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Rules of entry

Eligibility

Age Requirement

Entrants must be aged between 12 to 16 years or 17 to 25 years at the time of submission.

Residency

Open exclusively to individuals residing in Switzerland.

Individual or Team Entries

Submissions can be made by individual filmmakers or teams. For team entries, the team leader must meet all eligibility criteria, and the prize money will be awarded to the team leader for distribution among team members.

Film Submission Guidelines

Theme
All films must explore the theme of Compassion in Action within the context of Switzerland. Films can focus on personal stories from everyday life, helpful acts of caring charity by “silent heroes” in your personal environment, community initiatives, or any subject (whether a person or an organisation) that embodies or inspires acts of compassion. Your story touches, inspires, and motivates others to reflect on and act out of compassion, respect, and love.
Length

Films, including credits, must be max 5 minutes long.

Competition Start Date

The competition officially opens for entries on 12th March 2025.

Closing date for entries

All entries must be submitted by 23:59 (CET) on 30 June 2025.

Entry Form
Entrants must complete an online entry form, providing personal details, a brief film synopsis, and the Vimeo link to their submission. Ensure the link is accurate and the video is accessible through the provided link.

Technical Guidelines

Film Submission
The entry form must include the film’s shareable Vimeo link. The link must remain active, and the video must be downloadable until the competition results are announced.
Submission Format
and Vimeo Upload Instructions
All film submissions must be uploaded to the Vimeo platform and sent to shortfilm@zariyafoundation.org.
Required Formats for Vimeo
In alignment with Vimeo’s upload requirements, your film must be in one of the following formats: MP4, MOV, or AVI. These formats are preferred for their compatibility with Vimeo and their ability to maintain high video quality.
Visibility Settings
Ensure your video’s visibility is set to “Hidden” on Vimeo. This setting keeps your submission exclusive to the competition, as it will not be publicly searchable or viewable on Vimeo.
Titling Your Submission
Name your film using the format “[Your Full Name]—[Film Title]—Swiss Compassion Short Film Competition 2024” on Vimeo. This titling helps organise and identify entries.
Enable Downloads
It’s crucial to enable the “Allow downloads” option in your Vimeo video settings. This feature allows the competition’s organisers and judges to download and review your submission without being hindered by internet connectivity issues, ensuring your film is viewed in its intended quality.
Vimeo Link Submission
Your application must include the Vimeo link to your film. This link should be clear and easily accessible within your application form to allow the judging panel straightforward access. Verify Before Submitting: Before finalising your application, verify that your Vimeo link is active, the video is correctly set to “Hidden,” and the download option is enabled. This verification step is essential to avoid any complications in the review process.
Language

All languages are permitted, as are films without dialogue. 

Originality
Entries must be the original work of the entrant(s) and must not infringe upon the rights of any third parties. Use of copyrighted material, unless adequately licensed or falling under fair use, is prohibited.
Compliance

Film content with culturally sensitive, political and religiously motivated themes will not be eligible for the competition. Films must not contain obscene, defamatory, or objectionable material. Entries must be suitable for a public audience.

General terms

Rights
Entrants retain all ownership rights to their films. However, by entering the competition, they grant the Zariya Foundation and its partners the non-exclusive right to screen, broadcast, and promote the films without compensation for the purposes of the competition, the Zariya Foundation and its related activities.
Data Protection
Personal information collected during the entry process will be used solely to administer the competition and will not be disclosed to third parties without consent.
Compliance and Disqualification
Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification from the competition. The Zariya Foundation reserves the right to disqualify any entry that does not adhere to the entry rules.

Checklist for Submission

  • Ensure your film is in one of the accepted formats (MP4, MOV, or AVI) as Vimeo requires.
  • Upload your film to Vimeo, setting the video’s visibility to “Hidden.”
  • Enable the “Allow downloads” feature on your Vimeo video.
  • Title your film correctly according to the given format for easy identification.
  • Include your film’s Vimeo link in your competition application, ensuring it’s accessible for review.
  • Ensure a copy of the film/ entry is sent to shortfilm@zariyafoundation.org.

Contact information

If you have any questions or need further information, please get in touch with the Zariya Foundation at shortfilm@zariyafoundation.org. We are here to assist and encourage all participants throughout their creative process.