REGISTRATION

Submission Rules:

General Submission Rules:

1. Eligibility: All entrants must be in high school.
2. Professional Assistance: No professional assistance is allowed. Teachers/adults may provide verbal guidance only. Adults may participate as actors or models but cannot contribute to content creation.
3. Submission Format: All entries must be submitted digitally via Google Drive. Please make sure the file format matches the category entering. Ensure all sections of the online entry form are completed when uploading your file.
4. File Naming: Files must be named correctly and open without issues. Improperly named or inaccessible files may be disqualified without a refund of the entry fee. Please follow the Naming Guidelines.
5. Time Limits: Adhere to time constraints for each category. Judges will only score up to the time limit; anything exceeding the maximum time will not be evaluated.
6. Category Adjustments: Categories with fewer than five entries may be combined or blended with similar categories. Teachers will be notified if this occurs.

Copyright and Fair Use Rules:

1. Copyrighted Materials: Entries must not use copyrighted visuals or other materials unless the entrant owns the copyright or has proper licensing. Written permission must be provided upon request.
2. Original and Royalty-Free Content: Entrants are encouraged to use original assets or royalty-free music to avoid copyright issues. Questionable materials may lead to disqualification without refund.
3. Fair Use for News Segments: Entries classified as news or broadcast segments must comply with copyright fair use guidelines.
4. Music and Audio: Students are encouraged to use royalty-free music, original assets, or content that falls within fair use. Judges may flag entries that use copyrighted music or sound effects without proper permissions, which can result in a lower overall score. Any use of music or sound effects must be cited in the opening or closing credits, and failure to properly document licensed music may result in disqualification.
   1. Leeway for Music Categories: While categories such as Music Videos, Hype/Promotional Videos, and Kinetic Typography often involve the use of music, it is essential that licensed music be appropriately credited. Entries that fail to cite licensed music in the credits will be subject to disqualification.

Disqualifying Content: Entries must not contain,

• Racist, sexist, or other offensive language or remarks.
• Nudity, sexual content, or suggestive behavior.
• Promotion of drug use, underage drinking, or illegal activities.
• Hate speech, violence, slander, or libel.
• Depictions of weapons involving self-harm, harm to others, or improper use.
• Content violating any city, state, or federal laws is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, unsafe driving, trespassing, or defacing public property.

Judges will flag an entry for any concerns and may not be fully scored, impacting the final average. These flags will be noted in judge comments provided to instructors after the conclusion of the eMagine Media Festival Awards Night.