HIFF - Hollywood International Film Fest - DC

Welcome to the Hollywood International Film Festival 2025!
We are thrilled to invite filmmakers from around the globe to submit their works for this prestigious event. Here are the submission criteria for our festival:

Film Categories:

Feature Films: Full-length narrative films that are at least 60 minutes long.
Short Films: Narrative films that are under 60 minutes in length.
Documentary Films: Non-fiction films designed to educate or inform the audience about a specific subject or issue.
Experimental Films: Films that explore innovative approaches to storytelling or visual aesthetics.
Animated or Stop Motion Films: Including all forms of animation or stop-motion techniques.
Student Films: Films created by students as part of their coursework or independent projects.
International Films: Films from various countries and regions, showcasing diverse cultural perspectives and styles.
Independent Films: Films made outside the traditional studio system, often with lower budgets and a greater emphasis on artistic vision.

Submission Requirements:

No Genre Restrictions: Films from any genre are welcome.
Completion Date: Films must have been completed within the last five years from the festival deadline.
Ownership Rights: Applicants must own the rights to submit the film.
Subtitles: English subtitles are required for all non-English films.
Online Releases: Films previously released online are eligible for submission.
Multiple Categories: A film can be submitted for multiple categories separately.

Privacy and Permissions:

By submitting a film, you agree that your personal information, including your name, email, image, and any other details contained in the film, may be shared with our judges, sponsors, event participants, and others as necessary to administer and operate our Awards Program.
We may also feature your name, film details, poster, trailer, description, still images (or any other information you provide) in our press releases and marketing channels, including our website and social media platforms.
By submitting your film, you grant us permission to use your personal information and agree to the terms outlined in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service (https://hifilmfestival.org).

Screening Rights:

Participants grant the festival rights to screen their films, including any limitations on public or private screenings, geographic regions, or time frames.

Selection Process:

Films will undergo a pre-selection process or be evaluated by a jury composed of industry professionals, critics, or individuals with expertise in filmmaking.
Evaluation Criteria: Storytelling, acting, direction, cinematography, sound design, technical skill, and originality.
The judging process will be transparent and impartial, with decisions that cannot be challenged.

Shortlisting and Disqualification:

Only shortlisted films will be included in the festival.
The festival reserves the right to disqualify any film that is offensive to any community, race, ethnicity, or religion, or violates any rules, guidelines, terms, and conditions set forth by the festival, including plagiarism, copyright infringement, or other unethical practices.
For applicants under the age of maturity, a permission letter from a parent or legal guardian must be provided; otherwise, the application will be disqualified.

Rights and Disclaimers:

The organizers retain the right to terminate or modify the festival schedule and deadlines at any time and for any reason, including force majeure events such as natural disasters or pandemics.

We are excited to receive your submissions and celebrate the art of filmmaking at the first Hollywood International Film Festival in March 2025!