Welcome to the GATFFEST Film Festival, where creativity meets community, and we celebrate the art of storytelling! To ensure a positive and uplifting atmosphere, we’ve laid out a few guidelines that strike a balance between fun and professionalism:
Positive Spirit: The GATFFEST Film Festival aims for social upliftment and cooperation. Therefore, we do not accept submissions that ridicule, demean, incite hatred, or promote violence towards individuals or groups.
Film Selection: Our Film Review Committee is the powerhouse behind selecting and inviting films to be part of the festival. They have the authority to cancel any submission during the event.
Recognition: Films invited to the Official Selection will be awarded a Certificate of Participation, recognizing their contribution to the festival.
Eligibility Criteria: Films must have been produced within the twenty-four months preceding the Festival.
Films should be less than 30 minutes in total run time, including credits.
Commitment: Once selected, a film cannot be withdrawn from the Festival program during the event.
Screening Exclusive: Films invited to GATFFEST cannot be shown outside the festival’s official theaters before their official screening during the event.
Language and Subtitles: Films must be presented in their original language, with English subtitles.
Films not in English or Jamaican Creole must have English subtitles.
Categories: Films can be submitted in various categories, including Drama, Comedy, Romance, Animation, Documentary, Musical, Science Fiction, Horror.
Judging Criteria: Our esteemed Judges will award excellence in various categories, including Best Directing, Most Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Local Film, Best International/Regional Film, Best UWICFP Film, Spirit of GATFFEST Award, Best of GATFFEST – “The Archie,” and Best Animated Film.
Promotion: Films chosen for the Official Selection must use the GATFFEST Film Festival’s “Official Selection” logo in all publicity. Award winners and distribution companies are also expected to use the exact wording of the awards in their promotions.
Rule Clarifications: In cases not covered by these rules and regulations, the Director of the GATFFEST Film Festival holds the authority to settle matters.
Acceptance: Participating in the GATFFEST Film Festival implies acceptance of all regulations and adherence to pre-selection conditions.
Let’s embark on this cinematic journey together, where every frame tells a story and every filmmaker becomes a part of the GATFFEST legacy!