Film Festival

• Best Visual Storytelling – $800
• Best Storytelling Through Sound – $800
• Best Storytelling Through Character – $800
• Best Overall – $1,000

Applicants must:

• Be a resident of British Columbia.
• Submit a film produced in British Columbia between January 1, 2022, and January 14, 2027.
• Submit a film that is between 30 seconds and 30 minutes in length.
• Ensure their submission reflects this year's festival theme.

Eligible Film Types
We welcome submissions in all genres and formats, including:

• Narrative
• Documentary
• Animation
• Experimental
• Student films
• Hybrid and emerging formats

• Films must be submitted by a key creative team member who resides in British Columbia.
• Multiple submissions are welcome; however, a separate application and fee are required for each film.
• Films must be submitted via a YouTube or Vimeo link. Selected films must also be provided in DCP format for festival screening.
• Films containing dialogue in languages other than English must include hard-coded English subtitles.
• Premiere status is not required.

Only films submitted through this application page will be reviewed for consideration for this year's festival. The LCFF Committee will review each submitted film to ensure it meets the festival guidelines before forwarding eligible films to the jurors for adjudication.

Jury Evaluation Criteria
Films will be evaluated using the following criteria:

1. Storytelling & Originality
   The strength, originality, and emotional impact of the story. This includes the uniqueness of the concept, narrative development, pacing, structure, and the film's ability to engage the audience from beginning to end.
2. Characters & Dialogue
   The quality and authenticity of the characters and performances. Dialogue should feel natural, reveal character, support the narrative, and contribute meaningfully to the story.
3. Creative Vision & Direction
   The effectiveness of the director's artistic vision and execution. This includes creativity, cohesion, tone, and the successful communication of the story through filmmaking choices.
4. Visual & Technical Excellence
   The overall quality of cinematography, camera work, lighting, composition, editing, production design, and technical execution.
5. Sound & Music
   The effective use of sound design, music, dialogue recording, and audio mixing to enhance the storytelling and viewing experience.
6. Overall Impact
   The film's overall quality, originality, and lasting impression. Jurors will consider how successfully all creative and technical elements work together to create a compelling cinematic experience.

Notification of Acceptance 

• All applicants will be notified in writing by email at events@langleyarts.ca regarding the status of their submission. If a film is selected for the official LCFF program, the filmmaker will receive a participation agreement to confirm their acceptance.
• The LCFF Committee reserves the right to make decisions on any matters not addressed in these guidelines.

Usage Rights 

• By submitting a film, the participant declares and warrants that they hold all rights necessary for its use in connection with the Langley City Film Festival. The participant further confirms that any third parties involved in the production or distribution of the film have granted all permissions required for its presentation as part of the festival.
• The participant also warrants that the exhibition of the film by the LCFF does not infringe upon the rights of any third party, including copyright holders or individuals depicted in the film.