Alassio Sea Cine Fest (ASCF) - Shorts By The Sea (1)

Festival start: 26 June 2027      Festival end: 27 June 2027

Alassio Sea Cine Fest (ASCF) – Shorts By The Sea is a new showcase dedicated to contemporary short filmmaking, set to take place in the second half of June 2027 in the beautiful coastal town of Alassio, on the Italian Riviera.

The Festival explores the complex relationship between people, the sea, and coastal communities, welcoming fiction, documentaries, animation, and experimental visual works that engage, directly or indirectly, with environmental conservation, maritime traditions, adventure, and the emotions and imagery evoked by water.

Bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and jury members, ASCF places hospitality at its heart: all eight shortlisted directors selected for the competition will be hosted in Alassio free of charge for the entire weekend, including two nights of accommodation and official festival dinners, giving them the opportunity to present their films in person and take part in live Q&A sessions.

Cash Prizes: 900€

A distinguished jury and the festival audience will present the following awards during the closing ceremony:

- Best Short Film – Jury Award: €500 + Trophy

- Special Jury Award: €250 + Trophy (Awarded to the film that best interprets the festival's suggested themes)

- Audience Award: €150 + Plaque (Determined by direct audience voting)

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS – ALASSIO SEA CINE FEST (ASCF)

Article 1 – Purpose

Alassio Sea Cine Fest (ASCF) – Shorts by the Sea is a festival dedicated to contemporary short filmmaking and the exploration of the relationship between the sea, local territories, and coastal communities.

The first edition of the Festival will take place in Alassio (Province of Savona, Italy) during the second half of June 2027, over the course of a weekend (Saturday and Sunday).

The exact dates will be officially announced and communicated to all participants no later than the publication of the list of selected films.

Article 2 – Eligibility Requirements

The following types of works are eligible for submission:

- Fiction short films;
- Short documentaries;
- Animated films;
- Experimental works.

Submitted works must align with the Festival's overall theme and explore, directly or indirectly, aspects related to the sea, coastal territories, the environment, or the relationship between people and the sea.

Article 3 – Maximum Running Time

The maximum running time for eligible works is 20 minutes, including opening and closing credits.

There is no minimum running time requirement.

Article 4 – languages and subtitles

Submissions from all countries are welcome.

Films in languages other than Italian must include either:

- Italian subtitles; or
- english subtitles.

The Artistic Direction may request additional materials for screening purposes.

Article 5 – Submission Procedure

Participation in the Festival is possible through online submissions via the official platforms specified in the call for entries (e.g., (Festhome).

Each filmmaker or distributor may submit one or more works.

Submissions must include:

- Technical specifications;
- Synopsis;
- Filmmaker biography and filmography;
- Promotional materials (poster, 2–3 high-resolution film stills, and a trailer, if available).

Article 6 – Selection Process

Submitted works will be evaluated by a Selection Committee appointed by the Festival organizers.

The Committee will select 8 finalist films, which will be screened during the Festival's official screening evenings.

The Selection Committee's decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Article 7 – awards

A distinguished jury and the festival audience will present the following awards during the closing ceremony:

Best Short Film – Jury Award: €500 + Trophy
Special Jury Award: €250 + Trophy (Awarded to the film that best interprets the Festival's suggested themes)
Audience Award: €150 + Plaque (Determined by direct audience voting)

Article 8 – Hospitality for Selected Filmmakers

Alassio Sea Cine Fest encourages the active participation of filmmakers throughout the event, fostering dialogue between directors, audiences, and industry professionals.

For its inaugural edition, the Festival organizers plan to provide the directors of the 8 selected films with:

- Two nights of complimentary accommodation in Alassio;
- Access to networking opportunities and official Festival activities;
- Two official Festival dinners;
- Possible contributions towards travel expenses, subject to available resources.

Hospitality arrangements and further details will be communicated directly to the selected filmmakers.

The organizers reserve the right to adjust the hospitality programme according to organizational requirements and confirmed partnerships.

Article 9 – Rights and Authorizations

By submitting a film, the filmmaker or applicant declares that they hold all necessary copyrights and exploitation rights required for participation in the Festival.

The Festival organizers are expressly authorized to:

- Screen the submitted work during the official Alassio Sea Cine Fest programme;
- Use excerpts from the work (up to a maximum of 10% of its total running time or 2 minutes) for promotional, press, and social media/web communication purposes;
- Publish images, synopses, and promotional materials provided by the filmmakers.

All copyrights and ownership rights to the submitted works remain entirely with their respective rights holders.

Article 10 – Content Library and Subsequent Usage Rights (Optional)

Filmmakers whose works are selected may voluntarily join the Alassio Sea Cine Fest Content Library programme.

Participation in this programme will allow the Festival organizers to use the selected works beyond the Festival dates for activities such as:

- Cultural screenings and special film events;
- Educational initiatives and school programmes;
- Thematic film showcases and off-season screenings in the local area;
- Digital projects aimed at promoting cultural heritage, in line with the Festival's mission.

The terms of use, licence duration, any territorial restrictions, and financial conditions will be governed by a separate agreement signed between the filmmaker and the Festival organizers.

Participation in this programme is entirely optional and is not a requirement for entering the main competition.

Article 11 – Acceptance of Rules and Regulations

Participation in Alassio Sea Cine Fest implies full and unconditional acceptance of these Rules and Regulations.

The Festival organizers reserve the right to resolve any matters not expressly covered by these regulations and to introduce organizational changes whenever necessary to ensure the successful running of the event.