Global Independent Film Awards (0)

Festival start: 02 January 2016      Festival end: 03 February 2016

The Global Independent Film Awards is an online awards competition dedicated to recognizing filmmakers and actors for high quality work. We recognize how difficult it is to make an exceptional film, and want to reward filmmakers for achieving success in different aspects of the filmmaking process. You need credibility. We've got awards. If you do an amazing job making your film, we will give you awards for it. You get to include your credentials on your resume and promotional materials. Groovy, right?

Best Music Video
Best Picture - Short Film
Best Picture - Featurette
Best Picture - Feature Film
Best Short Script
Best Feature Script
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Costumes
Best Production Design
Best Sound
Best Visual Effects
Best Original Score
Best Choreography
Best Lead Actor
Best Lead Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Actor Under 18
Best Ensemble Cast
Diversity & Inclusion Award
Humanitarian Award
Mother Earth Environmental Award
Emerging Filmmaker Award
Spirit of Independence Award

Term & Conditions

To participate in this competition, all films must meet the following requirements. By submitting a film for consideration, the filmmaker accepts all of the terms and conditions below in full:

1) This competition is open to everyone, from any country. If under 18, the filmmaker must have parental consent to enter this competition.

2) There is no limit to the number of submissions a particular filmmaker may submit. Submissions may include scripts, short films, featurettes, feature films, music videos, webisodes, web series, and other categories. A category may be removed from consideration at any time, with or without notice. For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, typed screenplays, either printed or in electronic format are considered to be script(s); and all other categories that contain moving images (i.e., short films, music videos, webisodes, etc.) are considered film(s).

3) There is no premier status requirement, and no production date limit, although we prefer films completed within the last two years.

4) Previously submitted films may be re-submitted if, A) They have been substantially revised since their last (most recent) submission and, B) they have not previously won any awards in previous editions of the Global Independent Film Awards.

5) Films of various lengths are allowed to enter the competition, all the way up to a maximum of three hours. They are adjudicated as follows:
--Narrative Short Films, 0 – 30 Minutes
--Documentary Short Films, 0 – 60 Minutes
--Narrative Featurettes, 30 Minutes and 1 Frame – 60 Minutes
--Documentary Feature Films, 60 Minutes and 1 Frame - 3 Hours
--Narrative Feature Films, 60 Minutes and 1 Frame – 3 Hours

6) Please verify the exact length of your film/file, including bumpers, head credits, closing credits, etc.; and register into the appropriate category. Improperly submitted films may be disqualified. In such instances, submission fees will not be returned.

7) All dialogue must either be spoken in English, or the film must have English subtitles hard-coded into the film.

8) Films submitted to the Global Independent Film Awards may be shot in any format. Scripts should be prepared in proper screenwriting format and submitted in PDF file format.

9) Only the Producer(s) and/or Director may submit a film for consideration. The submitter hereby certifies that they possess the right(s) and all of the proper clearances to submit the film, including, but not limited to image rights, talent releases, and soundtrack and/or source music releases; and assumes all responsibility for their material. The Global Independent Film Awards accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any film submitted to the festival. All entries to the Global Independent Film Awards are adjudicated by other filmmaker(s) who may have multiple projects in the works, and may have many film ideas. By submitting an entry, the filmmaker(s) recognize(s) that each and every judge may have similar ideas and absolves GIFA and the judge(s) from any liability associated with his/her/their participation in this competition.

10) Only the original screenwriter may submit a script for consideration, and the submitter hereby certifies that the script is their original work. All scripts must be the work of a single writer. We suggest that each script submitted be filed with the WGA or possess a copyright prior to submission. The Global Independent Film Awards accepts no responsibility, financial or otherwise, for any script submitted to the festival. All entries to the Global Independent Film Awards are adjudicated by filmmaker(s) who may have multiple projects in the works, and may have many film or script ideas. By submitting an entry, the screenwriter recognizes each and every judge may have similar ideas and absolves GIFA and the judge(s) from any liability associated with his/her/their participation in this competition.

11) Each submission will be evaluated based on its script or screenplay, producing, directing, acting, technical, and artistic merits, as they apply to the submission. Feedback will not be provided to participants.

12) The Global Independent Film Awards only accepts online screeners. Please submit screeners via FestHome.com and keep contact information updated. Please be aware that prices, discount codes, promotions, etc., may vary between submission platforms. Likewise, GIFA utilizes social media to make special promotions available to individuals and entities that follow or subscribe to GIFA’s social media feeds.

13) Once submitted, GIFA does not refund fees, especially if a submission has already been adjudicated and/or the deadline for the current submission period has passed. Filmmakers should familiarize themselves with the Terms and Conditions prior to submission. Questions asked after submission may or may not receive a response.

14) If named as an Official Selection and/or nominated for any awards, filmmakers may be asked to send one DVD or Blu-Ray copy of the film for the festival archives. Filmmakers may also be asked to provide a trailer, cast & crew list, poster, and/or headshots of key cast or crew members. Even if requested, GIFA may decide not to download/accept materials, without any explanation. If a filmmaker has any reservations about sending materials, do not send them. If GIFA is aware of such reservations, GIFA will not accept them. Downloads will not be accepted. Only items send via public or private postal services will be accepted.

15) The submitter grants GIFA the right to use clips, the film’s trailer, and/or other materials (such as the poster, headshots, bios, etc.) for promotional purposes, in perpetuity, without any further consideration, and accepts sole responsibility for the use of all materials.

16) If materials are received late, the adjudication process will continue for the current edition of GIFA, and the submission will automatically be moved to the next edition of the festival as a one-time courtesy. If a script or film has already been named as an Official Selection and/or nominated for awards, the entry will transfer to the next edition with all the same honors.

17) All decisions made by the judge(s) are considered final and incontestable. The Global Independent Film Awards reserves the right to grant additional awards if deemed appropriate, and to not present all of the awards listed if A) none of the entries received meet GIFA’s high standards, and/or B) too few submissions are received to properly adjudicate a category.

18) All prizes are personal and non-transferable. All Official Selections, nominees, and winners will receive an award certificate in electronic (PDF) format celebrating their achievements, and laurels to include on their film and personal promotional materials. Rather than spreading the cost of trophies among all entrants up front, physical trophies may be purchased by winners for an additional fee, if desired. For the purpose of these Terms and Conditions, trophy (trophies) also includes medals and or medallions. By submitting a film as an entry, filmmakers agree that if they are named as Official Selections, nominees, or win one or more awards, they will include the GIFA laurels on the promotional materials for their film and on their personal resumes on a go-forward basis.

19) GIFA results will be made public at the conclusion of adjudication, and the results made available via press release and GIFA’s official website.

20) Entries are accepted only through designated submission platforms, including, but not limited to FestHome.com. User accepts all risk and responsibility associated with using GIFA’s website, social media, associated submission platforms, Paypal, each submission platform’s transaction processor, and any other avenues of communication with GIFA.

21) All filmmakers, submitters, their correspondents, publicists, etc., are expected to keep communications with GIFA and public communications professional and in good taste. Failure to do so may result in disqualification at any point in the adjudication process, including the nullification of Official Selection status or nominations. That stated, GIFA may elect to communicate only with the person who submitted the film to the festival for consideration, and should not be expected to communicate with any other persons.

22) GIFA is an international film festival with an audience spanning a wide range. Films containing titles and/or content deemed inappropriate or in poor taste may be disqualified.

23) The Global Independent Film Awards reserves the right to add, modify, or discard terms and conditions, if needed, as needed, at any time, at its sole discretion, with or without notification. It further reserves the right to make decisions to address anomalies and/or unforeseen circumstances, including, but not limited to removing a film from consideration, at its sole discretion, without providing an explanation.

24) Any dispute arising as a result of submission to the Global Independent Film Awards will have a recourse limited to the lesser of A) the submission fee paid, or B) the cost of correcting the issue.

25) By submitting an entry to the Global Independent Film Awards, the submitter(s)/filmmaker(s) accept(s) all of the terms and conditions herein, in their entirety, without modification. Submitter/filmmaker further acknowledges that remediation of any sort will be limited to a refund of their submission fees. If submitter/filmmaker does not agree with these terms, do not submit your entry. By submitting, submitter/filmmaker indicates that they have read, understand, agree with, and will comply will all of the Terms and Conditions stated in items 1-25 above.