Sydney World Culture Festival
We believe in cinema, in bold ideas and in those who never turn back.
Rules for participation in the online film festival
1. General Provisions
The online film festival was created to support independent filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, producers, and creative artists from around the world.
The festival takes place online. Selected films are screened on the official festival website as part of the festival program on dates determined by the organizers.
By submitting a work to the festival, the participant confirms that they have read these rules and fully accept their terms.
2. Festival Objectives
The festival aims to discover new talent, support bold artistic visions, and provide filmmakers with the opportunity to present their work to an international audience.
We welcome works that feature a strong concept, an original artistic perspective, emotional depth, and creative boldness.
3. Who can participate?
Participation is open to creators from any country, including directors, producers, screenwriters, film school students, independent filmmakers, creative collectives, and film production companies.
Participants must meet the age requirements of their country of residence. If a participant is under 18, the submission must be made with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
4. Submission Categories
The following works are eligible for submission:
• feature films;
• short fiction films;
• documentaries;
• animated films;
• experimental films;
• music videos;
• web series;
• student films;
• screenplays;
The organizers reserve the right to modify, merge, or add categories based on the quantity and quality of submissions.
5. Film Requirements
The film must be a completed original work.
The participant guarantees that they hold all necessary rights to the film, including rights to imagery, music, archival materials, graphics, text, the screenplay, and any other elements used in the work.
Films may be in any language. For non-English language films, providing English subtitles is recommended. Organizers may also request subtitles for online screenings.
The festival accepts submissions regardless of the year of production, unless otherwise specified in the terms for a particular season.
6. Selection of Works
All submitted works are reviewed by the festival's selection committee.
Selection decisions are based on artistic merit, originality of concept, production quality, narrative structure, directorial approach, and the overall impression of the work.
The organizers are under no obligation to explain the reasons for non-selection.
The decisions of the selection committee and the jury are final and not subject to appeal.
7. Online Screening of Selected Works
Selected works may be hosted and screened on the festival's official website as part of the online program.
By submitting a work, the participant grants the festival a non-exclusive right to stream or host the film on the festival's website for the duration of the festival and, if necessary, for an additional promotional period announced in advance by the organizers.
The festival does not acquire ownership rights to the film. All copyrights remain with the rights holder.
Specific terms regarding online access are determined by the festival organizers.
8. Consent to Screening
By submitting a film to the festival, the participant consents to the screening of the selected work on the festival's official website should the film be included in the program.
If a participant does not wish to make the film available for online screening, they must notify the organizers in writing.
Once participation in the online program is confirmed, the film may only be withdrawn by decision of the organizers or upon the request of the submitting participant.
9. Use of Materials for Promotional Purposes
The participant authorizes the festival to use the film's title, the author's name, poster, trailer, film stills, synopsis, and excerpts from the film to promote the festival and for publication on the website, social media, press releases, catalogs, posters, and other informational materials.
Film excerpts used for promotional purposes may only be used to a reasonable extent and solely for the promotion of the festival and its program.
10. Copyright and Participant Liability
The participant confirms that they are the author, rights holder, or authorized representative of the rights holder of the submitted work.
The participant bears full responsibility for compliance with copyright and related rights, as well as for obtaining all necessary permissions from actors, music creators, cinematographers, screenwriters, artists, composers, and other individuals involved in the film's creation.
In the event of claims by third parties, the participant undertakes to resolve such claims independently and to indemnify the festival against any liability.
11. Content Restrictions
The Festival does not accept works that:
• contain direct calls for violence, terrorism, or extremism;
• promote hatred based on race, nationality, religion, gender, or other grounds;
• violate human rights and dignity;
• contain illegal content;
• infringe upon the copyright of third parties.
The organizers reserve the right to reject any work if its content conflicts with the Festival’s values or applicable laws.
12. Categories and Awards
Selected works are eligible for Festival awards in their respective categories.
Possible categories:
Best Short Film
Best Director Short Film
Best Feature Film
Best Director Feature Film
Best Short Documentary
Best Director Short Documentary
Best Feature Documentary
Best Director Feature Documentary
Best Experimental Film
Best Director Experimental Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Director Inspirational Film
Best Student Film
Best Director Student Film
Best Animation
Best Original Concept
Best Feature Script
Best Short Script
Best LGBTQ+
Best Web/TV Series
Best Music Video
Best Original Song
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
The list of categories is subject to change by the organizers.
Winners receive laurels, a certificate, or other awards provided by the Festival.
13. Withdrawal of Submission
A participant may withdraw their submission prior to the start of the selection process or before official confirmation of participation.
Once a film has been included in the Festival program, the submission cannot be withdrawn without the organizers' consent.
Submission fees are non-refundable, except in cases specifically designated by the organizers.
14. Changes to Rules
The organizers reserve the right to modify the dates, format, program, categories, and other conditions of the Festival.
All changes will be published on the official Festival website.
15. Final Provisions
Submitting an entry constitutes full acceptance of all Festival rules by the participant. The festival aims to create an open, inspiring, and respectful space for filmmakers, audiences, and film industry professionals.
We invite bold, talented, and free-spirited artists to join our online festival, share their stories, and present their films to the world.
The online film festival was created to support independent filmmakers, screenwriters, directors, producers, and creative artists from around the world.
The festival takes place online. Selected films are screened on the official festival website as part of the festival program on dates determined by the organizers.
By submitting a work to the festival, the participant confirms that they have read these rules and fully accept their terms.
2. Festival Objectives
The festival aims to discover new talent, support bold artistic visions, and provide filmmakers with the opportunity to present their work to an international audience.
We welcome works that feature a strong concept, an original artistic perspective, emotional depth, and creative boldness.
3. Who can participate?
Participation is open to creators from any country, including directors, producers, screenwriters, film school students, independent filmmakers, creative collectives, and film production companies.
Participants must meet the age requirements of their country of residence. If a participant is under 18, the submission must be made with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
4. Submission Categories
The following works are eligible for submission:
• feature films;
• short fiction films;
• documentaries;
• animated films;
• experimental films;
• music videos;
• web series;
• student films;
• screenplays;
The organizers reserve the right to modify, merge, or add categories based on the quantity and quality of submissions.
5. Film Requirements
The film must be a completed original work.
The participant guarantees that they hold all necessary rights to the film, including rights to imagery, music, archival materials, graphics, text, the screenplay, and any other elements used in the work.
Films may be in any language. For non-English language films, providing English subtitles is recommended. Organizers may also request subtitles for online screenings.
The festival accepts submissions regardless of the year of production, unless otherwise specified in the terms for a particular season.
6. Selection of Works
All submitted works are reviewed by the festival's selection committee.
Selection decisions are based on artistic merit, originality of concept, production quality, narrative structure, directorial approach, and the overall impression of the work.
The organizers are under no obligation to explain the reasons for non-selection.
The decisions of the selection committee and the jury are final and not subject to appeal.
7. Online Screening of Selected Works
Selected works may be hosted and screened on the festival's official website as part of the online program.
By submitting a work, the participant grants the festival a non-exclusive right to stream or host the film on the festival's website for the duration of the festival and, if necessary, for an additional promotional period announced in advance by the organizers.
The festival does not acquire ownership rights to the film. All copyrights remain with the rights holder.
Specific terms regarding online access are determined by the festival organizers.
8. Consent to Screening
By submitting a film to the festival, the participant consents to the screening of the selected work on the festival's official website should the film be included in the program.
If a participant does not wish to make the film available for online screening, they must notify the organizers in writing.
Once participation in the online program is confirmed, the film may only be withdrawn by decision of the organizers or upon the request of the submitting participant.
9. Use of Materials for Promotional Purposes
The participant authorizes the festival to use the film's title, the author's name, poster, trailer, film stills, synopsis, and excerpts from the film to promote the festival and for publication on the website, social media, press releases, catalogs, posters, and other informational materials.
Film excerpts used for promotional purposes may only be used to a reasonable extent and solely for the promotion of the festival and its program.
10. Copyright and Participant Liability
The participant confirms that they are the author, rights holder, or authorized representative of the rights holder of the submitted work.
The participant bears full responsibility for compliance with copyright and related rights, as well as for obtaining all necessary permissions from actors, music creators, cinematographers, screenwriters, artists, composers, and other individuals involved in the film's creation.
In the event of claims by third parties, the participant undertakes to resolve such claims independently and to indemnify the festival against any liability.
11. Content Restrictions
The Festival does not accept works that:
• contain direct calls for violence, terrorism, or extremism;
• promote hatred based on race, nationality, religion, gender, or other grounds;
• violate human rights and dignity;
• contain illegal content;
• infringe upon the copyright of third parties.
The organizers reserve the right to reject any work if its content conflicts with the Festival’s values or applicable laws.
12. Categories and Awards
Selected works are eligible for Festival awards in their respective categories.
Possible categories:
Best Short Film
Best Director Short Film
Best Feature Film
Best Director Feature Film
Best Short Documentary
Best Director Short Documentary
Best Feature Documentary
Best Director Feature Documentary
Best Experimental Film
Best Director Experimental Film
Best Inspirational Film
Best Director Inspirational Film
Best Student Film
Best Director Student Film
Best Animation
Best Original Concept
Best Feature Script
Best Short Script
Best LGBTQ+
Best Web/TV Series
Best Music Video
Best Original Song
Best Cinematography
Best Editing
The list of categories is subject to change by the organizers.
Winners receive laurels, a certificate, or other awards provided by the Festival.
13. Withdrawal of Submission
A participant may withdraw their submission prior to the start of the selection process or before official confirmation of participation.
Once a film has been included in the Festival program, the submission cannot be withdrawn without the organizers' consent.
Submission fees are non-refundable, except in cases specifically designated by the organizers.
14. Changes to Rules
The organizers reserve the right to modify the dates, format, program, categories, and other conditions of the Festival.
All changes will be published on the official Festival website.
15. Final Provisions
Submitting an entry constitutes full acceptance of all Festival rules by the participant. The festival aims to create an open, inspiring, and respectful space for filmmakers, audiences, and film industry professionals.
We invite bold, talented, and free-spirited artists to join our online festival, share their stories, and present their films to the world.
