1. All entries must range from 30 seconds (minimum) to 6 minutes (maximum) in length.

2. The film must include the theme and prop announced on the website on November 6th at 5:00 p.m.

3. This is a “student” film festival meaning that the films are produced, directed, planned and technically executed entirely by students. The involvement of parents, teachers and professionals is limited to non-creative roles (i.e. technical advice, funding)

4. This contest is open to students from Grades 7-12 only. For mixed grade entries category is determined by highest grade of all students involved in the production. Junior Category is Grades 7-10 and Senior Category is Grade 11-12.

5. Productions must be completed within the November 6th - 8th filming weekend in order to be eligible for this festival.

6. Each school can enter as many entries as they wish. If a school has more than three entries it qualifies as an official drop-off location. To apply please complete and mail, email or fax in the “Designated Drop-Off Application”.

However, each film must be on a SEPARATE DVD and REQUIRES A SEPARATE ENTRY & FILM REGISTRATION FORM.

7. Each film must be entered on a DVD. PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THE COPY TO ENSURE IT PLAYS PROPERLY!

8. All entrants must pre-register by October 30th by either completing the online registration form OR faxing/mailing in the “PRE-ENTRY FORM” complete with the $45 per film entry fee or their film will face disqualification.

Entries Fees for both Senior and Junior Films are $45 per submission.

Please make cheque or money order payable to “Mulgrave School - Zoom Festival”

9. All entries must be handed-in to the nearest designated drop-off point by 5:00 p.m. November 8th complete with the Registration Form or they will not qualify.

10. All copies of films will be kept by the Zoom Film Festival. By entering this festival you are granting ZOOM FEST non-exclusive rights to retain an archive copy of your production for the purposes of exhibition, promotion, and education. All entries may be used on a compilation video made available to students and media arts educators to be used for educational purposes.

11. Copyright Warnings

Entrants are encouraged to create productions that consist entirely of original material, including music, graphics, visuals etc. YOU MAY BE DISQUALIFIED IF THE PROPER PAPER WORK IS NOT ATTACHED TO YOUR ENTRY FORM.

By entering the ZOOM Student Film Festival, you are declaring that the material in your production is either entirely original; or, you obtained proper, legal permission to use someone else’s copyrighted material.

• For popular songs, you must submit copies of express written consent from both the publisher and the record company which state your name, the name of your production, the title of the song, the names of the composer, performer and publisher and any specific limitations on the use of the song. Note the time frame of this festival! It can take 4-6 months to obtain this permission! Any entry using a popular song without this documentation will be disqualified.

• To use images from books, newspapers, television, videos, video games etc., you must have written permission.

• Material available on the internet is not considered to be in the public domain. Material is only in the public domain if it is older than 50 years, and/or the copyright holder has explicitly given up all rights to the material.

• The “Fair Use Clause” in copyright law applies only to very limited and specific uses; it does not apply to any material shown to the public in our festival.

• Historic footage ie. footage from World War II must be checked thoroughly for the copyright holder….check the video for a publishing company. This company will need to be contacted to obtain permission.

• THE USE OF ANY MATERIAL WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER IS ILLEGAL.

• Documented proof indicating permission to use such materials must accompany your entry. This means copies of all letters of permission.

• If using copyright cleared music, original music, or “buy out library music”, please include a description of this on the “FILM REGISTRATION FORM” which you will submit with your finished film on November 8th by 5:00 p.m.

12. Entry Forms and Labelling

Make sure that each film entered is on a separate DVD and clearly labeled on the DISC and CASE with the following information: Name of Primary Filmmaker, Title of Film, Length of Film, Your School’s Name and your team’s category (Junior or Senior).

13. All judging panel write-ups will be sent to your teacher after the Zoom Awards Night on Saturday, December 5th.