UCLAxFilmFest Rules

UCLAxFilmFest celebrates and supports the young filmmakers of today who will become the industry professionals of tomorrow. The mission of this film festival (the "Festival") is to showcase the best short films by current and previous students of the Entertainment Studies unit at UCLA Extension. Because your submission of any film, short, documentary or other work (the "Film") to the Festival constitutes acceptance of these rules (the "Rules"), please review the Rules very carefully.  “UCLAx” hereinafter refers to “UCLA Extension”, “UCLA” or the “University”. “You” or “Your” refers to the student/individual submitting the “Film”.

September 4, 2024: Submission window opens. Submissions must be sent digitally via the FilmFreeway portal, as described in Paragraph 4.

November 17, 2024 (11:59 p.m.): Deadline for Submissions.

April 3 - April 5, 2025: The Festival will take place  in-person in downtown Los Angeles and virtually on Eventive, a platform that will protect the security and integrity of your films. 

Virtual Film Festival 
The festival will take place virtually on the weekend of April 3 - 5, 2025. We will use Eventive, a streaming service that will provide transmission of content along with embedded security measures, to securely deliver content. 

To be eligible for consideration:

• You must fully comply with these Rules, including all deadlines, Film length, entry material, and other requirements.
• You must have successfully completed at least one (1) class in the Entertainment Studies program or the Screenwriting program at UCLA Extension within the last five (5) years.
• Films may be no longer than 15 minutes, including credits.
• You must be the writer, director, composer, cinematographer or producer of the Film you are submitting.
• With your submission, you must include a .jpeg file of the Film's poster, or a downloadable trailer for the Film no longer than 30 seconds in length.
• Films that contain significant non-English spoken dialogue must provide on-screen English subtitles.
• You may submit only one (1) Film.
• Films must have been completed within five (5) years of the first Festival date (April 3, 2025). 
• We recommend that the Film be encoded for 5.1 surround sound.
• You may submit Films that have screened at other festivals.
• We will not accept films that have received distribution in the United States of America prior to the date of the Festival.
• Films broadcast on TV or that have received a theatrical release in the United States of America, or that are available on DVD or VOD, are not eligible for consideration.
• Should you submit an updated version of your Film to the Festival after having submitted a previous version of the same work, the Festival is under no obligation to view or screen any or all of the updated version.

Entries must be submitted through the FilmFreeway platform at https://filmfreeway.com/festival/uclaxfilmfest by November 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

All entries must include the following:

A FilmFreeway Profile, properly completed. A complete FilmFreeway Profile includes: 

• Your Film as a link or attachment.
• A .jpeg file of your Film's poster.
• A trailer for the Film that is no longer than one-minute in length is also ideal.
• An official Festival submission form, found under "Submit Now" at https://filmfreeway.com/festival/uclaxfilmfest, properly completed.

PLEASE NOTE: It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your FilmFreeway Profile and Festival submission form are properly submitted, using formats that are fully functional, in a timely manner. If the Festival determines that a submission does not meet all of the above criteria, or if the Festival otherwise determines that the submission is not eligible, the submission will be disqualified. UCLA Extension will not accept physical entry materials at this time. 

No entry fees are required to submit a Film to the Festival.

Films that are chosen to be screened at the Festival will be eligible to win in the following categories:

• Best Film 
• Best Director
• Audience Choice
• Best Unique and Artistic Film
• Entertainment Studies Award 

Award winners will be announced at the Festival. In order to receive an award at the festival, filmmakers or a representative approved in advance by the Festival, must be present. 

The winner of each award will receive free enrollment for any one (1) UCLA Extension class in any department. The winner of "Best Film" may use their one (1) free enrollment toward the Independent Study program where the winner will have the opportunity to work on his or her own film projects under the mentorship of a UCLA Extension instructor. 

The Festival may add additional award categories and/or prizes, to be announced during the submission window.  UCLA has no obligation to disclose the names of the individuals who will determine the awards or provide any feedback or information relating to the submissions or the award selection process.  Comments or opinions expressed about the Films are solely those of the individuals who express them and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UCLA Extension.  

A. Generally

• Ensuring that you have obtained the necessary authorizations, permissions and clearances relating to filmmaking is complicated and should be something that you consider early on in your processes. Please keep in mind that screening your Film at the Festival will be a "public performance" under U.S. copyright law, and you must have copyright licenses and other permissions in place before you submit your Film for consideration, or your use of third-party content is clearly protected under the "fair use" doctrine of U.S. copyright law. By submitting your Film you are representing and promising that you have obtained all necessary authorizations, permissions, and clearances for the Film, including licenses to use any music or other third-party content (such as clips from other films), as well as location permits and other required authorizations and documents.
• You, alone, are financially and legally responsible for any and all claims and legal issues relating to your Film. For example, you will need written agreements with others contributing to your Film, including, but not limited to, the scriptwriter(s), songwriter(s), producer(s), director(s), camera operator(s), editor(s), and anyone else who is making a creative contribution, as they may have an ownership interest in the Film and may control what you are able to do with it. You should also obtain written permission from the property owner of the location(s) you use to film.
• You should also enter into the appropriate performer agreement with every actor, musician, or singer who performs and, if there is any pre-existing content in the film such as film clips, artwork on the walls, or pre-existing music, you may need written permission of the copyright owner to include such content in your Film (or related materials).
• Your Film will be housed and streamed on a website. Ticket holders will be prohibited from downloading your film, and several measures will be taken to deter theft. Each UCLAx Film Fest ticket holder will receive an encrypted link to the virtual film festival that is exclusive to them and only accessible for three days after they start watching the films. They can start watching the films at any time during the festival weekend, April 3 - 5, 2025. Although the films will be available to view for only three days per person, festival guests will be viewing the films on the Eventive website anytime between April 3 and April 8, 2025. Although the limited viewing window and other protections are designed to limit content theft, UCLA and UCLAx Film Fest cannot guarantee that your film will not be stolen or otherwise damaged or that the system will not crash during the Film Festival. By entering your Film in the Festival, you acknowledge and accept this risk and understand that UCLA is not liable should such theft or damage occur and understand that UCLA is not guaranteeing the number of individuals who will be able to view the submissions. UCLA reserves the right to control the form of transmission and the number of views based on conditions at the time of the Festival.
• By submitting a Film, you agree that UCLA Extension may review your records, including student records, to confirm your eligibility and may communicate with other parts of the University about your submission.
• Please consult with an attorney to ensure that you have obtained the appropriate permissions before submitting your Film to the Festival. If you are a current UCLA Extension student, you may want to consider contacting Students Legal Services to determine if they are able to advise you regarding these Rules, your Film, and its submission to the Festival.

B. Your Responsibility for Third-Party Claims

• You, alone, are solely responsible for securing authorization and permission from the copyright owner(s) of any and all copyrighted content or materials included within the Film. UCLA Extension expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted content or materials within or relating to the Film, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third-party claims for copyright infringement. UCLA Extension reserves the right to disqualify without refund any Film with any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action, or proceeding is brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Film makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any copyrighted content or material, you shall fully indemnify and defend UCLA Extension, the Festival, and the students, employees, officers, directors and agents of each, from any liability in connection with the Film and from any fees and expenses (including attorneys' fees), that any of them may incur relating to your Film.
• You, alone, are solely responsible for securing authorization and permission from the owner(s) of any and all trademarked content or materials included within the submitted Film. UCLA Extension expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any trademarked content or materials within or relating to the submitted Film, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third-party claims for trademark infringement, trademark dilution or unfair competition. UCLA Extension reserves the right to disqualify, without refund, any Film with any unauthorized inclusion of trademarked content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding is brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges that the Film makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any trademarked content or material, you shall fully indemnify and defend UCLA Extension, the Festival, and the students, employees, officers, directors and agents of each, from any liability in connection with the Film and from any fees and expenses (including attorneys' fees), that any of them may incur relating to your Film.
• You, alone, are solely responsible for clearing all content of the Film from any and all actual or potential legal claims and issues, including, without limitation, claims based upon theories of libel, defamation, invasion of privacy, violation of rights of publicity, theft of trade secrets, breach of confidence, breach of confidential relationship, and breach of express or implied contract ("Third-Party Claim(s)"). UCLA Extension expressly disavows any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for the inclusion of any content or materials within or relating to the submitted Film that are or may be the basis for any Third-Party Claims based upon any of the foregoing legal theories or others. UCLA Extension reserves the right to disqualify, without refund, any Film that is or may become the subject of any Third-Party Claim(s). If any Third-Party Claim(s) are asserted by any person or entity, you shall fully indemnify and defend UCLA Extension, the Festival, and the students, employees, officers, directors and agents of each, from any liability in connection with the Film and from any fees and expenses (including attorneys' fees), that any of them may incur relating to your Film.

By submitting your film to the Festival:

• You represent and agree that you created the Film, it is original work, and you have the right to submit it. 
• You represent and warrant that you have obtained the appropriate authorizations, permissions, and clearances to allow UCLA Extension to use the Film and related materials externally, in any and all media, in perpetuity.
• You give UCLA Extension the right to stream, screen and broadcast clips and trailers of your Film, and to include any part of it in a version to be used in related promotional materials. In addition, you give UCLA Extension the right to temporarily house your film on the Eventive website and stream the entire length of your film to UCLAxFilmFest ticket holders on the weekend of April 3 - April 8, 2025. You also understand that UCLA Extension may choose not to use your film at all or in promotional materials.
• You understand that the final selection of films to be screened is at the discretion of UCLA Extension.
• You warrant that you have the right to submit this film and that the rights granted to UCLA will not violate or infringe upon any right of any person or entity. You hold harmless and indemnify UCLA Extension from and against any and all third-party claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses, including legal fees and expenses arising out of or related to the Film you submit and any breach of warranties by you of these Festival Rules.
• You grant to UCLA Extension your unlimited, irrevocable permission to use or reproduce your name, likeness, identity, voice, photographic image, film, digital and/or videographic images, and testimonials, oral or recorded statements in any and all forms of media, means, manner, platforms, or publications of UCLA intended for research, educational, promotional, fundraising, or other use, on any format now known or yet to be invented, including without limitation: composite or modified representations, film broadcast, printed publications, webpages and web-based publications, associated with UCLA Extension.
• You acknowledge that under no circumstance shall UCLA Extension be liable to you or any third-party for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive damages, including without limitation, copyright infringement, piracy, misappropriation, loss of data, use, goodwill, profit or other intangible losses, resulting from streaming your film in the Virtual Film Festival; including but not limited to unauthorized access, conduct of any Third-Party and or service, use or alteration of transmission or content of your film, whether such loss is based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence) or any other legal theory.  
• At UCLA Extension, we are committed to upholding the University of California’s core values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. We expect our students to conduct themselves with integrity, respect the rights and dignity of all members of our community by listening attentively, communicating clearly, and remaining open to understanding others and their diverse points of view and hold themselves accountable to the commitments they make and for their conduct.  Further information can be found at: https://equity.ucla.edu/know/freedom-of-speech/

The Festival is organized by UCLA Extension's Entertainment Studies unit. Should you have any questions, please contact Liesl Davis at ldavis@uclaextension.edu. 

All notifications and other communications regarding the Festival will be done via email and with the original submitter whose signature appears below and using the email address that appears below.