🇬🇧 OFFICIAL REGULATIONS

CIFF – Cittadella International Film Festival
📍 Cittadella (Padua), Italy
🎞️ Malta’s Tower Award
📅 Next edition: May 8–10, 2026

1. ORGANIZATION AND MISSION
CIFF is an international festival dedicated to the promotion of independent cinema and the enhancement of new artistic voices, in a unique cultural and historical context: the walled city of Cittadella (PD).
It is organized by Revolux Studios S.r.l., with the patronage of the Municipality of Cittadella and the support of local cultural institutions.

2. SUBMISSIONS AND CATEGORIES
Works produced after January 1, 2023 are eligible, regardless of nationality and language, provided they include English or Italian subtitles.
Categories admitted in competition:
• Feature Films
• Short Films (max 30 min)
• Documentaries
• Animations
• Web Series (episodes or pilot)
• Music Video
• AI Video
All selected works will be evaluated for technical and artistic awards.

3. DEADLINES AND SUBMISSION FEES
Submissions are open exclusively through the FilmFreeway platform and are divided into:
• 🟢 Early Deadline – (until November 15, 2025)
• 🔵 Regular Deadline – (until January 31, 2026)
• 🔴 Late Deadline – (until February 28, 2026)
• 🔴 Extended Deadline – (until April 11, 2026)
• 🔴 Notification Date – (until April 11, 2026)
• 🔴 Event Date – (May 8 – 10, 2026)

4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
The following will not be accepted:
• Works produced before 01/01/2023
• Absence of constraints with collecting societies
• Works already distributed in any physical or digital form, on the web and On Demand

Absence of constraints with SIAE/Third-Party Entities:
By submitting the work, the author (and/or producer) declares that the work is free from any collective rights management constraints (SIAE or similar organizations such as SACEM, ASCAP, BMI, LEA, Soundreef, etc.).

Direct License:
The author grants the organization a free and direct license for public screening, declaring full ownership of rights.

Unlimited Indemnity:
The author agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the organization from any claims related to copyright or rights management organizations.
Liability for consequential charges:
The author agrees to reimburse any costs incurred by the organization due to incorrect declarations regarding rights management status.

Further exclusions:
• Works already submitted in previous CIFF editions
• Amateur or school productions
• Works created by CIFF staff members
• Illegal, discriminatory, propagandistic or pornographic content

5. REQUIRED MATERIALS
Each submission must include:
• Video file in .mp4 (h.264 codec), download enabled
• Vertical A4 poster (300dpi JPG or PDF)
• Short synopsis (200–350 characters)
• Complete technical sheet (director, cast, screenplay, cinematography, editing, music, sound, VFX, etc.)
• English subtitles mandatory
• Files uploaded via FilmFreeway, Festhome & Sfilmakers
⚠️ Incorrect or non-compliant materials may result in exclusion.

6. SELECTION
• Works will be reviewed by a technical committee
• Selected works will be announced on April 16, 2026
• An external artistic jury will assign awards
• “Selected” status does NOT guarantee final festival selection or screening
• Definitively selected works will receive official confirmation email
• Judgments are final

7. AWARDS
Winners will be awarded during the final ceremony with:
• 🎖️ Malta’s Tower Award – Miniature of the medieval tower
• 🏆 Personalized plaques with name and category

Main awards:
• Best Film (Malta’s Tower Award)
• Best Short Film
• Best Documentary
• Best Animation
• Best Web Series
• Best Music Video
• Best AI Video

Technical awards:
• Best Director
• Best Screenplay
• Best Editing
• Best Original Score
• Best Actress
• Best Actor
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Supporting Actor

Honorary awards:
• Artistic Excellence Award
• Culture & Territory Award
• Social Commitment Award
• Future Visions Award
• New Generation Award

8. SCREENINGS
The festival will take place in person, with a possible online section at the discretion of the organization.
Screening files must comply with technical requirements provided during selection.

9. RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
By submitting, the author:
• Declares to be the rights holder of the work
• Releases CIFF from any legal responsibility regarding copyright issues
• Authorizes non-commercial use of excerpts for promotional purposes

10. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS
• The festival does not cover travel or accommodation expenses
• Categories with fewer than 3 eligible works may be canceled (fees refunded)
• Out-of-competition works must still accept the full regulations

11. GROUNDS FOR EXCLUSION
CIFF may exclude works in case of:
• Previously distributed works
• Missing or non-compliant materials
• Misleading or unclear information
• Poor-quality communication materials
• Illegal or hate content
• Misconduct toward the festival
• Attempts to influence the jury
• False declarations
• Lack of contractual regularity (may require documentation of rights chain and production contracts)
RIGHTS
• The author confirms full ownership of rights
• No collective rights management restrictions (or proper clearance obtained)
• All third-party materials are properly licensed
• The author indemnifies the festival from any claims
• Responsibility remains entirely with the author
• The festival may exclude works without adequate rights documentation

12. ACCEPTANCE
Submission implies full acceptance of all regulations.
13. ACCESS FOR AUDIENCE
Submission implies full acceptance of all regulations.

14. JURY EVALUATION CRITERIA
Films will be scored 1–10 per category, weighted average final result.
• Direction (20%)
• Screenplay (15%)
• Performance (15%)
• Cinematography (10%)
• Editing (10%)
• Sound & Score (10%)
• Originality & Innovation (10%)
• Cultural Impact (10%)

🏆 MALTA’S TOWER AWARD
• Artistic excellence
• Strong authorial identity
• Emotional impact
• Cultural value

📌 Guidelines:
• Jury independence
• Full viewing of all works
• Conflict of interest declaration
• Tie-breaker: Jury President decides

📩 Contact: cittadellafilmfestival@gmail.com