This is a film festival designed to support and promote stories that promote gender equality and have been created by female, non-binary and self-identifying female filmmakers. To be eligible for entry, your entry must meet two criteria, and you must be able to produce evidence of these being met if required by the festival directors:
a. Include at least one female or non-binary or self-identifying female writer, director, cinematographer, producer, or editor in the production team.
b. Include a female or non-binary or self-identifying female protagonist.
All non-English language films must have English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
For the live 2023 festival event, at least one key creative team member or lead cast member acting as a representative from a selected film project must attend the physical festival event in person in Sydney unless; The selected filmmaker is unable to attend a physical screening due to government-imposed covid travel restrictions forbidding entry to Sydney Australia that are in place at the time of the screening where then an online festival option will be made available for consideration, or they are unavailable to attend in which case the entry may then only be included in the online event.
Films must not have had their Australian NSW territory cinematic release, or released on any public online streaming (unless a web-series entry or music video entry), TVOD, or SVOD platform, or completed post-production on their film over 18 months. In the case of a website series or music video entry the project must not have been released for over 12 months from the time of entry.
By submitting your film or screenplay for consideration to Sydney Women’s International Film Festival you agree to the following Festival Rules, Terms, and Conditions as well as being contacted by SWIFF in relation to its current and future festival competition:
1. I have read all of the Sydney Women's International Film Festival rules. I understand and agree with the rules.
2. I warrant the submission of my original work, and there are no disputes regarding the ownership or distribution, or exhibition rights of the submission in part or in entirety. I also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and I fully indemnify the Sydney Women's International Film Festival against any claim made for such violations of law.
3. To the best of my knowledge, the statements herein are true and correct. I understand that failure to adhere to festival rules will result in disqualification from screening and forfeiture of the entry fee.
4. The festival reserves the right to use a clip, and or clips or photos from accepted entries for up to three minutes in length for promotional purposes. The festival reserves the right to screen accepted entries as part of the Sydney Women's International Film Festival.
5. I agree and hold the Sydney Women's International Film Festival, Inc. harmless from and defend them from all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether groundless or not, based on any film submitted to the festival.
6. SWIFF reserves the right to cancel and modify the schedule with any entry or entry fee and can do so at its discretion.
7. SWIFF has a zero-tolerance policy on abuse and harassment. Any communication deemed aggressive, threatening, abusive, or defaming from any team members will result in immediate disqualification.
**SWIFF is committed to caring for the health and well-being of our entrants and audience members, and playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders. Read below about the latest decisions being made by the SWIFF committee on the impact of COVID-19 and natural disasters on our festival.
**At present our event is scheduled for late November however if natural disasters or isolation laws prevent the running of our event the festival will be postponed or run online only.
