UFFO - Best Business Practices for Film Festivals

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Given the number of scam festivals happily scamming impressionable and aspiring filmmakers around the world is it now time for an association of film festivals. Although it would be a good idea there are a number of reasons why this may not be feasible.
 
In the United Kingdom there is a quaint little set of laws that allow the Police to investigate themselves in matters such as official complaints, this as we all well know is not right or can it be seen to be transparent or fair.
 
Although this is perhaps an extreme example of a situation that could not in any way be impartial but would such an association of film festivals have a similar effect? An association of film festivals by film festivals for filmmakers! Festivals directors would in essence be trusted to monitor themselves and to do what is best for filmmakers. Let face it, without filmmakers there is no festival
 
Given the number of scam festivals out there this would be a situation that could be wholly open to abuse and would certainly not be in the interest of filmmakers.
 
So what could be the answer?

Given that all film festivals owe their very existence to filmmakers would it not be a practical step for filmmakers and festivals to agree an ethical code of conduct. A code of conduct that is instantly recognisable in any country by any festival and filmmaker. A simple yet effective code of conduct that will demonstrate a film festivals willingness to be transparent yet so simple filmmakers can use the code of conduct as a guideline when considering which festival to submit their film to
 
Such a code of conduct would also overcome the geographical and language barriers faced by filmmakers. Festivals who adopt the code of conduct will have to publish the information on their web sites to comply with the proposed code.
 
Of course a festival does not have to comply with the code of conduct as it is entirely voluntary but filmmakers can still use the code as a guide in appraising a film festival. It will help them to decide whether or not to submit their film to that particular festival.
 
Below is a proposed code of conduct for film festivals that was written with the involvement of festival director and filmmakers. It will be widely published in many of the industry publications in due course and will no doubt create a much needed debate in the industry
 
There are 10 simple rules in the proposed code of conduct that are mutually beneficial to all filmmakers and film festival directors.
 
This is the “FFCOC” Film Festival Code of Conduct

·         Rule No 1: Absolute transparency in the selection process

·         Rule No 2: Names of the Jury and the selection Committee     

·         Rule No 3: Clear contact details such as address and telephone numbers for the festival offices   

·         Rule No 4: Company registration number or charity registration number published on the festival web site     

·         Rule No 5: Number of films submitted every year  published on the festival web site   

·         Rule No6: Detailed history and statistics of selected films and genre published on the festivals website   

·         Rule No 7: A full history of all the winners and official selection published on the festivals website  

·         Rule No 8: Undertaking that the person or individual viewing the submitted films is an industry professional    

·         Rule No 9: Undertaking that at least 3 minutes of any submitted film is viewed by an industry professional
 
·         Rule No 10: Festival organisers must declare any interest in any film submitted or in competition 

“FFCOC” Film Festival Code of Conduct © Tyrone D Murphy 2011

We need your comments and feedback to help un implement this code of conduct

Tyrone D Murphy

+44 77799 77769  

info@cmefilms.co.uk