INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN GORNJI MILANOVAC
The International Film Festival in Gornji Milanovac, organized by the Cultural Center “Mija Aleksić” with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia and the Municipality of Gornji Milanovac, has, since 2009, served as a significant platform for the encounter between filmmakers and audiences. Through carefully curated competition and non-competitive programs, the Festival promotes artistic values, fosters intercultural dialogue, and contributes to the development of audiovisual culture in Serbia and the region.
11. INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN GORNJI MILANOVAC (hereinafter: the Festival) will take place from September 22 to October 5, 2025, in Gornji Milanovac, Republic of Serbia, organized by the Cultural Center “Mija Aleksić.”
The Festival is a cultural manifestation focused on affirming and promoting contemporary filmmaking, with a particular emphasis on films that, through form, content, and style, contribute to the enhancement of artistic expression and social dialogue. The Festival’s program concept encompasses various genres and poetics, showcasing relevant cinematic trends and the latest achievements in domestic, regional, European, and global film production.
The Festival is intended for all lovers of the seventh art – from acclaimed professionals and film school students to children, youth, and general audiences. In addition to screenings, the program includes educational content – masterclasses, workshops, discussions, and special projects that support audience development and film literacy.
The Cultural Center “Mija Aleksić” proudly highlights its membership in the Europa Cinemas network, which constitutes a significant form of institutional support in raising festival standards and building connections with European partners. Additionally, the Festival is made possible thanks to numerous donors and sponsors who contribute to the quality production and development of the program.
The Festival’s mission aligns with the principles of the Europa Cinemas network and other partner organizations, with a focus on promoting European cinema, supporting young filmmakers, and actively cultivating new generations of audiences.
GENERAL TERMS
The International Film Festival in Gornji Milanovac is international in character and open to participants from both Serbia and abroad. The official languages of the Festival are Serbian and English.
The Festival’s program structure includes both competition and non-competition sections.
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
1. FILMS FOR YOUth
(European feature-length fiction and documentary films for young audiences)
This category is dedicated to European feature-length fiction and documentary films that, through their themes, style, or form, reflect the interests and sensibilities of young people. The goal is to promote works that, through original narration, visual language, and current topics, inspire thought, dialogue, and connection with young audiences.
The films in this category are selected by the Festival’s selector, based on aesthetic values, thematic relevance, and potential for communication with young viewers. It is a dynamic and genre-diverse program representing the latest accomplishments in European cinema.
Eligible for this category are films that were completed or had their world or national premiere after January 1, 2023. Films may be submitted by invitation or through the FilmFreeway platform, with the possibility of negotiating author and/or distribution rights.
2. SHORT FORM
(Short films up to 20 minutes)
This category is open to all types of short films – fiction, documentary, animated, experimental, hybrid forms, etc. The aim is to present the genre diversity and innovation of short film as an artistic form.
Films may be submitted by authors, producers, directors, film schools, film clubs, organizations, or distributors, exclusively via the FilmFreeway platform or by the Festival's invitation.
Eligible are films completed after January 1, 2024.
3. YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S FILMMAKING
This category is intended for films that were fully or predominantly created through the creative work of children and youth up to the age of 19. Consideration is given to films produced within primary and secondary schools, film clubs, media workshops, youth organizations, or as independent productions by young authors.
Films may be fiction, documentary, animated, or experimental (up to 15 minutes). A key requirement is that authorship and creative roles – such as screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing – are performed by youth, while technical or mentorship support from adults is allowed in an advisory or production capacity.
This category aims to encourage media literacy, creative expression, and teamwork among children and young people, and to provide a platform for their cinematic voice.
Films can be submitted by schools, film clubs, young authors individually or through mentors, via the FilmFreeway platform or by invitation. Eligible films must have been completed after January 1, 2024.
NON-COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
In addition to the competitive selections, the Festival includes non-competitive film screenings, educational workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, forums, and other accompanying artistic programs that contribute to a comprehensive experience of film art and cultural exchange.
FESTIVAL BODIES AND ORGANIZING BOARD
ORGANIZING BOARD
The Organizing Board of the Cultural Center “Mija Aleksić” in Gornji Milanovac, as the official organizer of the Festival, is responsible for making key decisions regarding the realization and improvement of the Festival.
Upon the proposal of the Festival Editor, the Board:
Appoints selectors and members of the selection committees;
Appoints members of the Festival juries;
Adopts the Festival Rulebook;
Adopts the Rules of Procedure for the Jury.
Upon the proposal of the Festival Director, the Board also determines:
The amount of remuneration for members of selection committees and juries.
FESTIVAL BODIES
The Festival’s bodies include:
Festival Director
Festival Editor
Selection Committees
Festival Juries
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
The Director of the Cultural Center “Mija Aleksić” in Gornji Milanovac serves as the Festival Director and is responsible for overall oversight and for making final operational decisions.
FESTIVAL EDITOR
The film program editor of the Cultural Center “Mija Aleksić” also serves as the Festival Editor. They coordinate all programmatic and production activities, are responsible for creating and implementing the concept of competitive and non-competitive programs, and act as the selector for the “Films for YouTh” category.
The Festival Editor also:
Proposes the Festival Rulebook and the Jury Rules of Procedure;
Proposes members of the selection committees and juries;
Defines the structure and content of the Festival’s programs;
Actively promotes the Festival;
Performs other duties related to the realization of festival activities.
SELECTORS, SELECTION COMMITTEES, AND SELECTION PROCESS
The criteria for selecting films (in all categories) include but are not limited to: originality of narrative, thematic relevance, innovative use of film language, technical quality, aesthetic coherence, and the film’s communication potential with audiences.
The competition program is curated by the selector and two selection committees:
Selector for “Films for You”: The Festival Editor serves as the selector for this category and is responsible for creating the concept and selecting the films to compete in this program.
Selection Committee for “Short Form”: A committee selects short films up to 20 minutes.
Selection Committee for “Youth and Children’s Filmmaking”: Another committee selects films made by young filmmakers up to age 19, with a duration of up to 15 minutes.
Committee members are appointed for each specific Festival edition and are obligated to review all timely submitted films. Each committee decides which films will be included in the competition program.
Decisions of the selector and selection committees are final and binding. Feedback on submissions is not guaranteed, and the organizer is not obligated to provide reasons for possible non-selection.
Late submissions will not be considered. Films not selected for competition may, at the organizer’s discretion, be shown in non-competitive, curated programs.
The official Festival program will be published on the Festival website www.shortform.org.rs no later than September 11, 2025.
FESTIVAL JURIES
The Festival appoints two official juries:
Jury for the competition categories “Films for Youth” and “Short Form”
Jury for the competition category “Youth and Children’s Filmmaking”
Both juries are of international character, and their members are appointed from among renowned film artists, theorists, critics, journalists, and other experts with proven professional experience in the film industry and established careers in the field of film art.
Jury members are appointed exclusively for the current edition of the Festival.
If necessary and by special Decision, the Organizer may also form a Youth Jury, composed of high school or university students, with the aim of encouraging film literacy and the engagement of young audiences in the evaluation of film works.
The work of all juries is regulated by the Rules of Procedure for the Jury, adopted by the Organizing Board upon the proposal of the Festival Editor.
METHOD OF SELECTION AND FILM SUBMISSION
FILMS FOR YOUth
(European feature-length fiction and documentary films for young audiences)
This category is intended for European feature-length fiction and documentary films that, thematically, stylistically, or formally, correspond to the interests and sensibility of young people. The goal is to promote works that, through original narration, visual language, and current topics, encourage thinking, dialogue, and connection with young audiences.
The films in this program are selected by the Festival Selector, taking into account aesthetic values, thematic relevance, and the potential for communication with young viewers. This is a dynamic and genre-diverse program presenting the latest achievements of European cinematography.
Eligible for participation in this competition category are films that were completed or had their world or national premiere after January 1, 2023. Submission of films is done by the Organizer’s invitation or through the FilmFreeway platform, with the possibility of concluding agreements on authorial and/or distribution rights.
SHORT FORM
(Short film program up to 20 minutes)
This category is open to all types of short films – fiction, documentary, animated, experimental, hybrid forms, etc. The goal of the program is to present the genre diversity and innovation of short film as an art form.
Films can be submitted by authors, producers, directors, film schools, film clubs, organizations, or distributors, exclusively via the FilmFreeway platform or by the Organizer’s invitation.
Eligible for this competition category are films that were completed after January 1, 2024.
YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S FILMMAKING
This category is intended for film works that are entirely or predominantly the result of the creative work of children and youth up to the age of 19. Consideration is given to films created within primary and secondary schools, film clubs, media workshops, youth organizations, as well as independent productions by young authors. Films may be fiction, documentary, animated, or experimental (up to 15 minutes).
A mandatory condition is that authorship and creative roles – such as screenplay, direction, cinematography, editing – are entrusted to young people, while technical or mentoring support from adults is acceptable in a supporting capacity, i.e., advisory or production function.
The category aims to encourage the development of media literacy, creative expression, and teamwork among children and youth, as well as to provide a platform for showcasing their cinematic voice.
Films may be submitted by schools, film clubs, young authors independently or through mentors, via the FilmFreeway platform or by the Organizer’s invitation. Films eligible for this category must be completed after January 1, 2024.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE
Film submissions are carried out exclusively online, via the FilmFreeway platform:
👉 https://filmfreeway.com/iffgm
The submitter is required to provide, as part of the application, the following materials:
a valid preview link for the film,
a password for access, if the link is protected,
the final version of the film (rough cuts and works-in-progress will not be considered),
a short biography and filmography of the director,
a synopsis of the film (in Serbian and/or English),
at least two stills from the film in high resolution (minimum 300 dpi),
English subtitles and a dialogue list with time codes,
an indication of technical specifications and screening formats (DCP, .mp4, etc.), in case the film is selected.
All submitted materials must be complete and accurate at the time of application. Otherwise, the Organizer reserves the right not to consider incomplete applications.
FilmFreeway has its own internal rules and conditions for submitting films. The submitter is obligated to familiarize themselves with the platform's rules and accepts all terms of participation.
For more information, visit: www.filmfreeway.com
If multiple films are being submitted, each must be sent in a separate application, with separate accompanying documentation.
Participants are required to clearly indicate in the application the competition category for which the film is being submitted.
If the film does not formally match the selected category, the selection committees reserve the right to reassign it to the appropriate category.
Films with racist, pornographic content, or those promoting hatred and violence will not be considered or screened in any Festival program.
The deadline for submitting films is August 24, 2025, with the Organizer reserving the right to extend the submission deadline.
Films cannot be withdrawn after the official selection has been announced. The Organizer reserves the right, at its own discretion, to include certain films in the program outside the regular selection process, via official invitation.
All communication regarding the application, as well as subsequent submission of materials, must be carried out via the official Festival email:
✉️ filmfestival@kcgm.org.rs
By submitting an application, the submitter confirms acceptance of all conditions outlined in this Rulebook and declares that they are authorized to submit the film on behalf of all rights holders.
FEES AND SCREENING TERMS
The Organizer does not charge a submission fee for film entries to the Festival. The FilmFreeway platform has its own internal rules and conditions. The applicant is required to review and accept all terms.
For more information, visit: www.filmfreeway.com
For films selected in the competition categories Short Form and Youth and Children’s Filmmaking, the Organizer does not pay a screening fee to the applicant for public exhibition at the Festival.
For films included in the Films for You category and/or in the non-competitive program, the Organizer, depending on financial capacity and editorial policy, may conclude an individual agreement with the rights holder, defining the conditions of public screening at the Festival, including possible compensation and regulation of authorial and/or distribution rights.
FESTIVAL AWARDS
1. Jury for the categories FILMS FOR YOUth and SHORT FORM
After reviewing all films screened in these competitive programs, the jury awards the following prizes:
Award for Best Film in the category FILMS FOR YOUth
(for outstanding contribution to contemporary cinematography)
Award for Best Film in the category SHORT FORM
(for highest artistic, innovative, and technical achievements)
The jury may, at its discretion, also award commendations or special recognitions for exceptional contributions within these categories.
2. Jury for the category YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S FILMMAKING
After the screenings of all films in this category, the jury awards:
Award for Best Film in the category YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S FILMMAKING
Award for Best Children’s Film (age up to 15)
Award for Best Youth Film (age 15–19)
In this category as well, the jury may award commendations and special recognitions.
3. Youth Cinema Network Award
The Organizer may nominate the following awarded films for the prestigious international Youth Cinema Network Award:
Best film in the category Youth and Children’s Filmmaking
Best children’s film (up to 15 years)
Best youth film (15–19 years)
The Organizer will inform the submitters of these films in a timely manner about the time and place of screenings within the YCN network.
4. Audience Award
In each of the competition categories, an audience award is presented based on the votes of the Festival screening attendees.
5. Special Awards and Additional Recognitions
With prior approval, the Organizer may allow other Serbian or international organizations, institutions, or companies to present special awards or recognitions in accordance with the values of the Festival.
6. Financial Aspects of Awards
If monetary awards are provided, their payment is carried out in accordance with the applicable regulations of the National Bank of Serbia and the Treasury Administration.
Payment will not be executed if winners fail to submit complete and correct documentation in a timely manner or in the case of force majeure or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, unawarded funds will be returned to sponsors or donors.
7. Additional Note
Jury decisions are made by majority vote and are considered final and binding.
Awards are presented to the authors, i.e., the directors of the films.
Awards do not have to be presented in all categories if the jury determines that no work meets the expected artistic or thematic standard.
RIGHTS, OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE SUBMISSION PROCESS FOR THE COMPETITION CATEGORIES “SHORT FORM” AND “YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S FILMMAKING”
Rights, obligations and responsibilities
The submitter guarantees that they are the author or the holder of all copyright and related rights for the submitted film, and that they have the necessary licenses and authorizations for the submission and participation of the film in the Festival.
Upon submission, the submitter is obliged to secure all required permissions from third parties, including, but not limited to: literary, dramatic, musical, and archival rights, as well as permissions for any elements that may be subject to existing intellectual property rights.
The Organizer does not check, nor is obligated to check, the status and validity of the regulated rights. In the event of any disputes concerning copyrights or other rights, full legal and financial responsibility lies solely with the submitter.
The submitter agrees that the film may be screened at the Festival without financial compensation.
The submitter also consents to the Organizer using photos, trailers, excerpts (up to 10% of total film duration), and other information submitted with the application, for promotional purposes related to the Festival, including the catalog, publications, website, social media, and other media outlets.
The Organizer assumes responsibility for the physical film copy from the moment of its receipt but is not liable for damage or loss during transport unless caused directly by the Organizer. In the event of damage, the Organizer will cooperate with the submitter to the best of its ability to resolve the issue.
The Festival reserves the right to disqualify or remove a film from the program if any third-party rights are violated, authorship is misrepresented, or any other provisions of this Rulebook are breached.
By submitting the application, the submitter confirms that they have read, understood, and fully accept all terms and conditions of this Rulebook.
STATEMENTS AND GUARANTEES OF THE SUBMITTER
The submitter, acting as the authorized representative of the project (hereinafter: the Film), declares and guarantees that they are authorized to submit the Film to the Festival on behalf of all copyright and related rights holders, as well as all other parties with ownership interest in the Film (hereinafter: the Owners).
The submitter guarantees that the submission does not violate any legal or contractual provision, including provisions on intellectual property, licensing, or distribution rights.
The submitter and Owners guarantee that the Film does not infringe on copyrights, patents, trademarks, the right to privacy, public performance rights, or any other personal or proprietary rights of any person or entity, nor does it contain defamatory or offensive content.
They also guarantee that all licensing costs and obligations related to the screening of the Film at the Festival have been duly regulated and settled.
If the Film is selected for the Festival program, the submitter confirms that no special legal relationship arises from this selection which would imply obligations on the part of the Festival toward the submitter or any of the Owners.
The submitter and Owners agree to indemnify the Festival and its affiliates for any potential damages, costs, or losses arising in connection with the Film or violation of these guarantees.
Submission of the Film is voluntary. Materials submitted with the application will not be returned.
The submitter and Owners waive all rights to initiate any legal proceedings against the Festival in relation to the submission, selection, screening, or non-screening of the Film.
In the case of selection, the submitter, on behalf of all Owners, unconditionally transfers to the Festival and its partners the right to use parts of the Film, its title, photos, trailer, biographies of authors and participants for marketing and promotional purposes related to the Festival.
The Festival does not make any promises or guarantees regarding the selection process and is under no obligation to provide feedback on the submission.
By submitting the application, the Festival and its representatives gain irrevocable right to access and download the digital materials submitted (video files, photos, etc.).
Despite the application of security measures, the Festival is not liable for any unauthorized copying or misuse of the content.
DECLARATION ON REGULATED RIGHTS
The submitter declares that they are authorized to submit the film to the Festival on behalf of all copyright and related rights holders and that all rights have been fully regulated.
They agree that the film may be used within the Festival in accordance with this Rulebook.
By submitting the application, it is considered that the submitter has also submitted this declaration.
SCREENING COPIES FOR THE FESTIVAL
DELIVERY AND SCREENING OF SELECTED FILMS
Selected films will be screened in their original language(s).
All films that contain dialogue or narration must have English subtitles as well as a dialogue list with time codes.
Films included in the competition program must be delivered to the Organizer no later than September 15, 2025.
Technical guidelines:
It is preferable to submit the film in DCP format, in accordance with digital projection standards.
Alternatively, HD digital files are accepted (.mp4, .mov), with resolutions of 1920×1080, 2K, etc.
The Organizer reserves the right to reject copies of poor technical quality that do not meet professional screening standards.
Methods of delivery:
By physical mail or courier service:
Cultural Center “Mija Aleksić” Gornji Milanovac
(for the Film Festival)
Knez Mihailov trg no. 1, P.O. Box 92
32300 Gornji Milanovac, Republic of Serbia
MANDATORY LABEL: “NO COMMERCIAL VALUE – FOR CULTURAL PURPOSES ONLY”
Online delivery:
Via FTP server (with valid login credentials),
or through services such as Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc. – to the email address:
📧 festival@shortform.org.rs
Together with the film copy, the sender must notify the Organizer about the exact date and method of sending.
Costs:
The submitter bears the cost of sending the film copy by mail or courier service.
The Organizer will cover the return cost of the DCP copy, which will be returned to the address indicated in the application.
DATA USAGE AND PROTECTION
The submitter agrees that the Festival Organizer may collect, store, and process the data provided in the application form for the purposes of implementation, promotion, and archiving of the Festival program, in accordance with the Law on Personal Data Protection.
The Organizer has the right to use the basic information about the submitted film indicated in the application (including, but not limited to: title, duration, genre, synopsis, country of production, name of the author, production company, photos and visual materials) in printed, electronic, and online materials, as well as in media communication for the purpose of informing the public and promoting the Festival program.
The data will not be shared with third parties without the submitter’s specific consent, unless required for the realization of the Festival program or in accordance with the law.
All data will be stored in the Festival archive.
The Festival will not use submitted film copies for any public screenings after the conclusion of the Festival without additional written consent from the author or producer.
FINAL PROVISIONS
This Rulebook regulates the conditions, procedures, and criteria for the participation of films at the International Film Festival in Gornji Milanovac.
Amendments and supplements to this Rulebook shall be made in the same manner as it was adopted, i.e., by decision of the Organizer’s Managing Board.
The Rulebook is drafted in Serbian and English. In case of any inconsistencies or different interpretations of specific provisions, the Serbian version shall prevail.
Participants submitting films accept the terms of this Rulebook in their entirety and without reservation, as confirmed by the very act of submitting a film to the Festival.
The Organizer reserves the right to interpret all provisions of the Rulebook and to resolve situations that are not explicitly provided for in this document.
This Rulebook enters into force on the day of adoption by the Organizer’s Managing Board and applies to all applications submitted for the 2025 edition of the Festival.
For all disputes that may arise from the interpretation, application, or execution of this Rulebook, the competent court for the territory of the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, Republic of Serbia, shall have jurisdiction.
🔹 TERMS USED IN THIS RULEBOOK
“Film” – an audiovisual work that meets the format and program category criteria of the Festival
“Delivered copy” – the final version of the film intended for screening at the Festival, in a technical format that meets the prescribed standards (e.g., DCP, .mp4, .mov)
“Rights holders” – natural or legal persons who own copyright or related rights to the submitted film, including producers, directors, screenwriters, and other stakeholders
“Application” – the complete electronic package of documents and information (biography, synopsis, video link, photos, etc.) submitted via FilmFreeway or by invitation of the Organizer
“Submitter” – a natural or legal person authorized to submit a film to the Festival on behalf of the rights holders
“Selection” – the official selection of films for the competitive or non-competitive program, based on the decision of the selector or selection committees
“Selector” – a person appointed by the Festival Organizer, responsible for selecting films in a specific category
“Selection committee” – a group of experts who review and evaluate submitted films for selection in the appropriate program
“Jury” – an independent body composed of experts in the field of film, responsible for evaluating films in competition and awarding prizes
“Non-competitive program” – the Festival’s out-of-competition section, which includes special screenings, thematic selections, panels, and other activities
“Competition program” – a program in which films compete for official Festival awards within defined categories
“Category” – a thematic, formal, age-based, or genre-based unit within the competitive or non-competitive program
“Award” – a recognition granted by the Festival or the jury, which may consist of a plaque, diploma, or monetary prize, depending on conditions
“FilmFreeway platform” – the official online platform for submitting films to festivals: www.filmfreeway.com
