Alberta Student Short Film Showcase 2027 Rules & Terms

1.Eligibility

• The director (or at least one co-director) must be enrolled, full-time or part-time, in a post-secondary program at an Alberta institution (e.g., University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, SAIT, Alberta University of the Arts, University of Alberta, MacEwan University, NAIT) during the 2025–26 or 2026–27 academic year. Recent graduates are eligible if they graduated within the two years before the submission deadline, that is, on or after January 31, 2025.
• Proof of eligibility must be provided on request. Current students: student ID, enrolment letter, or transcript. Recent graduates: degree or diploma certificate, final transcript showing the date the credential was granted, or a letter from the institution's registrar confirming the graduation date.
• The film must have been completed on or after January 1, 2025.
• Films of any genre and subject are eligible. Films engaging with Latin American cultures, stories, or diasporas are especially welcome, but this is not a requirement.
• Coursework, thesis, and independent student productions are all eligible.
• Each Submitter may submit up to two (2) films.
• The Submitter must hold, or have secured, all rights needed to submit and, if selected, exhibit the film (see Section 9).

2.Format

• Maximum runtime: 30 minutes, including credits.
• Narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental films are eligible.
• Prior festival screenings are allowed. Films previously screened at CLAFF are not eligible.

3.Submission Requirements

• Online screener link (Vimeo, YouTube unlisted, or Google Drive), with password if applicable.
• Completed submission form: synopsis, credits, director biography, institution and program name, and at least two stills suitable for print and digital promotion.
• If selected, an exhibition-quality DCP file must be submitted by the delivery date given at notification.

4.Language & Subtitles

Films may be in any language. Films not originally in English must include English subtitles, burned in or as a selectable track.

5.Fees

There is no submission fee for the Showcase.

6.Key Dates

• Submissions open: 26th of October 2026
• Submission deadline: 31st of January 2027
• Notification of selection: by 1st of March 2027
• Exhibition file delivery: by 1st of April 2027
• Showcase screening and recognition: during CLAFF 2027, April 22–25, 2027

7.Artist Fees & Recognition

CLAFF pays every selected filmmaker professional artist fees based on the 2027 CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Recommended Fee Schedule. As a commitment to emerging filmmakers, CLAFF pays the full single-screening rate for each film and does not apply CARFAC's discount for group programs of short films.

• Each selected filmmaker receives a written agreement setting out fees, duties, and timelines.
• Screening royalties are paid to the director named in the submission, or as co-directors jointly instruct in writing.
• CLAFF pays all fees within 60 days of the screening.
• Filmmakers keep their copyright. CLAFF licenses screening rights only.
• Recipients must provide the information needed for payment and any tax documents required by Canadian law, and are responsible for any taxes on their fees.

The jury may also name a Best Alberta Student Short Film, and the audience may vote an Audience Favourite. Recognition includes a certificate, public announcement at the screening, and promotion on CLAFF's website, social media, and press materials. It grants CLAFF no rights beyond those in Section 9.

8.Selection & Jury

Submissions are reviewed by CLAFF's programming team, led by the Festival Film Selector/Curator. A selection jury of up to five film professionals, educators, and cultural representatives from Alberta, any other province in Canada or internationally, then chooses the films for the Showcase. Selection decisions are at the Festival's sole discretion and are final. All Submitters are notified by email. Non-selection does not imply any judgment of artistic merit.

Jurors may not evaluate films in which they had a creative, academic supervisory, or family connection. They must declare any such conflict and step aside from that decision.

9.Rights Granted to the Festival

• The Submitter grants CLAFF a limited, non-exclusive licence, in exchange for the screening royalty in Section 7, to screen the film publicly at the Festival's official venues and dates if selected.
• The Submitter grants CLAFF the right to use up to two (2) minutes of excerpts, plus stills, trailers, and key art, to promote the Festival and the Showcase (website, social media, press, printed program), with credit to the film and filmmaker.
• All other rights remain with the Submitter. CLAFF claims no ownership of submitted works.
• If the film was produced as coursework, the Submitter confirms that the institution's policies allow public festival exhibition.
• The Submitter warrants that the film, including its music, footage, and artwork, does not infringe on the intellectual property, privacy, or other rights of any third party, and that releases were obtained from all people appearing on screen.

10.Screening & Filmmaker Participation

• Selected films screen together in a dedicated Showcase program block, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.
• Selected filmmakers are strongly encouraged to attend in person. Remote participation (recorded introduction or video Q&A) is possible on request.
• Selected filmmakers will be invited to a feedback and mentorship session with jury members and industry guests.
• The Festival decides program order, venue, and pairing of films.

11.Participants Under 18

If a Submitter is under 18, a parent or legal guardian must co-sign the submission and consent to these terms. Any person under 18 appearing on screen must have a signed release from a parent or guardian.

12.Withdrawal

A Submitter may withdraw a film at any time before notification. Withdrawal after selection and public program announcement is accepted only at the Festival's discretion.

13.Data & Privacy

Submission information (contact details, biography, enrolment proof, film materials) is used only for Festival programming, communication, fee payment, and promotion. It is not sold or shared with third parties without consent, except with Festival partners directly involved in exhibiting the films.

14.Limitation of Liability

CLAFF, its organizers, staff, jurors, and volunteers are not liable for loss, damage, or unauthorized use of submitted materials, for technical failures during review or exhibition, or for indirect or consequential damages arising from participation.

15.Amendments & Acceptance

CLAFF may amend these rules and terms. Changes will be posted at calgarylatinfilmfest.ca. Submitting a film constitutes acceptance of these Rules & Terms in full.