Rules & Regulations

1. Submissions & Deadlines

  1. All submissions must be made online via FilmFreeway.
    Participants are required to log in to www.filmfreeway.com and complete the submission process.
  2. The last date for submission is 5th April 2026.
  3. Only online screeners will be accepted as preview material. Physical media submissions will not be considered.
  4. The Preview Screener Deadline is 5th April 2026.

2. Eligibility & Completion Date

  1. All films submitted under any category must be completed after 1st January 2025.
  2. For international films, where no formal proof of completion date is available, the date of first public screening or online release will be considered.
  3. Films or revised versions of films submitted to any previous edition of the festival will not be considered.

3. Categories & Duration

  1. The festival accepts films in any format and theme provided; the maximum runtime for a single-category submission stays to a maximum of 15 minutes, with a submission fee of ₹999 (unless otherwise specified on FilmFreeway).

4. Language & Subtitles

  1. All films must be provided with subtitles
  2. Films in languages other than English must carry English subtitles.
  3. Subtitles must be:
          Properly synchronized
          Clearly readable
          Embedded or supplied as a standard subtitle file
    Films without English subtitles may be disqualified.

5. Submission Verification

  1. After submission, participants must verify their FilmFreeway account to ensure:
          Correct file upload
          Accurate submission details
          Compliance with all festival requirements
  2. Entries with incomplete, incorrect, or misleading information will not be considered valid.

6. Multiple Entries

  1. Filmmakers may submit multiple films, provided that:
          Each film is submitted via a separate entry form
          Each submission carries the applicable fee

7. AI Usage Disclosure (Mandatory)

  1. This is an AI Film Festival. All submitted films must involve Artificial Intelligence in at least one significant creative or technical aspect.
  2. AI may be used in (but is not limited to):
          Writing and story development
          Visual generation or augmentation
          Sound design, music, or voice
          Editing, structure, or world-building
  3. Filmmakers must clearly disclose:
          AI tools used
          Nature of AI involvement
          Approximate level of AI contribution
  4. Misrepresentation or false disclosure of AI usage may lead to disqualification.

8. Screening Permission (NOC)

  1. A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the filmmaker/producer of selected films is mandatory.
  2. The NOC must grant permission for:
          Downloading the film
          Festival screening
          Promotional use (clips, stills, trailers)

9. Submission Fees & Refund Policy

  1. A nominal submission fee is charged to:
          Filter unserious entries
          Support the curation and screening process
  2. Fees (unless otherwise specified):
          The submission fee for this edition of the festival is NIL.
  3. Submission fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
  4. Fee waivers may be requested if the submission fee is a genuine barrier. Granting of waivers is at the sole discretion of the festival and its management.

10. Selection, Screening & Laurel Usage

  1. All officially selected films will receive:
          An official festival screening
          Inclusion in the Founding Edition Archive
          Inclusion in an online archive documenting early AI storytelling
  2. All officially selected films may use the Official Festival Laurel on:
          Posters
          Trailers
          Print media
          Digital and social media promotions
  3. Participants of selected films will receive a confirmation email from the festival’s official email ID.

11. Withdrawal

  1. Once a film is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn under any reason or circumstances.

12. Screening Schedule & Authority

  1. Screening Information
    Screening locations, dates, formats (physical / virtual / hybrid), and time slots will be communicated to selected participants by the festival after the final selection process is completed.
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  2. Right to Schedule Modifications
    The festival reserves the right to:
          Change screening dates, times, or venues
          Modify the screening format (online / offline / hybrid)
          Reschedule or reassign screenings due to logistical, technical, operational, or unforeseen circumstances
    Such changes may occur with or without prior notice, and participants will be informed wherever reasonably possible.
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  3. Programming & Curation Authority
    All decisions regarding:
          Film selection
          Category placement
          Screening order
          Screening format
          Number of screenings
          Grouped or curated screening blocks
    shall be made solely by the Official Selection Committee and Festival Programming Team.
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  4. No Obligation to Screen in Specific Conditions
    Selection of a film does not guarantee:
          A specific screening venue
          A specific date or time slot
          A theatrical or physical screening format
    The festival retains full discretion to determine how and where a selected film is exhibited.
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  5. Right to Withdraw or Replace Screenings
    The festival reserves the right to:
          Withdraw a film from the screening schedule
          Replace a film in case of technical issues, non-compliance, or failure to meet delivery requirements
          Cancel a scheduled screening if circumstances demand
    without any obligation to provide compensation or refund.
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  6. Finality of Decisions
    All decisions taken by the Official Selection Committee, Programming Team, and Festival Management regarding selection, scheduling, categorization, and screening logistics are final and binding.
    No correspondence, appeal, or dispute regarding these decisions will be entertained.
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  7. Force Majeure Clause
    The festival shall not be held liable for changes, delays, or cancellations caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:
          Natural disasters
          Government regulations
          Technical failures
          Public health emergencies
          Venue unavailability

13. Jury & Awards

  1. Films will be evaluated by a jury panel of three jurors.
  2. Films will be assessed based on:
          World-building and coherence
          Intent and clarity of storytelling
          How AI supports the creative vision
  3. Awards presented:
          Best AI Storytelling Film
          Best World Building
          Jury Special Mention
  4. The festival may include cash prizes, but the festival is not prize-driven. Recognition and curation remain the primary intent.
  5. The decision of the Jury Panel is final and binding.

14. Ethical AI Responsibility

  1. Filmmakers must ensure that:
          AI-generated likenesses or voices are used responsibly
          No impersonation or misinformation is presented as fact
          Ethical standards of representation are maintained
  2. The festival reserves the right to reject films that violate ethical AI practices.

15. Festival Director’s Rights

  1. The Festival Director reserves the right to waive, modify, or interpret any rule or condition in exceptional circumstances.

16. Online Screening & Digital Exhibition Rules

  1. Online Screening Format
    Selected films may be screened as part of the festival through:
          A secure online screening platform
          A password-protected or invite-only digital venue
    The festival reserves the right to determine which films are screened online, offline, or in both formats.
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  2. Limited-Time Digital Availability
    Online screenings will be:
          Available only for a limited duration
          Accessible only during the official festival window
    The festival is not obligated to keep films accessible beyond the stated screening period.
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  3. Access & Geo-Restrictions
    The festival may, at its discretion:
          Apply geo-blocking or regional access restrictions
          Limit the number of online views
          Restrict access to registered attendees, jury members, press, or invited guests
    Such restrictions will be implemented to protect filmmakers’ rights.
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  4. Streaming Quality & Technical Limitations
    The festival will make reasonable efforts to ensure:
          Secure streaming
          Stable playback
    However, the festival shall not be held responsible for:
          Individual internet connectivity issues
          Device compatibility problems
          Platform-level technical disruptions
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  5. Downloading & Recording Prohibition
    Online screenings are provided strictly for viewing purposes.
          Downloading, recording, reproducing, or redistributing festival content by viewers is strictly prohibited.
          Any unauthorized use detected may result in access termination and legal action where applicable.
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  6. Rights & Consent for Online Screening
    By submitting a film, filmmakers grant the festival:
          Non-exclusive permission to screen the film online as part of the festival
          Permission to host the film on a secure platform for the festival duration only
    Copyright ownership remains with the filmmaker at all times.
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  7. Security & Anti-Piracy Measures
    The festival may implement:
          Watermarking
          DRM protection
          Encrypted streaming
          Access monitoring
    These measures are intended to safeguard submitted works but cannot guarantee absolute
    protection against piracy.

  8. No Commercial Exploitation
    Online screenings are strictly for:
          Festival exhibition
          Cultural documentation
    The festival will not sell, license, or commercially distribute any submitted film without separate written agreement from the rights holder.
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  9. Withdrawal from Online Screening
    If a filmmaker has a legitimate distribution or rights concern:
          A written request to opt out of online screening may be submitted
          The festival reserves the right to approve or deny such requests based on programming constraints
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  10. Force Majeure – Online Edition
    In case of technical failure, platform outages, or unforeseen digital disruptions,
    the festival reserves the right to:
          Reschedule online screenings
          Replace or cancel screenings
    Without any obligation for compensation or refund.

17. Acceptance of Terms

  1. Submission of a film implies full acceptance of all Rules & Regulations stated above.