THE FINE PRINT

DATES

• Submission dates: December 13, 2024 – January 20, 2025

SUBMISSION LENGTH + GENRE 

• 5 MIN Max run time
• We accept all formats and genres that our staff would give a G, PG, or PG-13 rating. We do not accept pornographic or graphically violent entertainment.
• Videos can be shot on any kind of device or camera.
• All files must be uploaded to Aspen FIlm’s Cinesend account to be considered.
• Files must be in the following formats: AppleProRes, .mov, or .mp4
  

FEES

• $5 Entry Fee. 
• No limit on the number of entries, but each entry is a separate fee. 
• Entry fees are non-refundable.

LANGUAGE 

• Films produced in languages other than English must have English subtitles.

JUDGING 

• Films will be judged by a panel of Aspen Film staff + volunteers. 
• Criteria will include the quality and content of the film, as well as its ability to entertain. 
• The screening panels’ decisions are final.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY + PROMOTION RIGHTS  

• Entrants retain all intellectual property rights in their submissions, including copyright rights. We strongly recommend that music and/or images be royalty-free or self-created.  As a condition of participation in the Contest, entrants grant Sponsor a non-exclusive, perpetual right to show, display, distribute, and market all film entries, in their entirety, in part (film clips) and still shots, to live audiences, online (recorded and live stream), and in written materials. This permission also includes but is not limited to the Sponsor’s right to use all film submissions in screenings, showcases, workshops, educational activities, and marketing efforts with third-party partners.  Exceptions and requests to opt-out will be granted only by written request and must be made prior to acceptance into the Contest.

The RULES

• The Radically Short Contest (hereafter referred to as the “Contest”) is presented by Aspen Film (the Non-Profit and hereafter referred to as the “Sponsor”) 
• No purchase is necessary to enter the contest, but entrants are liable for any costs incurred for entering.
• Employees and family members of Aspen Film are not eligible.
• The Radically Short Contest is open to participants (hereafter referred to as the “Entrant”) from ages 8-infinity.  
• For entrants under the age of 18 or under a legal disability, the contest form must be signed online by a parent or legal guardian who accepts responsibility on behalf of the entrant, has read these official rules (“Rules”), and agrees to bind the entrant to the Rules.
• Steps to submit an electronic file:
  • Fill out the form + pay the fee 
  • A link to upload your film will be emailed to you
  • Upload your film

HOW TO ENTER (FORM) – By signing the below, the Entrant agrees that:

• All film submissions must be made electronically. If you have a special circumstance and need to submit a hard copy DVD, contact info@aspenfilm.org by January 10, 2025.
• All entries (hard copy or electronic) become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned.  
• As a condition of participation, entrants agree that all entries can be used for marketing purposes and future events held by Sponsor and/or hosted on Sponsor’s website.

• Intellectual Property
  • By entering this contest, all entrants agree that their submission is their own original work, does not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others, and is in compliance with all copyright laws.
  • When using sources and works that are not your own, entrants agree that those works are part of the public domain, that they have obtained permission to use the work, or that the use of the work does not constitute a substantial portion of the film so as to comply with fair use laws of USC Title 17 Section 107 found at http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html. Where an entrant has obtained permission to use a substantial portion of another’s intellectual property, the Entrant agrees to submit proof of permission with the film entry. We urge Entrants in their creativity to use their own artistic works or those in the public domain. As for research, please give credit to the owners and authors of scientific, academic, political, etc. works, such as through the credits of the film or when the source is used in the film.
  • For help finding images that are in the public domain and do not constitute any type of infringement, try starting at the Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov/pictures. 
  • For free or royalty-free sound recordings and music, an artist typically places their work into the public domain. Try doing a search for royalty-free music, and you can find many songs available for a free and legal download to accompany your video. While Aspen Film does not endorse or promote any specific website, you may find some of these free resources helpful in your film creation: http://socialtimes.com/royalty-free-music_b37470
  • Entrants agree to not hold Aspen Film liable for any intellectual property disputes and to comply with these Rules and all copyright laws.
• Winner Selection/Notification
  • After winners are chosen, Sponsor will attempt to notify the winners via e-mail or telephone during the week of January 27, 2025. If the winner cannot be contacted within five (5) days after the date of the first attempt to contact, the Sponsor may choose to award the next runner-up in place of the originally selected winner.
  • Potential winners will be notified by e-mail and/or telephone. If the potential winner cannot be reached or if the prize is undeliverable, the potential winner forfeits the prize.
  • Winner/s who are based in the U.S. must supply a physical U.S. mailing address to which the prize can be delivered at the time of entry. If this address should change, it is the duty of the entrant to inform Sponsor of the updated address. For winning entrants who are minors, Sponsor reserves the right to award the prize in the name of the parent/legal guardian. Potential winners must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of the Rules, and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all of the requirements.
  • If a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor may award the applicable prize to the next runner-up in the category.
• General Conditions
  • In the event that the operation or administration of the Contest is impaired for any reason such as, but not limited to, fraud, legality, technicality, or in the event that the Contest is unable to run as planned for any reason, Sponsor may suspend the Contest temporarily or indefinitely. Sponsor may address the issue and resume the Contest or terminate the Contest. Suspension or termination of the Contest is under the sole discretion of Sponsor, and entrants agree not to hold Sponsor liable in these circumstances. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entrant that it finds to not be in compliance or in violation with the Contest Rules or any entrant who acts in an unprofessional or disruptive manner.
  • In submitting a film and signing the application form, all entrants agree to these terms and conditions of the contest and that Sponsor is not liable for any unauthorized or inappropriate sharing of films. Note that violence, profanity, or direct attacks on individuals or organizations will not be accepted. Film submissions must not violate any U.S. laws or laws applicable to International Entrants, including laws relating to religion, moral rights, rights of publicity, and/or privacy. All films must adhere to copyright laws. Any film utilizing copyrighted material that is not the creation or property of the entrant will not be considered unless clear evidence of the legal right to use that copyrighted material is provided with the submission by the applicable deadline (ex: permission by the owner of the intellectual property).
• Release and Limitations of Liability
  • In consideration for permission to participate in the Contest, entrants (together with parent or guardian if entrant is under 18 years of age or under a legal disability) expressly release and hold harmless the Sponsor from and against any and all claims, demands, and  causes of action arising out of the entrant’s participation in the Contest.  Entrant’s release and agreement to hold Sponsor harmless includes but is not limited to intellectual property disputes, cancellation of the Contest, injury, death, harm or losses of any kind, whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other fault of the Sponsor or its agents. Entrant (together with parent/guardian if appropriate) waives any right to claim any damages whatsoever, including but not limited to consequential, punitive, direct, or indirect damages, and releases and forever discharges Sponsor, its representatives, employees, officers, agents, and affiliates from all such claims, on behalf of entrants, their heirs, assigns, and any other person claiming by, under or through entrant.
• Disputes
  • Except when prohibited by law, entrants agree that any and all disputes will be handled individually. In the case of any dispute, entrants agree to attempt resolution with Sponsor. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of the Rules, entrants’ rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection to the Contest, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the laws of any jurisdiction other than Illinois. Any legal fees incurred by Sponsor in the event of a dispute relating in any way to the Contest are the responsibility of the entrant.