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The SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA COMPETITION 21ST SZCZECIN FILM FESTIVAL
- GENERAL INFORMATION
1.1. The organizer of the Szczecin Film Festival (hereinafter referred to as the Festival), including the Competition Part (SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition), is the OFFicyna Association (hereinafter referred to as the Organizer), with its registered office in Szczecin, postal code 71-445, at ul. Lenartowicza 3-4, mailing address: al. Wojska Polskiego 90, 70-482 Szczecin, POLAND.
1.2. Detailed information about the Festival and the program can be found on the website: www.szczecinfilmfestival.com.
1.3. The aim of the SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition is to identify and present the most interesting films from West Pomeranian and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Productions must be connected to the West Pomeranian and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern regions through their creators (e.g., director, actor, producer) or locations. Submitted works must not contain content that violates the law or morality. There are no restrictions on subject matter, form, or genre.
1.4. Films no longer than 30 minutes will be accepted for the SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition. The production date cannot be earlier than January 1, 2025.
1.5. Each participant may submit a maximum of two films.
1.6. Films presented in the SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition are selected by the Program Committee.
1.7. Film premieres are preferred.
1.8. Films should have original dialogue and English subtitles. This also applies to Polish-language films. Additionally, please submit: a short synopsis of the film (max. 90 words); the director's bio and filmography (please provide original titles); stills from the film (minimum 3); and a photo of the director (minimum 1) in a resolution of at least 300 dpi.
1.9. Prizes will be awarded by a jury appointed by the Organizer.
1.10. The entrant must own the copyright to the submitted works.
Failure to meet the requirements in sections 1-10 will result in the rejection of the entry.
- DATES, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2.1. The SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition screenings will take place from October 16-18, 2026 in Szczecin and online from October 22-25, 2026. The selected winning films will be presented as part of SFF on the Road, a traveling screening in the region, until the end of 2026. The applicant consents to the film being shown free of charge during the screenings.
2.2. The deadline for submitting applications is June 30, 2026.
The Organizer will only inform the filmmakers whose films have been selected for the Festival program of the selection results.
2.3. The Program Committee is not required to provide a justification for its selection decisions.
2.4. A film production selected for presentation during the SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition, whose participation has been confirmed, cannot be withdrawn from the program after August 31, 2026.
2.5. The Organizer does not return submitted materials.
2.6. Qualified films are made available to the Organizer free of charge.
- PROMOTION
3.1. The applicant consents to the use of excerpts from the film for promotional activities conducted by the Organizer as part of the SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition. The Organizer reserves the right to use selected excerpts (up to 3 minutes) of the qualified films for promotional and informational purposes during the 21st SFF (e.g., festival trailer, television broadcasts, etc.).
3.2. The Organizer reserves the right to post submitted information about the film and its creators on the Festival website, on social media (e.g., Facebook), and in all promotional publications (e.g., catalog, program booklet, press releases, etc.).
3.3. The Organizer reserves the right to use submitted materials as part of promotional activities related to the Festival, both before, during, and after this year's edition.
- SHIPPING AND INSURANCE OF FILM COPIES
4.1. Preview copies can be submitted using the form available on the official Festival website. They can also be delivered in person or by mail to the OFFicyna Association office (al. Wojska Polskiego 90, postal code 70-482 Szczecin) on a BR disc, external hard drive, or as a download link to shorts@seff.pl. The Festival accepts the following formats: DCP, h264, h265, ProRes (excluding 422 HQ), and Blu-ray Video. You can also send a link to the film, e.g., Vimeo, YouTube, etc., or upload the file to a website or server. Submissions in formats other than those listed must be consulted with the Organizer.
4.2. Films are sent at the sender's expense and risk. Shipping at the recipient's expense will not be accepted.
4.3. The Organizer is not responsible for shipping film copies to Szczecin, Poland.
4.4. The Organizer is responsible for shipping the film after the Festival.
4.5. Film copies are insured during the Szczecin Festival from the moment they are collected from the transport company until they are returned to the transport company.
4.6. In the event of damage/loss of the medium, the Organizer will only reimburse the cost related to the physical value of the medium (e.g., DVD, hard drive).
- PERSONAL DATA
5.1. The Applicant entrusts the Organizer with the right to process personal data in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016. This applies to information about individuals included in the application form, particularly filmmakers. The processed information includes: first name and last name, email address, and telephone number. The Organizer is authorized to share the data with other entities within the scope of its obligations.
5.2. The entrustment covers the personal data of individuals listed in the application form and individuals listed on the payroll, particularly filmmakers. The entrustment covers the following information: first name and last name; email address; telephone number; occupation.
5.3. The Organizer is authorized to further entrust the processing of personal data to other entities to the extent necessary.
- FINAL REMARKS
6.1. Submitting a film to the Festival constitutes acceptance of the above regulations and the information contained in the application form.
6.2. Submitting a film to the SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition constitutes an invitation to the creator, if their film is selected, to attend the festival screening and audience discussion in Szczecin or online, either in person or through a representative (connected with the film or its production).
6.3. The Organizer reserves the right to amend these regulations.
6.4. Matters not covered by these regulations will be resolved by the Festival Management.
6.5. The amounts of the prizes awarded are gross amounts. Prizes awarded to winners of the SHORTS FROM WEST POMERANIA AND MECKLENBURG-VORPOMERANIA Competition are subject to taxation in accordance with Polish law.
