RULES

Official Regulations for Participation in the OnlyShorts Film Festival 

1 Eligibility:

• Open to all directors and producers worldwide.
• Films must be produced in 2019 or later.
• Maximum running time of 43 minutes.
• Films must feature German or English dialogue or be subtitled in German or English.
• Resubmissions of films previously submitted to OnlyShorts are allowed only if the film has not been shown at the festival before.
• Only those involved in the film's direction, production, or those authorized by them can submit their films.
• All genres and themes of short films are welcome, including animation, documentary, experimental, and narrative.

2 Submission Categories and Fees:

• Different submission categories may have varying fees. Please refer to the festival website for specific details about submission fees for each category.
• Student filmmakers must provide proof of their student status to qualify for a discounted submission fee.
• All submission fees are non-refundable.

3 Rights:

• By submitting a film, the filmmaker confirms that the film can be shown at the OnlyShorts festival and for advertising purposes on the festival's website, social media, and other promotional materials or events.
• The filmmaker and respective rights holders agree to the free use of the film as part of the OnlyShorts event.
• All third-party rights, including copyrights, performance protection laws, personality rights, name and trademark rights, must not be violated, and all third-party materials such as music, film, images, or text used in the film must have been cleared for use.
• The submitter is fully responsible for the use of the respective film, including the necessary and reasonable costs of legal defense. The jurisdiction is Munich.

4 Submission and Entry Deadline:

• The submission form with all necessary documents and the evaluation copy must be submitted through FilmFreeway by the Extended Final Deadline on January 12, 2027.
• The submission occurs digitally and can only be sent by mail in exceptional cases. More information can be found on the festival website.

5 Judging and Selection:

• All submitted films will be reviewed by a pre-selection committee and then by a jury panel.
• The jury panel will consist of experienced professionals from the film industry, including directors, producers, actors, and film critics.
• The selection process will be based on the originality, creativity, storytelling, and technical aspects of the films.

6 Screening Copy:

• The final copy for screening should be of the highest possible quality.
• Films in a language other than German or English must have German or English subtitles.
• In case of trouble with the final screening copy, the evaluation copy will be used instead.

6.1 Digital Format:

• DCP up to a resolution of 4K with a maximum of 7.1 audio channels.
• If possible, the format should be handed over as a 7zip or zip file or alternatively with an SHA/md5 checksum.

6.2 Film File (if DCP is not available):

• Codec: ProRes, H265, or H264 up to a resolution of 4K.
• Container format: MP4 or MKV.
• Audio channels: up to 7.1.
• If possible, the format should be handed over as a 7zip or zip file or alternatively with an SHA/md5 checksum.
• Should the submitter not provide a DCP for the film, OnlyShorts reserves the right to create a DCP from the provided material.

7 Notification:

• Submitters will receive an email notification on January 29, 2027 if their film has been accepted.
• A list of all accepted films will be published on the festival's website on the Notification Date.

8 Awards and Prizes:

• Awards will be presented in various categories, including Best Short Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Actor, Best Actress, and other special categories.
• Winners in each category will receive prizes, certificates, and recognition on the festival's website and social media channels.
• Prizes may be provided by festival sponsors or partners and may include cash, equipment, or other valuable items.

9 Film Promotion and Distribution:

• By submitting a film, filmmakers grant OnlyShorts the right to use film stills, posters, and trailers for promotional purposes in perpetuity.
• Filmmakers may also grant OnlyShorts the right to screen their films at future festival events or partner screenings to help promote the festival and the filmmakers' work.
• Any additional promotional or distribution agreements must be negotiated separately between the filmmaker and OnlyShorts or its partners.

10  Privacy Policy:

• OnlyShorts is committed to protecting the personal information of its participants and will not share personal information with third parties without the explicit consent of the participants.
• By submitting a film, participants agree to receive occasional updates and promotional materials from OnlyShorts via email. Participants may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.

Note: The festival administration reserves the right to change the time and location of the festival, and the payment for the application is non-refundable. In case of any disputes, the decision of the festival administration will be final.