IFP 50 Hour Filmmaking Challenge – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General

• Q: I am not from India. Can I participate?
  • A: Absolutely! IFP welcomes entries from filmmakers around the globe.
    
    
• Q: Is there a registration fee?
  • A: Yes, there is a registration fee for each team: Rs. 3500 (USD 42) for the Professional Category, Rs. 2500 (USD 30) for the Amateur Category, and Rs. 1500 (USD 18) for the Mobile Category (Horizontal + Vertical). Fees are paid online to confirm participation. You will receive your Creator ID via email upon confirmation.
    
    
• Q: What is the Creator’s Agreement?
  • A: The Creator’s Agreement is a legally binding document that each Team Leader must sign. It protects both your rights as a creator and IFP’s rights as a platform. The agreement will be provided to the Team Leader via email at the beginning of the challenge, along with the theme. Teams that do not submit the agreement will be disqualified.
    
    
• Q: Can my film have no dialogues?
  • A: Yes, your film can be entirely without dialogue, relying on music and visuals. Be sure to convey the mood and narrative through your English subtitles.
    
    
• Q: Can I participate in multiple IFP challenges?
  • A: Yes, you can participate in other IFP challenges using the same email ID. However, each challenge requires a separate registration fee and will have a separate Creator ID.
    
    
• Q: Can I modify my team after registering?
  • A: Yes, you can modify your team before registration closes.
    You can edit your team details by logging in to your Townscript account. The option to edit your team will be available within your account dashboard.
    
    
• Q: What happens to my film after the challenge?
  • A: You retain the rights to your film and can use it in various ways. However, you must include the credit “This film was made for IFP Season 15” in both the title and end credits. Further details are provided in the Team Leader’s agreement.
    
    
• Q: Can I sponsor this challenge?
  • A: Yes! Please contact us at [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities.
    
    
• Q: Is this an online challenge, or do I need to be in Mumbai?
  • A: This is a completely online challenge. You can participate and submit your film from anywhere, using the link shared with the team leader.
    
    
• Q: What happens after I submit my work?
  • A: If your film is nominated, you will receive an email notification along with the further steps that you would need to follow.
    
    

Tech

• Q: What is the evaluation criteria?
  • A: Films are evaluated based on: Visual appeal, Story, Narrative flow, Characters, On-screen performance, Adherence to the category, Adherence to the theme, and Adherence to the genre.
    
    
• Q: Should my story revolve around the compulsory element?
  • A: No, the compulsory element should be incorporated into your film but does not need to be the central focus. It can be subtly integrated, like a prop or background detail.
    
    
• Q: Can I edit my film on mobile?
  • A: No, your film must be edited on a laptop or desktop computer.
    
    
• Q: Are special effects allowed?
  • A: Yes, special effects are permitted, but you cannot use stock footage. You can use built-in plugins and effects from your editing software.
    
    
• Q: What is the required film duration?
  • A: Professional, Amateur, and Mobile (Horizontal): 4-6 minutes; (Vertical): 1-2 minutes.
    
    
• Q: Do end credits count towards the film’s maximum length?
  • A: No, end credits are not included in the film’s duration. They can be a maximum of 60 seconds.
    
    
• Q: Can I modify my film after the challenge?
  • A: Yes, you can modify your film after the award ceremony, but you must retain the credit: “This film was made for IFP Season 15” in the end credits.
    
    
• Q: How can I upload my film faster?
  • A: Rendering your film at 1080p and keeping the file size below 1 GB will help with faster uploads.
    
    
• Q: What can be the team size?
  • A: Teams can have a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 20 members. Each registered team member will receive an e-certificate.
    
    
• Q: Is any footage allowed in the end credits?
  • A: Yes, you can include footage in the end credits, but the main narrative of your film must conclude before the credits begin.
    
    
• Q: Can I use stock photos?
  • A: You can use stock photos only if you own the rights to them.
    
    
• Q: Is animation allowed?
  • A: No, animation of any kind is not allowed in the films.
    
    
• Q: Can we include title animation or our company logo?
  • A: Yes, you can include title animations or your company logo, but they must be on screen for less than 10 seconds.
    
    
• Q: What are the technical specifications for the film (shooting quality, aspect ratio, sound)?
  • A: The final video should be in MOV or MPEG4 format with 1080p resolution. The aspect ratio should be 16:9 for Amateur, Professional, and Mobile (Horizontal) categories, and 9:16 for Mobile (Vertical). Sound must be stereo ONLY.
    
    
• Q: What language can my film be in? Are subtitles required?
  • A: Your film can be in any language. English subtitles are mandatory for all films. Refer to the rules for detailed subtitle guidelines.
    
    
• Q: I’m participating from outside India. What time zone should I follow?
  • A: The official time for the challenge is Indian Standard Time (IST) / GMT +5:30.
    
    
• Q: I’m having trouble finding team members. Can IFP help?
  • A: IFP will be creating various opportunities in the form of networking events, Instagram Campaigns and more, keep an eye out at our Instagram page to know more.
    
    
• Q: Do I need a location release to shoot on public property?
  • A: A location release is only required for privately owned property. However, we strongly recommend obtaining necessary permits for shooting on public property. IFP team will not be liable for any such permissions or claims in this case.
    
    
• Q: Where do I upload my film?
  • A: The upload link will be sent to the Team Leader at the beginning of the challenge, along with the theme.
    
    
• Q: Can I use my mobile phone to upload my film?
  • A: While technically possible, we highly recommend using a laptop or desktop computer with a stable, high-speed internet connection for uploading. Mobile connections can be unreliable and cause delays.
    
    

Evaluation

• Q: How are so many films judged?
  • A: Each film will be judged by an eminent jury with extensive industry experience who gives their scores to all the art works sent as per the evaluation criteria.
    
    
• Q: Is the judging process transparent?
  • A: IFP is committed to a fair and transparent judging process. The IFP team also reviews the films to ensure no biases or errors occur. We do not accept paid awards to maintain the integrity of the competition.