Multicultural Film Festival and Competition 2020
Terms and Conditions
The Multicultural Film Festival 2020 and Competition is presented by the Victorian Multicultural Commission in association with Swinburne University of Technology.
We are seeking creative, original, non-formulaic short films about cultural diversity.
Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully and contact the VMC Communications and Events team via email if you have any questions or have any difficulties submitting your film: contact@vmc.vic.gov.au
Entry requirements
1. All Entrants must agree to the Terms and Conditions as a condition of entry to the Multicultural Film Festival and Competition, and all films submitted (Entries) must meet the Entry Requirements.
2. Entry into the competition is deemed to be acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
Competition closing date
3. The Multicultural Film Festival and Competition will close on 1 May 2020 at 11:59pm. Late entries will not be accepted.
Age and parental consent
4. Parental consent must be provided for Entries submitted by young people under the age 18.
5. All Entrants must indicate whether they are aged under 25 years or aged 25 and over.
Residency
6. Entry is open to all temporary and permanent residents of Australia and persons holding visas allowing them to work and/or study in Australia.
7. Residents who are humanitarian migrants or international students with non-permanent visa arrangements are encouraged to enter.
Biography
8. Entrants must provide a biography of up to 150 words to describe themselves, including their cultural background/heritage.
9. Entrants acknowledge that their biography will be used to support their entry and may be read out at the Multicultural Film Festival and used in promotional activity by the VMC.
Subject matter
10. Films should address the themes of multiculturalism and cultural diversity. The VMC understands the definition of cultural diversity to refer to differences among people because of their racial or ethnic backgrounds, languages and traditions.
11. Original interpretations of what it means to be multicultural are encouraged. This could include personal stories of the filmmaker, their friends, family or a community member. Films can also explore the difference and distinction that is inherent in the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Australian populace.
Consent
12. By entering a film in the Multicultural Film Festival and Competition, the Entrant acknowledges that all subjects appearing in the film have consented to their appearance in the film and to VMC’s use of the film in promotional activities. This may include for use across VMC’s channels including, but not limited to, events, websites, YouTube, social media and VMC’s promotional platforms. (The films in the 2019 festival were shown at both ACMI and the Immigration Museum and on the VMC’s website, and some were also shown on SBS On Demand.)
13. The VMC is not responsible for obtaining consent from subjects in any Entry in the Multicultural Film Festival and Competition and will not accept responsibility for consequences arising from any failure on the part of the Entrant to obtain such consent.
Format
14. Entries must be submitted in the following format to enable the VMC to screen films during the Multicultural Film Festival:
• Standard: Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1080 p (1920 x 1080)
• Format: 1998 x 1080 (the 1998 format conforms with DCP)
• Aspect: 16:9
• Audio: Stereo, sample rate 48khz (128 kbps)
• Codec: MPEG 4 (.mp4) 4.5 Mbps
• Frame rate: 24fps
• H.264 compression
• For films shot in SCOPE format the format needs to be 2048 X 858
Length
15. Entries must be between 3 and 12 minutes in length.
Restrictions
16. Entries must be nonpartisan and free from obscene or defamatory content, speech or imagery, and must be suitable for an audience aged less than 18 years.
17. Entries must comply with a PG or G classification.
Originality and copyright
18. Entries must be the original work of the Entrant, however this does not exclude people who have received mentorship or training through a film training program or university course.
19. It is the responsibility of the Entrant to ensure that they have permission to reproduce any third-party materials contained in their Entry.
20. Entrants must not breach copyright of any other filmmaker or organisation in the production of their Entry and must accept all responsibility for the content of their Entry.
21. The VMC and the State is not responsible for any infringement of copyright by the Entrant in the production of their Entry.
Entries in other competitions
22. The VMC welcomes Entries that have been submitted into other competitions, as long as no logos or other branding marks are included in the Entry, and no copyright or licencing agreements are breached. The VMC accepts no responsibility for breaches of copyright or licensing of third parties.
23. The VMC will accept Entries that have been entered into other festivals or competitions on the condition that the Entries meet the Entry Requirements.
Professionalism
24. Entrants do not need to be qualified or experienced film makers. The VMC encourages anyone with a recording device to produce an Entry for submission into the competition, as long as it meets the Entry Requirements.
Fees
25. Entry fees must be paid for the current deadline window at the time of submission via the FilmFreeway platform.
26. Entry fees are $10, charged in AUD Australian Dollars and can be paid by credit/debit card or PayPal.
27. Submission fees are non-refundable.
Competition
Judging of films
28. The judging panel will consist of VMC Commissioners, staff of Swinburne University of Technology, sponsor representatives and/or members of the film industry (Judges).
The Judges will critique the film Entries based on:
a. Narrative; and
b. Impact; and
c. Originality; and
d. Theme of cultural diversity.
29. The number of shortlisted film entries (Shortlisted Films) chosen and the number of awards presented is at the sole discretion of the VMC.
30. The decision of the Judges in relation to the shortlisting of the Entries and the awarding of prizes is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Notification
31. Shortlisted Films and winners will be selected by the Judges at least two weeks prior to the Multicultural Film Festival.
32. Entrants of Shortlisted Films will be notified and invited to attend the Multicultural Film Festival at least 1 week prior to the Multicultural Film Festival.
Announcement of Winners
33. The Judges will announce the winners on the invitation-only opening night of the Multicultural Film Festival.
34. The VMC may, at its sole discretion, disqualify a film Entry from the Multicultural Film Festival and Competition if:
a. for any reason, the Entry does not comply with the Entry Requirements;
b. VMC has reason to believe that the Entrant has breached any of these Terms and Conditions, or engaged in any unlawful or other improper misconduct calculated to jeopardise the fair and proper conduct of the competition; or
c. the VMC considers an Entry to be inappropriate, defamatory, discriminatory, offensive, or otherwise not in compliance with these Terms and Conditions.
Use of films
Licence and intellectual property
35. The Entrant owns the intellectual property in their Entry.
36. The Entrant grants to the VMC and the State will hold a 3-year non-exclusive licence to:
a. screen and use all films entered in the competition across its channels, including but not limited to, events and other promotional platforms;
b. The Entrant may be requested to provide an edited short clip for promotional purposes, for example, for use on social media.
37. A non-exclusive licence means that an Entrant can screen their film themselves and give other people permission to screen their film.
38. Entrants will always be attributed as the author of their Entry when their film is used or screened.
39. Where possible, the VMC and the State will provide notice to the Entrant regarding the use of films by VMC and the State.
Publicity
40. As a condition of entry, Entrants consent to:
a. having their name announced publicly at the Multicultural Film Festival and through VMC and Victorian Government communications, which may include media, social media and websites;
b. if they are a winner, having their Entries promoted by the VMC following the Multicultural Film Festival and in the lead up to the 2020 competition.
41. If the Entrant promotes their film being in the festival themselves, they should acknowledge the Multicultural Film Festival.
Privacy
42. The Entrant consents to the VMC collecting their personal information (as defined under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)) for the purposes of conducting and promoting the Festival and Competition. Personal information may include the full name, age and other biographical information about each Entrant.
43. The Entrant consents to the VMC collecting information about the Entrant’s cultural (racial or ethnic) background (which may be defined as ‘sensitive information’ under the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)).
44. Information provided to the State in the entry form and in any Entries submitted by Entrants may be used to contact Entrants and assist us to assess eligibility for the Competition prizes.
45. The State may disclose this information to third parties relevant to the conduct of the Competition, including but not limited to, judges, sponsors, and prize and certificate suppliers.
46. Entrants whose films are shortlisted will have their name announced during the Multicultural Film Festival, in media releases and on State communication channels post event.
47. Any personal information and/or sensitive information provided will be used and disclosed in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic), the Public Records Act 1973 (Vic) and these Terms and Conditions. The State is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information. Enquiries about access to personal information held by the State should be directed to the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s privacy officer via email to dpc@dpc.vic.gov.au.
Cancellation of competition
48. The VMC and the State reserve the right to cancel or change the competition and these terms and conditions at any time without conferring with Entrants.
49. If the Competition is interfered with or is incapable of being held due to reasons beyond the State’s control, the State reserves the right and discretion to modify, postpone, suspend or cancel the competition.
50. The State reserves the right to extend, cancel or amend the process for the Competition, including these Terms and Conditions, in its absolute discretion at any time.
Liability
51. The VMC is not liable for any loss or damage whatsoever which is suffered by any Entrant, including, but not limited to, indirect or consequential loss, or for personal injury suffered or sustained during the course of preparing the Entry, entering the Competition, or acceptance of a prize or award, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law.
52. The VMC is not responsible for covering any costs associated with the Entrant entering the Competition, receiving a prize or travelling to the festival.