4th INTERNATIONAL DICLE SHORT FILM AND DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL REGULATIONS

ARTICLE 1: OBJECTIVE

The 4th International Dicle Short Film and Documentary Festival, which will take place between November 3-7, 2026, aims to support non-commercial short film productions and contribute to the national development of fiction, experimental, animation, and documentary cinema. The festival aims to increase cultural and artistic interaction by bringing together domestic and international filmmakers.

The short film competition organized within the scope of this festival aims to encourage creative and innovative works in various genres of cinematic art.

The festival is organized by the Cinema Researchers Culture and Art Association, and the association reserves all rights.

ARTICLE 2: CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

1. Number of Entries:

For the competition to be held, a minimum of 10 films (Fiction, Experimental, Animation, and Documentary) must have been submitted and passed the preliminary evaluation.

2. Technical Requirements:

Productions shot on 35mm and 16mm film, as well as video or digital technologies, may participate in the short film competition. However, films shot using analog film techniques must be transferred to a digital format. The screening formats in the Short Film Competition are determined by the festival executive committee.

3. Film Duration:

The following productions are eligible for the competition:

• Documentaries not exceeding 25 minutes in length.
• Fiction films not exceeding 20 minutes in length.

4. Multiple Submissions:

Competitors may submit multiple works.

5. Dates of Production:

Films produced in 2024, 2025, and 2026 are eligible to participate in the competition. Having previously participated in or won an award from another festival or short film competition does not disqualify a film from entry.

6. Application Process:

Applications must be submitted digitally via www.filmfreeway.com. The creators of the top 10 works in each category will be asked to fill out and return an application form.

7. Subtitle Requirements:

• English subtitles are required for films with Turkish as their original language.
• Turkish and English subtitle SRT files are required for films where the original language is not Turkish.

Films without subtitles will not be evaluated.

8. Screening Selection:

Out of the films submitted to the competition, 10 films will be screened for audiences during the festival.

9. Accommodation Conditions:

Accommodation expenses for the creators or representatives of the finalist films will be covered by the festival. Only one person from the crew of the selected films will be invited to the festival as a representative.

10. Award Ceremony Attendance:

Award-winning creators must attend the award ceremony or send a representative to receive their award. Creators who fail to meet this requirement will not receive any awards, including monetary prizes.

11. Application Deadline:

The deadline for submissions is August 1, 2026. Competitors submitting password-protected films must upload their films and passwords to www.filmfreeway.com as directed for the application.

12. Acceptance of Terms:

By submitting an online application, the competitor is deemed to have accepted the festival’s competition terms.

13. Non-Compliance with Terms:

Films that do not meet the application requirements may be disqualified by the festival management, even if they have passed the preliminary selection.

14. Categories and Genre Selection:

Films in the fiction, experimental, documentary, and animation categories may apply. The film’s genre must be selected during the application process, but the festival jury reserves the right to review and change it.

ARTICLE 3: DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED BY CREATORS INCLUDED IN THE FESTIVAL SELECTION

Creators whose works are included in the festival selection must provide their email addresses when uploading their films to www.filmfreeway.com. The application form will be sent via email communication. It is mandatory to fill out and return the application form.

ARTICLE 4: FESTIVAL COMMITTEE PROVISIONS

The preliminary selection committee consists of members from the festival executive committee and/or experts chosen by the executive committee from outside its members. The festival board determines the number of members on the preliminary selection committee. Works that do not meet the participation conditions will not be viewed by the preliminary selection committee. Finalist works will be announced on the festival’s website after being selected by the preliminary committee.

ARTICLE 5: SPECIAL CONDITIONS

1. Promotion and Archive:

The creator unconditionally agrees that portions of the copies kept in the festival archive, not exceeding 60 seconds, as well as the film poster or a few frames from the film, may be shown in visual and print media for promotional purposes after the competition.

2. Royalties:

No royalties will be requested or paid for the public screening of finalist films within the scope of the festival.

3. Copyright Responsibility:

By applying online, the competitor agrees to the festival’s competition terms. The responsibility for the copyrights of non-original music, photography, video, and similar content in the submitted works lies entirely with the applicant. The legal owner of the film guarantees to the festival committee that the film is fully legal and compliant with copyright laws.

4. Screening and Venue Arrangements:

Productions will be presented to the audience and the selection committee in venues deemed appropriate by the festival management. No changes to screening times, venues, or programs may be proposed.

5. Voting and Awarding:

The conditions under which films are voted on and awarded are determined by the festival committee.

6. Submission of the Application Form:

The creator is responsible for filling out and sending the application form for films selected as a result of the preliminary evaluation.

7. Jury Decisions:

The decisions of the preliminary evaluation jury and the competition jury are final. After the preliminary evaluation results are announced, a participant cannot withdraw their film.

8. Entry Fee:

No entry or screening fees will be paid for films participating in the competition.

ARTICLE 6: AWARDS

The festival management reserves the right to remove films from the screening program that lack the necessary technical specifications and legal qualifications for screening. Producers, directors, actors, and others who contributed to the films participating in the Short Film Competition are deemed to have accepted these rules. It is the responsibility of the legal owner of the submitted film to inform the individuals who contributed to the production about these regulations. Furthermore, the right to amend the regulations belongs to the Festival Committee.