Different Faces Different Voices Film Festival '18

2018 FILM COMPETITION RULES AND TERMS

Please be sure to read the rules and regulations regarding each submission category (see below) under which you plan to submit. If you submit and your film is deemed ineligible because of noncompliance with our guidelines, no refund will be issued.

General Eligibility
1. All films in all categories are due by 11:59 PM on May 1st, 2018.

2. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time of submission.

3. Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via the participating submission platform - FilmFreeway.

4. IMPORTANT NOTE: The Different Faces, Different Voices Film Festival (DFDV Festival) is not responsible for the streaming quality of online screeners.

5. The Different Faces, Different Voices screens films as digital files during the Festival and does NOT screen films on Blu-Ray, HD-CAM, or DCP. If you are unable or unwilling to provide us your film as a digital file for exhibition, DO NOT SUBMIT your film.

6. Films with US distribution (obtained prior to being selected for the Different Faces, Different Voices screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for awards, but may be considered for a special screening. Selections for screening will be determined by May 25th, 2018.

7. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or commercially distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are not eligible for awards.

8. Short films that have played in the 2016 year's Different Faces, Different Voices Film Festival (featuring "Flicks4Chicks") are not eligible for submission. Additionally all films submitted to the "Flicks4Chicks" contest must make their premieres at the festival. (See further details below.)

9. Films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival may be considered for exhibition in one of the "Casting A Light" categories during the Festival but we prefer that shorts not be publicly available online.

10. Feature Films will be selected based on their ability to "spark a conversation" about race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, and socio-economic challenges. We prefer World, North American and US Premieres OR films that have not been screened in many years and are not widely available for viewing.

11. Private invite-only previously held screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a film’s eligibility

12. The DFDV Festival reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.

13. All decisions by judges, programmers and organizers shall be made at their sole discretion and will be FINAL.

14. You warrantee that you have exclusive rights to your film as well as any pertinent releases including but not limited to use of all actors’ images and performances, any location usage, any trademarked or copyrighted images and music which appear in the film. Harvard Square Script Writers’ reserves the right to request proof of such releases at any time before films are screened.

15. By submitting your film, you agree to allow Harvard Square Script Writers to exhibit your film in venues during its 2018 Different Faces Different Voices Festival, regardless of subsequent distribution deals secured after the submission process. You further agree to allow Harvard Square Script Writers usage, in perpetuity, of clips from the film and all related publicity material submitted for promotional use on television, radio, in print, web for purposes of promoting this and other Different Faces Different Voices events.

16. Digital exhibition format will be used at the Festival theatrical location. If your film is selected, you must supply the highest possible quality digital version for conversion to DCP. We recommend H.264.

17. The Different Faces Different Voices Festival has no responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to the materials you submit.

18. You authorize the use, without additional compensation, of your name, likeness, and/or voice and photograph for promotion and/or advertising purposes in any manner and in any medium now known or developed in the future throughout the world that Harvard Square Script Writers’ Different Faces Different Voices Film Festival deems appropriate.

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 are acknowledging 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 the film, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. The Different Faces, Different Voices Festival expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

3. By submitting an entry, you agree to the Rules, Terms, and Conditions as set forth above, and further agree to indemnify and hold the Harvard Square Script Writers and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, agents, co-branders , sponsors, or other partners, and any of their employees (collectively, the "Festival Indemnitees"), harmless from any and all claims, damages, expenses, costs (including attorneys’ reasonable fees) and liabilities (including settlements), brought or asserted by any third party against any of the Festival Indemnitees due to or arising out of your film and any other materials you submit in this Festival, or your conduct during and in connection with this Festival, including but not limited to claims of violation of copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights, right of publicity, right of privacy or defamation.

4. This contest shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

CATEGORY REQUIREMENTS:

FLICKS4CHICKS CONTEST '18 - RULES AND TERMS

Choose among the loglines created by the festival organizers, create your original film in 4 months, and WIN BIG. The loglines will be sent to you upon sign-up on FilmFreeway. Select one and submit your choice to us at admin@hsswriters.com. Upload your film when it's done with its title, producer of record and the previously selected logline.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU MUST FIRST SET UP AN ACCOUNT WITH FilmFreeway BEFORE YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THIS CONTEST.

FOR PURPOSES OF INITIAL CONTEST SIGNUP, WE ONLY NEED YOUR NAME, A PLACE-HOLDER PROJECT TITLE SUCH AS FILMBYYOUR_NAME, AND BASIC SUBMITTER INFO. FROM YOUR ACCOUNT.

ONCE YOUR ACCOUNT IS SET UP, YOU CAN LOG IN AND SELECT THIS CONTEST FROM THE CHOICE OF FESTIVAL FILM CATEGORIES AND PAY THE SIGN-UP FEE. IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A DISCOUNT CODE, YOU WILL ENTER THAT IN YOUR CART, UPON PAYMENT. YOU WILL RECEIVE A WELCOME FROM US WITHIN 48 HOURS OF SIGN-UP.

AT ANY TIME BETWEEN DECEMBER 8TH AND APRIL 20TH YOU MAY OPEN UP YOUR PROJECT FILE AND SUBMIT YOUR COMPLETED FILM TO FLICKS4CHICKS. BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE ASSIGNED LOGLINE AS A REFERENCE.

1. All films must be submitted by 11:59 PM on May 1st via the FilmFreeway portal. No editing or revisions are permitted after entry.

2. One of the main characters must be a female.

3. A woman must hold AT LEAST ONE of the following lead creative roles: Producer, Director, Writer, Director of Photography, or Editor.

4. All submissions must be 10 minutes or shorter in length, including credits.

5. You must be 18 years or older to submit or your project must be submitted by a designated legal Producer of Record who is over the age of 21.

6. Each team may only produce and submit 1 film.

7. The story must be based on the logline you have selected from the Flicks4Chicks options.

8. Do NOT send press kits.

9. Only entries submitted through FilmFreeway.com will be processed and considered for screening and awards. Submissions made in any other manner will not be accepted.

10. Only entries produced and completed between December 8th 2017 and May 1st 2018 will be eligible.

11. Material gathered or shot before December 8th will not be accepted.

12. Participants whose films are selected to be screened at the Different Faces Different Voices Festival will be contacted by email and/or phone at least 3 weeks prior to the festival.

13. Award Possibilities may include but are not limited to:

Best “Beyond The Bechdel Test” Concept
Best Different Faces Different Voices Diversity Depiction (breaking down stereotypes)
Best Comedy
Best Drama
Best Storyline
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Dialogue
Best Musical Score
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Direction

14. Winners must show accurate photo identification to claim their prizes.

15. Awards will be given to the specific winner, e.g., the Best Editor prize will be given to the best editor; the Best Film Prize will be awarded to the Producer of Record, etc.

16. Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.

CASTING A LIGHT, CATEGORY I: SELDOMSCENE NARRATIVE SHORTS - RULES AND TERMS

Submit a narrative film that tells an unusual story about people who are seldom found in mainstream media – specific ethnic groups; religious groups; racial groups; socio-economic groups. Some examples include: individuals struggling with the effects of poverty; unwed parents of either gender; individuals who have lived through abortion or miscarriage; prisoner and ex-prisoners; veterans; individuals who have worked in the sex trade/escort trade; individuals with mental illness; individuals with intellectual disabilities; individuals with physical disabilities; individuals who have experienced catastrophic injuries or illnesses; individuals abused because of race or gender or ethnic background; individuals with degrees of autism; etc.

We are also looking for unusual takes on the female experience - films about coming of age, or sismances (we've all heard of bromances, right?) or stories of creativity or leadership or heroism with women as the main characters.

1. Films are due to FilmFreeway by 11:59 PM on May 1st 2018.
2. All entries must have been produced and completed between between January 1977 and May 1st 2018.
3. The film must be 15 minutes or shorter in length.

CASTING A LIGHT, CATEGORY II : SELDOMSCENE NARRATIVE FEATURES - RULES AND TERMS

Submit a narrative film that tells an unusual story about people who are seldom found in mainstream media – specific ethnic groups; religious groups; racial groups; socio-economic groups. Some examples include: individuals struggling with the effects of poverty; unwed parents of either gender; individuals who have lived through abortion or miscarriage; prisoner and ex-prisoners; veterans; individuals who have worked in the sex trade/escort trade; individuals with mental illness; individuals with intellectual disabilities; individuals with physical disabilities; individuals who have experienced catastrophic injuries or illnesses; individuals abused because of race or gender or ethnic background; individuals with degrees of autism; etc.

We are also looking for unusual takes on the female experience - films about coming of age, or sismances (we've all heard of bromances, right?) or stories of creativity or leadership or heroism with women as the main characters.

1. Films are due to FilmFreeway by 11:59 PM on May 1st 2018.
2. All entries must have been produced and completed between between January 1977 and May 1st 2018.
3. The film must be 120 minutes or shorter in length.
4. The Festival will cap at 30 submissions, so early submission is encouraged.

CASTING A LIGHT, CATEGORY III: DocU30 - RULES AND TERMS

Submit a documentary film that tells an unusual story about people who are seldom found in mainstream media – specific ethnic groups; religious groups; racial groups; socio-economic groups. Some examples include: individuals struggling with the effects of poverty; unwed parents of either gender; individuals who have lived through abortion or miscarriage; prisoner and ex-prisoners; veterans; individuals who have worked in the sex trade/escort trade; individuals with mental illness; individuals with intellectual disabilities; individuals with physical disabilities; individuals who have experienced catastrophic injuries or illnesses; individuals abused because of race or gender or ethnic background; individuals with degrees of autism; etc.

We are also looking for unusual takes on the female experience - films about coming of age, or sismances (we've all heard of bromances, right?) or stories of creativity or leadership or heroism with women as the main characters.

1. Films are due to FilmFreeway by 11:59 PM on May 1st 2018.
2. All entries must have been produced and completed between between January 1977 and May 1st 2018.
3. The film must be 30 minutes or shorter in length.
4. The Festival will cap at 40 submissions, so early submission is encouraged.

CASTING A LIGHT, CATEGORY III: DocU90 - RULES AND TERMS

Submit a documentary film that tells an unusual story about people who are seldom found in mainstream media – specific ethnic groups; religious groups; racial groups; socio-economic groups. Some examples include: individuals struggling with the effects of poverty; unwed parents of either gender; individuals who have lived through abortion or miscarriage; prisoner and ex-prisoners; veterans; individuals who have worked in the sex trade/escort trade; individuals with mental illness; individuals with intellectual disabilities; individuals with physical disabilities; individuals who have experienced catastrophic injuries or illnesses; individuals abused because of race or gender or ethnic background; individuals with degrees of autism; etc.

We are also looking for unusual takes on the female experience - films about coming of age, or sismances (we've all heard of bromances, right?) or stories of creativity or leadership or heroism with women as the main characters.

1. Films are due to FilmFreeway by 11:59 PM on May 1st 2018.
2. All entries must have been produced and completed between between January 1977 and May 1st 2018.
3. The film must be 90 minutes or shorter in length.
4. The Festival will cap at 30 submissions, so early submission is encouraged.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Different Faces Different Voices Festival does NOT waive entry fees. We believe waiving entry fees impacts the integrity of the competition. The same rules and entry fees should apply to all applicants so no one film is favored over another.

Judging and Coverage

1. The Different Faces Different Voices Festival 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. The Different Faces Different Voices Festival explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by the DFDV Festival judges or by its volunteers.

Additional Information

1. We strongly encourage filmmakers to submit ONLY their fully-finished film. We 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. Should the film be accepted for screening during the Festival, the filmmaker may have the opportunity to supply the festival with their most recent version, given extreme extenuating circumstances such as a corrupted file.

2. Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund.

3. You MUST include your physical address, email address, and all contact information with your entry.