To submit your film to VALÈIFF • València Indie Film Festival, please use one of the submission platform links below. Be sure to choose the correct category for your film. We look forward to watching it!
Join Our Community in València: By creating a vibrant community of indie filmmakers and film enthusiasts, IBERIFF has become a cornerstone of the new indie film scene. Whether you’re a filmmaker seeking inspiration or a cinephile looking to discover the next big thing, IBERIFF is your gateway to the future of indie cinema.
Click on the Free Ticket below!
Here you’ll find the rules and terms that you agree to when submitting films, videos, and other materials to our festival.
Hello! We are VALÈIFF • València Indie Film Festival, an international film festival with screening events in sunny València, Spain, and a member of IBERIFF • Iberia Indie Film Festivals. IBERIFF celebrates independent artists and showcases new productions from across the globe in València (VALÈIFF), Barcelona (BARCIFF), Madrid (MADRIFF), Seville (SEVIFF), Lisbon (LISBIFF), and Montpellier (MONTIFF).
VALÈIFF shares the mission of its associate festivals in supporting emerging talents, encouraging artistic exploration, fostering networking, promoting cultural exchange, engaging with the local community, and providing a platform to celebrate and showcase the work of independent filmmakers. Fiction, animation, documentary, and experimental films of any genre or subject are welcome!
Below are the rules and terms that you agree to when submitting films, videos, and other materials to our festival.
Submission
1.1 VALÈIFF accepts Spanish films and foreign films with Spanish or English subtitles, or without subtitles if the language of the film is Castilian Spanish or English.
1.2 Registration fees must be paid through our submission platforms at the time of submission, and they are non-refundable (Spanish directors are offered a discount on the entry fee via the «Spanish Directors» category).
1.3 Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted. An entry fee (available on the platforms) must accompany each film submission.
1.4 Films can be entered more than once, provided they have not been selected previously.
1.5 A film submitted to VALÈIFF only competes in VALÈIFF. If you wish to compete in MADRIFF, BARCIFF, SEVIFF, LISBIFF, or MONTIFF, you must visit their respective pages on the submission platforms and submit an entry there, as the festivals have independent selection processes and do not share the same jury.
1.6 Films must be submitted through our registration platforms and made available for viewing through these platforms. Postal submissions are not accepted.
1.7 We accept works from any country in the world, produced on or after 1 January 2023.
1.8 VALÈIFF does not provide exemptions, waiver codes, or free registrations.
Categories:
2.1 All films must be submitted in digital format under the correct category, respecting the following length guidelines:
• Supershort (documentary, fiction, experimental): up to 5 minutes
• Short Film (documentary, fiction, experimental): up to 30 minutes
• Short Documentary: up to 30 minutes
• Short Animation: up to 30 minutes
• Featurette (animation, documentary, fiction): 30 to 60 minutes
• Feature Film: over 60 minutes
• Feature Documentary: over 60 minutes
• Music Video: up to 15 minutes
Official Selection • Awards
3.1 Every three months, a selection of films from each category will be chosen for the competition.
3.2 The films selected for the competition will be announced on VALÈIFF‘s social media platforms.
3.3 Our team will, at their discretion, choose works from the selected Supershorts, Short Films, Short Animations, Short Documentaries, and Music Videos to be screened at the quarterly events; this selection is unrelated to the determination of the winners in October. Featurettes, Feature Films, and Feature Documentaries compete in the contest but are not screened at the quarterly events.
3.4 All selected films automatically compete in the additional categories of BEST DIRECTION, BEST ACTRESS, and BEST ACTOR at no extra cost.
3.5 In the first week of October, the jury will announce the winners from each category to take part in the awards event in València, Spain, later that month.
3.6 All winning films will receive the VALÈIFF trophy; any honourable mentions will receive the VALÈIFF-IBERIFF certificate.
3.7 Submitting does not guarantee your film as an official selection of VALÈIFF, a selection does not guarantee your film to be screened and a selection does not guarantee your film as a prize winner.
3.8 The decisions of the VALÈIFF selection committee and jury are final. The results of submissions will be disclosed through our registration platforms. The winners will be announced on VALÈIFF‘s Instagram account, and it is the sender’s responsibility to monitor the status of their submission.
3.9 VALÈIFF does not provide feedback on the submitted films or the jury’s decisions.
Liability
4.1 VALÈIFF does not publish films on its website or social media platforms.
4.2 VALÈIFF does not cover fees, travel expenses, or screening rights.
4.3 VALÈIFF may use images from your film, trailers, and press kit material for promotional purposes on its website, at screening events, or on social media, and may adapt these materials to fit its visual identity.
4.4 The filmmaker is responsible for obtaining releases for all content, including but not limited to music and talent.
4.5 VALÈIFF is not responsible for any copyright infringement or unauthorised use.
4.6 By submitting a film, you agree to indemnify and hold VALÈIFF harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to legal fees and court costs) that may arise from any claim related to copyrights, trademarks, credits, publicity, or the loss or damage of the projection videos submitted.
4.7 VALÈIFF reserves the right to make changes to the festival’s settings without prior notice if necessary.
Disqualification
5.1 Failure to meet the eligibility requirements or provide the materials requested by the organisation will result in disqualification at any stage of the competition (submission, selection, or awards).
5.2 VALÈIFF reserves the right to disqualify a selected film and remove its content from the website and social media platforms if the registered film becomes involved in legal disputes or any situation that undermines the credibility of the festival or any IBERIFF festivals.
5.3 Disqualification does not entitle the sender to a refund of the registration fee.
5.4 VALÈIFF does not refund the entry fee if a filmmaker decides to withdraw their film from the festival.
Acceptance of the Terms
6.1 Participation in VALÈIFF • València Indie Film Festival implies acceptance of these rules.
Here is some advice to help maximise the chances of your work being selected for our festivals (as well as others):
1) Read the rules and adhere to submission guidelines: Each festival has specific requirements for submission format, runtime, deadlines, etc. Follow them precisely to avoid disqualification.
2) Submit a polished cut: Ensure your film is fully completed, including sound design, colour correction, and editing. Avoid submitting a rough cut, unless previously approved by the curators.
3) Prepare a professional set of marketing materials: Have eye-catching posters and trailers that grab attention and make your film stand out visually.
4) Use subtitles: Even if the festival does not require them, subtitles make films accessible to a wider audience, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as non-native speakers of the film’s language.
5) Stay organised: Keep track of your submission deadlines, required materials, and responses for each festival. You may be missing good news in your spam folder!
6) Attend the screenings: Participate in the events, engage with people, and take part in film industry activities. Building relationships can lead to more opportunities for future projects.
7) Demonstrate your interest: If you plan to attend the festival in person, mention this in your cover letter. Showing your enthusiasm and commitment to engaging with the event can leave a positive impression on the organisers.
8) Invite your friends and family: Cultivating a community around your work can help build a loyal fan base, which is beneficial for future projects and screenings.
9) Engage with your audience: Prepare to actively connect with viewers during screenings by participating in discussions or Q&A sessions. Sharing insights about your film not only enhances the audience’s experience but also fosters a deeper appreciation for your work and encourages meaningful dialogue.
10) Reach out to us with any questions: If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to contact us. However, please remember to review our rules first, as the answers you seek may already be addressed there!
