RNCI Red Nation International Film Festival & Awards - Native Cinema

RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR 2025 SUBMISSIONS

The following is an explanation of the Rules and Guidelines governing the submissions of a film to the 2025 Red Nation International Film Festival. Compliance with these Rules and Guidelines is necessary in order to participate in the Film Festival. Submission of a film implies unconditional acceptance of the Rules & Guidelines, therefore, please carefully read through the Rules prior to submitting your film. If you have any questions, please contact the Red Nation International Film Festival: submissions@rednation.com or 818.665.5753.

** RNIFF accepts films that are made of/about North American Indian, First Nation Peoples of Canada, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and International Indigenous Peoples from Mexico, South America, New Zealand.

** Films must have been made between August 2024 - September 2025 to be considered.

** Filmmakers once you submit to Red Nation International Film Festival, you agree not to submit/screen your film in any other native film festival in local areas of Los Angeles, Hollywood, or Temecula, during the month of November. Please call if you have any questions: 818.665.5753.

1. The Red Nation International Film Festival accepts submissions for films in the following categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Narrative Short (40 minutes), Animated (40 minutes), Doc Shorts (40 minutes), International Indigenous Narrative Features, Music Videos.

2. The Entrant/s submitting the film must hold all legal rights for the submission, as well as all necessary clearances for public exhibition.

3. The Filmmaker/s retain/s all submission and intellectual property rights.

4. Films may be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway (filmfreeway.com) OR Vimeo with the completed submission form and correct entry fee.

5. The electronic submissions should be formatted for NTSC and labelled with Title, Running Time.

6. To submit film via FilmFreeway.com: Log onto the website, set up an account, and submit your film to RNIFF. Your fee will also be taken over the internet. After submitting your film through FFW.

7. The Filmmaker/s is/are responsible for making sure all submission material are submitted by the submission deadline indicated. If your film does not arrive or is not uploaded by the deadline for which you have registered, you may be required to pay the higher submission fee or withdrawn.

8. The following concerns submission deadlines and submission fees. Note, the deadlines are not the postmark dates, but the dates by which the submission must be in the RNIFF office or registered with FilmFreeway. Each submission must be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Submission fees are in are U.S. Dollars per submission and is non-refundable. These fees may be paid by check, cashier’s check, money order, made payable to: Red Nation Celebration Institute. Cash is not accepted.

9. If a film received 50% or more of it’s funding from sources outside of the United States, the film can only be submitted as an International Film. If a film received 50% or more of it’s funding from sources within the United States, the film can only be submitted as a Domestic Film.

10. All films must be in English or with English subtitles. Non-English language films without subtitles will be considered under special circumstance.

11. Please test your media prior to submission to make sure they run properly and are not damaged.

12. The RNIFF is not responsible for any damage to materials that occurred while in transit. If your film arrives damaged, we will contact you to request another copy.

13. Filmmakers are allowed to submit more than one film for the Festival provided that each film is submitted separately and meet RNFF guidelines.

14. Filmmakers are allowed to resubmit a film that was previously submitted provided significant changes were made and all eligibility requirements are met. When re-submitting the film, include a brief letter detailing the changes made.

15. Entrants may contact the RNIFF to find out if the Festival received the submission: rncimedia@gmail.com or (818) 665.5753. Filmmakers submitting through FilmFreeway can check their status through the website.

16. The Filmmaker is responsible for all shipping costs, domestic or international.

17. All personal contact information is to remain confidential and not to be shared with any third parties.

18. RNIFF reserves the right to use images from films selected in the Festival for marketing purposes.

19. All decisions regarding award winners are considered final and incontestable.

20. Los Angeles Premiere is not required but the programing team may consider a films local premiere status when making final decisions.