Terms and Conditions

Please read the following terms carefully before submitting your short film to VTSFF.

Films in all languages are accepted.
English subtitles are mandatory for all non-English films.
Films previously submitted to VTSFF are not eligible.
Films not submitted before — regardless of age or release history — are welcome.
Maximum Duration: 40 minutes, including credits. Films exceeding this limit will not be considered.
Upload your movie to YouTube (set as Unlisted or Private) and share the YouTube link only – do not send Google Drive or other storage links.

A non-refundable submission fee is applicable to all entries.
No refunds under any circumstances, including disqualification, non-selection, or withdrawal.
- ₹450 for Indian entries
- $10 for international entries

Films must not contain hate speech, derogatory, or discriminatory content targeting religion, caste, race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, or nationality.
Content mocking or attacking communities or groups will lead to immediate disqualification.
Pornographic, sexually explicit, or illegal content will be rejected outright.

You must own all rights, including music, visuals, and third-party materials.
By submitting, you grant VTSFF the right to publicly screen your film during the festival.
Submission does not guarantee selection or screening. The Judging committee’s decision is final.

All decisions by the jury and festival organizers are final and non-negotiable.
No influence, lobbying, or recommendations will be entertained.
Only selected/nominated films will receive official communication and invites to the award ceremony.

Nominees attending the event will receive schedules and access details.
VTSFF reserves the right to change the event date, format, or venue due to unforeseen circumstances.
A nominal entry fee will be charged for all attendees of the film festival.

Selected filmmakers agree to allow VTSFF to use film stills, posters, and clips for promotional purposes, including social media, press releases, and festival trailers.

By submitting, the filmmaker declares that their film is free from any legal disputes or copyright claims.
The filmmaker takes full responsibility for any legal claims arising out of the content submitted.
VTSFF and its organizers are not liable for any breach of copyright, trademark, or third-party rights.

Open to filmmakers from all countries, subject to the same rules as Indian entries.
International entries will be evaluated separately to ensure fair representation.
Selected films will be notified in advance.
International participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, visa, and expenses.
VTSFF does not offer financial support, grants, or accommodations.
Ensure compliance with any export laws in your country before submitting.
VTSFF is not responsible for customs or import/export issues related to international submissions.

The Videotape Short Film Festival (VTSFF) reserves the right to modify, remove, or add rules at any time to ensure the integrity and smooth functioning of the festival.

Every year in August, submissions for the Videotape Short Film Festival open to filmmakers from all over the world. The submission window will remain open until officially closed by the festival team. During this period, filmmakers are welcome to submit their short films via our official portal.

Once your film is submitted:

Our internal team will review the film to ensure it meets all eligibility criteria and complies with festival rules and regulations.
Films that do not comply will be rejected at this stage, and no further action will be taken.
Films that pass the eligibility check will be marked as “Official Selections” of VTSFF and will move on to the jury screening.

All Officially Selected films will be announced on our Instagram page.
These films are then reviewed by a selection panel of juries.
Based on the jury's decision, a curated list of standout films—referred to as “Short listed films”—will be chosen for further consideration.

The Short listed films are then reviewed by a second-level judging panel, consisting of esteemed industry professionals.
From this round, the top-performing films are selected and officially declared as “Nominated Films” of VTSFF.
Only nominated films will be invited to the physical screening and award event.

The VTSFF culminates in a prestigious Award Ceremony & Screening Event where:

Nominated filmmakers and their teams will walk the red carpet, experience interviews, enjoy celebrity interactions, photo shoots, and much more.
Winning films and talents will be announced live during the event.
Awards, honors, and special surprises will be presented to the winners.