Vidafair, a new online streaming platform, is now accepting submissions for the first Vidafair Film Festival (VFF). This innovate film festival priorities both storytelling and film monetization, with all accepted submissions able to generate revenue for filmmakers.
The festival’s clearly defined mission statement is simple, “Monetizing creative work isn't greed -- it's fairness, and a modern method of funding independent creativity benefits creators and audience alike. Put another way, monetization should be celebrated."
How do film submissions make money?
Through Vidafair, filmmakers are empowered by setting their own pricing options. The VidaFair currency is called grains, with one grain roughly equal to one U.S. cent. If a filmmaker decides their submission should earn $0.99 per rental, their creator’s share price would be 99 grains. This system allows for monetization to be in the hands of filmmakers and creators.
The price filmmakers decide on will not have an impact on award determination, however, Vidafair encourages filmmakers to select lower price points, as they have more potential to produce more revenue.
The film’s revenue will be redeemable after a threshold of $20 USD is met. Accepted films will be monetizable for one year after the festival’s completion. However, each filmmaker reserves the right to remove their content from the site after the festival, for any reason.
Because VFF believes in all monetization options, the film festival will be non-exclusive, meaning there are no restrictions on films available for streaming online or physical showings.
Cost and Deadlines
Submission cost is $30 before the early bird deadline on February 18, 2022. The regular deadline is March 1st, costing $50, and the late deadline is March 31st, costing $75. The final date to submit is April 22nd, with a standard price of $100. Submission cost for students is half price.
Categories and Awards
The festival will take place online throughout the month of May 2022, with an awards ceremony that will be screened on June 7th at the Austin Film Society.
VFF categories are narrative feature, documentary feature, narrative short, documentary short, and music video. Feature length films must be between 40-150 minutes and shorts must be between 3-40 minutes. Awards will be distributed to the best film in each category determined by a jury, as well as an audience award for each category.
A more detailed picture of VidaFair Film Festival’s rules and requirements can be found on their Film Freeway site.