SFM Film festival guidelines

A. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS

1. SUBMISSION FORMAT: It is preferred if festival submissions can be via a password protected Vimeo link, to allow the submissions panel to access the film.

2. SUBMISSION GENRE: The competition is not constricted by genre; surfing and surf culture are wide open to creative interpretation and we welcome submissions that explore all aspects and angles of surfing from documentary to stop-frame to animation and anything in between.

3. DATE OF COMPLETION: Submissions should have been completed after January 1st 2018.

4. ENTRY FEES: Fees waived for 2025

5. ENTRY FORMS: Entry forms must be completed in their entirety.

6. SUBMISSION DEADLINES: Deadline for submissions is 16th February 2025 23.59pm. Submissions received after this date will not qualify for entry into the festival. Extenuating circumstances may be considered at the discretion of the The Single Fin Mingle Surf / Film Festival.

7. PRESENTATION FORMAT: If accepted into The Single Fin Mingle Film Festival as an official selection, film makers must submit a hi res format of the film on DCP hard drive or hi-res digital download for screening purposes by March 1st 2023 plus a version for review by the official SFM Film Festival Screening Panel, ie. Vimeo hosted, password protected. If you have any queries re screening formats please feel free to contact us. Filmmakers will assume all shipping costs to SFM.

B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree as follows:

1. Entries will not be accepted without a signed copy of the SFM Feature Terms and Conditions.

2. I have the right or authorisation to submit the film to The Single Fin Mingle Film Festival and the production has no litigation or disputes regarding any part of the production, distribution or originality.

3. I hold The Single Fin Mingle Limited harmless from any damage to submitted media during the process of the film festival.

4. I give permission for The Single Fin Mingle to use excerpts of the film/trailer for promotional purposes (max. 3 minutes duration).

5. I give permission for The Single Fin Mingle Festival to use stills, titles, copy, and/or information from the film for promotional purposes, online and in any print media or campaigns connected with The Single Fin Mingle. This includes brochures/programmes, printed media magazines/newspapers and online. We want to promote your film as best we can so please send additional material such as digital press kits to the official festival contact email.

6. By submitting the production, I give permission for The Single Fin Mingle to screen the production at The Single Fin Mingle Film Festival.

7. As the Submitter/Producer, I agree to take on all copyright liability in regard to submitted film in terms of music, product and other copyright licensing.

8. I give my permission for The Single Fin Mingle Film Festival.to share my film and any related promotional material with festival partners for the purpose of promoting your film and the festival unless I specify otherwise.

9. Submitting your film does not guarantee acceptance into The Single Fin Mingle Film Festival. Those film makers whose productions have been selected for screening as part of the main festival programme will be informed via email.

10. Filmmakers will be informed of official selection by email during the week beginning February 21st 2025. Please note – between this communication and the public screening at The Single Fin Mingle Film Festival, the selected films cannot be shown anywhere else in NZ prior to the SFM screening. By screening your film as a premiere it allows us to gain as much publicity as possible for you work through our media partners and mainstream press.

11. If accepted into The Single Fin Mingle Film Festival.as an official selection, film makers must submit a hi-res format of the film on DCP hard drive / hi-res digital download for screening purposes by March 1st 2025 . Filmmakers will assume shipping costs to SFM.

12. Non-English language films are welcomed, but must be either subtitled or dubbed.

13. If your film is accepted you will receive at least 2 complimentary tickets for the evening of the screening of your film – it’s your premiere and we want you to be as stoked as we are! More may available with enough notice.

14. Winners agree to participate in publicity – we want to be able to shout about your achievements! In order to do that, we need you to provide us with your press kit which includes a minimum of : 1 hi-res downloadable trailer, 1 synopsis including featured surfers and contributors, 2 x images for use in the press minimum 1920 x 1080, 1 poster / film artwork. Please bear in mind that the assets will be used to promote your film.