Awards will be given for:
• BEST FEATURE
• BEST SHORT
• BEST GAMING FILM
• BEST SCI-FI FILM
• BEST FANTASY FILM
• AUDIENCE AWARD

All filmmakers will be granted two 5 day full-access badges for the Origins Game Fair, which offers over 4,500 events, including games, seminars, crafting, costume contest, and more. Winners of the above awards will also receive two full show passes each for next year’s Game Fair!

All accepted films will be given the opportunity to promote and sell copies of their film -or- related merchandise at the Origins Film Festival Showcase vendor booth. See the FAQ for details.

All filmmakers will be notified of their acceptance or rejection via email by August 9, 2020. If you do not receive this email by the notification date, please contact us via the contact form or at info@originsfilmfestival.com.

Accepted films will be asked to provide an HD (1080 or 720p)  MP4 or MOV file via FilmFreeway, Vimeo, Dropbox, Hightail or other online file transfer service. Films must be received by September 20, 2020.

All films must have been completed after January 1, 2010. Feature films must be at least 60 minutes and short films must be 30 minutes or under, including credits. All non-English language films must have English subtitles.

All films must be finished, original works, and the filmmaker is responsible for obtaining any necessary permissions for use of trademarks, copyrights or any other properties (including, but not limited to logos, images, characters or music) in his or her film.

Only entries with an online screener available through FilmFreeway will be accepted for submission.

All entries must be received by July 31, 2020.

Employees of the Gaming Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA) and their immediate families are excluded from competition, but films may be considered for exhibition only screenings.

By submitting my film to the Origins Film Festival I hereby certify that I am duly authorized to submit this film and I hold all relevant rights thereto. I further certify that all of the information contained in my submission is correct, that all relevant rights and clearances have been obtained, and that this film is not subject to litigation or under the threat of any litigation. I will not withdraw the film from the Origins Film Festival after I have been notified of its selection.

Most importantly, I hereby agree to fully indemnify and hold the Origins Film Festival harmless from damage or loss of any nature related in any way to screening my movie, regardless of the nature of the cause of action.

I also agree for a short excerpt of my submission (including biographical information) to be used in radio, video program, or cinematic trailers for the Origins Film Festival. I agree that, if selected for the festival, the Origins Film Festival may screen the submitted film during the annual event or at future events; and permit accredited press and industry to view the film. I agree that the Origins Film Festival is not due any rental or licensing fees for submitted work that is programmed. I agree to the film being considered for all Festival awards.

This document and the agreements contained herein shall be governed by the laws of the United States and the state of Maryland without consideration of conflicts of laws provisions and principles. All claims between the parties, regardless of legal theory and whenever brought, shall be resolved in the state or federal courts of the state of Maryland, Montgomery County, USA, and you stipulate that you expressly submit to the personal jurisdiction of such state and federal courts, and you further agree that any judgment may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision, or portion thereof, of this agreement to be unenforceable, the remainder of this document shall continue in full force and effect.

This document constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the use of films and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject matter. No amendment to or modification of this agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Origins Film Festival. Nothing in this agreement constitutes a waiver of the Origins Film Festival’s rights under United States of America patent and copyright laws or any other Federal or State law, nor of any of the Origins Film Festival’s rights under the rules or laws of any country, territory, republic, and/or province. Finally the Origins Film Festival reserves the right to remove a film from the festival program for any reason, or no reason at all, and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising from such removal.