The Shenandoah Youth Film Festival

Submitting to our call for entries means that you fully understand and agree to our rules and terms.

A. Rules

-- Submissions can only be made online at filmfreeway.com.
-- Each film submitted will have to pay a $1 entry fee if submitted before April 3, 2021. Late Submissions will last until April 24, 2021, and will be $5 for each film.
-- There are no refunds.
-- By submitting your film, you have up until the close of our submission date, April 24, 2021, to withdraw your film. After that date, if your film is selected, you will be required to give us a high-resolution digital copy of it (video specifications will be clarified at this time.)
-- The Shenandoah Film Collaborative will inform all entrants whether their submissions have been accepted or not through FilmFreeway.
-- If you get signed by a distribution company that requires us to pay a screening film for your film, please email us at festivals@shenfilms.org stating your situation. Depending on how close it is to our film festival, we are happy to release you from consideration; however, we will not pay a screening fee under any considerations. We are not an organization that is focused on profit and are trying to make a positive difference in this world.
-- The Festival/Event Committee and Shenandoah Film Collaborative Board of Directors reserve the right to rule on cases not covered by these regulations.

B. Eligibility

-- There is no minimum or maximum runtime requirement for submissions.
-- Filmmakers must have been between the ages of 14 and 25 years old during the making of the film. Films made as far back as 2018 will be considered.
-- All films that are not in English must be subtitled or dubbed into English.

C. Selection Criteria

-- The Selection Committee is actively looking for stories that are culturally authentic and relevant. Diverse community representation is encouraged.
-- Film content should be creative, highly original, and demonstrate ingenuity. Being a festival targeted towards young creatives, filmmakers will not be penalized for any disparities of technical mastery.
-- Films must NOT include content that advocates and supports harmful racial, cultural, religious, or gender bias.
-- Being a family-oriented event, films that are more appropriate for all ages will receive higher consideration. However, we will not disqualify any film that might have more mature content (e.g. profanity, nudity, violence, etc.)
-- All films must be completed to be considered for the festival. Incomplete films will be accepted initially, however, final cuts must be provided to The Shenandoah Film Collaborative prior to the end of the selection process.

D. Acceptance

-- Acceptance is determined by reviewers in a three-round review process.
-- Reviewers are selected through the sole discretion of the Shenandoah Film Collaborative.
-- If selected, the filmmaker agrees to have the film be a part of the programming screened at The Shenandoah Youth Festival from June 19th to July 3rd, 2021. The screening will occur virtually through Eventive.
-- If selected, the filmmaker must provide us with the film file in MP4 or MOV format plus all information requested by The Shenandoah Film Collaborative by the deadline provided.
-- All films selected will be eligible for festival awards depending on their criteria. Some awards will have a physical prize and will be shipped to winners.

E. Schedule

-- Early submissions ($1) will be accepted from February 15, 2021, until April 3, 2021.
-- Late and final submissions ($5) will be accepted from April 3, 2021, until April 24, 2021.
-- Filmmakers will be notified by May 7, 2021, if their film has been accepted.
-- Film information requested by The Shenandoah Film Collaborative is due by May 14, 2021.
-- The film trafficking deadline is May 17, 2021. Final cuts of incomplete films are due at this trafficking deadline. Otherwise, the incomplete film will be shown instead.
-- Films may be disqualified if required information is not provided by the above deadlines.
-- The Shenandoah Youth Festival will occur from June 19 until July 3, 2021.

F. Correspondence

-- All correspondence should be made through email at festivals@shenfilms.org
-- All correspondence to The Shenandoah Film Collaborative management, including entry forms and support materials, must be in the English language.

G. Warranties/Representations, Right of Use and Indemnity

By making a submission:

1) The filmmaker warrants and represents that the film is the filmmaker’s original work and that the filmmaker has obtained any and all rights and permissions needed for the Shenandoah Film Collaborative to show the film in public and to use the film, or portions thereof, in promotional materials in any medium.

2) The filmmaker grants the Shenandoah Youth Festival and/or the Shenandoah Film Collaborative the right to use the filmmaker’s name, image and likeness, and biographical information, in promotional materials in any medium.

3) The filmmaker agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless The Shenandoah Youth Festival and the Shenandoah Film Collaborative and each of their employees and volunteers, from and against any and all claims, suits, actions, demands, liabilities, losses, costs, damages or arising from or connected with the filmmaker’s submission.