Rules & Regulations

PHXMF

Submission Rules

Your cinematic piece should be concise yet impactful, not exceeding 15 minutes including both the introduction and the end credits. Authenticity is key, as all footage must be filmed within the stipulated 5-day period. All final film submissions must be received by us no later than the submission deadline of September 1, 2024. As filmmakers, you hold the creative reins when it comes to selecting your shooting locations. However, it is your responsibility to secure the necessary permissions for filming at your chosen sites. We acknowledge the power of adult content in storytelling when used effectively. Themes such as strong language, sexual situations, and violence are permissible, provided they serve the narrative and aren’t merely included for shock value. The films will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of local filmmakers, celebrated actors, and distinguished producers.

Submission Process

Submit On FilmFreeway

All submissions will be received through Film Freeway only. No Exceptions.

This movie link must not require download and must remain active and accessible through the closing date of the festival.

Entry forms and payment will not be processed without an accompanying submission link in the accepted format.

Please include a Film poster, two film stills, and a director’s headshot with your entry. These can be emailed or included with the submission.

For (up to) a 5-minute interview, a set of questions about their chosen entry will be sent to the filmmaker.

The filmmaker is then responsible for editing answers to the questions into a high-resolution video, superimposed with our logo.

This completed edited video file must be sent back in the stipulated time communicated by the festival representative.

If the filmmaker wishes for the festival to take care of the editing, there will be a nominal fee to do so.

If the video is not received in the required format within the stipulated time, the festival reserves the right to disqualify the film.

Feel free to send along any additional press material, cast and crew bios or any other information about your film.

Filmmakers with Student IDs to submit the right category by providing Student ID.

Filmmakers 18 and under can submit their film in the respective category by providing a government-issued age-proof ID.

You can submit from all the countries as being student filmmaker, or producer; there are no restrictions. We consider films in any language but screened only in English. They need to be SUBTITLED, DUBBED in English or else the film will be disqualified. Festival is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged entries.

Exceptions to the festival regulations must be authorized by the Festival Director.

Multiple entries are permissible, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form and fee. Any situation related to music and copyrights belongs to the sender.

By submitting, you agree to publish your film’s trailers & images and you agree to share your data for promotional purposes.

Withdrawn films are considered they were disqualified and the fee will not be refunded.

All fees are non-refundable.

Submitting is not a guarantee of being programmed.

Written comments describing entries are beneficial.

Makers should authorize us to use the film in any platform independently or it will be disqualified.

Once the contest is over, winners can upload their films on IGTV only not on their YouTube channel.

ELIGIBILITY/ RIGHTS Submitted films should be the original work of the contestant.

We consider films regardless of their premiere status.

Limited to If your film has already premiered at another festival at a physical venue or on the festival’s site only.

Films available on the Internet are not eligible.

We consider films based on the competition program mentioned in the rules and regulations.

Features previously self-distributed by the filmmakers online are not eligible for consideration in Feature categories.

There are no additional eligibility criteria for short films.

All shorts are eligible! All screeners must be uploaded by the appropriate deadline.

Deadlines close at 11:59 PM PST.

We will contact entrants if there’s anything wrong with the submission.

If this occurs, you will need to fix the submission issue by the requested deadline, otherwise, we can’t guarantee that your film will be watched in time.

The films submitted to the contest will remain in the files of the Festival and the video archives. The works will not be commercially exploited.

Before any other different use, the authors will be contacted for receipt of the agreement.

The Film Festival has the right to exclude from the festival any film that is judged, at its sole discretion, not compliant with its ethical code or to the provisions of applicable law.

In case of exclusion, the festival fee that has already been paid will not be reimbursed.

We don’t provide screening fees.

The festival jury will also define, at its sole discretion, the winners of the festival categories.

The names of the winners will be announced on the festival’s official website, social media platforms and to the winners’ email addresses that are communicated at the time of the film submission.

The Festival reserves the right to opt for a different genre than the one the candidate chooses and indicated in the submission form; The Festival is not responsible for any spelling mistake or wrong information provided in the application.

The titles and names of filmmakers used in all promotional materials will always refer to the ones provided in the application.

Equally, title changes made by the filmmakers after the submission, may not be possible to alter, as such the applicant recognizes this at the moment of completing the submission.

The festival programmers do not share festival selection committee comments or ratings with the public or submit filmmakers. In fairness to all filmmakers, fee waiver requests will be declined.

Promotional materials of selected films become the property of the Film Festival and can be used to promote the Festival and the programs of the Festival in all mediums.