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1. Film Prize Overview
The Fantastic Film Prize is awarded to one feature film selected by an independent jury of national and international industry leaders during Fantastic Film Festival Australia 2026. The winner will receive AUD $10,000.
2. Applicant Eligibility
2.1 Applicants may be an individual or a team and must be either:
2.2 For the purposes of this competition, the applicant is defined as the Director or Producer of the film.
2.3 Participation in the Fantastic Film Prize and any associated activities, including travel, is at the applicant’s own cost and risk.
3. Submission Eligibility
To be considered, films must meet all submission requirements, including deadlines, entry fee payment, and materials supplied via FilmFreeway. Submissions that fail to meet these requirements may be disqualified at the discretion of Fantastic Film Festival Australia (FFFA).
Eligible films must:
a. Be a feature film with a minimum running time of 70 minutes.
b. Have been completed (picture lock) after January 2025.
c. Meet the Significant Australian Content (SAC) requirements. Proof of qualification may be requested.
d. Submissions should reflect the programming vision of the festival. Displaying aspects of genre cinema (horror, sci-fi, thriller, fantasy, action) or otherwise showcase a novel, unique and unconventional approach to the medium.
e. Grant FFFA the Victorian and New South Wales premiere screening of the final version.Exceptions apply only to private cast-and-crew screenings.
f. Not have been publicly screened in Victoria or New South Wales, including film festivals, television, DVD/video, or online (including VOD platforms such as Netflix, Stan, ABC iView, SBS On Demand) prior to or during the Festival. Films released online in Australia before the Festival dates are ineligible. Cast and crew screenings in VIC & NSW are permitted before the festival.
g. Not screen in Victoria or New South Wales during the Festival period. Screenings immediately following the Festival must be negotiated with FFFA in advance.
4. Payments and Expenses
4.1 All submissions must be accompanied by a non-refundable entry fee, payable in AUD via FilmFreeway at the time of submission.
4.2 All costs associated with submission, participation, travel, or accommodation are the responsibility of the applicant unless expressly stated otherwise.
5. Preview Screener Requirements
5.1 Applicants must provide an online screener via FilmFreeway.
5.2 Screener links must remain accessible to the programming team until 1 April 2026. FFFA may request additional access codes directly from distributors if required.
5.3 Screeners are for internal selection purposes only. While FFFA will take reasonable care in accessing online materials, all submissions are made at the applicant’s own risk.
6. Selection Process
6.1 Entries open October 8 2025
6.2 Applicants will be notified of outcomes by early March 2026.
6.3 Submissions are reviewed and selected by the FFFA programming team.
6.4 Any conflicts of interest within the programming team are managed internally under FFFA’s policies and are not subject to external review.
6.5 Selected films may not be withdrawn once accepted.
6.6 Films not selected for the Prize may still be considered for programming in the festival, outside of the Fantastic Film Prize competition.
6.7 All selected films will screen publicly at FFFA between mid-April and mid-May 2026.
7. Film Prize Finalists
7.1 Finalists must agree to provide a signed screening agreement and allow up to six screenings at FFFA (unless otherwise negotiated).
7.2 The winning film must consent to additional screenings at FFFA locations.
7.3 At least one key filmmaker (producer, director, or lead actor) from each Finalist Film must attend the Festival and Awards Presentation. Attendance at one media activity (e.g., interview, photocall, appearance) is also required. FFFA will provide at least 48 hours’ notice where possible.
7.4 The $10,000 Prize will be presented during the festival. The producer of the winning film must issue an invoice to FFFA. Payment will be made within 30 days to the nominated bank account. Applicants are responsible for their own tax obligations.
8. Delivery of Screening Materials
8.1 Finalists must provide a DCP and/or digital screening copy by 20 March 2026.
8.2 Delivery to the designated venue or lab is at the applicant’s expense.
8.3 FFFA will return DCPs at its own cost after the Festival.
9. Copyright and Clearances
9.1 It is the applicant’s responsibility to secure all necessary rights, clearances, and consents for submitted films.
9.2 FFFA accepts no liability for unauthorised use of copyrighted material.
9.3 Applicants indemnify FFFA against any claims arising from copyright infringement or breaches of third-party rights.
10. Competition Jury
10.1 An independent jury selected by FFFA will judge the Finalist Films on artistic and technical excellence.
10.2 Jury members will not have any financial or creative involvement in competing films. Potential conflicts are reviewed by FFFA before appointments are confirmed.
10.3 The Jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
11. Marketing Materials
11.1 Selected films must provide the following within two weeks of notification:
11.2 FFFA will supply official “Fantastic Film Prize Finalist” laurels. These may only be used in accordance with FFFA guidelines.
11.3 By submitting, applicants grant FFFA the right to use trailers, stills, and clips for Festival promotion.
11.4 Public announcements about a film’s selection must not be made before FFFA’s official announcement.
12. Liability
12.1 FFFA is not liable for any loss, damage, cost, or personal injury arising from participation, cancellation, or alteration of the Festival or competition.
13. Privacy and Information Use
13.1 By entering, applicants consent to their information being stored and used by FFFA and its partners for Festival administration and promotion.
13.2 Applicants may request to access, update, or correct personal information by contacting FFFA.
13.3 Entrants may not disclose details of the selection process or outcomes until publicly announced by FFFA.
14. Reservation of Rights
FFFA reserves the right to make program selections outside these criteria at its discretion.
15. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.
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