Film Submission Rules & Regulations

HCMC International Film Festival 2024

1. General

The International Film Festival of Ho Chi Minh City (HIFF) is an annual event that showcases the best of cinema from Vietnam and Southeast Asia, as well as from the globe. The festival aims to promote cultural exchange, artistic innovation, and social awareness through the medium of film. The festival also offers a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to network, learn, and celebrate their craft.

The 1st edition of HIFF will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from April 6 to April 13, 2024.
The official website of HIFF is www.hiff.vn.
The submission deadline for all film is no later than January 15th, 2024, except for Short film competition category is no later than February 9th, 2024.
The submission fee for all films is free
All films must have English subtitles, unless they are in English or Vietnamese.
All films must be at least 60 minutes long, except for the Short Film category, which accepts films up to 40 minutes long.
All films must be completed after January 1st, 2023 and have not been commercially released or broadcast in Vietnam before the festival dates.

2. Competition Categories

HIFF has three competition categories: Southeast Asia Film, First or Second Film, and Short Film.

The HIFF invites filmmakers to submit films for consideration in three competition categories:

The Southeast Asia Film category is open to feature-length fiction films from Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries, namely: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. This award recognizes the best feature film (over 60 minutes) that is produced or co-produced by a country or territory in Southeast Asia. The film should reflect the diversity, richness, and challenges of the region and its people.

The First or Second Film category is open to feature-length fiction films from any country that are the director’s first or second feature film.

The Short Film category is open to fiction and documentary films from any country that are up to 40 minutes long. This award honors the best short film (under 40 minutes) that showcases originality, creativity, and storytelling skills. The film can be of any genre or style, as long as it is engaging and impactful.

3. Submission Guidelines:

All films must have been completed after January 1st, 2023.
All films must have English subtitles if they are not in English.
All applicants must complete the online entry form on Eventival.
All films must comply with the rules and regulations of the festival, which can be found on the festival’s official website www.hiff.vn.
All films must be available for screening in DCP format if they are selected for the festival.
All films must have not been screened publicly in Vietnam before the festival dates.
All films must have not been broadcasted or distributed online before the festival dates.
Provide a password-protected Vimeo link in the entry form via Eventival.

The applicant must have the legal right to submit the film and grant HIFF the permission to screen the film during the festival and for promotional purposes.
The applicant must ensure that the screener and the DVD/Blu-ray copy are of good quality and match the final version of the film.
The applicant must provide a synopsis, a director’s biography and filmography, a director’s statement, a poster, a trailer, and at least three stills of the film in digital format.
The applicant must inform HIFF of any changes in the contact information or the availability of the film after submission.

A. Feature for Screening: Film for Screening must be submitted in clean DCP format, or clean MOV ProRes 422HQ (if DCP is not available). Detail specification as follow:

Clean DCP (with no burned-in subtitles)
Resolution: DCI 2K Flat (1998×1080) or Scope (2048×858)
Framerate: 24fps
Audio: 5.1 surround

Clean MOV ProRes 422HQ (with no burned-in subtitles)
Resolution: original resolution
Framerate: 23.98fps, 24fps or 25fps (preferable 24fps)
Audio: PCM uncompressed 24-bit, Stereo or 5.1 Surround

B. Subtitles: All film must be submitted with Separate Subtitles in both English and Original language, and/or Dialogue List/Spotting List.

4. Selection Process:

All submissions will be reviewed by a pre-selection committee composed of film professionals and experts.
The selection committee of HIFF will review all submitted films and select the films for each category based on their artistic merit, originality, relevance, and diversity.
The pre-selection committee will nominate a shortlist of films for each competition category.
The shortlisted films will be announced on the festival’s official website [HIFF] and social media channels and by email to the applicants.
The shortlisted films will be screened during the festival dates from April 6th to April 13th, 2024 at various venues in Ho Chi Minh City.
The selected films will be notified of their screening dates, venues, formats, and technical specifications by HIFF.
The selected films must provide HIFF with a DCP or a Blu-ray copy of the final version of the film by February 15th, 2024. The DCP or Blu-ray copy must have English subtitles (unless they are in English) and Vietnamese subtitles (optional).
The selected films must also provide HIFF with a dialogue list in English and Vietnamese (optional) by January 15th, 2024 (for feature films) and February 9th, 2024 (for short films).
The shortlisted films will be judged by an international jury composed of renowned filmmakers and critics.
The jury will announce the winners of each competition category at the closing ceremony of the festival on April 13th, 2024.

5. Terms and Conditions:

By submitting your film to the HIFF, you agree to grant the festival the right to screen your film during the festival dates and use excerpts of your film for promotional purposes.
By submitting your film to the HIFF, you declare that you have obtained all necessary rights and permissions for your film and that you are not infringing any laws or regulations.
By submitting your film to the HIFF, you accept all decisions made by the pre-selection committee and the jury as final and binding.
By submitting your film to the HIFF, you agree to abide by all rules and regulations of the festival and cooperate with the festival organizers in case of any issues or queries.

6. Festival Participation

The directors or representatives of the selected films are invited to attend HIFF and participate in the festival activities, such as Q&A sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and networking events.
HIFF will provide the directors or representatives of the selected films with the following benefits:
A festival pass that grants access to all screenings and events
A festival catalog and a festival bag
Accommodation for up to three nights in a hotel designated by HIFF
A round-trip economy-class flight ticket from the nearest international airport to Ho Chi Minh City (subject to availability and budget)
HIFF will not be responsible for any damage or loss of the films during shipment.
HIFF reserves the right to make any changes to the festival program, dates, venues, awards, and rules and regulations without prior notice.

We look forward to receiving your film submissions and wish you all the best!

For any inquiries or questions regarding the film submission, please contact: