FAQ
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE WORK
- Are there 40 works in total evenly divided among the 4 competitive categories?
Yes. The 40 selected works will be evenly divided among the 4 competitive categories.
- What percentage of my film must be animated to qualify for the Animation Competition?
A film is considered animation if 60% or more of it is created in animation.
- For the Out of Competition section, does the 40‑minute limit include titles?
In the “Frequenze Medie” Out of Competition section, the entire runtime including titles must not exceed 40 minutes.
- Do you require a premiere?
A premiere is not mandatory.
- Do you accept films made by collectives?
Yes, we accept works by individuals and collectives.
- Do you accept Rough Cuts for the selection?
No
- Can I modify the work after submitting?
Once the festival selects your film, you cannot make any changes.
- What technical specifications and additional materials are required for selected short films?
- Dcp
- ProRes or H264 file (max 3GB)
- Screener link
- Subtitle file and/or dialogue list in Italian and English
- Synopsis (English)
- Director's notes (English)
- Director's Bio (English)
- Poster
- Film Stills (3)
- Scene Photos (3)
- Director's Photo (vertical, color)
- Trailer (English subtitles)
- Social Media: Director, Distributor, Production, Letterboxd of the film
- Does the submitted film need subtitles?
Yes, all films must have English subtitles.
- Do the selected shorts need national or international premiere status?
No, premiere status is not required.
- We haven’t created a DCP yet. Can we still participate?
No. A DCP is required because the screening takes place in a high‑quality cinema with strict standards.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SUBMISSION FEES
- Is there a discounted fee for students?
No, submission fees are the same for everyone. However, student discounts are available for Festival tickets and accreditation.
- Are there alternative ways to submit to Ru‑mòre?
Submissions may only be done via FilmFreeway.
- Can submission fees be refunded?
No. Fees are non‑refundable under any circumstances.
QUESTIONS ABOUT FESTIVAL ORGANIZATION
- What kind of Masterclasses will there be?
Masterclasses will be announced along with the full festival program in March 2026.
- Does the LCC Group country change every year?
Yes, each year a different country from the LCC Group lists will be featured.
- How can I reach Cinema Tibur if I’m coming from abroad?
Cinema Tibur is about a 10‑minute walk from Rome Termini and Tiburtina stations.
QUESTIONS ABOUT AWARDS
- How is the total prize pool divided?
The prize breakdown will be announced together with the project selections and the full program, in March 2026.
- What are the Audience Award and Academy Award?
Details will be shared in March 2026, along with the program.
- Are ex aequo awards allowed?
No, no shared prizes are planned, but the jury may award two special mentions per edition.
QUESTIONS OF INTEREST TO DIRECTORS
- Is the director’s presence mandatory for all categories if selected?
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended as part of the Festival experience.
- Will selected authors be offered accommodation?
If selected, the director will be contacted by the hospitality department.
- Is there a screening fee?
We consider the screening fee an important acknowledgment, but in this new phase of transition, the festival has chosen to prioritize the successful outcome of the event and the expansion of its offerings.
- For the screenplay competition, what happens in the case of incorrect material submissions?
You will be contacted by the screenplay team, who will request the necessary additions. If there are still errors in the second submission, the project will not be considered, and the fee will not be refunded.
QUESTIONS about the Screenplay Competition
- How do I submit my project?
Go to our contest page on FilmFreeway, and upload one single PDF containing all required materials, in the order specified in the rules.
- Can I upload separate files (synopsis, treatment, scenes)?
No. All materials must be combined into one PDF.
- In what language should I submit?
Submit your materials in the same language as your FilmFreeway application. If you apply in English, your texts must be in English; if you apply in Italian, they must be in Italian.
- Why can’t I submit the full screenplay?
Because we want the core idea, the spark of your project. The synopsis and treatment help us assess the work’s potential, originality and creativity, tone, and style. The three scripted scenes show your technical writing level and command of format. We’re not asking for a finished script, but for what comes before it: the originating heart of your story.
- How can you judge a story from just a few pages?
That’s the point! A few pages reveal a lot: clarity of the concept, the strength of the characters, the narrative direction, and the writer’s voice. When a project has energy and identity, you can feel it right away.
- What’s the difference between a synopsis and a treatment?
- Synopsis (max 500 characters): a concentrated version of your story, what it’s about, the genre, and the narrative core.
- Treatment (2–5 pages): a brief prose narrative of the story (no dialogue) covering key beats and the character arc. This is where we see if the project holds up structurally.
- Can I choose scenes other than the first three pages of the script?
Yes. The first three pages are fine if they represent you, but you may submit any scenes you consider meaningful. What matters is that they clearly show your style, rhythm, and ability to write visually.
- Can I submit more than one screenplay?
Yes. Up to two projects per author. For example: one short and one feature, two shorts, or two features.
- What if my treatment exceeds the page limit?
Please don’t. The limit keeps materials readable for everyone. Trim the excess, if your story works, it will shine through.
- Can I update my materials after submission?
Yes, until the deadline. After the deadline, updates are not possible. If you do replace the file before the deadline, please also email us at screeenplayrumore@gmail.com
to let us know you updated your submission and briefly describe what changed.
- What is the goal of the contest?
To discover new voices, new ideas, new worlds. We’re not only looking for technical proficiency, we’re looking for authors with something uniquely their own to say.
