Lijo Jose Pellissery

1. Mission and Thematic Focus

Global Frames Fest USA (hereafter "GFF" or "the Festival") provides a premier hybrid platform combining expansive digital reach with a live, in-person celebration of cinema. We empower both emerging and established creators worldwide. GFF champions inclusive storytelling that bridges diverse cultures and communities, actively welcoming narratives that highlight underrepresented backgrounds, family, humanity, and cross-cultural connection.

2. Eligibility & Exhibition Formats

Submissions are open to all filmmakers globally. To be eligible, the project must be a live-action film completed on or after January 1st 2024.

• No Rough Cuts or Drafts: Only fully completed projects will be considered. GFF strictly does not accept works-in-progress, rough cuts, or temporary drafts for judging.
  
  

• Digital-Only Submissions: We do not accept submissions in the form of physical media (e.g., DVDs, Blu-rays, USB flash drives, or external hard drives). Filmmakers must provide high-quality streaming files via FilmFreeway or an alternate secure platform designated by the Festival (e.g., Eventive).
  
  

• Category Timing Limits:. The Total Running Time (TRT) includes all opening titles, main content, and closing credits. All submissions in violation of the TRT requirements for their respective categories will be disqualified.

  • Category 1: The Total Running Time (TRT) of the film submission(s)
    must not exceed 60 seconds. 

  • Category 2: The Total Running Time (TRT) of the film submission(s) must be a minimum of 180 seconds and shall not exceed 600 seconds. 

  • Category 3: The Total Running Time (TRT) of the film submission(s) must be a minimum of 600 seconds and shall not exceed 1800 seconds.
    
    

• Theatrical Exhibition: If selected for live exhibition, filmmakers must deliver a high-quality downloadable exhibition file (ProRes, H.264 MP4/MOV, or DCP, per Festival specifications) by the technical deadline.
  
  

• Premiere Status & Licensing Rights: There are no premiere requirements for submission; projects may have been previously exhibited publicly, distributed, or made available online. However, by submitting, the applicant represents and warrants that they are the sole and exclusive owner (or authorized representative thereof) of all universal copyrights, intellectual property, and distribution rights for the film. The applicant hereby grants the Festival a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, fully sublicensable license to utilize, exhibit, and stream the film (both digitally and in physical venues), as well as any associated promotional materials (posters, trailers, stills, and clips), for the sole purposes of festival programming, streaming, screening, marketing, and promotional campaigns.
  
  

• Language & Subtitles: All dialogue must feature hard-coded English subtitles or be accompanied by a synced .srt or .vtt file for both digital and live screenings.
  
  

• Media Liability: The Festival exercises extreme care with physical storage media; however, GFF assumes no liability for data loss, damage, or degradation of physical assets during transit or testing.

3. Content Exclusions & Standards

GFF reserves the unilateral right to disqualify entries or deny exhibition of any film that violates our content standards, without a refund.

• Artificial Intelligence: Fully AI-generated works or films utilizing generative AI as the primary creative force (e.g., text-to-video, synthetic actors, AI voiceovers) are strictly prohibited. AI utilized strictly for standard post-production enhancements (e.g., color grading, VFX touch-ups on human-shot footage, audio repair) is permitted.

• Animation: Animated films are not accepted; all entries must be live-action.

• Restricted Content: Submissions containing explicit pornography, gratuitous nudity, or extreme, senseless violence will be disqualified.

• Incitement & Unlawful Content: GFF maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward content that promotes, glorifies, or incites terrorism, hate crimes, or violence. Content that deliberately seeks to undermine public safety or violates international human rights standards is strictly prohibited.

4. Submission Categories, Fees, and Awards Structure

CATEGORY 1: ONE-MINUTE WORLD STORIES

• Entry Fees (Early / Regular / Late): $20 / $25 / $35

• Primary Category Awards:

  • Best Film: $500

  • Best Director: $150

  • Audience Choice: $150

CATEGORY 2: SHORT-SHORT FILMS

• Entry Fees (Early / Regular / Late): $35 / $50 / $70

• Primary Category Awards:

  • Best Film: $1,000

  • Special Jury: $650

  • Best Director: $300

CATEGORY 3: EXTENDED SHORTS

• Entry Fees (Early / Regular / Late): $50 / $75 / $90

• Primary Category Awards:

  • Best Film: $2,500

  • Best Director: $500

  • Special Jury: $1,000

INDIVIDUAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (All Categories) Recipients receive a physical trophy, a certificate of appreciation, and the following cash prizes depending on their category (One-Minute / Short-Short / Extended):

• Best Screenplay: $100 / $200 / $300

• Best Cinematography: $100 / $200 / $300

• Best Editing: $75 / $125 / $200

• Best Background Music: $75 / $125 / $200

• Best Actor: $100 / $200 / $300

• Best Actress: $100 / $200 / $300

5. Required Metadata & Project Information

To ensure accurate programming and crediting, all submissions must include comprehensive metadata via FilmFreeway:

• Project Overview: Logline, short synopsis, and director's statement.

• Core Details: Completion date, country of origin, genre, original language, and subtitle availability.

• Technical Specs: Shooting format, aspect ratio, and audio format.

• Credits: Director(s), Writer(s), Producer(s), Key Cast, Cinematographer, Composer, Editor, and Sound Designer.

6. Intellectual Property, Rights, & Indemnification

• Chain of Title & Clearances: The submitting party must hold full legal rights and clearances for all materials included in the film, including but not limited to footage, scripts, actors' likenesses, trademarks, and all music synchronization, master, and performance rights.

• Indemnification: The submitter agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Global Frames Fest Inc., its officers, directors, affiliates, and host venues from any legal claims, liabilities, damages, or expenses arising from copyright infringement, trademark disputes, defamation, privacy violations, or intellectual property misappropriation.

• Exhibition & Promotional License: By submitting, the filmmaker grants GFF a non-exclusive, revocable license to store, upload, and stream the project via our secure digital platforms, and to project the film at live Festival venues. Furthermore, the submitter grants GFF the right to utilize up to one (1) minute of the film, alongside posters, stills, and trailers, for promotional and marketing purposes across all media formats.

• Distribution: Any broader external distribution opportunities explored by the Festival will be governed by a separate, mutually agreed-upon written contract.

7. Administrative Policies

• Refunds & Withdrawals: All submission fees are strictly non-refundable. Disqualification for policy violations or missed deadlines does not warrant a refund. Once officially accepted and programmed, a film may not be withdrawn from the Festival.

• Minors & Contractual Capacity: Filmmakers under the age of 18 must provide verifiable, written consent from a parent or legal guardian to submit their work and accept these terms.

• Non-Discrimination: GFF operates under a strict policy of equity and inclusion, welcoming creators regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or age.

• Right to Amend: The organizing committee reserves the right to amend, vary, or modify any rules, policies, schedules, or terms of this contest at any time without prior notification.

• Participant Obligations:

  • Independent Review: Participants hold the sole responsibility to review the terms regularly for updates.

  • Direct Inquiry: Contestants must proactively contact the organizing committee to obtain the most current guidelines.

  • Binding Acceptance: Continued participation after any modification constitutes full and legally binding acceptance of the updated terms.

8. Binding Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

By submitting a project, all associated parties explicitly agree that any claims, disputes, or controversies arising out of or related to the Festival, its terms, selection processes, or events shall be resolved strictly and exclusively through binding arbitration. All parties irrevocably waive their right to pursue litigation in any local, national, or international court of law. Proceedings shall be managed by a neutral arbitrator, and the resulting decision shall be final and legally binding.

9. Financial Provisions, Revenue Allocation & Screening Fees

• Festival Revenue Ownership: Global Frames Fest Inc. (GFF) retains 100% of the rights to any and all revenue generated through the operation, promotion, and execution of the Festival. This includes, but is not limited to, revenue derived from live event ticket sales, digital streaming passes, festival-branded merchandising, corporate sponsorships, advertising, and philanthropic donations.
  
  

• Waiver of Royalties & Screening Fees: By submitting a project, the filmmaker acknowledges and agrees that their participation in GFF is voluntary. The filmmaker explicitly waives any and all rights to demand screening fees, royalty payments, box-office percentages, or any portion of streaming revenue generated by the Festival during its official digital and in-person run.
  
  

• Allocation of Funds: All funds and proceeds generated by GFF are the sole and exclusive property of the Festival. The GFF executive leadership team and the board of directors retain absolute, unilateral discretion over the allocation and disbursement of these funds. Proceeds will be utilized for, but are not limited to, covering operational expenses, marketing and administrative costs, compensation of festival staff and board members, funding independent film grants, and supporting any further non-profit or philanthropic activities determined by the board.
  
  

• Independent IP Protection: This clause applies strictly to Festival-derived revenue. It does not lay claim to the filmmaker’s independent underlying intellectual property, nor does it entitle GFF to revenue generated by the filmmaker’s own independent sales, external merchandising, or future non-festival distribution deals.