Indie Short Film Festival

Film Submission Rules:

All film submissions must have a total running time less than 30 minutes and International and Domestic films are eligible.

All screenplay submissions MUST not exceed 25 pages, YOUR SCREENPLAY WILL BE DISQUALIFIED WITHOUT WARNING AND YOUR SUBMISSION FEE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED (Rules for Script Submissions are at the end of this section)

Film Submissions must not be X-Rated.
Filmmakers must have the cleared rights of all materials appearing in the film such as: talent (actors), music, art, etc and hold the Indie Short Film Series and its organizers and sponsor affiliates harmless of any liability associated with showing the film publicly.

BELOW IS THE LONG FORM:

Terms and Conditions:

I, the authorized representative of the project being submitted (hereafter called the "Project") to INDIE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (hereafter called the “ISFF” or "INDIE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL") for consideration for the INDIE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (hereafter called the “Festival”), hereby acknowledge the following:

1. I represent and warrant to the ISFF that: (a) I am duly authorized, on my own behalf and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights or interests (including, without limitation, intellectual property rights) in or relating to the Project (hereafter called the “Project’s Owners”), to exhibit this Project at the Festival, (b) exhibition of the Project at the Festival will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity; and (c) the Project is not subject to any litigation, arbitration, or other adversarial claim or proceeding, nor is the Project the subject of any threat of litigation, arbitration, or other adverse claim or proceeding.

2. I further represent and warrant, on behalf of myself and the Project’s Owners, that the exhibition of the Project at the Festival will not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity, and that the Project does not constitute or include a defamation of any person or entity. I have paid and will pay in full all license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from or associated with the exhibition of the Project at or in connection with the Festival.

3. In the event that the Project is accepted by the ISFF for inclusion in the Festival, I acknowledge, on behalf of myself and the Project’s Owners, that the ISFF’ exhibition or presentation of the Project at the Festival does not and will not create any confidential or fiduciary relationship between the ISFF on the one hand and myself and/or the Project’s Owners on the other. I further acknowledge, on behalf of myself and the Project’s Owners, that I and we understand that neither I nor any of the Project’s Owners will receive any compensation for such exploitation, although some prizes at the Festival may include cash awards. I acknowledge that no obligation of any kind is assumed by, or may be implied against, the ISFF or the Festival in the event of, by virtue of, or as a result of the ISFF' selection of the Project for the Festival. I and the Project’s Owners understand and acknowledge that the selection of the Project for inclusion in the Festival does not and will not in any way constitute an express or implied endorsement or approval by the ISFF or the Festival of the content of the Project or any opinion expressed therein.

4. I agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, to indemnify and hold harmless the ISFF and the Festival, together with each of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, creative advisors, agents and representatives (collectively, “ISFF Related Parties”), from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that may be asserted by any person or entity, or may be incurred by the Institute, the Festival, or any ISFF Related Parties, at any time in connection with the Project or the ISFF' use, handling, consideration or exhibition thereof, and/or arising from any breach or alleged breach of any representation made by me to the ISFS, the Festival or any ISFF Related Parties, including, without limitation, any express or implied representation in these Terms and Conditions.

5. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that the Project is being submitted to the ISFF voluntarily and without promise or inducement, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of the ISFF, the Festival, or any ISFF Related Parties to accept the Project for inclusion in the Festival, to exhibit the Project at the Festival, to acknowledge the submission of the Project, or to return the Project to me or others. I further agree, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Project’s Owners, that I and the Project’s Owners, and any other representative or person affiliated with the Project, in submitting the Project for consideration, are waiving, forfeiting, forgoing and relinquishing any right that I or we might otherwise have to assert any claim or commence any proceeding in any forum or tribunal against the ISFF, the Festival, or any ISFF Related Parties, based upon, arising out of or otherwise relating to the submission, exhibition or failure to exhibit the Project (including, without limitation, claims relating to any failure or refusal to exhibit the Project at the Festival, the exhibition or marketing of the Project at or in connection with the Festival, alleged oral or written representations by the Festival or its representatives relating to the submission or exhibition of the Project, and any other matters arising from or relating to the submission of the Project), whether such claims may be based on theories of contract, implied contract, tort, statute, or other legal theory (hereinafter, “Claim”). In the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, in violation of the agreement set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, I agree, on my own behalf and on behalf of each of the Project’s Owners, to indemnify the ISFF and the Festival from any and all Claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that are incurred by the ISFF, the Festival and any ISFF Related Parties as a result of or in connection with any such Claim or any action, arbitration or other proceeding brought in violation of the representations and agreements set forth in this paragraph.

6. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above and paragraph 10 below, I further agree and accept that, in the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, by me, any of the Project’s Owners, or any other representative of or person affiliated with the Project, in violation of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above, and in the further event that an arbitrator or other tribunal should permit such Claim to proceed despite the waiver language set forth in paragraph 5 above, the sole and maximum remedy that could be awarded to me or any other person or entity asserting any Claim shall be a refund of the submission fee paid in connection with the submission of the Project to the ISFF for consideration for the Festival. Under no circumstances shall any other remedy, including without limitation actual, expectancy, reliance, consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or any other damages, or injunctive, declaratory, provisional or other relief, be available to me, the Project’s Owners, or any other person or entity representing or affiliated with the Project.

7. In the event that the Project is accepted by the ISFF for inclusion in and exhibition at the Festival, I hereby grant, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, each of the following rights to the ISFF, the Festival, and any ISFF Related Parties without reservations, conditions or qualifications: (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Project for promotional purposes; (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the filmmakers and the Project and to use all associated names, likenesses and biographical information; (c) the right to screen the film at the festival and/associated event and if the film wins an award at the festival, ISFF reserves the right to screen the film in a festival winners' showcase without additional cost. I also agree to provide up-to-date contact information pertaining to the director(s) and producer(s) of the Project, and to grant the ISFS and the Festival, at their sole and absolute discretion, the right to provide this information to film industry organizations that sponsor Festival events.

8. In the event that the Project is accepted by the ISFF for inclusion in and exhibition at the Festival, and I or the Project’s Owners have contractual obligations to any producers, distributors, creators, cast or crew regarding "festival benefits" (which may include but are not limited to production credits, screening tickets, Festival credentials or monetary compensation), I agree and accept that those “festival benefits” must be administered and distributed by myself and/or the Project’s Owners, and do not impact the nature or quantity of benefits provided by ISFF.

9. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that the ISFF has made no claims, representations or guarantees, and has provided no assurances, in relation to the internal process utilized by the Institute with respect to selection of projects for inclusion in the Festival, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of the ISFF, the Festival, or any ISFF Related Parties to provide me, the Project’s Owners, or my or their related parties with comments, feedback or other information pertaining to the viewing or consideration of the Project by the ISFF for possible inclusion in the Festival.

10. I warrant and agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that by submitting the Project to the Indie Short Film Festival, I hereby grant the ISFF and all persons employed by, contracted by, or otherwise directly associated with ISFF the irrevocable right to view and/or download all digital assets associated with the Project, including, but not limited to, any representation of the Project in the form of video files, still images, assets streamed via the Internet, and/or all other assets and information provided by the Applicant on the application. All digital assets referenced above shall remain active and accessible by the ISFF until the conclusion of the Festival. Any dissemination of these materials, incidental or otherwise, shall not be the responsibility of the ISFF or any ISFF Related Parties.

11. I represent that I am 18 years of age or older, or that, if I am younger than the legal age to enter into contracts in my state, I have provided the Indie Short Film Series with signed, written consent from my parent or legal guardian.

12. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth in paragraph 5 above, I further agree, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, that any claim, dispute or controversy arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise related to the Project, the Festival, or these Terms and Conditions, including, without limitation, any Claim (as this term is defined above) and any other claim or cause of action of any nature arising from the actual or alleged breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity of these Terms and Conditions, as well as the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, will be governed by the internal, substantive laws of the State of Virginia and will be subject to and submitted to exclusive, binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Charlottesville, Virginia, which shall be the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such claim, dispute or controversy. The arbitrator shall issue a written award and, subject to the terms of paragraph 6 hereof, shall have the right to award monetary relief. I specifically agree and acknowledge, however, that the arbitrator shall not have the power to award punitive or exemplary damages, nor shall the arbitrator have the power to order the Institute to include the Project in the Festival or to award other injunctive or non-monetary relief. The arbitrator shall have the power to award, and shall be required to award, to the substantially prevailing party in any such arbitration, its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration (including, without limitation, reimbursement of that party’s share of the arbitrator’s fees and administrative charges). The arbitrator’s award shall be final, binding and non-appealable. Judgment on the arbitrator’s award may be entered in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction in the United States. In agreeing to this exclusive arbitration provision, I hereby waive, forfeit and relinquish, on behalf of myself and each of the Project’s Owners, any right or entitlement that I or the Project’s Owners might otherwise have had to bring or litigate any claim or claims encompassed by this paragraph in any federal or state court against the Institute, the Festival, or any Indie Short Film Series Related Party, and further waive, forfeit and relinquish any right to a trial by jury with respect to such claim or claims.

13. I hereby acknowledge that I have the right to consult with an attorney of my own choosing with respect to these Terms and Conditions and with respect to the Rules and Regulations for submitting a project to the Festival. By completing my submission application for the Indie short Film Festival's consideration, I agree that I am doing so after having consulted with an attorney or after I freely or voluntarily elected not to do so without coercion or duress.

14. I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the Rules and Regulations for submitting a project to the Festival, and that the information contained in said Rules and Regulations does and shall supersede any information obtained elsewhere, including, but not limited to, information contained in any current Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents and/or rules and regulations documents from prior years.

15. By completing my submission application for INDIE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL consideration via FilmFreeway, I freely and voluntarily give and express my full and complete acceptance of all of the terms and provisions set forth in these Terms and Conditions. I acknowledge that no oral representations, inducements, promises or assurances of any kind, and no representations, inducements, promises or assurances not set forth in these Terms and Conditions, have been made to me or the Project’s Owners by the Festival, or any INDIE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL Related Parties.

Screenplay Rules:

1) As an attempt to reduce as much bias as possible, the cover page should include the title and last name of the writer and email address if the email does not have reference to gender, ethnicity, or other identifying references. Logline and genre on the cover page is preferred, but not required.
2) Co-writers are allowed. Only one name permitted as the entrant. Prizes will be awarded to the entrant of the script.
3) PDF document submission required. Material should be submitted in proper format, font, spacing, and margins.
4) Script should be no more than 25 pages in length. All genres are allowed.
5) No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.
6) All rights to the material remain with the entrant, whether they place as a finalist or not.
7) Submitted scripts must be the original work of the entrant and shall not infringe on any copyrights or other rights of third parties.
8) The script entered must not have been previously produced.
9) Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry.
10) International and Domestic screenplays are eligible.

IsFF GREENLIGHT FILM PITCH COMPETITION RULES:

1. Eligibility
-- Open to independent filmmakers (individuals or teams) aged 18 and older
-- All genres accepted: narrative, documentary, animation, experimental
-- Applicants may submit one (1) project per festival year
-- Submissions must be original and owned by the applicant(s)
-- Film production must be produced 100% in the United States

2. Project Requirements (Micro-Budget Category)
-- All projects must be designed as micro-budget films, with a maximum total budget of $5,000 USD
-- The submitted budget must demonstrate a clear and realistic plan to complete the film within this limit
-- Production must NOT begin prior to the in-person pitch presentation at ISFF 2027
-- The winning project must be completed within 12 months of the award date
-- The completed film must be delivered in time for consideration to screen at the 2028 Indie Short Film Festival

3. Submission Requirements
Required:

Pitch Deck, including:
Logline
Synopsis
Director’s Vision
Visual Style / Lookbook
Target Audience
Production Plan & Timeline
Detailed Budget Breakdown (aligned with $5,000 cap)
Key Creative Team

Optional:
Proof-of-concept video, teaser, or prior work samples

4. Finalist Selection & Pitch Event
-- Selected finalists will be invited to present live at ISFF 2027
-- Each finalist will receive official notification and presentation guidelines

Pitch Format:
-- 5–7 minute verbal pitch presentation
-- 3–5 minute Q&A session with judges
-- Visual aids (slides, video, etc.) are permitted

5. Judging Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on:
-- Originality & Creativity
-- Story Strength & Concept
-- Feasibility within micro-budget constraints
-- Director’s Vision & Execution Plan
-- Audience engagement potential
-- Pitch delivery and clarity

6. Award & Funding Structure
-- $5,000 Micro-Budget Production Award
-- The award will be administered through a milestone-based disbursement model with ISFF oversight. Funds will not be distributed as a lump sum.

To Participate in the Film Pitch Competition visit the website www.IndieshortFilmFestival.net