Independent Shorts Awards International Film Festival

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All films should have a maximum length of 60 minutes.
All short scripts should have a maximum of 60 pages.

The films must include English subtitles (unless the spoken language is English).
The scripts must be written in English.

By submitting the film or script, the submitter agrees that:
1. Independent Shorts Awards can use trailer/teaser/film poster/stills or BTS and script excerpt for promotional purpose (but do not release, under any form or circumstances, the full film or script)
2. Entry fees are non-refundable.
3. The submitter owns all the rights to the film or script.
4. The information about the entries can be disclosed to IndieX associate film festivals.
5. Submission cannot be withdrawn after the announcement of the official selection.

For student fee, it is mandatory the student status evidence (e.g. copy of student card included in the project).

AI-Use Disclosure Requirement
Projects that have used Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools at any stage of creation — including image generation, animation, writing, sound design, or editing — are welcome.
However, such projects must include a brief AI-Use Disclosure in the project’s cover letter or description.
The disclosure should specify which AI tools were used and the extent of their use. Submissions lacking transparency regarding AI-assisted content, when applicable, may be deemed ineligible.

Projects that do not comply with the above rules and terms may be automatically disqualified, at the sole discretion of Independent Shorts Awards.

PUBLIC THEATRICAL SCREENINGS - TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
For public screenings, the submitter must provide:
Primary format (preferred):
• 2K or 4K DCP (SMPTE compliant)
 – Container: Interop or SMPTE (SMPTE preferred)
 – Frame rate: 24 fps (other rates accepted if mastered properly)
 – Audio: 5.1 Surround or Stereo (5.1 preferred)
 – Aspect ratio clearly indicated
Alternative formats (if DCP is unavailable):
• 4K or 2K ProRes (ProRes 422 HQ or ProRes 4444)
• 4K or 2K H.264 (High Profile, 20–50 Mbps recommended)
 – File format: .mov or .mp4
 – Audio: Stereo or 5.1
Delivery Method:
• Secure digital transfer required (link with download enabled)
Subtitles and Accessibility:
• Films not in English must include English subtitles
• Optional subtitles/captions for accessibility encouraged
Final Specifications:
• All final screening materials must be delivered by the deadline set by the festival; late delivery may result in the film being withdrawn from the public program.
• The festival reserves the right to request new files if the materials provided are technically inadequate

Disclaimer:
(i) Affiliated Events: Independent Shorts Awards is associated only with Indie Short Fest and IndieX Film Fest. Any resemblance to other events or organizations is purely coincidental. We do not represent, nor are we represented by, any other entity.

(ii) Confidentiality: Independent Shorts Awards does not share any information with third parties. All filmmaker data and communications remain strictly within our organization.

Important Notice: The submitter owns all the rights to the film, meaning that the submitted work (i) does 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, that (ii) does not constitute or include a defamation of any person or entity, and that (iii) its representatives 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 Festival. Also, that the submitter is duly authorized, on his 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, to exhibit the film at the Festival.

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