Sehsüchte Internationales Studierendenfilmfestival ()

Festival start: 19 April 2023      Festival end: 23 April 2023

The 52nd edition of the Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival, one of the biggest film festivals for young filmmakers in Europe, will take place from 19th April until 23rd April 2023 in Potsdam. Founded in the 1970s as a showcase for young filmmakers in the GDR, Sehsüchte has established itself over the decades as an internationally important festival and has become an integral part of the Berlin and Brandenburg cultural landscape.

International up-and-coming filmmakers are offered a platform here to present their works and come into contact with a broad audience as well as the industry. Sehsüchte sees itself as a place of encounter and networking, as an event of cultural diversity and a celebration of cinema, today as well as tomorrow. Sehsüchte is planned, organized and implemented entirely by students of the Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. The direct connection to the renowned film university enables a unique exchange between young filmmakers, media practice and academia, which is the festival's special appeal.

new shores

The Sehsüchte Festival is setting out for new shores in 2023. As an integral part of Potsdam's cultural landscape and the state of Brandenburg, the festival will move out of the buildings of the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF and instead find itself in the heart of Potsdam. The new festival campus will reflect the cultural diversity of the state capital and at the same time bring international perspectives to Potsdam. Our identity and our programme are characterized by innovative films, fresh impulses and new perspectives that reflect current social and aesthetic discourses. Especially in a time marked by political crisis and social insecurity, Sehsüchte as an open-minded cultural event aims to create discursive spaces and to offer young filmmakers a platform to make themselves heard with their art. We see ourselves as a dynamic, young and courageous festival. Only by exploring unknown terrain, questioning existing structures and breaking out of patterns, space is created for new possibilities, for confrontation and inspiration.

We want to open and celebrate this space. We do not show the filmmakers of tomorrow, but of today. The future of film is now - is Sehsüchte.

Sections
Feature Film
Documentary Film
Animated Film
Focus Production
Future
360°
Exhibition – Untitled
Schreibsüchte
Retrospective
Showcase
Genre Film

Prizes

Best Fiction Film
Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Fiction Film
Best Documentary Film
Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Documentary Film
Best Animated Film
Best Production
Best Youth Film
Best Children's Film
Best 360° Film
Best Script


Awards

Best Genre Film (Audience Award)
Best Pitch (Jury Award)

Festival Requirements

Film contributions must have been completed after 1st January 2022 and are not allowed to have been part of the programme during a previous edition of Sehsüchte.

No premiere status is required (prior participation in a German or foreign film festival is not an exclusion criteria).

The Sehsüchte Festival does not charge a submission fee. Costs may be incurred by the submission platform. Sehsüchte does not pay screening fees.

Films in languages other than English must be submitted with English subtitles.
Films submitted in the Future section must always be subtitled in English.

Regulations

Regulations of the 52nd Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival

1. Conditions of Participation
Eligible for submission to the Sehsüchte Filmfestival are: Short, Medium-Length, Feature and 360° films, as well as scripts and exposés in the context of Schreibsüchte, and digital media art installations for the Exhibition. All submitted works must have been created by students or in an educational context or be debut films by young filmmakers or lateral entrants.

2. Submissions
The online registration and submission of the film via www.festhome.com has to be completed by 8th January 2023 at the latest. Submitted films must be made available via download link to the festival organizers.

In order to submit a film, the viewing copy must be uploaded to www.festhome.com and the other required documents must have reached the Sehsüchte festival office by 8th January 2023 at the latest. It must be ensured that the film remains available online on the Festhome platform until at least 30th April 2023.

The Sehsüchte Festival reserves the right to extend the submission deadline (8th January 2023) for all or individual sections.
For films submitted in the Future section, further submission requirements apply in addition to the above-mentioned conditions (see sections 4.4 and 4.5).

For films submitted in the Focus Production section, further submission requirements apply in addition to the above-mentioned conditions (see sections 4.6).

For scripts and exposés in the Schreibsüchte section, separate submission requirements apply (see sections 4.7 and 5.2).

Note for debut filmmakers: For debut films, the relevant section with "Debut" in the title (e.g. feature film debut) should be used for submissions on the platform.

3. Programme and Competition
All films, scripts and exposés selected for the official programme will compete for prizes and awards. By submitting their entries, the entrants agree to the potential selection of their work for one of the competitions, an exception is the Showcase. If the work is selected for the festival by the programme committee, two accreditations will be given to the creators. There is no legal claim regarding the selection for the festival programme and competitions. In exceptional cases, Sehsüchte reserves the right to show submitted films outside of the competition, but within the framework of the festival.

3.1 Selection and Programming
Each submitted work (film, screenplay, exposé or exhibition piece) can be selected for all possible festival categories. The selection and programming of the works and their assignment to the relevant competitions will be carried out by the programme commission on the basis of the viewing copies or the screenplays and exposés.

Only one section per film can be selected for submission. Independently thereof, there is the possibility that the film may also be considered for other competition categories. Sehsüchte reserves the right to nominate a work for one or more awards.

Notification of a screening within the festival programme or of participation in the competition will be sent via e-mail by 17th of March 2023 at the latest. You will be notified via e-mail or the submission platform if your work has not been selected. For organisational reasons, a notification that your work has not been selected may only be sent after 17th March 2023. The programme commission has the right to allow exceptions in special and justified cases.
If the programme commission selects the submitted film, a screening copy (see sections 7.1 - 7.3) and further documents (see sections 7.9) must be made available.

4. Sections with Prizes

4.1 Fiction Film
This section contains works with predominantly fictional content. Films in this category have the chance to win prizes in the following competitions: Best Fiction Film (Short, Medium-Length & Feature Film, awarded to the Director), Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Fiction Film (Short, Medium-Length & Feature Film, awarded to Cinematography, Montage, Original Film Music, Book, Acting, Scenography, Sound Design or Special Effects). The feature films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme.

4.2 Documentary Film
This section contains works with predominantly non-fictional content. Animated documentaries may also be submitted. Films in this category have the chance to win prizes in the following competition categories: Best Documentary Film (Short, Medium-Length & Feature Film, awarded to the director) and Outstanding Artistic Achievement in a Documentary Film (Short, Medium-Length & Feature Film, awarded to Cinematography, Montage, Original Film Music, Book, Sound Design or Special Effects). The documentaries selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme.

4.3 Animated Film
This section contains films that were created using mainly animation techniques. Films in this category have the chance to win the prize in the following competition category: Best Animated Film. The animated films selected by the programme committee will be shown in the festival programme.

4.4 Future: Kids
This competition is aimed at viewers from the age of 6. Live action as well as animated films, fictional or non-fictional, can be submitted. Films in this category have the chance to win the prize of Best Kids Film. The children's films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme.

For this competition, special rules apply for submission: All submitted films which contain dialogue must be subtitled in English. As the children's films will most likely be dubbed during the screening, a complete dialogue list in German (or English) is required for each invited film. It should be noted that the films must pass an FSK examination (FSK 0 or FSK 6) after submission, which is carried out on the basis of the Jugendschutzgesetz (JuSchG) and the principles of the FSK (Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle Filmwirtschaft). Unfortunately, submitted films that are classified by the FSK as unsuitable for children cannot be shown in the Future: Kids section.

4.5 Future: Teens
This competition is aimed at viewers above the age of 12. Live action as well as animated films, fictional or non-fictional, can be submitted. Films in this category have the chance to win the prize of Best Teens Film. The youth films selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme.

For this competition, special rules apply for submission: All submitted films which contain dialogue must be subtitled in English. As youth films may be dubbed during the screening, a complete dialogue list in German (or English) is required for each invited film. It should be noted that the films must pass an FSK examination (FSK 12) after submission, which is carried out on the basis of the Jugendschutzgesetz (JuSchG) and the principles of the FSK (Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle Filmwirtschaft). Unfortunately, submitted films that are classified by the FSK as unsuitable for teens cannot be shown in the Future: Teens section.

4.6 Focus Production
The works submitted for this section have the chance to win the prize for Best Production. In addition to artistic achievement, the prize honours outstanding achievement by students of German-speaking universities in the field of production. Submissions of national and international co-productions are also welcome.
We welcome submissions of Films that encountered unique challenges during production, that have been created under exceptional conditions or that have been produced in an innovative way. Fiction films, animated films and documentary films of all lengths can be submitted. The films in this section selected by the programme commission will be shown in the festival programme. All submitted documents are viewed by the festival team and the jury and they will, of course, be treated with the utmost discretion and will be completely deleted once the selection phase has been completed.
This competition is subject to special rules for submission: only students from German, Austrian, and Swiss universities and similar educational institutions, in the position of producer of a feature, animated or documentary film are eligible to participate. In the case of a co-production, it is not the co-production company that is awarded the prize, but the student producer of the submitted film.

In addition to the submission (see section 2), the following documents must be sent via e-mail to fokusproduktion@sehsuechte.de:
a synopsis incl. logline (max. 1 page)
Description of the production, incl. references to special achievements or innovative approaches with regard to the production, such as production and financing plan, budget, shooting schedule, staff and cast list, distribution concept etc.
if applicable further documents regarding relevant production qualities (proof of sustainable production, sponsoring contracts etc.)
biography and filmography of the producer and the director
certificate of enrolment of the producer (valid during the production period)
The documents submitted in digital form (PDF) must not exceed a size of 10MB. If possible, they should be sent as one file. The submission and the corresponding documents must reach the programme commission by 8th January 2023 at the latest.

Questions regarding submission can be sent to fokusproduktion@sehsuechte.de.

4.7 Schreibsüchte: Screenplay
In the section Schreibsüchte, submitted screenplays have the chance to win the prize for Best Screenplay. All German screenplays which have a minimum planned runtime of 50 minutes may be submitted. As part of Schreibsüchte: Kopfkino, there is expected to be a dramatic reading of excerpts from the selected screenplays in front of an audience. Sehsüchte intends to record the dramatic reading and publish it online. For the submission the filled-out application form, found on the website, and the screenplay need to be sent via email to schreibsuechte@sehsuechte.de by 8th January 2023.

4.8 360°
In 2023 the 360° film competition will take place for the fifth time, awarding the prize for Best 360° Film. All 360° Films, or linear VR films, of more than 2 minutes in length are eligible for submission (no VR- Experiences). Films must have been completed after 1st January 2022.
The works must be sent as video files via a file sharing platform such as WeTransfer, Google Drive or MyAirBridge to virtualreality@sehsuechte.de and made available to the programme team. The works must be submitted by 12nd February 2023 at the latest. In addition, the PDF application form available on the Website must also be completed and sent to virtualreality@sehsuechte.de by 12nd February 2023. Submissions in languages other than English must be subtitled in English.
The selected films will be exhibited in a 360° Space during the festival, as well as probably being made available online. Should the work not be completed at the time of submission, it must be ensured that the final file will be available for exhibition at the 360° Space on 12nd of March 2023. The winners of the prize will be chosen by a jury of experts during the festival.

Submitted files will be saved for the purpose of programme selection. Only the festival team has access to the data. Works that have not been selected will be deleted from the festival database.

If you have questions regarding the 360° section, please contact: virtualreality@sehsuechte.de

4.9 Miscellaneous
Films falling into other categories not listed above (e.g. experimental film, dance film, erotic film, music video) will be assigned to one of the above categories by the programme commission and have the chance to be nominated for one of the above-mentioned sections and shown in the festival programme. Image or advertising films are not permitted.

5. Sections with Awards

5.1 Genre Film
This section includes fictional works from the above-mentioned feature and animated film categories (Short- & Medium-Length-Film) that have a clear genre reference (e.g. horror, fantasy or science-fiction). The genre films selected by the programme commission will be shown during a one-time film block screening and have the chance to win the audience-determined award: Best Genre Film. The selected genre films remain part of their original sections and still stand the chance to win the respective prizes (Best Fiction Film or Best Animated Film).

5.2 Schreibsüchte: Pitch!
Submitted works have the chance to win the award of Best Pitch. During the festival, the nominated authors will present the concepts for their unproduced feature or documentary film, series or format as part of a pitch event. This presentation will take the form of a pitch in front of a jury and audience. The submitted German exposé may be no longer than 7 DIN A4 pages. For the submission the filled-out application form, found on the website, and the exposé need to be sent via email to schreibsuechte@sehsuechte.de by 8th January 2023.

A nomination requires attendance on the day of the competition which may take place within the expected festival period between 19th to 23rd April 2023. A notification of the exact date will be sent with the invitation to the festival. Sehsüchte reserves the right to record the pitch event and publish it online.

6. Juries, Prizes and Awards
The prizes and awards are decided by independent juries consisting of experts and personalities from the film and media industry. The best films in the Future section are selected by a children's and teen jury respectively. The award for the Best Genre Film is chosen by the audience and is based exclusively on the voting results.

7. Exhibition – Untitled
For the Exhibition: Untitled we are looking for innovative projects using modern technologies in a creative manner. These could involve for example VR, projection mapping or audiovisual projections. The exhibition strives to present novel forms of storytelling and digital media art.
The selected projects will be presented during the festival in our Exhibition Space. Artists of a best-of selection will be invited to give an informal talk about the exhibited work. A submission must therefore also state whether at least one collaborator can be available during the festival. We may, under certain circumstances, be able to provide grants for travel expenses.
We will be aligning ourselves with all hygiene regulations and Corona protective measures, applicable during the festival period and therefore cannot confirm all details as of yet. Therefore, we cannot ensure if the opportunity for traveling (internationally and within Germany) can be provided at this time.

Submissions are possible via email to exhibition@sehsuechte.de until the 8th January 2023 and must include:
a two to three-page detailed description of the planned work (in English of German) including images and/or Videos
a technical rider (layout, setup, required equipment)
a short biography of the main collaborators (up to 150 words)
if you need to apply for a grant for travelling expenses from the festival
Submitted files will be saved for the purpose of programme selection. Only the festival team can access the data. All the data of the works, which are not selected this time, will be deleted from the festival database.

If you have questions regarding the Exhibition: Untitled, please contact: exhibition@sehsuechte.de

8. Festival Films

8.1 Screening Formats
A screening copy in DCP format must be provided for all films selected for the film festival programme, except for VR Films. Allowed are InterOp DCP and SMPTE DCP. The programme commission reserves the right to request other formats of submitted films (e.g. ProRes files).
Additionally, a full HD video file (1080p; .mov, .mp4 or similar format) must be provided.
VR Films must be provided as video files, compatible with popular VR glasses such as Oculus or HTC Vive, for exhibition in the 360° space. For the intended online screening an additional video file with stereo sound must be provided which is optimised for streaming and works with popular smartphone VR systems (e.g. Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear).

8.2 Submission Deadline and Delivery of the Screening Copy
All screening copies (DCPs and video files) of the invited entries must be received by 20th of March 2023 at the latest. Ideally the screening copies should be sent via a file sharing platform (e.g. WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive). Alternatively, the screening copies may also be shipped by post.

The address is as follows:
Filmuniversität Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Sehsüchte – „Screening Copy“
Marlene-Dietrich-Allee 11
14482 Potsdam-Babelsberg
Germany

Shipments sent from countries outside the EU must bear the following note in order to keep customs duties as low as possible: "No commercial value, for cultural purposes only". If a value of goods is to be mentioned, it should be as low as possible. Sehsüchte cannot cover any transport, customs or other costs associated with the delivery of the screening copy and other documents. Costs resulting from false declarations must be invoiced to the sender. Alternatively, a screening copy can be handed in personally at the Sehsüchte office in the Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF by appointment

8.3 Language of Screening Copies
Screening copies in languages other than English must have English subtitles. All non-English films in the festival programme will be shown in their original language with English subtitles; non-German language children's films and possibly also youth films will possibly be dubbed in German. All children's and youth films must have English subtitles. Subtitles should be at the bottom of the screen, not inside a letterbox.

8.4 Return of Screening Copies
Upon request, the screening copy will be sent to the address listed in the submission form within six weeks of the end of the festival. Sehsüchte Festival will bear the cost of the return shipping of the screening copies. The festival participant bears the liability for the transport to and from the festival.

8.5 Insurance of Screening Copies
The screening copy will be made available on loan by the festival participant for the duration of the festival. The screening quality is dependent on the accuracy and completeness of the technical data regarding sound and format. The insurance cover for the screening copy is limited to the material value of the copy on the part of Sehsüchte and is valid from the time of arrival at the festival office (download) until it is returned to the address specified in the submission form. The compensation in case of loss depends on the insurance coverage. In addition, liability for slight negligence by Sehsüchte is excluded. The festival participant bears the risk of transport to and from the festival.

8.6 General Usage Rights
The screening copy will be made available on loan by the festival participant free of charge for the duration of the festival. Sehsüchte does not pay screening fees.

The works selected for the festival programme can be screened publicly up to six times at one of the festival’s screening venues as part of the Sehsüchte festival.

The festival participant will also make the screening copy available to the festival for possible retrospective screenings for up to six months after the end of the festival. Furthermore, Sehsüchte maintains the option to make the Film available on an online platform after the festival for a specific timeframe, for which separate consent of the copyright-holder is required.
Sehsüchte will immediately inform the entrant(s) in the event of a claim made by a third party. The festival receives further royalty-free, spatially and temporally limited rights in accordance with the selection made in the submission form. The Festival reserves the right to digitise all selected works for viewing and screening purposes.
The entrant confirms that in the event of the selection of the submitted film, all necessary rights for viewing and screening within the framework of Sehsüchte 2023 have been cleared and will be transferred to the organisers.
By submitting the work, the entrants declare that they are the copyright holder of the submitted work. The entrant guarantees that the materials are free from the rights of third parties. In the event that third parties assert claims against the Sehsüchte Festival with regard to the materials and works made available, the entrant shall indemnify Sehsüchte against these claims and shall also bear the costs incurred by Sehsüchte for the necessary legal defence.

8.7 Screenings for Press and Industry Professionals
Upon request, accredited press representatives and industry professionals will be given the opportunity to view all festival contributions on the basis of the screening copy, insofar as such a screening has not been expressly objected to in writing before 19th of March 2023 at presse@sehsuechte.de.

8.8 Die Archiving of Screening Copies
The Festival reserves the right to use and archive selected preview copies for internal, non-commercial purposes.

8.9 Further Documents
Upon selection of the film contributions for the festival programme (further information to follow per email with the selection notification) additional documents will be requested.
Screening Copy (in accordance with the information under section 7.1)
Three film stills of the submitted film (each digital, at least 1000x500px at 300dpi, jpg)
A photo of the director (digital, 600x800px at 140dpi, jpg)
Biography and filmography of the director
8.10 Online-Catalogue and Programme Booklet
Sehsüchte intends to publish the information given in the submission form regarding title, languages used, genre, running time, year of production, country of production, production company or institution, colour, one or more film stills, a picture and a biography with filmography of the director, credits and a contact address in an online catalogue on the festival's website (www.sehsuechte.de). For the short description the given synopsis will be used completely or partially, or a separate text will be written. A selection of the above-mentioned information will be included in a possible programme booklet.

9. Final Remarks
The registration of a film, video, installation, screenplay or an exposé to Sehsüchte Festival implies acceptance of the regulations. The entrant is responsible for ensuring that third parties involved in the production agree to participate. There is no legal claim regarding the selection for the festival programme. The festival management has the right to regulate all cases not provided for in the guidelines and to allow exceptions in special and justified cases. All questions not included in these regulations will be decided by the festival management.