligibility of any film for any Society program or submission category. The following is a description of each submission category, along with eligibility requirements for each:
FEATURE FILMS
The organizers of the HerStory Cinephilia Society invite female filmmakers of all ages from around the world to enter their feature film of a runtime greater than 39 minutes in length into the HerStory Cinephilia Society. To qualify, one of the following positions must be held by a woman: Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Production Designer or Editor. If the director is a male, in order for the project to be eligible for submission, we require that two of the aforementioned positions are women and the overall project must be in support of women.
SHORT FILMS
The organizers of the HerStory Cinephilia Society invite female filmmakers of all ages from around the world to enter their short film with a runtime less than 40 minutes in length into the HerStory Cinephilia Society. To qualify, one of the following positions must be held by a woman: Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Production Designer or Editor. If the director is a male, in order for the project to be eligible for submission, we require that two of the aforementioned positions are women and the overall project must be in support of women.
III. SOCIETY PROGRAM CATEGORIES & ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Please be advised that the information listed below is subject to change at any time, as our Society program categories will vary from year to year. Applicants may submit their Films directly to any specific category however the Society Programming Director reserves the right to make the final determination of category acceptance.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Submissions that do not follow these official Terms and Conditions will be disqualified without refund.
I, the authorized representative of the project being submitted (hereafter called the "Film") to the HerStory Cinephilia Society (hereafter called the “Society”) for consideration for the 2018 Season of the HerStory Cinephilia Society (hereafter called the “Society”), hereby acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. I represent and warrant to the Society that: (a) I am duly authorized, on my own behalf and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights or interests (including, without limitation, intellectual property rights) in or relating to the Film (hereafter called the “Film’s Owners”), to exhibit this Film through the Society at at the film festival in Nashville, (b) exhibition of the Film at the Society will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity; and (c) the Film is not subject to any litigation, arbitration, or other adversarial claim or proceeding, nor is the Film the subject of any threat of litigation, arbitration, or other adverse claim or proceeding.
2. I further represent and warrant, on behalf of myself and the Film’s Owners, that the exhibition of the Film at the Society will not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity, and that the Film does not constitute or include a defamation of any person or entity. I have paid and will pay in full all license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from or associated with the exhibition of the Film at or in connection with the Society. I understand and acknowledge that neither the competition nor its jurists investigate or attest to the authenticity of the applicant's statement of authorship or rights.
3. In the event that the Film is accepted by the Society for inclusion in the film festival, I acknowledge, on behalf of myself and the Film’s Owners, that the Society’s exhibition or presentation of the Film at the Society does not and will not create any confidential or fiduciary relationship between the Society on the one hand and myself and/or the Film’s Owners on the other. I further acknowledge, on behalf of myself and the Film’s Owners, that I and we understand that neither I nor any of the Film’s Owners will receive any compensation for such exploitation, although some prizes at the Society may include cash awards. I acknowledge that no obligation of any kind is assumed by, or may be implied against, the Society in the event of, by virtue of, or as a result of the Society’s selection of the Film for the Society. I and the Film’s Owners understand and acknowledge that the selection of the Film for inclusion in the Society does not and will not in any way constitute an express or implied endorsement or approval by the Society of the content of the Film or any opinion expressed therein.
4. I agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Film’s Owners, to indemnify and hold harmless the Society, together with each of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, creative advisors, agents and representatives (collectively, “HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties”), from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that may be asserted by any person or entity, or may be incurred by the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties, at any time in connection with the Film or the Society’s use, handling or consideration thereof, and/or arising from any breach or alleged breach of any representation made by the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties, including, without limitation, any express or implied representation in these Terms and Conditions.
5. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Film’s Owners, that the Film is being submitted to the Society voluntarily and without promise or inducement, and that the submission of the Film neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties accept the Film for inclusion in the Society, to exhibit the Film at the Society, to acknowledge the submission of the Film, or to return the Film to me or others. I further agree, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Film’s Owners, that I and the Film’s Owners, in submitting the Film for consideration, are waiving, forfeiting, foregoing and relinquishing any right that I or we might otherwise have to assert any claim or commence any proceeding in any forum or tribunal against the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties, based upon, arising out of or otherwise relating to the submission, exhibition or failure to exhibit the Film (including, without limitation, claims relating to any failure or refusal to exhibit the Film at the Society, the exhibition or marketing of the Film at or in connection with the Society, alleged oral or written representations by the Society or its representatives relating to the submission or exhibition of the Film, and any other matters arising from or relating to the submission of the Film), whether such claims may be based on theories of contract, implied contract, tort, statute, or other legal theory (hereinafter, “Claim”). In the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, in violation of the agreement set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, I agree, on my own behalf and on behalf of each of the Film’s Owners, to indemnify the Society and the Society from any and all Claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that are incurred by the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties as a result of or in connection with any such Claim or any action, arbitration or other proceeding brought in violation of the representations and agreements set forth in this paragraph, including, without limitation, reimbursement of all attorneys’ fees incurred or to be incurred by the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties in connection with any Claim or any action, arbitration or other proceeding brought or initiated by me or any of the Film’s Owners or any other representative of, or person affiliated with, the Film.
6. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above and paragraph 10 below, I further agree and accept that, in the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, by me, any of the Film’s Owners, or any other representative of or person affiliated with the Film, in violation of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above, and in the further event that an arbitrator or other tribunal should permit such Claim to proceed despite the waiver language set forth in paragraph 5 above, the sole and maximum remedy that could be awarded to me or any other person or entity asserting any Claim shall be a refund of the submission fee paid in connection with the submission of the Film to the Society for consideration for the Society. Under no circumstances shall any other remedy, including without limitation actual, expectancy, reliance, consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or any other damages, or injunctive, declaratory, provisional or other relief, be available to me, the Film’s Owners, or any other person or entity representing or affiliated with the Film.
7. In the event that the Film is accepted by the Society for inclusion in and exhibition at the Society, I hereby grant, on behalf of myself and each of the Film’s Owners, each of the following rights to the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties without reservations, conditions or qualifications: (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Film for promotional purposes; and (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Film and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information. I also agree to provide up-to-date contact information pertaining to the director and producer(s) of the Film, and to grant the Society, at their sole and absolute discretion, the right to provide this information to film industry organizations that sponsor Society events.
8. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Film’s Owners, that the Society has made no claims, representations or guarantees, and has provided no assurances, in relation to the internal process utilized by the Society with respect to selection of films for inclusion in the Society, and that the submission of the Film neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties to provide me, the Film’s Owners, or my or their related parties with comments, feedback or other information pertaining to the viewing or consideration of the Film by the Society for possible inclusion in the Society.
9. I represent that I am 18 years of age or older, or that, if I am younger than the legal age to enter into contracts in my state, I have provided the Society with signed, written consent from my parent or legal guardian.
10. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above, I further agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Film’s Owners, that any claim, dispute or controversy arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise related to the Film, the Society, or these Terms and Conditions, including, without limitation, any Claim (as this term is defined above) and any other claim or cause of action of any nature arising from the actual or alleged breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity of these Terms and Conditions, as well as the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, will be governed by the internal, substantive laws of the State of Tennessee and will be subject to and submitted to exclusive, binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Nashville, Tennessee, which shall be the sole and exclusion forum for determination of such claim, dispute or controversy. The arbitrator will be selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator, will be appointed by pursuant to the Tennessee Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect. The arbitrator shall issue a written award and, subject to the terms of paragraph 6 hereof, shall have the right to award monetary relief. I specifically agree and acknowledge, however, that the arbitrator shall not have the power to award punitive or exemplary damages, nor shall the arbitrator have the power to order the Society to include the Film in the Society or to award other injunctive or non-monetary relief. The arbitrator shall have the power to award, and shall be required to award, to the substantially prevailing party in any such arbitration, its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration (including, without limitation, reimbursement of that party’s share of the arbitrator’s fees and any administrative charges). The arbitrator’s award shall be final, binding and non-appealable. Judgment on the arbitrator’s award may be entered in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction in the United States. In agreeing to this exclusive arbitration provision, I hereby waive, forfeit and relinquish, on behalf of myself and each of the Film’s Owners, any right or entitlement that I or the Film’s Owners might otherwise have had to bring or litigate any claim or claims encompassed by this paragraph in any federal or state court against the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties, and further waive, forfeit and relinquish any right to a trial by jury with respect to such claim or claims.
11. I hereby acknowledge that I have the right to consult with an attorney of my own choosing with respect to these Terms and Conditions and with respect to the Rules and Regulations for submitting a film to the Society. By clicking “I Agree” below, I agree that I am doing so after having consulted with an attorney or after I freely or voluntarily elected not to do so without coercion or duress.
12. I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the Rules and Regulations for submitting a film to the Society, and that the information contained in said Rules and Regulations does and shall supersede any information obtained elsewhere, including, but not limited to, information contained in any Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents and/or rules and regulations documents from prior years and the Society website.
13. I understand that there is no limit to the number of films I may submit in each of the categories for consideration by the Society. Multiple submissions are accepted, but a separate submission fee must accompany each project.
14. I warrant that the submitted film is not currently under option and/or has not been purchased by any third party and I have the right to screen this film without the permission of a third party.
15. I understand that in the event that my film entry is sold after being received, the filmmaker(s) must notify the HerStory Cinephilia Society IMMEDIATELY in writing. All entry fees are non-refundable.
16. I acknowledge and understand that the HerStory Cinephilia Society, or any of its officers, employees or representatives will not seek employment for me, nor serve as my agent, manager or representative.
17. I understand that the HerStory Cinephilia Society reserves the right to remove submitted material from the competition with or without cause and the filmmaker(s) will be notified by the HerStory Cinephilia Society. All entry fees are non-refundable.
18. I hereby agree to abide by the decisions of the judges with regard to all matters and the judges' decision is not subject to review or contest. No correspondence or discussion will be entered into under any circumstances. I understand that awards are based upon the consensus of the judges as to the overall merit of all of the entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award. I understand that the HerStory Cinephilia Society exists for the purpose of a competition. Through various phases of the judging process, submitted material will be exposed to a network of influential third parties. All such third party participation in the judging process are not guaranteed.
19. I understand that all federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. All taxes (including, without limitation, federal, state, and local taxes) on or connected with any prize, and the reporting consequences thereof, are the sole and exclusive responsibility of respective winners. All winners will be responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding. All prizes awarded in connection with the competition are nontransferable and there is no cash alternative. Any pictures of prizes used in publicity, in any briefing pack or on the HerStory Cinephilia Society website are only examples of the prizes, and may not be the specific model or make of the actual prize. Prizes are subject to change without notice.
20. I hereby indemnify the HerStory Cinephilia Society, its officers, employees, representatives, readers, judges, sponsors, and affiliates from and defend them against any and all claims, demands, costs, damages, judgments, expenses loses or liabilities arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, whether or not groundless, that may be in connection with this film submission.
21. I understand that nonperformance of any party shall be excused to the extent that performance is rendered impossible by strike, fire, flood, earthquakes, war, governmental acts or orders or restrictions, acts of God, or any other reason where failure to perform is beyond the reasonable control, and not caused by the negligence of, the non-performing party.
22. I understand that by submitting my project for consideration to the Society, I accept a complimentary auto enrollment into a three month membership to the HerStory Cinephilia Society Movie Club.
22. Notice for Colorado and Vermont Users: Colorado and Vermont state law prevents residents of those states from participating in any contest that requires a fee to enter. Notice for California Users: Under California Civil Section 1789.3, California users are entitled to the following specific consumer rights notice: The Complaint Assistance Unit of the Division of the California Department of Consumer Affairs may be contacted in writing at 400 R Street, Suite 1080, Sacramento, California 95814, or by telephone at (916) 445-1254 or (800) 952-5210.
23. The information contained in these Terms of Use or the Website is subject to change without notice.
24. I have read and understand the above Terms and Conditions. Failure to adhere to the HerStory Cinephilia Society guidelines will result in disqualification and forfeiture of an entry fee and/or eligible prize.
NOTE: All Terms and Conditions, Rules & Regulations are subject to modification at any time. Prizes & Awards and cities selected for the Society Movie Club are in development and subject to change.
By clicking "I Agree" below, I freely and voluntarily give and express my full and complete acceptance of all of the terms and provisions set forth in these Terms and Conditions and hereby request that the Society view, evaluate and judge my submitted film. I acknowledge that no oral representations, inducements, promises or assurances of any kind, and no representations, inducements, promises or assurances not set forth in these Terms and Conditions, have been made to me or the Film’s Owners by the Society, or any HerStory Cinephilia Society & Related Parties.