Independent Film Fund Terms and Conditions

1. Eligibility

- We accept submissions worldwide for films intended to be produced in the UK.

- Submissions for films planned for co-productions with another country are welcome, provided that the allocated funds are spent within the UK, evidenced by invoices and receipts.

- We welcome submissions from individuals who serve as the director, writer, and producer of their film. You need to be at least 18 years old to enter.

- We provide funding for various forms of fiction, including narrative short films, feature films, web series, and animation. 

- Projects that have finished principal photography are eligible, at post-production, or distribution stage. To apply for funding towards distribution activities, provided that your film has been completed no more than 3 months from when you applied for the fund.

- Submissions must comply with the Terms and Conditions of the Independent Film Fund.

2. Submission Guidelines

- Submissions shall be exclusively transmitted via the designated Independent Film Fund submission portal, or through any alternative platform as specified by MiraBan Company, including but not limited to Eventbrite, or FilmFreeway.

- All submitted materials must be in English.

- The final film can be filmed in any language as long as it includes English subtitles.

- Screenplays submitted must adhere to professional formatting standards and should be no more than 20 pages in length.

- All submissions must be submitted by the official Independent Film Fund deadlines.

- Late and/or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

- Shortlisted candidates will be required to submit a detailed budget plan, outlining the specific costs you intend to cover with the Independent Film Fund.

- Payment of entry fees shall be remitted directly through the MiraBan website, or via Eventbrite.

- The submission fee helps cover administrative costs associated with processing and reviewing funding applications, ensuring thorough evaluation and consideration of each proposal. All entry fees are non-refundable.

3. Intellectual Property and Confidentiality

- Filmmakers retain all rights to their submitted projects.

- By submitting a project to the Independent Film Fund, filmmakers grant MiraBan the right to use excerpts from their projects for promotional purposes.

- MiraBan will treat all submitted materials and information as confidential.

- Judges and MiraBan personnel involved in the selection process are required to maintain confidentiality.

4. Selection Process

- Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges appointed by the MiraBan company.

- The selection criteria may include but are not limited to: originality, creativity, feasibility, and alignment with the Independent Film Fund's objectives.

- The decision of the judging panel is final and binding.

5. Funding and Support

- The Winning projects will receive financial support as determined by the Independent Film Fund.

- The Independent Film Fund may also provide additional support such as mentorship, networking opportunities, or feedback to the winning applicants.

- The disbursement of funds will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth by MiraBan Company.

- The funding is conditional upon the selected recipient going into production on the selected project within twelve (12) months of when the grant was awarded, but exceptions can be made if the recipient can demonstrate a satisfactory plan to go into production within a reasonable amount of time. MiraBan reserves the right to reassign the funding to another project if this condition is not met.

- Recipients of funding must provide regular progress reports to MiraBan Company.

- Independent Film Fund must be used exclusively for the development, production, or distribution of the submitted project as outlined in the submission.

- Any deviations from the proposed budget or project plan must be approved by the MiraBan Company in advance.

6. Publicity and Promotion

- Filmmakers must acknowledge the support of the Independent Film Fund established by the MiraBan Company in all promotional materials related to the project. 

- MiraBan reserves the right to publicise the selected projects and filmmakers through its website, social media channels, and other promotional platforms.

- If your project is selected, the MiraBan logo must be added to the opening credits (if any opening credit is present in the film) and to the end credits with the wording "In association with MiraBan Ltd". The same applies to all the promotional materials, including trailers.

7. Privacy Policy

- We care about data privacy and security. Please review our Privacy Policy at https://www.mirabanukfilmawards.co.uk/privacy-policy/ 

By submitting to the Independent Film Fund you are also using MiraBan Services and you agree to be bound by the MiraBan PrivacyPolicy, which is explicitly incorporated in the Independent Film Fund Terms and Conditions. Please be advised the Services are hosted in the United Kingdom. If you access the Services from any other region of the world with laws or other requirements governing personal data collection, use, or disclosure that differ from applicable laws in the United Kingdom, then through your continued use of the Services, you are transferring your data to the United Kingdom, and you expressly consent to have your data transferred to and processed in the United Kingdom.

8. Data Processing

- The Independent Film Fund collects personal information provided during the registration and submission process, including but not limited to: full name, email address, phone number, mailing address, city, state/province, zip/postal code, and country.

- The information collected is used solely for the purpose of processing submissions, communicating with applicants, and administering the Independent Film Fund. By entering, you authorise the Independent Film Fund to use any trusted third-party online, cloud based and email services and databases for hosting, managing and/or sending/transmitting your submission file(s).

- The Independent Film Fund retains personal information for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes outlined in these Terms and Conditions, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

- Applicants may request the deletion of their personal information by contacting the Independent Film Fund administration.

- By registering and submitting a project to the Independent Film Fund, applicants consent to the collection, use, and retention of their personal information as outlined in these Terms and Conditions.

9. Indemnification and Governing Law

- Filmmakers indemnify the MiraBan against any claims, expenses, or liabilities arising from the submission or production of their projects to the Independent Film Fund.

- The MiraBan Company does not accept responsibility for any loss or damage to submitted materials.

- These terms and conditions are governed by the laws of the United Kingdom, and any disputes arising out of or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of London.

10. Amendments and Termination

- MiraBan Company reserves the right to amend or terminate these terms and conditions at any time.

- Any changes will be communicated to all applicants and recipients in a timely manner.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Independent Film Fund Submission Guidelines

Submission Process

1. Online Submission

- All submissions must be made through the official submission portal of the Independent Film Fund provided by the MiraBan Company.

- Fill out the submission form with accurate and complete information.

- We accept submissions worldwide for films intended to be produced in the UK, and/or in co-productions with another country, provided that the allocated funds are spent within the UK, evidenced by invoices and receipts.

- We welcome submissions from individuals who serve as the director, writer, and producer of their film. You need to be at least 18 years old to enter.

- All submitted materials must be in English.The final film must have English subtitles.

- We provide funding for various forms of fiction, including narrative short films, feature films, web series, and animation.

- Late and incomplete submissions will not be considered.

- Submissions must comply with the guidelines provided by the Independent Film Fund.

2. Required Materials

- Script: Upload the script of your project.

- Director's Statement: Provide a brief statement from the director outlining their vision for the project.

- Budget Breakdown: Shortlisted candidates must submit a detailed breakdown of the project budget.

- Production Timeline: Include an estimated timeline for the production of the project.

- Previous Work: Provide links or attachments showcasing any previous work relevant to this project.

3. Timetable

Submissions open: 11th March 2024

Early deadline: 15th June 2024 (£20,00)

Regular deadline: 15th August 2024 (£ 25,00)

Final deadline: 15th October 2024 (£30,00)

Shortlist announced: 15th November 2024

Winner(s) announced: 8th December 2024

Selection Process

- Submissions shall undergo evaluation by a committee designated by MiraBan Company. Each member of the panel shall cast their vote independently and anonymously to preclude any reciprocal impacts on the ultimate resolutions. The determination rendered by the panel of judges shall be conclusive and obligatory.

- Selection criteria may include but are not limited to: originality, creativity, feasibility, and alignment with the objectives of the Independent Film Fund.

- Before the funds are released, the winner(s) must sign an additional agreement that reinforces the terms and conditions agreed upon at the time of project submission. This further agreement will elaborate on the specific obligations, rights, usage, reporting requirements, and any other conditions tailored to the winner's specific production associated with the award. It is designed to ensure that the winner(s) fully comprehend their responsibilities and the implications of failing to adhere to the award's terms.

- The quantity of film projects to be financed is not predetermined. The determination of the number of projects to receive funding, whether singular or plural, shall be contingent upon the caliber of the submissions reviewed.

Notification

- Shortlisted projects will be notified via email within a reasonable time frame after the submission deadline. Unsuccessful applicants will also be notified accordingly. Given the amount of submissions, we regret we are unable to provide tailored feedback. Submission to the Independent Fund constitutes unconditional acknowledgment and acceptance of all the terms stated herein.

Agreement

- By submitting your project to the Independent Film Fund, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to abide by the Independent Film Fund terms and conditions and consent to the MiraBan's Privacy Policy.