Rules And Regulations

There is only one application form for all formats of projects. These are the rules and regulations for the above sections. Please read them carefully before filling out the application form.

An applicant should ideally be the Primary Contact Person, who will be the main point of contact for all future communications regarding their submission to the festival. The email address and phone number provided by the Primary Contact Person in the first stage of the application form shall be regarded as the single-point contact information between LIFF and the applicant. The form will ask the applicant to specify their relationship to the film (e.g., producer/sales agent, etc.). Kindly ensure that the Primary Contact Person is easily reachable at all times and prompt in replying to emails.

The confirmation email sent to the Primary Contact Person upon

successful submission of the application form will also be forwarded to the producer(s) of the film. Hence, kindly provide the names and contact details of all the producers of the film in the application form.

The same will be applicable if the film is invited by the festival.

The contact details of the Rights Holder (who may be the applicant)

will be published in the festival catalogue if the film gets selected. This could be the producer/sales agent of the film who will be able to respond to potential future queries by international film professionals.

Please do not use ALL CAPS to fill out the application form. Kindly fill out the form in Proper Font. For example, if the title of your film is ‘Dilli Dark,’ please write it as ‘Dilli Dark’ and not as ‘DILLI DARK.’

The application form is optimized for a computer screen. Kindly ensure that you fill out the application form using a desktop/laptop computer and not a mobile phone.

This is a form that can be filled in stages. Kindly make sure that you click on the ‘?’ icon in the application form wherever it appears for specific instructions related to the field. The form need not be filled in one go. You can save the information by clicking the button ‘Save Work and Finish Later’ at the bottom of the application form.

In case a mandatory field in the application form does not apply to you, please write ‘NA’ (Not Applicable). Do not leave it blank or else the submission process will not move forward.

Word limits are to be adhered to wherever mentioned in the application form. LIFF reserves the right to shorten and/or edit the text for publication of film information in the festival catalogue.

Completed applications need to be submitted by the given deadline. LIFF will not take responsibility for the exclusion of films if complete information is not supplied by the deadline.

The application will be accepted only upon payment of the mandatory application fee.

By submitting the application form to LIFF, the applicant hereby certifies, on behalf of all third parties involved, that they have read and understood the rules and regulations listed, that they are legally authorized to submit the film to Lucknow International Film Festival, and that the information given by the applicant is true and correct. The applicant indemnifies LIFF against any claims to the contrary.

In case of any queries regarding submissions, please refer to the FAQs. If you have a specific query not covered by the FAQs, please send an email to Support@LucknowIFF.com with the subject as the original title of the film. For example, if your film name is ‘Eeb Allay Ooo!,’ the subject of your email should be ‘Eeb Allay Ooo!’.

**Note:** The filmmaker can indicate their preferred section in the application form, but Lucknow International Film Festival reserves the right to program the film in any section if selected. If the film is selected, the festival will send an invitation mentioning the section in which the film will be presented. The selection committee is the sole decision-maker of the section in which a selected film is screened.

Upon accepting this invitation, the film will be announced in the selection.

When a film is screened for the general public, ticket-buying audience, or is advertised, it is considered a public screening. This includes film festivals, theatrical releases, and films released on video/DVD/television/internet/VOD. A public screening could be a paid or a free screening. Any screening listed on any print literature or internet announcing the film with a date, time, and venue, and is open to the general or specific public, will be counted as a public screening.

A screening for the cast and crew, producers, and/or distributors of the film will be considered a private preview. Films that have had private previews are eligible to apply. Films that have had screenings at a film market are also eligible to apply.

Participation at other international festivals outside India and/or applying to the National/State Film Awards, India, does not ensure entry into the festival.

– CBFC and Exemption from Film Certification

In case a film already has a CBFC certification, only the certified version will be considered for screening.

For films not having certification, the screening will be subject to an exemption from the Ministry of I&B, Govt. of India. The festival will not apply for this exemption on behalf of the selected films.

The filmmaker has to keep us informed about the certification status at the time of submission of the film.

If the film has applied to receive certification during the selection process and the film does get selected for Lucknow International Film Festival, the festival will not ask the Ministry of I&B for an exemption on behalf of the film. The onus lies with the filmmaker to obtain the certification before the festival dates, and only the certified version of the film will be screened.

All certified films selected for the festival should display the certificate at the beginning of their films within their DCPs.

All film screenings at LIFF will have to have either an exemption from the Ministry of I&B or a CBFC certificate.

For further information on film certification in India, please visit https://www.cbfcindia.gov.in/cbfcAdmin/

– Selection Process

All films have to be submitted directly to Lucknow International Film Festival only through the online application process. No requests for private screenings to selection committee members will be entertained. No film links sent via email without filling out the application form will be considered for selection.

The festival has a policy of no fee waivers. All submitted films will have to pay the application fee.

The festival will not provide feedback on films or share specific reasons for the rejection of any film.

LIFF accepts submissions and payment of fees only via the online application form. No individual(s) claiming to be a part of the LIFF team can be offered or can accept any payment to program the film in the festival. If any individual(s) approach you with any such offers, kindly do keep us informed so that we can verify the work claimed to be carried out by the individual(s).

The Primary Contact Person will be notified about the selection of the film for Lucknow International Film Festival at the end of the selection process. No information will be divulged before that.

If selected, the representatives of the selected film must keep this information confidential (including on social media) till the official press conference of the Lucknow International Film Festival, where the

final list of selected films will be announced. Breach of this will make the selection of the film liable to be canceled.

The Artistic Director of Lucknow International Film Festival reserves the right to settle all cases not covered by the guidelines and to grant exceptions in special cases. All cases will be governed by and construed in all respects following the laws of India and settled under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Mumbai. The Artistic Director also reserves the right to remove any film from the selection in any

special cases as deemed by the festival.

– Media Accepted for Selection

The festival only accepts downloadable & password-protected online screeners (Vimeo link preferred). Please include the film link in your application form. If Vimeo is not possible, please send us a downloadable Google Drive link without a password. As the film has to be accessible to our selection committee, please ensure the Google Drive settings enable it to be accessible to anyone who clicks on the link. We do not accept any film screener link submission via any other methods.

Please make sure that the size of the film file you send via the link is less than 5 GB.

To avail of the Early Bird rates, you can fill out the application form and make the payment before the Early Bird Deadline, and then submit the film link before the regular Deadline via email. In such cases, you can write ‘To be submitted later’ in the preview link field of the application form.

Kindly do not send the link to the film via email without completing the application form.

The password-protected film screener link must be active at least till the selection announcement is made.

Please do not send links where an email login is required to access the film screener (e.g., Withoutabox, Cinando, Filmfreeway, etc.).

Please note that we require the film to be played in its entirety and therefore require a link to a single video. Multiple links for the same film will not be accepted.

If at all you wish to add a watermark on your film image, please make sure that it is small in size, at the corner of the frame, and not across it.

All online and offline project files will be destroyed/deleted immediately after the selection process of the festival is completed.

All films have to be submitted in their original version with English subtitles. If the original version of the film is in English, English

subtitles are still required. The cost of subtitling is the sole responsibility of the producer.

Dubbed versions of films in other languages are not eligible for submission.

Payment is to be made only online through a credit/debit card. Please note that LIFF does not accept any other forms of payment.

Submission without payment of the fee will not be considered.

The Application fee is strictly non-refundable under any circumstances. Participants are advised to thoroughly read the rules and regulations before submitting.

Note: An applicant can submit more than one film if they wish to, but each film will require a separate form and fee.

Revised/Changed Versions of Film

Only one version of the film can be submitted. Revised versions of the film after submission will not be accepted.

In case the film has multiple language versions, only the English subtitled version should be submitted.

If the festival selects the film and a revised version is made to the film after the selection, LIFF reserves the right to reject the film as it was submitted during the selection process.

If there are multiple versions of a film, kindly choose one version to submit and submit only that.

General Requirements for Selected Films Screening Format

All selected films will have to provide the following for screening:

1. DCP with the following details:
   • DCPs with English subtitles in Interop or SMPTE standards (SMPTE preferred)
   • Both encrypted and unencrypted DCPs are accepted. If encrypted, the DKDM (minimum 7 days’ validity) or KDMs (key delivery message) should be supplied to the festival.
   • The screening DCP must be the same as the preview link submitted.
   • DCPs can be in 2K or 4K resolution.
   • DCPs can be in 2.0 Stereo or 5.1 Surround Sound formats.
   • Subtitles must be included in the DCPs (burnt-in subtitles or Interop XML files).
   • Please make sure that the DCP is submitted at least 2 weeks before the festival’s commencement.

1. Backup Screening Copy in any of the following formats:

1. • High-Resolution ProRes files (4K or 2K) with a stereo or surround sound mix.
   • H.264 video files with a stereo or surround sound mix.
   • The files should have embedded English subtitles.
   • The backup screening copy must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the festival’s commencement.

1. Trailer:

1. • The film’s trailer should be submitted in a ProRes or H.264 format.
   • The trailer must have embedded English subtitles.
   • The trailer must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the festival’s commencement.

4.Stills and Posters:

1. • High-resolution stills and posters of the film should be submitted in JPEG or PNG format.
   • These materials will be used for promotional purposes on the festival’s website, social media, and other platforms.
   • Stills and posters must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the festival’s commencement.

1. Film Information:

1. • Synopsis (maximum 150 words)
   • Director’s biography and filmography
   • Producer’s biography and filmography
   • Cast and crew list
   • Production company details
   • Any other relevant information
   • All film information must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the festival’s commencement.

1. Subtitling:

1. • All films must have English subtitles, regardless of the original language of the film.
   • Subtitling costs are the responsibility of the filmmaker.
   • Subtitles must be clear, accurate, and in proper English.

1. • • Shipping and Insurance

The festival will cover insurance for the screening materials while they are in the festival’s possession. However, the festival will not be liable for any damage or loss during shipping.

1. • • Publicity and Promotion

The festival reserves the right to use excerpts from the selected films (up to 3 minutes) for promotional purposes. This includes trailers, stills, posters, and any other materials provided by the filmmaker.

The festival also reserves the right to use the film’s information, including the synopsis, director’s biography, and filmography, in the festival’s catalogue, website, social media, and other promotional materials.

1. • • Participation in the Festival

If selected, the filmmaker agrees to participate in the festival’s activities, including Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and interviews. The filmmaker also agrees to provide promotional materials and information as requested by the festival.

1. • • FEES & REFUND POLICY
2. Application / Submission Fee

Allfilmmakersmustpaytherequiredsubmissionfeeatthetime of entering their film into the festival.

1. • The fee amount may vary depending on the category, deadline, or promotional offers.

1. • Submission will be considered incomplete until payment is received.

1. Non-Refundable Fees

1. • All application/submission fees are strictly non-refundable under any circumstances.

1. • This includes (but is not limited to):

1. • • Film not selected

1. • • Participant withdrawal

1. • • Festival date change or postponement

1. • • Technical issues on the participant’s side

1. • • Duplicate submissions

1. Final Selection Condition

1. • Once the Final Selection List is announced, no request for withdrawal or refund will be accepted.

Bysubmitting the film, the participant agrees to this policy.

1. Festival Postponement or Venue Change

1. • In case of postponement, venue change, or schedule modification due to unforeseen reasons (venue restrictions, legal requirements, natural events, government guidelines, etc.), the participation will automatically be transferred to the rescheduled festival.

1. • No refund will be issued in such cases, as the festival is still being conducted.

1. Disqualification

1. • If a film is disqualified due to violation of rules, incomplete documents, or false information, the fee will not be refunded.

1. Payment Responsibility

1. • All bank charges, currency conversion fees, or transaction fees are the responsibility of the participant.

1. Confirmation

1. • By submitting a film and making the payment, the participant confirms that they have read, understood, and agreed to this Fees & Refund Policy and all other Festival Terms & Conditions.

– Contact Information

For any queries regarding submissions, please refer to the FAQs. If you have a specific query not covered by the FAQs, please send an email to Support@LucknowIFF.com with the subject as the original title of the film. For example, if your film name is ‘Eeb Allay Ooo!,’ the subject of your email should be ‘Eeb Allay Ooo!’.

– INDEMNITY BOND

(Please read carefully before submitting your film)

This Indemnity Bond is made and executed by and between:

1. Lucknow International Film Festival

Address: Nayadeep C Wing 102, Shastri Nagar, Lokhandwala, Andheri West, Near Oshiwara Village, Mumbai – 400053 (Hereinafter referred to as the “Organizer”)

AND

The Participant / Production Company

(Hereinafter referred to as the “Participant”)

WHEREAS:

• The Organizer conducts the Lucknow International Film Festival (“Festival”) annually in Mumbai.

TheParticipanthassubmittedafilmforscreeningandwishesto take part in the Festival.

• The Organizer has agreed to consider the Participant’s film for screening at the Festival.

NOW THIS BOND WITNESSES AS FOLLOWS:

1. Indemnity

The Participant hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Organizer, its founders, directors, employees, agents, and representatives from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or in connection with:

1. Any damage to property or injury (including death) caused by the Participant, their team, or by the content of the submitted film.
2. Any loss or damage to the Participant’s film or related materials during the Festival.
3. Any legal issues arising from the content of the film, including but not limited to copyright infringement, defamation, or violation of any laws or regulations.

1. Obligations of the Participant
   1. The Participant warrants that they have obtained all necessary rights, licenses, and permissions for all content used in the film.
   2. The Participant agrees to comply with all rules, regulations, and instructions issued by the Organizer at any time.

1. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

This Indemnity Bond shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of India.

Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Bond shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

1. Validity

This Indemnity Bond applies to all present and future editions of the Lucknow International Film Festival and shall remain valid for the entire duration of the Festival, including any subsequent claims arising from participation.

1. Acceptance

By submitting a film to the Festival, the Participant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agree to all the terms of this Indemnity Bond.

Founder & Organizer

Lucknow International Film Festival

Participant / Production Company Name:   Signature:  Date: