The Naughty-or-Nice Film Festival begins at the Kick-Off Party on December 1st, 2023, and ends at the submission deadline of Thursday, December 21st, 2023, at 10 AM EST. Participating teams must complete their film and have it uploaded along with all required release forms by 10:00 A.M. EST on December 21st, to be eligible for the public screening and awards ceremony.

Team Members: Participation in a film team is open to anyone, and you can join one or multiple teams for the one-time participation fee. This is a flat fee regardless of how many teams you decide to participate on.

Adding Late Members: If you wish to add more team members, you can do so at any time. Simply have them complete the payment and registration page here!

Film Length: Film submissions should not exceed five (5) minutes in duration, with an additional allowance of up to fifteen (15) seconds dedicated exclusively to the required ending credits. Therefore, the total length of submitted files should not exceed 5 minutes and 15 seconds.

Credits: Opening credits are part of the film’s 5-minute duration. Your required ending credits may be up to fifteen (15) seconds in length and MUST list every cast & crew member.

Film Upload Requirements:

• Upload: Film must be uploaded by 12/21/2023 by 10AM EST using the upload form
• Length: 5 minutes (this does not include end credits)
• Mandatory End Credits: Up to 15 additional seconds of ending credits that MUST list every cast & crew member
• Resolution: 1080p
• Sound: Stereo
• Aspect Ratio: 16.9 (preferred)
• File Types Accepted: MP4 or MOV
• File Label: Team Name_Film Name
• Releases: Each team member must sign a release form
• Release Label: Team Name_First and Last Name

Film Rating: We uphold the principle of creative freedom and do not impose censorship on films, thereby encouraging filmmakers to freely express their artistic vision through their storytelling. Submissions may include nudity, adult language, depictions of violence, or sexual content, within the bounds of legality. However, it is essential to clarify that we strictly prohibit any actions that harm individuals, animals, or property during the filmmaking process. Any substantiated instances of such harm will lead to the immediate disqualification and banning of the film in question, with potential legal consequences if deemed necessary.

Censorship: We hold art in high regard, respecting the creative visions of our talented filmmakers. We welcome all to attend our public or virtual screening, as we do not believe in censorship. However, it’s important to recognize that our festival embraces all artistic expressions and we do not classify our fests as “family/kid-friendly.” It is highly likely that some of the films showcased may contain adult language, nudity and adult content. In consideration of this, we kindly request that you exercise discretion when deciding who should accompany you to our event. We understand that some minds may not be prepared for such material, and we advise against bringing children or anyone who may not be mature enough for these types of films. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing a joyous cinematic experience with you!

Footage: Every frame of the film must be shot or created during the Official Time Period (Kick-Off Party Event until film submission deadline). Supporting footage shot before this period may be used alongside core footage. Still photos are allowed as core footage, and you must have rights to all footage or photos used.

Required Elements: Each team will be assigned four (4) required elements at kick-off that must be used in their film, including:

1. sub-genre of holiday film
2. conflict (inciting incident)
3. miracle (must happen at some point in your film)
4. location (to be seen at least once)

Resources: We are dedicated to ensuring that every filmmaker’s journey is not only exciting but also highly successful. In addition to providing unwavering support, we offer filmmaking teams a wealth of valuable resources, including expert tips, instructional videos, and recommendations for additional skilled team members such as makeup artists, actors, and production assistants. Additionally, we offer complimentary access to a range of versatile locations at our studio. These locations include exterior office building, interior office, a living room space, outdoor space, a parking lot, and lobby, all of which can be utilized as-is or easily transformed into unique sets. We’re here to help you make your creative vision a reality! Click Here for Resources Page!

Participant Etiquette: Throughout the festival, we expect all team members to maintain the utmost professionalism and respect towards one another, as well as all participants and attendees of the screening, awards ceremony, and after-party. We believe in fostering a creative environment where collaboration and cooperation are essential, and every voice is valued. This includes treating all individuals with kindness, patience, and consideration. We encourage open communication, active listening, and constructive feedback among team members to ensure a positive and productive filmmaking experience. Furthermore, we extend these principles to our screening event, where we anticipate a respectful and engaging atmosphere for everyone. In upholding these standards, we aim to create a community of filmmakers who are passionate about their craft and dedicated to promoting a welcoming and inclusive environment. Your commitment to professionalism and respect is highly appreciated and vital to the success of our festival. Those that do not adhere to our rules for participant etiquette will be immediately disqualified.

Volunteers: All cast and crew must be volunteers.

Safety: Safety is of utmost importance in our festival. Films that involve harm to any person or animal or the destruction of private property will result in immediate disqualification.

Cameras: Any video, film, or cell phone camera is permitted.

Music: Film groups are kindly reminded to ensure the appropriate rights for the music and sound effects used in their productions. These rights should either be owned, permission granted, or purchased from reputable sources like Audio Jungle, Purple Planet, Epidemic Sound, among others. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the highest standards for our festival. If you have any questions or require guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your professionalism and commitment to filmmaking excellence.

Submission Requirements: Films must conform to submission requirements. All team members, regardless of whether they were a part of talent or crew, MUST sign a release form. All films are due by Thursday, December 21^st, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. EST and MUST be uploaded on the upload film page of this website.

Judges: The cornerstone of our festival’s success is undeniably rooted in the presence of distinguished judges. The significance of their role cannot be overstated, as they bring a rich tapestry of experience and expertise to the judging panel by providing fair evaluation, quality selection, educational value, transparency, and building audience trust.

1. Fair Evaluation: Ensures impartial judging
2. A+ Assessment: The know-how to select top-notch work
3. Educational Aid: Their insights aid filmmakers’ growth
4. Transparency: Judges uphold fairness in selections
5. Audience Trust: Viewer confidence because selections aren’t biased or nepotistic

Their involvement is instrumental in establishing trust and credibility, and their discerning eyes help us select the most exceptional and spine-tingling works. See our judging panel here!

Awards: Awards are determined by a panel seasoned judges, each evaluating entries within their respective categories based on their extensive expertise. To be considered for any of our prestigious awards, which include “The Hootie” for Best Film and the coveted Audience Choice Award, your film must be submitted by the deadline. Please note that late submissions will not undergo screening or be presented for consideration to our judges or the audience for awards. We appreciate your commitment to our festival and look forward to your submissions!

Eligibility: Entries must be original, suitable for publication, and not infringe on third-party rights or laws.

No Pre-Screening Distribution: Entries should only be distributed after the official Trick-or-Treat Film Festival premiere screening.

Official Film Entry: Films must follow all rules to be certified as Official Film Entries.

Entries Not Returned: No entries or documents will be returned.

Disqualification: Inappropriate or non-compliant entries may be disqualified.

These rules and requirements ensure fair competition and eligibility in The Naughty-or-Nice Film Festival!  ℗ 2023