Serbest International Film Festival (SIFF) (5)

Festival start: 25 August 2025      Festival end: 31 August 2025

The Serbest International Film Festival has been organized to showcase the work of film makers from around the world. Its aim is to discover new directors and screenwriters from the world of cinema and give clear support and encouragement to them, but it is also a space where they will represent and promote their work. We especially encourage those who through new innovative approach to the topics can offer a new more human vision of the world in which we live.SIFF is a cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film.

The idea of a new film festival emanated from the dire need for a wider space to present films by many new filmmakers from the region and all over the world.The Serbest International Film Festival brings together the most original storytellers and the most adventurous audiences in its annual program of feature, documentary, short, experimental, animation and other films.In addition to the main program of the festival, there will be many other programs and activities that will enrich the festival and enable film makers to enhance their knowledge of cinematography and experience by participating in panel discussions, debates, and masterclass workshops.

We continue to move forward and develop our film festival, creating better conditions and opportunities for filmmakers.That is why in 2023 we have launched a new platform, Serbest Film Distribution, which is designed to help film festival participants distribute and promote their films. You can get acquainted with the Serbest Film Distribution platform on the website - www.serbestdistribution.com

The full-scale launch of the Serbest Film Distribution platform will take place in February-March 2024 and will be a new milestone in the promotion of independent cinema from around the world.

The Serbest International Film Festival therefore includes activities such as promotion, support, incentives, exchange of experiences, and film awards. It's a place where filmmakers can showcase new stories and offer a fresh perspective on humanity and the world we live in.

Best Feature Film

Best Short Film

Best Documentary Film

Best Documentary Short

Best Animation Film

Best Experimental Film

Best Student Film

Under 5 min Film

GENERAL PROVISIONS
“SIFF” is an international film festival as an annual event in Kishinev, Republic of Moldova.The full international name of the festival is “Serbest International Film Festival”. The short international name is “SIFF”. The festival will take place from August 25-31, 2024.

The festival aims to support and encourage young filmmakers, turning Republic of Moldova into a launch pad for their ideas and stories. The main festival program (Official selection) will, therefore, feature directorial fiction and short films, documentary, animated, student and experimental films.

PROGRAM
Competing programs: The Main Festival Program (Official Selection) will regularly feature director’s films from all over the world; short films (Official Selection), documentary, animated or experimental films from all over the world.

Additional, non-contesting programs: World cinema overview Overview of the Balkan cinematography Tribute to one world acclaimed film director.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
These regulations govern the submission of all films for the Main Program (Official Selection):

– Feature films and documentary must be 50 minutes or more in length, but exceptions are possible.

– Short films and documentary shot must be less than 30 minutes in length, but exceptions are possible.

– Experemental films, animation films and students films are not limited in length.

– The lapse between the film’s premiere and the beginning of the festival has no limits.

FESTIVAL JURY
The festival jury is international and consists of 3-7 distinguished representatives of the world’s film-making industry. A separate international jury of 3-5 distinguished representatives of the world’s film-making industry will rule on the Short Films Program. A country may appoint no more than one representative to the jury. The jury’s verdicts are made with an open vote, whereby the majority decides.

FILM SUBMISSIONS
Submissions to the annual Serbest International Film Festival are now open! To submit, please visit the SIFF listing on Festhome.

For information about submitting to SIFF, please check out the Terms & Conditions and FAQs below. The standard is June 30, 2023. Submit today!

FILM SELECTION FOR THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMS AND SCREENING
After the program selectors choose films for every category, the festival will inform by email the distributors, producers or the authorized representatives of the selected films. The announcement of the final selection of the program selectors for each program section will be no later than 30 days prior to the festival opening.

Each selected film in any festival program can be screened once as a premiere and can have no more than two reruns in the course of the festival.

FILM COPY SUBMISSION
Screening copies in HD or DCP format of the films selected in any festival program must be made available to the festival. Along with the film copy for the films selected in any festival program section, sending dialog lists in English, three film photos and a photo of the director is also required. Sending a trailer, posters, and additional advertising materials for the film is desirable, but optional.

The festival reserves the right to reject technically defective film copies and low-quality copies that might obstruct the screening.

Shipping fees for sending the film screening copies for all festival programs to Moldova are borne by the participant.

The festival takes responsibility to protect and guard the screening copy from the moment it enters the festival center. In case of damage of the screening copy during transportation, the festival has no obligation to compensate for the damage.

The festival appoints a three-member jury of experts to evaluate the technical correctness of the film copies and their format (hard driver, USB, 35mm film copy ) upon receipt.

ACCOMMODATION and ACCREDITATIONS
The festival will invite the directors or screenwriters as representatives of the films in the Official Selection to take part in the event. The festival takes responsibility to provide for their accreditations and accommodation.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, LEGAL CLAIMS, AND INDEMNITIES
By submitting the film to SIFF, the Applicant and Film Owners (the “Submitting Parties”) hereby warrant and represent that: (i) the Film is wholly original and is not copied from and does not include any other work that is the subject of copyright or other protection, unless such work is in the public domain or the Submitting Parties have obtained any and all consents, releases, licenses, and other authorizations or waivers of any kind necessary for the inclusion or reproduction of any person, character, location, thing, trademark, sound recording, musical composition, or other work in the Film; (ii) the Film does not defame any person or violate the common law or statutory rights, including, without limitation, the rights of privacy and publicity or any other right of any person; (iii) the Film is not the subject of litigation, nor any dispute which would give rise to litigation; (iv) there are no agreements, nor will there be any agreements made subsequent to the date of this Film submission, that would or could have the effect of impairing the Submitting Parties’ ability to provide the Film as contemplated herein, or otherwise conflict with any provision of these Terms; and (v) the Submitting Parties have the full right, power, and authority to submit the Film to SIFF for Festival consideration, and to grant all of the rights granted hereunder and in the Festhome registration form, and there is no obligation or restriction which would in any way impair, limit, or impede the Submitting Parties from fully performing all obligations pursuant to the submission and these Terms.

The Submitting Parties agree to indemnify and hold harmless SIFF, its licensees, successors, and assigns, and its and their members, officers, directors, employees, volunteers, agents, representatives, associates, and affiliates (each, a “Releasee”), from any claim, suit, action, or other proceeding brought against a Releasee and from any losses, costs, or damages, including the Releasee’s full legal fees and costs, which it may have suffered or incurred or may suffer or incur, directly or indirectly based on, in connection with, or arising from the use and exhibition of the Film submitted by the Applicant or the breach or alleged breach of any representation, warranty, or other agreement made by the Applicant in these Terms, or in the Applicant’s Festhome registration form.

SIFF takes reasonable anti-piracy precautions. While in SIFF’s possession, all Films are securely stored and regularly inventoried. Access to Films is limited to SIFF staff who require access in order to screen and consider submissions. No duplication and loaning of Films is permitted. By submitting a Film to SIFF, the Submitting Parties hereby release the Releasees from any and all liability in the event of theft, unauthorized access, or copying, or any breach of copyright of the submitted Film while it is in SIFF’s possession.

FINAL REMARKS
SIFF reserves the right to rule, in its sole discretion, on cases and situations not foreseen by these Terms. The festival’s Council rules on any issues not mentioned under these Rules and Regulations and that are compliant with the organizer’s Statute.