Competition May 8-12 2024

FESTIVAL RULES AND PARTICIPATION TERMS

DEADLINE
April 17 2027

PRODUCTION YEAR
Films must have been completed between2024 and 2026, Festival 2027 to be eligible for selection in the competition.

RUNNING TIME
Feature Films
Feature films must have a maximum running time of 120 minutes.

Short Films
Short films and other formats are subject to the requirements of their respective competition categories.

NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS
Filmmakers may submit as many films as they wish.
Each film will be considered as a separate submission and must independently meet the festival’s eligibility requirements and technical specifications.

PREMIERE STATUS
Please indicate whether your film, if selected, will have its Swedish, Nordic, European or World Premiere at the festival.
Premiere status may be included in the festival programme, on the festival website and in promotional and press material relating to the festival and the selected films.

SUBTITLES
Films that are not in Swedish or English must include Swedish or English subtitles.
Swedish subtitles are preferred but are not mandatory.
Subtitles help make films accessible to a wider audience and are strongly encouraged.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS AND SCREENING FORMATS
Submission Format
For the selection process, we accept:

Resolution: HD, 2K or 4K
File format: MP4 or MOV
Codec: H.264

The submitted film must be complete and suitable for screening, with good technical quality and no significant errors in picture or sound.
Festival Screening Format
For films selected for screening at a cinema or other professional screening venue, a high-quality screening master is preferred.

Preferred formats include:
• DCP, 2K or 4K
• Apple ProRes 422 or ProRes 422 HQ, MOV
• DNxHR HQ or HQX

DCP is the preferred format for professional cinema screenings.
The final screening resolution and format may depend on the technical capabilities of the specific screening venue.
The festival may request an alternative or additional screening format from selected filmmakers when required for technical reasons.
The festival reserves the right to test screening files before the festival and to contact the filmmaker if the submitted file does not meet the required technical standards.

ENTRY FEES AND REFUNDS
Once a film has been submitted to the festival competition, the administrative process of registration, review and selection begins.
Entry fees are therefore non-refundable once the submission has been completed.
This applies regardless of whether the film is subsequently selected for the festival.

COPYRIGHT AND THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS
The filmmaker is solely responsible for ensuring that the submitted film does not infringe any copyright, intellectual property rights or other rights belonging to third parties.
The filmmaker is also responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and licences for music, photographs,
film footage, artwork, archival material and any other material created by third parties and included in the film.
By submitting a film, the filmmaker confirms that all necessary rights and permissions have been obtained.
The festival shall not be held responsible for any claims, disputes or legal proceedings arising from
material included in the submitted film by the filmmaker.

USE OF FILM MATERIAL FOR FESTIVAL PROMOTION
By submitting a film, the filmmaker grants the festival permission to use trailers, excerpts, still images, posters,
the film title, synopsis, filmmaker’s name, production information and other promotional information
relating to the film for the purpose of promoting the festival and the participating films.
Such material may be used on the festival website, social media, printed materials, press releases, festival programmes,
presentations and other media or communication channels used to promote the festival.
This permission does not transfer ownership or copyright of the film to the festival.

CLASSIC EDITION
The festival reserves the right to screen films that have previously been submitted, selected or presented at the festival as part of a special Classic Edition, retrospective or other historical presentation.
The purpose of a Classic Edition is to highlight previously presented films and filmmakers, preserve the festival’s film history and promote outstanding earlier works in connection with future festival editions and related film events.
Such screenings may take place during a festival or as part of special film events and do not necessarily constitute a new competition screening.
Films presented as part of a Classic Edition will not be entered into a new competition without the filmmaker’s knowledge.
The purpose is to present and promote previously submitted or selected work as part of the festival’s cultural and historical programme.

PARTICIPATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT
The festival is a meeting place for filmmakers, audiences, volunteers, partners and festival staff.
We aim to create an environment where film, creativity, discussion and different opinions can exist with mutual respect.
By participating in the festival, filmmakers and other participants agree to comply with these rules.

RESPECTFUL AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
All participants are expected to behave respectfully and professionally towards festival staff, volunteers, filmmakers, audiences and partners.
Threats, harassment, discrimination, abusive or aggressive behaviour, or repeated disruption of festival activities will not be tolerated.
Festival staff and volunteers must be able to carry out their responsibilities without being subjected to threats, harassment or disrespectful behaviour.

CRITICISM AND REVIEWS
The festival respects the right of filmmakers to express criticism and to publish positive or negative reviews of their experience.
A negative review or critical opinion, by itself, will never be considered grounds for removing a filmmaker from the festival or revoking an award.
Participants are nevertheless expected to distinguish between personal experiences, opinions and factual statements.
Statements concerning the festival, its staff, volunteers or other participants must not knowingly contain false or misleading information.

FESTIVAL INFORMATION
The festival website and other information materials may contain both general information about the festival’s activities and specific information relating to a particular festival edition.
The official programme, information provided directly to participants and the terms applicable to the relevant festival edition constitute the basis for what is offered at that particular edition.
General information about the festival’s activities should therefore not automatically be understood as a guarantee that every activity will take place at every festival edition.
The festival may make changes to programmes, schedules, venues or activities due to practical, technical or unforeseen circumstances.

AWARDS AND HONOURS
An award presented by the festival represents the festival’s official recognition of a filmmaker or film.
The festival reserves the right, following a careful assessment of exceptional circumstances, to withdraw or amend an award or honour.
Such action will only be taken in exceptional circumstances, including serious misconduct, significant violations of the festival rules,
breaches of the competition terms, or circumstances arising that mean the festival can no longer reasonably stand behind the award.
An award will not be withdrawn solely because a filmmaker has expressed criticism of the festival.

FESTIVAL’S ASSESSMENT
The festival reserves the right to determine whether a participant’s conduct constitutes a violation of these rules.
Where necessary, the festival may request additional information or documentation before making a decision.
Decisions concerning participation, competition eligibility and the festival’s own awards are made by the festival management.

CHANGES AND APPLICATION
These rules apply to the festival edition specified on the festival website and may be updated for future editions.
These rules do not apply retroactively to previous festival editions.
The festival aims to treat all participants fairly and equally and to make decisions on reasonable, proportionate and documented grounds.