2021 STUDIOFEST FILM AND SCREENPLAY COMPETITION RULES

The following rules govern all film submissions to StudioFest VR Experience (the “Festival”)

General Eligibility

1. Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form.

2. Short films, feature length films, Short screenplays, and feature length submissions are all eligible to submit.

3. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted. All screenplays must be in English.

4. Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway) or a password-protected streaming URL.

5. In the event of a password change or link change after submitting, you must email the Festival at contact@studiofest.com immediately with that change so we may update your record. If the Festival is not notified of the change and the link is found to be inactive or the password to be incorrect, the submission may be deemed ineligible.

6. StudioFest VR Experience 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.

7. Films must be available for screening during StudioFest VR Experience, September 17 - 19, 2021.

8. Films that have been submitted to a StudioFest Event in previous years are eligible to be resubmitted, provided they are eligible according to all of StudioFest’s current rules.

9. Films with US distribution (obtained prior to being selected for StudioFest VR Experience's screening) or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for a special screening. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival. Films that have screened on US network or cable television or distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are also ineligible for competition.

10. Filmmakers that have directed a feature film are now eligible for competition. Screenwriters that have had a feature length screenplay of their creation produced are now eligible for competition.

11. StudioFest VR Experience reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.

12. Films that are selected to screen at the Festival may not necessarily be selected to be “in competition” for awards purposes. Notifications regarding potential selection for competition status may occur subsequent to notifications of acceptance for exhibition.

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. StudioFest VR Experience 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 StudioFest VR Experience’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 StudioFest VR Experience in connection with the dispute.

3. You MUST include your physical address either in your entry or in your cover letter. Please do not submit a film without giving us your address, which we need for our records.

4. Payments made with a check are subject to our Bounced Check Policy: If we receive a returned check from our bank for a payment you made, you will be invoiced for the original amount of the check plus a $25 bounced check fee. The payment of the invoiced amount will be due within 30 days of invoice date. We will not re-submit the original check, nor will we accept another check for repayment. Repayment must be made by money order or cashier’s check.

Selected Films and Winners

1. Finalists will be sent an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset in order to attend our VR event. The value of said headset is approximately $300 USD.

2. Winners will be offered the opportunity to partner with StudioFest in the production of a feature film. StudioFest VR Experience intends to financially back the production with a micro-budget (50-100 thousand dollars). StudioFest additionally will seek to augment the quality of the production through partnerships and sponsorships with other filmmaking entities.

3. StudioFest VR Experience 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.

4. StudioFest VR Experience explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by StudioFest VR Experience or by its volunteers.

5. Winners will be announced on August 18th, 2021. The judges’ decision is final.

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

7. StudioFest VR Experience reserves the right to not select a winner or to select multiple winners.

RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

DVDs and press materials will not be returned under any circumstances. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your entry.

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, StudioFest VR Experience 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.