The Rules of the Light

Open to filmmakers worldwide. Films must be completed on or after 1 January 2024. No premiere requirement applies for the first edition · films may have screened elsewhere. Non-English-language films must carry English subtitles.

• Feature Film · fiction, 60 minutes and over
• Short Film · fiction, up to 30 minutes
• Documentary · non-fiction, any length
• Animation · any technique, any length
• AI Film · works substantially created with generative tools; the tools used must be disclosed in the submission, and the work is judged as cinema

Submissions are made through the form on this website, or by email to submissions@fotonfilmfestival.com with the same information. Screeners should be private, password-protected links. Submissions are free for the first edition. Deadline: as published on the Submit page.

All submissions are reviewed by the programming team and the festival jury. Selection decisions are final. All submitters are notified by email, selected or not, by the date published on the Submit page.

By submitting, the rights holder grants Foton Film Festival the right to screen the selected film publicly up to three times during the 2026 edition, and to use excerpts of up to 30 seconds, stills and the poster for festival promotion. All other rights remain with the filmmaker. Screeners are treated as confidential and are never shared or published.

Selected films deliver a screening file (ProRes 422 or high-bitrate H.264, 1920×1080 or higher, stereo or 5.1) by the delivery date stated in the selection notification, together with subtitles (SRT), two stills and the poster.

A five-member professional jury awards one prize per category and one grand prize of the festival. The jury's decisions are final.

A film may be withdrawn by written notice until the public program is announced. After announcement, withdrawal is only possible for legal reasons.

The festival may refuse any work that violates law or human dignity. Submitting a film constitutes acceptance of these rules. Questions: submissions@fotonfilmfestival.com.