Mobile Film Festival

1 MOBILE, 1 MINUTE, 1 FILM

MOBILE FILM FESTIVAL AFRICA

FAQ

You might find the answer to your question below! If you still can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please contact our team.

Artistic aspects

What can I film with?

You can film with a mobile phone or a tablet. You can use accessories such as a microphone, stabiliser, filters, removable lenses, etc.

Can I use accessories?

Yes, you can use accessories such as microphones, stabilisers, filters, removable lenses, etc.

Duration

1 minute maximum, including credits.

Theme

For this second edition which is 100% African, we invite all filmmakers living in any of the 54 member countries of Africa to make a film.

There are no limitations on the theme

Film genre

All audio-visual forms are accepted: fiction, documentary, experimental and all genres, too: romance, horror, science-fiction, western, drama, period, thriller, Z movie, comedy, action, war film, etc., as well as stop-motion, time lapse, etc.

Can I submit an animated film?

Films using motion-capture techniques and/or special effects added during editing are more than welcome, as long as the images themselves were filmed using a mobile/tablet device. Unfortunately, films comprising only graphic animations without any live action are not permitted.

Can I show a brand on-screen?

No explicit content.

However, in the urban landscape where there are many brands, it is allowed to include them in the image.

Can several people be involved in making the film?

Yes. The entry form allows you to list all members of your team and their role on page 3, including any co-producers and directors.

Can I use pre-existing music?

Yes and no. If you want to use any music in your film, you must hold the appropriate rights or have been authorised to use it by the author or its rights holders. You may be required to prove this, if requested by our team. There is, however, lots of royalty-free music available for you to use. Please take a look at the YouTube audio library.

Can I enter more than one video into the competition?

Yes, you can enter as many films as you like, free of charge. However, only one film per director can be shortlisted for the competition. When registering more than one film, please use the same username, email address and password for each one.

Registering for the Mobile Film Festival

Is it possible to sign up anonymously?

We understand that the theme of the competition this year and the way in which it may be addressed in certain films could put directors in danger. Therefore, we’re giving you the option to create a pseudonym, which will be used if you’re officially selected. However, we do ask that you include your real identity on the registration form (first name, surname, address, email address and phone number); this information will remain entirely confidential and can only be seen by the Mobile Film Festival team.

Who can register and participate in the Mobile Film Festival Africa 2023?

Every resident of one of the 54 countries in Africa can participate in the Mobile Film Festival Africa 2023. The call for films of this edition is not open to people who reside outside the African continent. Please note that addresses will be verified at the time of registration.

What kinds of video files do you accept?

.MP4 and .MOV files, 200MB max.

I can’t access page 2 of the form, what should I do?

Please use another email address and change your username. The issue could be related to your browser. Please try again using a different browser. If that still doesn’t work, please contact our team (info@mobilefilmfestival.com), attaching screenshots of the error messages you’re seeing.

I made a mistake when filling out the form (incorrect information, wrong video file, etc.), what should I do?

Don’t panic! Simply get in touch with our team (info@mobilefilmfestival.com) and tell them your full name, the title of your film, the email address you used when registering and the issue. Our team will get back to you as quickly as possible telling you what to do next.

I haven’t received confirmation of my film submission

A confirmation email will be sent to you after validation of the online form. This may take a few hours. If you have not received anything within 24 hours of registering and after checking your spam folder, please contact our team on info@mobilefilmfestival.com. We will reply as soon as possible.

Subtitling your film on Dotsub's VideoTMS

Subtitles

Subtitling in the film’s original language is mandatory for any films that include dialogue, title cards, voiceover or any inscriptions necessary for understanding the story.

Please note: do not embed any subtitles in your film! You should add them via our partner, Dotsub’s VideoTMS, when registering. We will create a free Dotsub’s VideoTMS account for you when you register your film. You will receive your login details automatically by email, allowing you to subtitle your film for free in just a few minutes using Dotsub’s VideoTMS. If you don’t subtitle your film on Dotsub’s VideoTMS, your registration cannot be approved by our team.

My film already has subtitles, what should I do?

We cannot accept any films with embedded subtitles. You must create or import any subtitles via our partner Dotsub’s VideoTMS. Once you have completed your registration form, you will receive your login details automatically by email, allowing you to subtitle your film for free in just a few minutes.

I already have a Dotsub’s VideoTMS account, can I use it to subtitle my film?

Yes, but only if you already have a Dotsub’s VideoTMS account, please indicate in the registration form (page 1), the email address associated with your account.

Your film will be available on your Dotsub’s VideoTMS account within 72 hours after receiving the email confirming your registration.

I have already participated in the Mobile Film Festival.

If you have previously participated in the Mobile Film Festival and have subtitled a film via our partner Dotsub, please note that your credentials are no longer valid. We are now using a new version of Dotsub: Dotsub’s VideoTMS. You will therefore need to create a new account when registering on our website.

My short film doesn’t require subtitling (film without dialogue or voice-over, no dialogue cards, no credits, without any inscriptions necessary to properly understand the story), is my registration complete?

Yes. Once you have completed the entry form, you will receive an email confirming your registration or explaining how to add your subtitles on Dotsub’s VideoTMS, if your film needs to be subtitled.

How to add subtitles to my film via Dotsub’s VideoTMS?

Click Here for a more detailed guide to the captioning interface

I didn’t receive a confirmation email after creating my subtitles on Dotsub’s VideoTMS, is this normal?

You should receive a confirmation email as soon as your subtitles are approved by our team. Our team checks all subtitles manually, so there may be a short delay. If you still haven’t heard anything after 72 hours (don’t forget to check your junk mail!), please contact our team: info@mobilefilmfestival.com

Official selection

When will the selection be announced?

The official selection will be announced on our website on May 3 2023.

How many films will be selected?

50 films will be selected.

Where can the official selections be viewed?

The officially selected films can be viewed on our website, Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram TikTok and YouTube accounts from May 3 to May 31 2023 , as well as on big screen during the award ceremony that will take place on June 8, 2023 at the Renaissance cinema in Rabat (Morocco)

Awards

Grand Prize Africa

The winner of the “Grand Prize Africa” will receive a grant of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars). This grant is dedicated to the production of a short film within one year, using professional resources. The money will be given to an accredited production company which will be financially responsible for the completion of the film. The winner will be able to choose the production company he/she wishes to work with, in agreement with the Mobile Film Festival organizers. If he/she does not know any, we will put them in touch with producers in his/her country.

Grand Prize Morocco

The winner of the “Grand Prize Morocco” will receive a grant of $10,000 (ten thousand dollars). This grant is dedicated to the production of a short film within one year, using professional resources. The money will be given to an accredited production company which will be financially responsible for the completion of the film. The winner will be able to choose the production company he/she wishes to work with, in agreement with the Mobile Film Festival organizers. If he/she does not know any, we will put them in touch with producers in his/her country.

French Speaking Film Award supported by TV5 Monde

The winner of the “French Speaking Film Award” will receive a grant of $5,000 (five thousand dollars). This grant is dedicated to the production of a short film within one year, using professional resources. The money will be given to an accredited production company which will be financially responsible for the completion of the film. The winner will be able to choose the production company he/she wishes to work with, in agreement with the Mobile Film Festival organizers. If he/she does not know any, we will put them in touch with producers in his/her country.

Best Script supported by Canal +

The winner of the “Best Script” will receive a grant of $5,000 (five thousand dollars). This grant is dedicated to the production of a short film within one year, using professional resources. The money will be given to an accredited production company which will be financially responsible for the completion of the film. The winner will be able to choose the production company he/she wishes to work with, in agreement with the Mobile Film Festival organizers. If he/she does not know any, we will put them in touch with producers in his/her country.

ACP-UE Culture Award

The winner of the “ACP-UE Culture Award” will receive a grant of $5,000 (five thousand dollars). This grant is dedicated to the production of a short film within one year, using professional resources. The money will be given to an accredited production company which will be financially responsible for the completion of the film. The winner will be able to choose the production company he/she wishes to work with, in agreement with the Mobile Film Festival organizers. If he/she does not know any, we will put them in touch with producers in his/her country.

African Female Director Award

The winner of the “African Female Director Award” will receive a grant of $5,000 (five thousand dollars). This grant is dedicated to the production of a short film within one year, using professional resources. The money will be given to an accredited production company which will be financially responsible for the completion of the film. The winner will be able to choose the production company he/she wishes to work with, in agreement with the Mobile Film Festival organizers. If he/she does not know any, we will put them in touch with producers in his/her country.

Documentary Film Award

The winner of the “Documentary Film Award” will receive a grant of $5,000 (five thousand dollars). This grant is dedicated to the production of a short film within one year, using professional resources. The money will be given to an accredited production company which will be financially responsible for the completion of the film. The winner will be able to choose the production company he/she wishes to work with, in agreement with the Mobile Film Festival organizers. If he/she does not know any, we will put them in touch with producers in his/her country.

Best Actress & Actor Award

The winner of the « Best Actress Award » will be granted $500 (five hundred dollars)

The winner of the « Best Actor Award » will be granted $500 (five hundred dollars)

Disclaimer

The official selection and awards do not imply endorsement by the partners.

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