REGULATIONS

Preamble, Organization and Objectives

The first edition of the Festival Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica In Movie Fest 2025 (hereinafter also referred to as “the Festival”) is organised by the administration of In Movie Fest with a view to creating and spreading innovation, whilst raising the profile of works which have suffered as a result of limited distribution. A special focus is also placed on emerging filmmakers.

The Festival is subsidised by government agencies as well as the various Italian regions, with additional funding provided by other associations, institutions and private partners.

The Festival will take place in Italy, in the Abruzzo and Marche regions, from 9 to 17 September 2025.

Festival Programme

The Festival is composed of various sections which accept works shot in any format.

Sections open to submissions are as follows:

•  “AQUILA REALE D’ORO”

An international competition offering up a selection of 15 unreleased fiction films with a running time of at least 60 minutes. This section provides an overview of contemporary auteur cinema by young talents.

• “BEYOND THE LIMIT AQUILA REALE D’ARGENTO”

Presenting a selection of 15 first, second and third films with running times of at least 60 minutes, this international competition welcomes films of any genre, ranging from works of fiction to more hybrid and modern forms of film creation, which are chosen on the basis of their quality and linguistic-expressive originality.

• “NUOVE VISIONI (SHORT FILMS) AQUILINO REALE D’ORO”

This international competition exhibits a selection of 15 short films, with running times of less than 40 minutes, which are representative of new aesthetic and expressive trends in world cinema. This section places a special emphasis on new, emerging and not yet fully established authors, as well as on smaller and lesser-known cinematic offerings.

• “VIRTUAL REALITY INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY/SCHOOL AQUILINO REALE D’ ARGENTO”

A line-up showcasing a selection of 20 Immersive Virtual Reality Stories/Experiences of any duration and format (Samsung Gear, HTC Vive, Oculus GO, Oculus Rift, SONY Playstation, haptic devices, AR, MR; any other potential formats should be discussed in advance with the Festival organisers); it also welcomes works by teams hailing from national and international high schools, as well as from film schools and universities.

• “PETER PAN AQUILINO REALE D’ORO”

Offering up a selection of 10 feature-length animated films, spanning works of fiction and any other genres, which are aimed at children and students under 18 and which are chosen on the basis of their quality and linguistic-expressive originality, this line-up is open to works hailing from national and international secondary schools, and high schools in Europe and beyond.

•  ” JOURNALISTIC AND INVESTIGATIVE INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES AQUILA REALE D’ORO”

This section exhibits a selection of 10 documentaries, whether journalistic, investigative, war focused or environmentally inclined, irrespective of genre or target audience, providing their running time is less than 70 minutes.

• “CLASSICAL, MODERN, EXPERIMENTAL AND INNOVATIVE THEATER AND DANCE AQUILA REALE D’ORO”

Presented in this section is a selection of 8 works, whether modern or classical dance works, or experimental, modern or classical theatre works (including previously showcased performances) which were produced between 2017 and 2020, and which hail from theatres and producers based in Europe and beyond. These works should stand out for their expressive and aesthetic contribution to art, dance and theatre. To apply, prospective candidates should send a link to their work, whose running time should be at least 30 minutes.

•  “ORIGINAL SCORE AQUILA REALE D’ORO”

This line-up showcases a selection of 8 original scores. Scores from feature films which are competing in the Festival’s other sections are also eligible for this selection.

• AQUILA REALE D’ORO FOR THE BEST POP/ROCK SONG

Offered up in this section is a selection of 8 musical tracks consisting of either pop/rock songs or unreleased classical compositions, with a running time of less than 5 minutes.

• AQUILA REALE D’ORO FOR THE BEST VIDEO CLIP

This section exhibits a selection of 8 unreleased music videos linked to musical compositions of any genre, which have a running time of less than 8 minutes.

One further section, likewise subject to these Rules, is organised independently within the framework of the Festival:

• PONTE DEL MARE INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTION DAYS
  

This feature film market is intended to provide professionals involved in all areas of filmmaking – producers, funders, distributors, sales agents, or representatives of public and private investment funds, banks, film commissions, broadcasters or online platforms – with an opportunity to make new contacts and engage in networking. Ponte del Mare International Production Week (running 30 August – 1 September 2021) will offer up a wide selection of projects in advanced stages of development and pre-funding, in the form of films, documentaries, Virtual Reality works or TV series.

 

1 Entry Conditions

• Works submitted for presentation must have been completed within the 20 (twenty) months preceding their potential presentation at In Movie Fest 2025;

• The works selected, including the “Classical, Modern, Experimental and Innovative Theatre and Dance Official Selection”, can be previously released, outside of their country of origin, provided they have not received awards in other international festivals;

• Works which are solely promotional, educational or scientific in kind are not eligible for selection in the Festival;

• Films which have been selected for previous editions of other Festivals can be submitted for In Movie Fest 2025, provided they have not received awards in other international festivals;
  

• A selection committee composed of film experts, hired in a purely advisory capacity, will assist the artistic director in the scouting and selection of works for the Festival;

• An audience selection committee will select one film for each of the various sections.

2 Submission of films

 

2.1 Legitimate Film Representatives

Individual persons submitting individual films take on the responsibility of being the film’s legitimate representative, authorised as such by all those holding rights to the work. The declaration made by this person who signed the application form, exonerates the Festival organisers from verifying this person’s right to submit the film. Their legitimacy will be deemed to be ascertained, exonerating the Festival organisers from any responsibility to this effect.

2.2 Entry fees and Deadlines

An entry fee is payable on all films which are submitted for the Festival’s pre-selection process, in order to cover administrative costs. This fee should be paid prior to sending the film. In the event where applicants fail to send registered films, or where the film is withdrawn following its registration, this entry fee will not be reimbursed.

Entry fees are determined according to the section concerned and the chosen submission deadline, as follows:

	Early	Regular	Late
Terms	31 October 2022	31 May 2025	30 June 2025
Feature films, mediometrics and short films	€ 60,00	€ 80,00	€ 100,00
Virtual Reality College School International Aqulino Reale d’Argento	€ 50,00	€ 70,00	€ 90,00
Animation Peter Pan Aquilino Reale d’Oro	€ 50,00	€ 70,00	€ 90,00
Journalistic Documentaries	€ 50,00	€ 70,00	€ 90,00
Soundtrack Aquila Reale d’Oro	€ 50,00	€ 70,00	€ 90,00
Pop Rock song and Classical	€ 20,00	€ 40,00	€ 60,00
Videoclip	€ 40,00	€ 60,00	€ 80,00
Classic, modern, experimental and innovative Theater and  dance Aquila Reale d’Oro	€ 50,00	€ 70,00	€ 90,00

Payment of entry fees can only be made online, via credit card or PayPal, at the time of registering the film.  

All fees are fully inclusive of tax. Payment of entry fees must be made before the chosen deadline in accordance with the above table. 

Incomplete or misleading entries will not be considered for selection. 

In the event where a film is withdrawn, the entry fee will not be refunded. 

The registration and participation of a work in the Festival confirms the participant’s acceptation of the present Rules and Regulations for Participation. 

The original Italian text of these Rules is considered to be the final and binding version.

2.3 Materials required for pre-selection

• For the official selection Theater – Dance:
  • The authors of the works must send the following files: Mov.O.mp4 of the work, resolution 1920×1980, CODEC H 264 and maximum weight not exceeding 10GB, the link to the online trailer of your work;

• For official selection of journalistic and inquiry documentaries:
  • Main: Apple ProRes 422 / LT, 1920 × 1080, Bitrate Variable (max 40Mbit / s), Linear Audio PCM 24bit Little Endian Signed Integer, 48000Hz, Stereo L – R Copy / back up: H264, 1920 × 1080, Bitrate Variable (max 20Mbit / s), AAC / MP4 48000Hz stereo audio;
  • The back up can also be sent with blue-ray, however the festival prefers the HD file. A copy of the back up will remain in the Festival archive for any non-commercial uses;

• For official Peter Pan Animation selection:
  • The material must be received in 1080p, MP4, or MOVH.264 digital formats, files must be sent via file sharing websites (EG Dropbox, Wetransfer, 4Shared).
  • All the material sent will not be returned and will remain in the Festival Archive;

• For the Virtual Reality College selection:
  • The section has a selection of 20 stories in VR / immersive virtual reality experiences, of any durability and format (Samsung Gear, HTC Live, Oculus Go, Oculus Rift, Sony PlayStation, Tactile Devices, AR, MR).

To be considered for pre-selection, applicants must:

• Complete the online pre-selection entry-form which can be found by clicking on the “Register your Work” button on the inmoviesfest.com website;
• For the purposes of assessment and selection, send the full video of the work in one of the formats indicated in this regulations.
• Complete the information file digitally, including synopses in Italian or English, the director’s biography and filmography, and details on the cast and the crew. Applicants should also attach a press kit, where possible.

The afore-mentioned materials must be submitted no later than 31 July 2025.

The Festival does not envisage returning any works sent for pre-selection, irrespective of format or the media by which they are sent.

All materials and works submitted (including works-in-progress) will become part of the Festival archive, for the sole purposes of documentation and research, excluding any commercial use, in order to protect the interests of the filmmakers and producers.

3 SELECTED WORKS

3.1 Entry form

• Invited and selected works will receive an entry form which they must return duly signed and completed no later than 10 August 2025. The submission of this form, and its receipt by the Festival organisers, implies acceptance of the Rules and Regulation for Participation on the part of the invited parties. This acceptance shall be considered final and irrevocable.

• All selected works must be submitted in their original language and subtitled in both English and Italian on the print. English-language films must be subtitled in Italian on the print. Films presented in the Festival must be screened in their original language and subtitled in two languages on the print. If available, two copies of the films selected in the Festival must be submitted (in order to guarantee a second screening in the event of rain), at least one of which should be subtitled in two languages. The production and cost of subtitles on the print are the participants’ responsibility.

• It is preferable that each film selected for the competition is represented by the majority producer, by the director of the work and by a leading member of the cast, and that each film selected for the competition is represented by its majority producer and its director.

  The Festival undertakes to provide accommodation for these representatives in accordance with its hospitality policy.

• It is mandatory that all films taking part in the Festival provide the latter with all the required documentation. This includes a file of the final version of the film in its original language and with English and Italian subtitles, for the Festival’s archives and for purposes of internal consultation. Participants are liable for transportation and customs clearance costs pertaining to all materials associated with the selected films.

• All selected films will be made available to accredited professionals in an online Digital Library (unless otherwise agreed with rights holders).

• The producers and distributors of all films selected for the Festival shall undertake to include a mention of their participation in In Movie Fest 2025 in all relevant promotional material (posters, press kits, trailers, website, etc.), using the official logo which will be supplied by the Festival. This logo must not, under any circumstances, be modified or altered without prior permission from the Festival. All publications featuring the logo must be approved by the Festival (direzioneartistica@inmoviesfest.com).

• All films taking part in the Festival’s competitive sections may have up to five public screenings during the event.

3.2 Programme Confidentiality

All invitations to take part in the Festival must remain strictly confidential pending the announcement of the programme by the Festival organisers, under penalty of exclusion from the selection.

The official programme will be announced no later than 17 August 2025.

The Festival programme and film screening times fall within the exclusive competence of the artistic director.

Acceptation of invitations by those who first registered the works implies a commitment to make the films in question available free of charge, for at least two public screenings, and to respect the Festival’s hospitality policy. Participants further agree not to withdraw their films once invitations have been accepted.

The Festival may request a further screening of the work for its virtual cinema programme, subject to the prior agreement of the rights holders. Rules and information on how to access the streaming platform will be published separately on the Festival website.

3.3 Waiver

The Festival is open to the public. Accredited professionals, as well as accredited members of the national and international press, will attend the event. All participants and/or guests of the Festival hereby acknowledge that accredited TV networks and other media partners will be in attendance at the Festival, recording segments for TV or radio. By accepting to take part in the Festival, all participants agree to surrender all distribution rights, free of charge, pertaining to content which might be recorded by media partners, thereby allowing the latter to use this recorded content according to their own needs.

3.4 Shipment of Film Screening Copies

• Screening copies of selected films must be sent to Pescara (in Abruzzo), or, in the case of DCP copies and VR works, to our lab partner, no later than 22 August 2025. Presentation of films within the Festival cannot be guaranteed for copies arriving after this date. Potential exceptions to this deadline may be granted in writing by the Festival management. Please note that customs clearance for shipments to Italy may result in delays.

• The organisers of the Festival will make contact with participants and forward the appropriate shipping address, depending on the format and provenance of the film copies. As a general rule, screening copies must be sent to the following addresses:

1. 1. Copies sent from Italy:

In Movie Fest 2025

Via Aterno 83

66020 San Giovanni Teatino (CH)

Italia

1. 2. Copies from outside of Italy sent by airmail:

In Movie Fest 2025

IN TRANSIT c/o BRT

Via Aterno 66

66020 San Giovanni Teatino (CH)

Italy

These shipments should display the following customs declaration:

“Of no commercial value, for cultural purposes only”.

Special instructions: goods must be delivered IN TRANSIT.

Please note: for customs and transportation purposes, Global Forwarding air freight offices worldwide require a proforma invoice. The film’s title, format, original language, subtitled language(s) and running time, as well as clarification on whether the film is in colour or black and white, must always be stated on the aforementioned document. For the copies, it is also necessary to indicate the number of reels for each film, as well as its length in metres. The sender must also send an email to the (amministrazione@inmoviesfest.com) Festival, notifying them of the film’s dispatch and indicating the film’s title, the number of parcels sent, the date of dispatch, the name of the courier and the relevant forwarding information (Air Waybill/AWB number).

• High-definition virtual screenings only take place on a server basis. All films must be shipped on a physical drive containing only the DCP (Digital Cinema Package) of the selected film, encoded following DCI or SMPTE standards. To ensure the best possible handling of the DCP and distribution of the KDMs of participants’ films, it is imperative that the latter ship the DCP to our partner lab for a Quality Check and to provide them with the D-KDM (Distribution Key): the partner lab will then generate the KDMs for all playback servers in use at the Festival.

  D-KDMs must be open from the moment the DCP is shipped for the Quality Check and up until 22 August. Further technical and logistical specifications will be available online, for VR works, too, at the time of registration.

• Participants are liable for all transportation and customs clearance costs pertaining to both outbound and inbound shipments. Should the return shipment of the selected film entail costs, these will be billed to the participant by the Festival before the end of the year. The Festival reserves the right to refuse any shipments which entail additional costs.

• Where possible, the Festival will respect participants’ shipping and timing requests concerning the return of their films. The Festival will not be held liable for any forwarding errors that may occur as a result of participants’ failure to provide shipping instructions or as a result of erroneous shipping information provided by participants. As a rule, films will not be returned before the end of the Festival. Films will be shipped back to participants within the four weeks that follow the end of the event.

• Any complaints over the return of films must reach the Festival by email (amministrazione@inmoviesfest.com) no later than three days after the film has been received by the participant. Claims will not be dealt with after such time.

3.5 Catalogue

All materials required for the compilation of the Festival’s official catalogue (synopses, details on the cast and crew, the director’s biography and full filmography, photos of the director, of the actors and of scenes from the film, a brief comment from the director about the film) must reach the Festival as soon as possible, but no later than 10 August 2025, and must be labelled “Catalogue Material”.

3.6 Promotional Press Material

Owners of invited works must send all required promotional material (digital pressbooks, links to downloadable photos, trailers and video clips, contact details of the associated international and Italian press officer or of the contact person whose details can be forwarded to the press, in accordance with the information attached to the film invitation) to the press office (ufficiostampa@inmoviesfest.com) of the Festival by no later than 20 August 2025. It is essential that all advertising and promotional material is labelled “Film selected for In Movie Fest 2025”. All shipping costs relating to such material (including any customs charges) are the responsibility of the sender. All costs involved in the potential return of such material will likewise be the responsibility of the sender. Should participants fail to express their wish for materials to be returned, by contacting the Festival at amministrazione@inmoviesfest.com, all remaining materials will be disposed of by 31 October 2025.