Rules and regulations

1 - The International Short-Film Competition is opened to films in 35 mm format from both Portuguese and foreign directors.

2 - The Portuguese directors may also submit their works in DVD or Beta SP/PAL formats.

3 - The submitted films may be in colour or black and white, with their own soundtrack, in the ANIMATION and FICTION categories.

4 - Films, which have won awards in other competitions or film festivals, are allowed to enter FICA, except those that have participated in former seasons of the competition.

5 - The competition is opened to filmmakers who may or may not be part of film clubs and film sections.

6 - The applicants may enter any number of films. Although the film duration of these works doesn't constitute an issue for their entry, applicants are advised to respect the 30-minute duration limit.

7 - The entry forms must be carefully filled. The organization committee will only accept films that comply with the following parameters:

a) Personal information about the author/authors plus pictures for the film festival's records.

b) A short text in Portuguese, English or French, which sums up the main idea underlining the film.

c) At least two photographs or drawings referring to the film, no smaller than 9x12 cm.

d) A DVD or VHS (in any format) of the film in question.

e) The entrants must also provide the festival with publicity material about the film to be given to the media. This material can be returned at the end of the competition.

8 - In order to uphold the quality of the competition, the festival committee will appoint a selection committee, which will choose the films assigned to the "Official Selection". This committee's decision is final and no discussion or correspondence can be entered into on their decision.

9 - The international jury will be comprised of national and international elements with acknowledged skills and also a delegate from the organization (not entitled to vote). According to their decisions, the following awards will be attributed:

· "City of Portimão" Grand Prize – awarded to the best film in competition, be it ANIMATION or FICTION.

· Golden Trophy/Fiction – awarded to the best film in the Fiction Category.

· Golden Trophy/Animation – awarded to the best film in the Animation Category.

· Best Film by a Portuguese director.

The winner of the "City of Portimão" Grand Prize, sponsored by the Municipality of Portimão, will receive a crystal trophy and a prize of 2.500 Euros.
All the winning directors of FICA 2007 will be invited to come to the Algarve for FICA 2008, with room and board for two, for the duration of the festival.

10 - There will be no “ex-aequo” awards given, in any case.

11 - The organization has decided to attribute the “Adriano de Morais” award to the film that demonstrates greater humanitarian concerns.

12 - If the quality of the films presented is not satisfactory, the jury and the organization reserve the right not to make any award.

13 - According to the result of a vote, the "José Barbosa" viewer's choice award will be attributed at the end of every festival session.

14 - All the films submitted must have been made between 2005 and 2008.

15 - The selection committee may exceptionally admit films made prior to 2005. In which case, the committee must justify its decision.

16 - If the organization decides to do so, any submitted film can be shown in every session held during the festival.

17 - A DVD copy of the films may be made, exclusively for the Portuguese subtitling requirements. That same copy will remain in the festival archives.

18 - The transportation of the 35 mm copies to be presented in the public sessions of FICA 2008 will be the organization's responsibility. The copies will be transported to and from the theatres by an international transportation company and will be duly insured for as long as they remain in FICA 2008's care.

19 - Although the organization ensures the utmost care in handling the films, it cannot be accountable for any kind of damage the works may sustain. It will, however, guarantee the full compensation foreseen by the insurance company, namely the partial or full replacement of the work in question.

20 - The films whose soundtrack is not in portuguese must necessarily provide a dialogue listing, so that the film may be electronically subtitled.

21 - If the producers have 35 mm copies of the films with english or french subtitles, these will be favoured over non-subtitled copies. However, absence of subtitles causes no impediment for a film to be submitted to FICA 2008.

22 - The entry form must be sent by e-mail, post or fax.

23 - The DVD or VHS copies of the films, entry forms and all required material must be sent to:

FICA 2008
36º Festival Internacional de Cinema do Algarve
P.O.BOX 8091
1801 Lisboa Codex
PORTUGAL

Rua Dr. Rui Gomes de Oliveira, Lote 823 - R/c - frente

1800 Lisboa  Portugal

NOTE: Please use the two adresses at the same time.

More information at: algarvefilmfest@sapo.pt

24 - The entry process will take place from January 1st to March 15th. If the film is chosen during pre-selection, its director will be invited to send a 35 mm copy.

25 - The selection committee may accept a film directly, without going through the pre-selection process. In this case, a copy of the film in VHS or DVD format is still required.

26 - On April 1st, 2008, the complete list of all the films selected to enter FICA 2008 will be posted on our website. All the films selected will be individually contacted to ensue all the necessary formalities.

27 - The 35 mm copies of the selected films will be accepted between April 1st and April 30th. No 35 mm copy destined for public viewing during FICA 2008 should be sent to Portugal without being properly required by the festival services.
FICA 2008 services will provide an international account number so that the senders won't have to sustain any transportation costs.

28 - The public viewing of all the selected films will take place between May 10th and May 18th, 2008, in various cities in the Algarve region.

29 - The 35 mm copies will be returned as of May 21th, 2008, to the address provided by the film representatives, unless other arrangements have been made, by writing, no later than May 11th, 2008.

30 - The organization invites two representatives for each film -director, producer, or other - to come to the Algarve, with full guarantees of room and board.

31 - All entrants must fully accept these Rules and Regulations.

32 - The resolution of situations not foreseen in these Rules and Regulations is the exclusive responsibility of the organization committee.