Rules and Regulations

Last Updated: 1st October 2025

The following rules and regulations apply to all participants, and users of our website, services, or events. By engaging with our platform, you agree to follow these guidelines.

1. Eligibility

• Eligible films must be produced within the last 5 years.
• Open to independent filmmakers of all nationalities, not limited to Emirati, GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), South Asian, MENA, European, and North American (USA & Canada) filmmakers.
• All genres are accepted (fiction, documentary, animation, etc.).
• The applicant must own or hold legal rights to the submitted project.
• Strictly no AI-generated movies.

2. Submission Deadlines and Fees

• Early Bird: USD 55 — October 1–31, 2025
• Regular: USD 65 — November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
• Final Call: USD 75 — March 1–31, 2026

3. Submission Guidelines

Each entry requires:

• Completed entry form
• Film in MP4 format (foreign language films must have English subtitles) up to a maximum of 40 minutes.
• Digital press kit including: film plot/summary, director’s bio & filmography, and list of awards/prizes (if any).
• Trailers should preferably be in English.
• Posters, flyers, and other promotional materials must be submitted with the screening copy.
• More than one entry may be submitted, but each must be accompanied by a separate entry form and entry fee.
• Nudity, excessive violence, and political content are not permitted. To qualify for submission, please ensure these elements are edited out of your film.
• Once submitted, fees are non-refundable as part of the official entry process.

4. Screening & Rights

• The Festival accepts MP4 format only for screenings.
• Selected participants agree to present their project publicly at EFF.
• By submitting, participants grant EFF the right to use film stills, footage, posters, and related information for promotional and marketing purposes.
• Participants consent to being filmed, photographed, or recorded during the festival and authorize EFF to use these materials for publicity.
• The Festival does not pay screening fees for films selected in the competition.

5. Awards & Representation

Winners based outside the UAE must send a representative to collect prizes/trophies. If no representative is available, winners will bear the shipping costs for medals and awards.

6. Festival Authority

• The Festival calendar and schedule are determined solely by the EFF Management.
• The Management reserves the right to make final decisions on any unforeseen issues not covered in these regulations.
• Non-compliance with these rules may result in rejection of the film.These rules and regulations may be updated or revised at any time. Changes will take effect immediately once posted on this page.

7. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Rules and Regulations, please contact us at:

Email: hello@emiratesfilmfest.com

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