VISFF accepts films in any genre (with the exception of previews and advertisements) that are 15 minutes or less, including credits. Videos promoting discrimination or hate will not be accepted.
QUALIFICATIONS, RULES and REGULATIONS for CONSIDERATION by the SELECTION COMMITTEE
1. The VISFF defines Short Films as having a running time of 15 minutes or less, including credits. Previews and advertisements will not be considered.
2. Films previously screened at the VISFF are not eligible for re-entry in subsequent years.
3. If the primary language of a film is not in English, then it must have hardcoded English subtitles.
4. Short Films must be submitted online, in the highest quality possible. Films will be projected and broadcasted in High Definition at 1080p.
5. Short Films must be compliant with all copyright laws. If music or additional film material used in your film is not original, then permission from source must be obtained. The responsibility for this rests entirely with the filmmaker. Failure to obtain clearance could result in your film being withdrawn from the Festival. In this event, VISFF will not be liable to refund the fee or return the materials entered.
6. A fee is required upon online submissions, which must be paid in full. One entry per fee.
7. VISFF reserves 10% or 2 spots (depending on running time) of the total festival running time to local films.
8. By submitting to the VISFF, the participant is granting permission to view their film by the Selection and Judging Committee and if selected for screening, is granting permission to screen the film at the VISFF and use selected clips it in promotional materials (including but not limited to press releases, websites, social media, TV, radio and print). After the festival, VISFF may post the film online only if the film is publicly available for viewing.
9. The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is not responsible for resolving technical issues with submitted films.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
1. There shall be a Vancouver Island Short Film Festival Selection Committee consisting of five (5) individuals appointed by the VISFF Board on the recommendation of the EOC and whose mandate shall be to nominate and elect short films, as per criteria, to be juried by the Judging Committee.
2. Individuals forming part of the Selection Committee shall, in the opinion of the Board and EOC, be persons of integrity and ability and be knowledgeable in film production or criticism.
3. It is intended that Selection Committee members be generally, but not exclusively composed of industry experts, members of the media who are experts in film, members of film academia, educators or artists. Selection Committee members should be knowledgeable in various technical, aesthetic, narrative, and entertainment qualities of film.
4. Wherever possible, the Selection Committee will include a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and demographic make-up.
5. The Selection Committee shall be composed of five (5) members for a one-year term, after which, individuals may continue to serve and be appointed to the Committee for a service period of up to a maximum of three (3) years. At the end of a three-year term, an individual may not be eligible for reappointment for a period of one (1) year.
6. A person currently on the Board, on the Judging Committee, on the festival production and/or EOC, or a person who has directed, produced, acted in, or is affiliated with any film submitted to the festival in the current year is not eligible to sit on the Selection Committee.
7. Members of the Selection Committee must serve without remuneration but may be paid reasonable and necessary expenses that they may incur directly out of the performance of their duties.
8. The Selection Committee will review a short list of submitted qualifying Short Films, and mark entries on the criteria assigned on the festival’s web submission tool. The top 90 minutes (approximately) of Short Films shall be considered for screening. This is approximately 10 to 20 short films depending on the length of each individual film. Suggestions will be made If including films with tied scores would increase the running length of the festival over 90 minutes.
9. The Selection Committee members will be encouraged to include films that will help create a diverse, more inclusive program.
10. Program Reservations: A minimum of two spots of the festival are reserved for films with production ties to Vancouver Island, as chosen by the Selection Committee. Two spots in the program are reserved for the Festival Directors choice, which will be chosen after the Selection Committee makes their final selection decisions. Once the selection committee has made their selections, the program will be curated by the festival director.
11. The VISFF celebrates diverse voices and perspectives in the art of storytelling. Films with strong, well-told narratives by diverse filmmakers will be given priority over films with high technical achievement.
12. Decisions of the Selection Committee are final; there is no appeal process.
JUDGING COMMITTEE
1. There shall be a Vancouver Island Short Film Festival Judging Committee consisting of three (3) individuals appointed by a Board on the recommendation of the EOC and whose mandate shall be to jury short films nominated by the Selection Committee, as per criteria. Individuals forming part of the Judging Committee shall, in the opinion of the Board and EOC, be persons of integrity and ability and be knowledgeable of quality production in film.
2. It is intended that Judging Committee members be generally, but not exclusively, composed of industry experts, members of the media who are experts in film, members of film academia, educators or artists. Judging Committee members should be knowledgeable of various technical, aesthetic, narrative, and entertainment qualities of film.
3. The Judging Committee will select films to award Goldies, according to categories set by the Executive Steering Committee after watching all of the year’s selections. Some example awards, include, but are not limited to:
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Special Effects
Best Performance
Best Short Film
Best Writing
Best Directing
4. Wherever possible, the Judging Committee will include a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and demographic make-up.
5. The Judging Committee shall be composed of three (3) members for a one-year term, after which, individuals may continue to serve and be appointed to the Committee for a service period of up to a maximum of three (3) years. At the end of a three-year term, an individual may not be eligible for reappointment for a period of one (1) year.
6. A person currently on the Board, on the Selection Committee, on the festival production and/or EOC, or a person who has directed, produced, acted in, or is affiliated with any film submitted to the festival in the current year is not eligible to sit on the Judging Committee.
7. Members of the Judging Committee must serve without remuneration but may be paid reasonable and necessary expenses that they may incur directly out of the performance of their duties.
8. The VISFF promotes quality storytelling. Films with a strong, well-told story will be given priority over films with high technical achievement.
Decisions of the Judging Committee are final; there is no appeal process.
2024 YOUTH SHOWCASE
Submissions for the Youth Showcase will be extended until January 26th, 2024.
1. All films submitted must follow the full festival submission guidelines outlined above.
2. Acceptable submissions are limited to youth productions that are produced, written, directed, planned and technically executed entirely by the individual/team members. The involvement of parents, teachers and professionals is limited to minor, non-creative roles (ie. technical advice, funding). Directors, camera operators, editors, etc. must all be between 18 years old or younger.
3. Submissions may not include any:
- Copyrighted works without the permission of the copyright owner
- False or defamatory statements about any person or any third party.
- Third party trademarks that suggest affiliation with any trademark owner without the permission of such owner.
- Profanity, nudity, depictions of violence, threatening language, bullying, inappropriate, indecent, harmful, discriminatory, or obscene content, depiction of an act which is dangerous or suggests any person to undertake a dangerous activity.
