THE FESTIVAL

1. Background and Aim:

The Copenhagen International Film Festival (Copenhagen IFF) is dedicated to European Cinema and the only competitive feature film festival in Denmark. The 10-12 feature films in competition are judged by an international jury and compete for the coveted Golden Swan Awards.
Copenhagen IFF is a feature film festival and only screens shorts or documentaries as part of a special focus or series.
The festival wishes to support and attract new as well as experienced talent to participate in festival activities such as master classes, seminars, work-in-progress and a variety of other initiatives. Copenhagen IFF attracts both the local and international film industry and appeal to a broad local audience.

2. Dates:

The Copenhagen International Film Festival takes place annually in late September.

3. Program:

The full lineup is announced around September 1st.

4. Jury:

Copenhagen IFF appoints five internationally renowned filmmakers, actors, producers and other acclaimed film professionals to administer the duties and privileges of the jury. Among the jury presidents have been Theo Angelopoulos (2003), Istvan Szabo (2004), Nicolas Roeg (2005) and Ghita Nørby (2006). Other jury members have included: Udo Kier, Susanne Bier, Jan Troell, Paprika Steen, Robby Müller and Jean Marc-Barr.

5. Awards:

The jury awards the Golden Swan in the following categories:
a. Best Film (to be awarded jointly to the director and the producer)
b. Best Director
c. Best Actress
d. Best Actor
e. Best Script
f. Best Cinematography
All prize winners will receive a cash amount with the statue. The jury can also award a Special Mention Award with no cash prize attached. Copenhagen IFF can also present a Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Awards and an Audience Award, with no cash attached to the prizes.

FILM ENTRIES

Please note, that we do not give out entry forms until the film has been selected for the festival (see also: Film Submission).
In order to submit a film to the Copenhagen IFF, please provide us with information about the film like cast and crew, production- and distribution-details, nationality, a short synopsis and any other material which might be relevant. If we think the film might fit our program, we will then request a screening copy of the film for pre-selection.

6. Entry Form:

As soon as the film is confirmed for participation in the festival ALL required materials listed in the Entry Form must be made available to Copenhagen IFF for our further planning, including press and printing coordination.

7. Conditions for Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Copenhagen IFF competition series, the films are expected to meet the following requirements:
a. Must have had its international premiere after last year’s Copenhagen IFF.
b. Must be in their original language.
c. Must be available in a good quality print with English subtitles (if the original language is not English).
d. Must have a running time longer than 70 minutes.
e. Must be available in the following format: 35 mm.
f. Must be available for three screenings during the Copenhagen IFF.
g. Must not have been screened in Denmark previously.
h. Must be able to deliver the screening print at least 3 (three) weeks before the festival
opening.


SUBMISSIONS FOR PRE-SCREENING PURPOSES

8. Accepted Formats:

For the selection of films, the Copenhagen IFF only accepts VHS and DVD for pre-screenings by the board of selection. The Festival does not accept trailers as sole pre-screening material.

9. Submission Deadline:

Submission deadline is in mid-June (more details see: Film Submission). Submissions received past this date are not guaranteed a pre-screening unless agreed to by the festival in writing. Films received by the festival without invitation will be considered for selection depending on the sole decision of the board of selection.

10. Entry Fee:

Copenhagen International Film Festival has no entry fee.

SHIPPING GUIDELINES FOR PRE-SCREENING OF VHS AND DVD

11. What To Send:

Please include the following materials in your submission:
a. A high standard VHS or DVD copy of the film (please indicate if the copy submitted is unfinished – a rough cut or a work in progress).
b. If in any other language than English, please submit a copy with English subtitles.
c. Available press material.
If the film is selected for Copenhagen IFF all materials listed on the Entry Form (section 4) must be sent to Copenhagen IFF as soon as possible. Any special requirements for Competition films will be sent directly to the parties involved.
All material should be sent to the festival address mentioned on www.copenhagenfilmfestival.com.

12. Transportation Costs:

Uninvited submissions must be sent prepaid. The Festival does not accept collect shipments without a prior written agreement. The Festival does not assume responsibility for, nor will it accept, shipments incurring expenses for terminal charges, duties, taxes or customs brokerage. Clearly indicate on all waybills that transportation and customs charges be billed to the sender. Please remember to clearly indicate that the content is for cultural purposes only.

13. Liability:

Copenhagen IFF has no economic liability for any damages to any VHS or DVD received for Pre-screening purposes.

SHIPPING GUIDELINES FOR SCREENING PRINTS CIFF 2005

14. All Guidelines and information regarding the shipment of 35 mm prints to and from Copenhagen IFF will be forwarded by the festival secretariat.

LEGAL LIABILITY

By signing the Letter of Confirmation the producer(s) of the film accept the below mentioned liabilities of the producer(s) and the below mentioned rights of Copenhagen International Film Festival:

15. Reproduction Liability and Rights:

Producers and their agents are responsible for the accuracy of all submitted materials. The Festival accepts no liability in the event that its publications reproduce inaccuracies in submitted materials. When submitting a film the producer(s) accept that Copenhagen IFF may use all materials mentioned in the Letter of Confirmation e.g. in printing (catalogue, advertising, press etc.), on Copenhagen IFF´s website, film clips (no longer than 3 minutes) on TV and radio etc..
The Producer(s) guarantee that Copenhagen IFF´s publication of the film does not infringe any third parties rights. The Producer(s) will indemnify Copenhagen IFF from any third party claim.

16. Economic Liability:

Round-trip insurance for the selection prints will be the responsibility of the participant until the arrival at the Festival Office or, in case of films coming from outside the European Union, at the customs agent. In case shipment is arranged to and from other film festivals, standard practice of cost sharing will apply. Copenhagen IFF will be liable for insuring the print from the moment it arrives at the Festival Office until its agreed return or forward shipment.
Please indicate clearly that the 35 mm shipment is for cultural purposes only.

17. Damages:

Any damage to the selection film print must be reported in writing to the Festival Director immediately and latest within 2 weeks of its return and before any following screening of the film (e.g. at another film festival) or they will not be considered by Copenhagen IFF. All claims will be judged in accordance with the reported state of the film and the registered state of the film upon arrival at Copenhagen IFF. The responsibility of Copenhagen IFF in case of whole or partial replacement of a print due to damages caused during the festival will only cover costs related to creating a new standard reel or print and cannot exceed 1000,00 Euro.

18. In Case of Doubt:

The Festival Director solely rules in any cases not foreseen by these Rules and Regulations. Participation in Copenhagen IFF implies acceptance of the Rules and Regulations as stated here. Should the interpretation of these Rules and Regulations be disputed, the Danish version of the present Rules and Regulations will comply.

19. Disputes:

Any disputes regarding Copenhagen IFF, including disputes regarding the Rules and Regulations, shall be construed according to the Danish Law and the Danish courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

20. Contact:

Information on how to contact Copenhagen International Film Festival is stated on the Contact page on our website: www.copenhagenfilmfestival.com.