2025 ILLUMINATE Film Festival Micro-Short Contest Rules & Regulations

Welcome to the 2025 ILLUMINATE Film Festival Micro-Short Contest! Below are the official rules that all participants must follow. By entering the Contest, you agree to these rules.

  1. Eligibility
  • The Contest is open to individuals and teams (Entrant).
  • If entering as a team, each team must designate an Entrant Representative (ER) who is at least 18 years old to handle all communications with the Festival.
  • Participants under 18 must have parental or guardian consent, and the ER must confirm this during submission.
  • Employees, officers, agents of the Festival, Contest judges, and their immediate family or household members are not eligible to participate.
  1. Submission Requirements
  • Deadline: All submissions must be uploaded via FilmFreeway by 11:59 PM PST on March 17, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Entry Duration: Entries must be no longer than 90 seconds, with an additional 10 seconds allowed for end credits. Opening titles and graphics count toward the 90-second limit.
  • Technical Requirements: Films must be: 
    • Formatted 16:9 horizontal (landscape).
    • Submitted in a digital file format compatible with FilmFreeway requirements.
  • Original Work: All Entries must be original creations of the Entrant and must have been completed after January 1, 2023.
  • Copyright Compliance: You must obtain permission for all copyrighted materials (e.g., music, footage, images) or ensure they are in the public domain.
  • Prohibited Content: Entries must not include obscene, defamatory, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate content. The Illuminate Film Festival (Festival) reserves the right to disqualify any Entry at its sole discretion.
  1. Rights Granted by Entrants
  • By entering this contest, Entrant grants the Festival a non-exclusive, gratis, royalty-free license to: 
    • Reproduce, display , and distribute the Entry for any Contest-related purposes.
    • Share your Entry in all media formats, worldwide, in perpetuity for promotional, educational, and any other Festival-related uses.
    • Submit your Entry to other film festivals or distribute it on additional platforms as determined by the Festival.
  • Moral Rights Waiver: By entering, you waive any “moral rights” (e.g., the right to object to edits or changes) in connection with the Entry.
  1. Representations and Warranties
  • By submitting this Entry, you confirm: 
    • The content is your original work and/or does not infringe on any third-party rights.
    • You have secured all necessary permissions for music, talent, locations, and other elements in your film.
    • You have the authority to grant the Festival all rights defined in these rules.
  • You agree to indemnify and hold the Festival harmless from any claims, damages, or liabilities arising from the display of your Entry.
  1. Judging and Awards
  • Entries will be judged based on: 
    • Creative merit (concept, story, performances, etc.).
    • Technical execution (picture quality, sound quality, editing skill, and overall production values).
    • Adherence to the theme (how well your film reflects the Contest theme).
  • Prizes, which may include cash awards, equipment, and mentorships, will be announced on the Festival’s website.
  • The Festival’s decisions regarding judging and awards are final and binding.
  1. Limitation of Liability
  • The Festival is not responsible for technical malfunctions, delays, or submission errors.
  • Entrants waive the right to seek injunctive relief or any equitable remedies in connection with their Entry or the Contest.
  • The Festival’s total liability for any claims will be limited to direct monetary damages.
  1. Disputes
  • All disputes must be resolved through binding arbitration in Santa Barbara County, California, under the JAMS Comprehensive Arbitration Rules and Procedures.
  • Entrants must notify the Festival of any claims within 30 days of becoming aware of an issue, and the Festival will have 30 days to resolve the claim before arbitration may be initiated.
  1. Acknowledgment and Agreement
  • By submitting an Entry, you acknowledge: 
    • Your submission is made voluntarily and not in confidence.
    • The Festival is not obligated to screen or exhibit your Entry.
    • You understand and agree to all terms described in these Rules & Regulations.
  1. Key Dates
  • Submission Deadline: March 17, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST.
  • Finalist Notifications: April 21, 2025.
  • Winners Announced: Between May 1–4, 2025.

Contact Information

For questions or technical issues, please contact the Festival at programming@illuminatefilmfestival.com or visit www.illuminatefilmfestival.com.