TERMS OF PARTICIPATION 2026

BEYOND BORDERS | KASTELLORIZO INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL

Article 1: Festival Philosophy and Programming

The Festival’s programming focuses on documentary films that explore historical events and personalities, socio-political issues (contemporary or otherwise), the promotion of human rights, as well as cross-border themes of reflection that echo the concerns of contemporary cinematic expression. Films may employ any artistic or narrative form within the documentary genre.

Article 2: Submission Period

For the 11th edition of Beyond Borders, the submission period is set from January 2 to April 30, 2026.
Submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted. Filmmakers whose films are selected for the final program will be notified electronically by June 6, 2026.

Article 3: Eligibility Criteria

Submitted films must be produced within the last year (2025–2026) and delivered as final, completed versions (final cut) ready for screening. Rough cuts or incomplete versions will not be considered.

In case of a tie during the selection process, priority will be given to works having their world, international, or Greek premiere at the Festival.

For the μicro Competition Section, non-Greek productions must have at least their Greek premiere at the Festival.

Films previously submitted and rejected will not be reconsidered.

Article 4: Submission Procedure

Films may be submitted exclusively through:

  1. FilmFreeway, through the official Beyond Borders profile.

Submission fees (FilmFreeway only):

  • Main Competition Section: €8
  • μicro Competition Section: €5

Article 5: Main Competition Section

At the heart of Beyond Borders lies the Main Competition Section, the Festival’s flagship competitive program.
Each year, this section showcases 18 medium-length (31–60 min) and feature-length (over 61 min) films from around the world.
Filmmakers compete for recognition through seven annual awards.

Article 6: μicro Competition Section

Since 2022, the Festival has established a second competitive screening section, the μicro Section, focusing on short documentary films (up to 30 minutes), with special emphasis on young and emerging filmmakers.
Undergraduate and graduate students from film schools, as well as professional short film creators, are encouraged to participate.
Only first, second, or third films by each director are eligible for the μicro Section.

Article 7: Screening and Reproduction Rights

By submitting a film and having it selected in the μicro competition section, the filmmaker grants the Festival a non-exclusive screening right for a period of five (5) years through its permanent television partners:

  • As the official sponsor and media partner of the μicro Competition, ZDF TV (Germany) provides a high-profile platform to celebrate and elevate these short works. To facilitate this showcase, the filmmaker authorizes the Festival to sublicense the non-exclusive rights to ZDF for a period of five (5) years, with no additional remuneration. This allows ZDF to feature the selected films on linear television, via its online streaming platforms and across its official social media channels.
  • Hellenic Parliament Television (Greece): applies to both competition sections.

Terms for Hellenic Parliament Television:

  • Maximum screenings: 6 per film within two (2) years.
  • A formal agreement between the filmmaker and the Festival is required.
  • Financial compensation:
    • €30/minute for short films (up to 30’)
    • €20/minute for medium or feature-length films (over 30’)
  • Revenues are shared 50/50 between the filmmaker and the Festival.

Additionally, the Festival may promote selected films through other television or online networks with written consent from the filmmaker, under the same 50/50 revenue sharing arrangement.

Article 8: Technical Specifications for Film Submission

A. Greek-language films (only Greek):

  • Copy with embedded English subtitles (hardcoded).
  • Separate .srt file fully synchronized to the film’s frame rate.

B. Greek-language films (with other languages):

  • Clean copy without subtitles.
  • Separate .srt files:
    • English subtitles for the entire film
    • Greek subtitles for non-Greek segments

C. Non-Greek-language films:

  • Clean copy without subtitles.
  • Separate English .srt file synchronized to the frame rate.

Projection copy technical specifications:

  • File format: .mp4
  • Encoding: H.264
  • Resolution: 1920×1080 (Full HD)
  • Aspect ratio: 16:9
  • Scan type: Progressive
  • Bit rate: 20 Mbps
  • Frame rate: 25 or 30 fps
  • Audio: AAC, 320 Kbps, 48 kHz

In case of an award, a DCP version may be requested. Filmmakers must have it available if required.

Article 9: Submission Materials (Press Kit)

Selected participants must submit electronically:

  • Short director biography (up to 5 lines)
  • Credits and production details (country, year, duration, crew, etc.)
  • Film synopsis (up to 200 words) in Greek and English
  • Logline (1–2 sentences)
  • Stills (300 dpi, 7×3.5 cm)
  • Trailer (mandatory for promotion)
  • Statement of copyright authorization from director and producer

All files must be submitted via a dedicated Google Drive folder provided by the Festival.
Deadline for material submission: June 16, 2026.

Article 10: Awards and Prizes

Main Competition Section:

  • Grand Prix – Golden Wreath of Megisti
  • Silver Wreath of Megisti
  • Bronze Wreath Wreath of Megisti
  • EKKOMED – Creative Greece Best Greek Documentary Award
  • Special “Odysseus” Award
  • FIPRESCI Award
  • #ThisisEU Award

μicro Competition Section:

  • Golden μicro Phoenix
  • Silver μicro Phoenix
  • Bronze μicro Phoenix

Prize payments will be made by January of the following year.

Article 11: Beyond Borders Travels

Due to its cross-border character, the Festival organizes Beyond Borders Travels, a touring program showcasing the award-winning films each year.
Screenings are free of charge for up to two (2) years after the award year.

Article 12: Programming, Screenings, and Parallel Activities

The Festival retains exclusive authority over the programming of screenings (day, time, venue).
Additionally, it organizes parallel activities, workshops, and special events that strengthen the engagement of audiences and the local community with cinematic creation and visiting industry professionals.
All screenings and activities are free and open to the public.

Article 13: Panorama & Archival Material

Outside the competitions, the Festival hosts the Panorama Section, featuring curated screenings, tributes, and special anniversary programs by invitation of the Festival programming team.

Article 14: Other Terms

The Festival reserves the right to reject submissions that do not meet eligibility criteria, are incomplete, or do not align with the character and values of the Festival.

Parts of the Festival may be filmed or photographed for archival, promotional, or educational purposes. Participants agree that their image may appear in the Festival’s annual Presentation Film or related promotional materials without financial or other compensation.

The Festival reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify screenings or other activities if deemed necessary due to force majeure, technical issues, or other extraordinary circumstances.

Submission and participation in Beyond Borders imply full acceptance of all terms of the regulations, including terms related to copyright, screenings, distribution, and promotional activities.

Participants must ensure that:

  • Submitted material does not violate third-party copyrights and that all necessary permissions for music, images, or other content are secured.
  • Submitted material respects diversity, equality, and human rights, avoiding any offensive, discriminatory, or aggressive portrayal of individuals or groups, reflecting the spirit of Beyond Borders, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and the bridging of borders through documentary cinema.
  • Submitted material complies with applicable law and does not infringe upon third parties or generally accepted ethical standards.

The Festival is not responsible for any loss or damage of materials submitted by participants (films, press kits, trailers, subtitles, etc.), nor for any technical or online delays during submission.

The Organizing Committee of Beyond Borders | Kastellorizo International Documentary Festival

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