Film Festival Submission Rules
Water connects us all, and your story could inspire the next wave of change. The World Water Short Film Festival (WWSFF) is a space for filmmakers and storytellers to share powerful, personal, and creative visions of our relationship with water. We invite all filmmakers and storytellers to submit films, whether your film educates, inspires, or moves people to act, we want to help your voice be heard around the world.
Submit your film and join a community that believes stories can change the way we see water, and each other.
2025-2026 Festival Dates & Deadlines
FilmFreeway Opening Date | Friday, July 1, 2022
Earlybird Deadline | Monday, August 1, 2022
Regular Deadline | Monday, September 5, 2022
Late Deadline | Monday, October 3, 2022
Notification Date | November 1, 2022
Event Dates | December 2-4, 2022 in NYC
Rules, Terms & FAQs
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Students (elementary, middle, high school, undergrad, and grad) are welcome to submit to any category. An adult supervisor and/or guardian is allowed to submit on behalf of the minor, but the film must be conceived and created mostly by the minor filmmaker. Reach out to the film festival for a student discount code (info@worldwaterff.org).
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All entries must be submitted with a valid entry form and non-refundable entry fee. Films must be provided via a Secure Online Screener (not open to the public). Entry fee payments must be made online.
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Item description
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All films must inform or inspire an action step in water awareness for audiences.
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Yes. Entries must be 15 minutes or under (including credits), except for the Short Feature category, which allows 50–80 minutes.
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Yes, but non-English films must have English subtitles.
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Yes. Films must not contain pornography, racist, sexist, offensive, or defamatory statements, or be disrespectful of anyone’s privacy.
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Yes. WWSFF does not accept films made before 2016.
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You must be legally authorized to submit your film and hold all rights to its images, sound, music, and promotional materials (poster, trailer, etc.). Your film must not be involved in or threatened by any claims or litigation.
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No. All submitted films must be non-watermarked.
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Yes. WWSFF may use parts of your film (such as the trailer, teaser, poster, or stills) for promotional purposes, but you retain 100% ownership of your intellectual property.
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Yes. All accepted and non-accepted filmmakers will receive email notification.
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No. Once the official selection has been announced, you cannot cancel your participation.
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By submitting, you agree to hold WWSFF harmless and indemnify the festival from any legal claims involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, or screenings.
