Rules and Terms

  • Cinema of all genres allowed.
  • No restrictions in length
  • All non-English language films must be subtitled in English.
  • English films with English subtitles are encouraged.
  • We also accept submissions that have premiered elsewhere.
  • Films available for viewing on free platforms (like YouTube) can participate but the films will not be considered for screening.
  • Multiple entries are allowed, however a separate entry must be submitted for each.
  • Entry fees are non-refundable.
  • We will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a change in scheduling and/or venue.
  • No film may be withdrawn from the festival program after its selection.
  • If chosen as an official selection, International Film Festival The Hague is granted the permission to exhibit the film at International Film Festival The Hague and all associated screenings and their all media publicity material.
  • Location and timing of any screenings of the film shall be the sole decision of the organizers of International Film Festival The Hague.
  • Filmmakers/submitters will be solely responsible for all costs resulting from the submission of the film to the Festival.
  • Films selected for screening will be required in the DCP format. Filmmakers/submitters will send us the DCP format at their own cost and risk.
  • Although every precaution will be taken to prevent loss or damage to materials while in the possession of the festival, International Film Festival The Hague is not responsible should any materials be damaged while in transit to or from, or while in the possession of the festival.
  • The filmmaker holds International Film Festival The Hague, its management, juries, subsidiaries, partners, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and volunteers etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from entry.
  • The filmmaker/submitters certifies to have full rights on the film/material submitted to the festival. The filmmaker/submitter will indemnify the organizers of International Film Festival The Hague against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the Festival or from claims by any third parties.
  • The filmmaker/submitter certifies that the music used especially in the music videos is an original score. If any copyright claim arises especially for the music videos then the filmmaker/submitter will be fully responsible for it.
  • Decisions of the management of the festival will be final and binding to the submitters regarding judgment, selection, screenings, awards, prizes, certificates, laurels, venue, dates, schedule or any other activity related to the event. Filmmakers/submitters certify and undertake to abide by the decision of the festival management.
  • In case of some unforeseen situation or force majeure, like the one happened in 2020 due to COIVD19 pandemic or some other cause beyond the control of the festival management, the event may be held online. The filmmakers/submitters grant explicit permission to use their submission in the online event, if required.

DCP Specifications for Screening in a Cinema Hall

Digital Cinema packages (DCPs) are mostly created by a LAB or Production company.
The requirements of a DCP are in general :
Video Specifications :
  • Image Compression: JPEG 2000
  • Color Space: XYZ color space
  • Bit Rate: Maximum Variable Bitrate (VBR) of 250MB/s (500MB/s for HDR/Dolby Vision)
Resolution Formats :
  • 2K Flat: 1998 x 1080
  • 2K Scope: 2048 x 858
  • 4K Flat: 3996 x 2160
  • 4K Scope: 4096 x 1716
Frame Rate :
  • 24 fps or 25 fps is standard (with specific support for 48/60 fps available for high frame-rate content)
Audio Specifications :
  • Format: Uncompressed 24-bit PCM WAV at 48kHz
  • Channels: 5.1 channel mapping : L,R,C,LFE,Ls and Rs (up to 7.1 is also supported or ATMOS (IAB))
Subtitling DCP :
  • SMPTE-compliant XML
  • Frame Rate: Subtitle frame rates must match the exact frame rate of your DCP.
  • or Burned in subtitles
Naming DCP file
Even though the “Digital Cinema Naming Convention” is an agreed upon voluntary recommended practice, care should be taken to ensure the ContentTitleText of a CPL follows the naming convention as closely as possible.
This convention, with examples and definitions for the multiple fields, is described at http://isdcf.com/dcnc/.