Rules for participation in the Golden Lion Geneva Awards festival

1. Preamble and legal nature

1.1. These Rules regulate the relations between the Organizer of the Golden Lion Geneva Awards festival (hereinafter referred to as the "Organizer", "Festival") and persons submitting applications for participation and/or admitted to the official program (hereinafter referred to as the "Participant", "Project").
1.2. Submission of an application means the Participant's full and unconditional consent to the Rules, Privacy Policy and Technical Regulations.
1.3. In case of conflicts between the versions of the documents, the English (or French) version signed by the Organizer shall prevail.
1.4. The Organizer reserves the right to make changes by publishing an updated version on the official website. Changes do not have retroactive effect on agreements already concluded, except in cases of force majeure and legal requirements.

2. Definitions

"Project" - an audio-visual work or media work (film, animation, documentary, video art, multimedia/VR/AR installation, digital storytelling, etc.).
"Official Selection" - the status of the Project selected for the Festival program.
"Promotional Materials" - trailers, posters, footage, synopsis, EPK, metadata.
"Screening" - a public demonstration at the Festival venues or in partner online windows.
"License" - a limited non-exclusive license granted by the Participant for the purposes of Screenings and promotion.

3. Eligibility

3.1. Projects completed within the last 5 years before the opening date of the Festival are accepted for participation. Exceptions - by reasoned decision of the program directorate.
3.2. Age restrictions: if the Project is created by underage authors or contains images/voice of minors, the Participant ensures the availability of written consents from legal representatives (and permissions from educational institutions, if necessary).
3.3. The Participant guarantees that he/she is the copyright holder or acts on the basis of appropriate authority (power of attorney/license/contract).
3.4. Projects that violate laws, contain extremist materials, direct calls for violence, incitement to hatred, illegal materials of an intimate nature, are not allowed.

4. Submission of an application

4.1. The participant provides: screener, synopsis, logline, biography(s), list of the key team, technical specification, rights information, subtitles (English), frames (3-7 pcs.), poster, trailer (if any). For interactive works - build/access and user-flow.

4.2. The application is accompanied by an entry fee according to the rates (early/regular/late deadline). The fee is non-refundable, except in case of cancellation of the Festival due to the fault of the Organizer.

4.3. All data is transmitted via secure channels; links to screeners must be available until the end of the selection window.

4.4. Falsification of information, substitution of materials, submission of other people's works without authority are grounds for disqualification.

5. Premiere status and availability online

5.1. For the competition sections, the premiere status (world/international/national premiere) is preferable. Specific requirements are specified in the Section Regulations.
5.2. A public free online release before the Festival may limit access to the competition programs; the decision is up to the Program Directorate.
5.3. Closed industrial screenings and protected screeners are not considered a public release.

6. Technical requirements

6.1. Cinema: DCP 2K/4K (Flat 1.85:1 or Scope 2.39:1, 24 fps), or Apple ProRes 422 HQ/4444 (.mov), 5.1/2.0 sound (48 kHz, 24-bit).
6.2. Video art/installations: media specifications, synchronization, suspension/projection maps, lighting/power requirements.
6.3. VR/AR: supported headsets/platforms, session duration, safety instructions and "reset".
6.4. English subtitles are mandatory; French subtitles are recommended for premium slots. Formats .srt/.vtt, timecode 24/25 fps.
6.5. The organizer has the right to request a test copy and a QC report; the final copy is provided within the time specified in the invitation.

7. Copyright and licensing

7.1. The Participant confirms that all elements of the Project (video, music, sound, graphics, photos, fonts, archives, brands, trademarks) are lawfully used and the rights are cleared.
7.2. The Participant grants the Organizer a non-exclusive, royalty-free, time-limited license for:
a) Public screening of the Project within the framework of the Festival (including re-screening during the Festival);
b) Promotional use of fragments up to 3 minutes (or 10% of the duration - whichever is less), frames, posters and annotations for PR, media, catalog, website, social networks;
c) Closed industrial access (video library for buyers/curators) within the timeframes specified in the invitation;
d) Archival storage of the screener/trailer and the Project card in the digital archive of the Festival.
7.3. All other rights remain with the Participant/copyright holders. Any commercial/non-festival screenings - only with separate written consent.

8. Musical and related rights

8.1. The Participant ensures the availability of synchro licenses, public performance rights and phonograms (cue sheet included).
8.2. When using library tracks/stocks - indicate the provider and license number.
8.3. When using live recordings/performances - consent of the performers and master rights holders is mandatory.

9. Personal image, personal data and privacy

9.1. The Participant guarantees to obtain consent for the use of the image/voice of all recognizable persons (model release), as well as consent of the shooting locations (location release), if required.
9.2. The Organizer processes the Participant's personal data for the purposes of holding the Festival, communications, accreditations, reporting and archiving, in compliance with the requirements of applicable data protection legislation.
9.3. Storage periods, list of data, rights of data subjects (access, correction, deletion, restriction of processing, objection) - in the Festival's Privacy Policy.
9.4. The Participant undertakes not to include personal data of third parties in the Project without legal grounds and information.

10. Synthetic media and AI

10.1. The use of generative AI, deepfakes, synthetic voices/images is permitted with clear marking and the consent of the persons whose personal data/appearance is reproduced.
10.2. The Participant discloses in the application the fact of using AI and indicates the sources of data/models if this affects the rights of third parties.

11. Ethical standards and safety

11.1. Materials that may cause harm to viewers (flashes, strobe effects, etc.) are prohibited without prior warning.
11.2. The festival has a zero tolerance policy for harassment, discrimination and bullying. Violation will result in revocation of accreditation/disqualification.
11.3. Works with extreme content must be accompanied by disclaimers; the Organizer has the right to change the age rating/screening time.

12. Selection, jury and decisions

12.1. The selection is carried out by the program management and invited curators; decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
12.2. The jury is appointed by the Organizer; discussions and jury minutes are confidential.
12.3. Changing the screening schedule/moving the Project from one section to another is permissible at the editorial discretion.

13. Screening, online windows and technological protection

13.1. The screening can take place on physical sites and/or in a secure online window (stream with DRM, watermarks, geoblock).

13.2. The Organizer applies reasonable security measures, but does not guarantee absolute technical impossibility of copying. The Organizer shall not be held liable for pirated reproduction by third parties.

14. Finances, taxes and prizes

14.1. Entry fees are paid according to the invoice and the place of provision of services; payment system fees are borne by the payer.
14.2. Cash prizes (if provided) may be taxed in accordance with applicable law; the beneficiary declares income independently.
14.3. Unclaimed prizes within 6 months from the date of announcement may be cancelled or redirected at the discretion of the Organizer.

15. PR, branding and use of materials

15.1. The Participant allows the use of promotional materials and fragments of the Project for the purposes of promoting the Festival and media coverage (see clause 7.2).

15.2. The use of the logo and name of the Festival by the Participant is permitted strictly in accordance with the brand guide and only to indicate the fact of selection/winning.

15.3. The Organizer has the right to request edits to the layouts in case of incorrect use of the corporate style.

16. Confidentiality

16.1. Application materials, correspondence, working documents and business terms are confidential, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

16.2. The Participant undertakes not to disclose internal selection procedures and the contents of closed industrial showcases.

17. Force majeure, postponement, cancellation

17.1. The Parties are released from liability for failure to fulfill obligations due to force majeure circumstances: natural disasters, epidemics, wars, acts of authorities, etc.
17.2. The Organizer has the right to postpone, change the format or cancel the Festival; in such a case, reasonable measures will be taken to inform and, if possible, transfer applications to the next edition/online format.

18. Applicable law and jurisdiction

18.1. The law of the host country (Switzerland) applies to the Rules, unless otherwise expressly agreed with the Participant in an individual agreement.
18.2. All disputes are subject to settlement by negotiations; if no agreement is reached, in the competent court at the location of the Festival.

19. Communication and details

Department contacts (software, technical, industrial, PR, legal), e-mail address for claims correspondence, postal address of the Organizer - are indicated in the official invitation and on the Festival website.