Types of Films
Short films under 16 Minutes. Docu-style or narrative.
Feature over 40 minutes. Docu-style or narrative.
General Eligibility
Submissions must be accompanied by the applicable submission fee PER ENTRY and a completed online entry form. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted.
Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via a participating submission platform (FilmFreeway), a password-protected streaming URL formatting only (please test before sending).
In the event of a password change or link change after submitting, you must email the Festival at ssantiago@lo3energy.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.
GEF 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 the exhibition, DO NOT SUBMIT your film.
Films must have been completed after Jan 1, 2005. Films must be available for screening in September 2019.
Short films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival may be considered for exhibition during the Festival, but may not be eligible for Awards. We prefer that shorts not be publicly available online.
Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a film’s eligibility.
GEF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
Films that are selected to screen at the Festival are considered one of the 10 (ten) short film winners.
Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY
Films must be the original work of the applicants.
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. GEF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.
Additional Information
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 GEF’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.
Grid Edge Fest reserves the right to switch the entry category or otherwise assign a category to fit programming needs and interests, and films will not be penalized for the original submission selection.
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 GEF in connection with the dispute.
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.
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. GEF 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.
GEF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by GEF or by its volunteers.
Winners will be announced on Aug 5, 2019. The judges’ decision is final.
Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.
When you submit your short film to Grid Edge Fest for consideration and if you film is among the ten selected to screen at the festival, it’s considered one of the 10 winners and you grant full permission for the film to stream on gridedgefest.com and/or its subsidiary web platforms for one calendar year, free and clear, when the award is endowed.
RETURNS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
DVDs and/or 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, GEF 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.