Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria and comply with all requirements:
 

1. A Filipino citizen of legal age (18 years old and above).
2. Holds or shares the intellectual property rights of the project
3. Have all necessary rights to develop, produce, and distribute the project

4. Fully comply with all eligibility requirements, including the timely submission of required
   documents and adherence to all application guidelines

    

Eligible Projects, Format, and Theme

Projects that meet all of the following conditions:

1. The Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM) Short Film Competition is a short film competition
   open to all Filipino citizens regardless of location and age, whether student, amateur,
   semi-professional or professional. Employees and contractual workers of the FDCP, MMFF, QCSC,
   and FAP, as well as their immediate relatives are disqualified from participating in the
   competition.
2. Completed short films of any theme may include the following:
   (a) short narrative feature;
   (b) documentary;
   (c) animation; or
   (d) mixed media
3. Films must be in any Philippine language, dialect, or English, with English subtitles required for
   wide release in cinemas and on streaming platforms.
4. Submissions must have a running time of not less than twelve (12) minutes but must not exceed
   twenty (20) minutes inclusive of opening billboard (OBB) and closing credits/closing billboard
   (CBB).
5. Films must be completed between August 2025 to August 2026.
6. Films may have been submitted to other film festivals but must not have been officially selected.
   International premieres are allowed; however, the Philippine premiere must take place at the
   PFIM Short Film Competition.
7. Submission is limited to one (1) entry per applicant.
8. Resolution of at least 1920x1080 (Full HD)
9. Accepted formats - MP4, MOV.
10. Music and Copyright - any music that is royalty-free or properly licensed.
11. By entering the Competition, the participants agree to abide by the Festival guidelines and rules.
    The organizing committee shall be indemnified of any liabilities.
12. In case of any violation of the guidelines and rules, the organizers and the judging Committee
    reserves the right to disqualify the participant and their film or remove them from the program.
13. The organizers and the selection committee reserves the right to disqualify any participant
    and/or to forfeit any prize from a participant who is found to have committed plagiarism or has
    undertaken fraudulent practice and/or activities harmful to the Competition or the Competition
    submission process.
14. The organizing committee may create, revoke, and modify at any time its entry requirements,
    rules and regulations. Finalists and submitted entries shall be bound by any amendments or
    addition to the entry requirements, rules and regulations herewith.
15. The decision of the Selection Committee is final and irrevocable. The organizers and the selection
    committee are not obliged to give an explanation for the results.

The PFIM Short Film Competition is NOT available or eligible for:

1. Films more than 20 minutes long
2. Advertisements or commercials
3. television series/programs
4. News or current affairs programs
5. Productions of public or live events
6. Projects that contain pornography, promote violence, issues that insult, offend, and/or portray
   the Philippines in a negative light as well as threaten national security.
7. Films with excessive violence, political propaganda, or films sponsored by government entities.
   
   "Excessive violence" refers to graphic or disturbing depictions of harm, injury, or suf ering that are
   not essential to the story, theme, or artistic intent.
   
   "Political propaganda" refers to content that overtly promotes or advocates for a particular political
   agenda, ideology, or viewpoint, often in a biased or manipulative way, with the intent to influence
   public opinion or behavior.
    
8. Projects based on adaptations for which the applicant does not hold the necessary intellectual
   property rights or permissions for adaptation
9. Projects that infringe on existing copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights

A. Provisional Application Process

1. Applicants must read and understand the terms of the General Guidelines on the expectations and deliverables.
2. To apply, applicants must complete the application form:
   https://www.cognitoforms.com/ExhibitionsDivision/PFIMShortFilmCompetition 
3. Submit the required document list that the organizing committee will provide.
   ● Entry forms provided must be completed including the listing of all creative and technical proponents of the project.
4. Once all documentary requirements are completed, PFIM Short Film Competition Officers will submit the project to the Pre-selection Committee for evaluation and deliberation.
5. Film Entry:
   Online: Upload your film to a private video-sharing platform such as Google Drive or Vimeo (with or without password protection) in a high-quality format like Apple ProRes or a similar file type. Include the access link in the submission form, ensuring it remains active and accessible until the competition concludes.
   
   Offline: Submit your film on a USB drive and send it to the Philippine Film Heritage Building. Sta. Lucia St., Intramuros, Manila.
   
   The courier must be prepaid by the participants and properly labeled with the subject: PFIM Short Film Competition Entry, Your Name, Film Title.
   
   Film Trailer: 30 to 45 seconds uploaded in Google Drive or included in USB for offline submission.
   
   Film Poster: High resolution uploaded in Google Drive or included in USB for offline submission.
   
   Director's Statement: Submit a brief explanation (maximum of 200 words) of your film.
   
   Accomplished Entry Form: Complete the official PFIM Short Film Competition entry form that the organizing committee will provide.
   
   Copyright Clearance: If applicable, provide legal documentation for any third-party
   material used in the film (music, footage, etc.).
   
   6. Questions:
   You may contact exhibitions@fdcp.gov.ph

SELECTION PROCESS:

B. Evaluation
Projects will be reviewed based on the following:

 ● Impact of material: (30%)
    The emotional and intellectual influence the film has on its audience.
 ● Direction & execution: (25%)
     Effectiveness of the director’s vision.
 ● Technical Excellence: (25%)
    The quality and craftsmanship in the film’s production, including aspects like
    cinematography, editing, sound design, and visual effects.
 ● Universal Appeal: (20%)
    The film’s ability to resonate with a wide audience, regardless of their culture,
    location, or language.
 

C. Selected Projects & Final Verification Process

1. Selected applicants will be notified via email after the deliberation process
2. All exhibition and ancillary rights of the film remain with the filmmaker. However, the
   filmmaker grants the organizing committee the right to screen the film free of charge for
   special screenings at the said venues, as well as for educational purposes at schools and
   universities. These screenings will be made available upon request by the organizing
   committee, within a period mutually agreed upon by both parties, not exceeding two (2)
   years from the film’s premiere.
3.  Streaming Platforms: The films submitted to the competition may not be distributed
   on commercial streaming platforms during the competition period. After the competition,
   distribution on commercial platforms may be permitted, subject to the film owner’s
   discretion and any applicable rights agreements.