2025 NYACK Phone & Drone FILM FESTIVAL FILM COMPETITION RULES
The following rules govern all film submissions to the Nyack Phone, Drone & AI Film Festival (“NPDAIFF” or the “Festival”)
All films must be produced with at least 50% drone, UAV or AI footage.
Please Note: Nyack Phone, Drone & AI Festival does not waive entry fees. NPDAIFF believes waiving entry fees hurts the integrity of the competition. The same rules and entry fees should apply to all applicants so no one film is favored over another. In a similar respect, NPDAIFF does not invite films to be in competition and does not pay a screening fee. Only films that are submitted will be considered for competition.
General Eligibility:
1. Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.
2. Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via FilmFreeway.
3. Films must have been completed after January 1, 2021. Films must be available for screening during the Nyack Phone Drone & AI Festival, August 23rd, 2025.
4. Selections for screening will be determined no later than 21 days prior to the festival.
5. Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a film’s eligibility.
6. NPDAIFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
7. NPDAIFF does not pay screening fees for any film submitted to the festival.
Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY
1. Films must be the original work of the applicants. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.
2. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. NPDAIFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
Additional Information:
1. We strongly encourage filmmakers to submit their film only after it is fully finished and will judge each submission as a completed work, whether it is or not. Once a film is entered, we will not update the submission with a more recent cut. That said, because NPDAIFF’s focus is on story, minor technical changes will not affect the final decision of any film. Should the film be accepted to play during the Festival, the filmmaker will have the opportunity to supply the Festival with their most recent version.
2. Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by NPDAIFF in connection with the dispute.
3. If needed due to Covid-19 and in person attendance is still a risk we will offer your film for an online experience to our audience.
By entering, you authorize that your work is cleared for festival exhibition and accept full legal responsibility for the intellectual property therein. Entry into the festival constitutes permission to exhibit your work at the festival and on the festival’s website and social media. The Nyack Phone, Drone & AI Film Festival reserves the right to use excerpts of any submitted film for promotional purposes only, including but not limited to broadcast on TV or the Internet.
Selected Films and Winners:
1. NPDAIFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of screeners or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted project; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.
2. NPDAIFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by NPDAIFF or by its volunteers.
3. Winners will be announced no later than August 30th, 2025. The judges’ decision is final.
COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
COMPETITION CERTIFICATION:
-I/We have read all of the rules, understand, and have complied with these rules.
-I/We warrant the submission of my/our original work and that there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission.
-I/We also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead.
-To the best of my/our knowledge, all the statements herein are true and correct.
-I/We understand that failure to adhere to the competition rules and regulations will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee.
-I/We acknowledge that once an entry payment has been processed, NPDAIFF will not provide a refund.
-No revisions of materials will be accepted once entry has been submitted.
BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, I/WE HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
