Rules
The WSYFF (West Seattle Youth Film Festival) provides an opportunity for students (4th and 5th Grade) to showcase their film projects and win prizes. There are no fees to enter. Screening for finalists will happen at the Admiral Theater (2343 California Ave SW) in West Seattle on October 11th at 10:00 am. At the screening event, the audience will vote for their favorites, and the winners will receive prizes, like free movie tickets.
1. Eligibility
West Seattle Youth Film Festival (WSYFF) is a contest that is open to current elementary students (4th and 5th grade). There is no fee to enter, however entrants are responsible for any costs that they incur in preparing their submission.
2. Organizer
The WSYFF is organized by the WSYFF Foundation.
3. Entry Requirements
Participation in the WSYFF constitutes acceptance of the Rules and the decisions of the WSYFF Organizing Committee, which are final. All entrants must complete the submission form. The submission form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian who: (1) accepts responsibility on behalf of the entrant; (2) has read these official rules (“Rules”); and (3) and agrees to bind the entrant to the Rules. Any entrant that does not comply with all of the submission requirements and contest Rules may be disqualified at the sole discretion of the WSYFF.
4. Eligibility of Groups
Contest entries may be submitted by an individual, or by a group of any size, so long as all persons in the group meet the eligibility requirements. In the case of group submissions, all persons must complete the parent/guardian consent form and only one prize will be awarded to the entire group as a whole. Actors can appear in films even if they do not meet the eligibility requirements to be an entrant (e.g., younger or older siblings, younger or older friends, parents, etc.), however, they too must complete a consent form.
5. Language
Films should be submitted in either the English language or with English language subtitles for all text and audible words. All correspondence with WSYFF, including entry forms and support materials, must be in the English language.
6. Film Length
Entrants may submit a film of no shorter than 1 minute and no longer than 5 minutes.
7. Process to select finalists
WSYFF Selection Committee will check for adherence to the Rules, including eligibility, compliance with policies and Rules. Entrants who do not conform to policies and Rules may be disqualified at the discretion of WSYFF. Any disqualifications are the decision of WSYFF and are final. Finalists will be selected by WSYFF volunteers serving on the Organizing and Selection Committee based upon quality and content of the film and its ability to educate, inspire, and/or entertain.
8. Screening of Films
Finalists will have their films screened at the screening event at Admiral Theater on October 11th 2025 at 10:00 am, and possibly at additional screenings at subsequent educational and non-profit events hosted by WSYFF. These screenings may occur in person and/or online (recorded or streamed).
9. Process to select winners
At the screening event the audience will select the winners by completing and signing an official voting card. Voting cards will be distributed to each audience member that pays the $5 admission fee and is present during the screening. Votes will be tabulated, and winners will be announced at the event following the screening of finalists’ films.
10. Entrants’ License to WSYFF
Entrants retain all intellectual property rights in their submissions, including copyright rights. As a condition of participation in the Contest, entrants grant WSYFF a non-exclusive, perpetual right to show, display, distribute, and market all film entries, in their entirety, in part (film clips) and still shots, to live audiences, online (recorded and live stream), and in written materials. This permission also includes but is not limited to WSYFF right to use all film submissions in screenings, showcases, workshops, educational activities, and marketing efforts with third party partners.
11. Contest Submission Period
The Contest Submission Period opens on September 19th 2025. All submissions for 2025 must be submitted and received by October 4th, 2025 at 5:00 pm Pacific Daylight Time. Entries received after this time will be disqualified.
12. Submission Rules/Guidelines
There is a limit of one (1) entry per person or per group. Any additional entries will be disqualified. All film submissions must be made electronically. All entries become the property of WSYFF and will not be returned.
13. Steps to Complete Submission:
Make a movie (1 - 5 minutes duration)
Save your movie file with your last name (e.g., Smith.mp4)
Download the Parent/Guardian consent form
Ask your Parent/Guardian to complete and sign the consent form.
Upload your movie file and consent form using the Dropbox link (submission deadline is October 4th 2025 at 5:00 pm)
14. Intellectual Property
By entering this contest, all entrants agree that their submission is their own original work and follows all copyright laws. When using sources and works that are not your own, entrants agree that: (1) those works are part of the public domain; (2) that they have obtained permission to use the work; or (3) that the use of the work does not constitute a substantial portion of the film so as to comply with fair use laws of USC Title 17 Section 107 found at http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html. It is customary to cite authors of scientific, academic, and political works. Entrants agree to not hold WSYFF liable for any intellectual property disputes and to comply with these Rules and all copyright laws.
15. Finalist Selection and Notification
Finalists will have their film screened at the screening event at Admiral Theater on October 11th, 2025. By October 7th, 2025, the WSYFF will inform entrants about their selection status by the email address that they provided on the submission form. Finalists will also be announced on WSYFF.com prior to the screening event.
16. General Conditions
WSYFF reserves the right to disqualify any entrant that it finds to not be following the Contest Rules or any entrant who acts in an unprofessional or disruptive manner. In submitting a film and signing the submission form, all entrants agree to these terms and conditions of the contest. Violence, profanity, or direct attacks on individuals or organizations will not be accepted. Film submissions must not violate any U.S. laws, including laws relating to religion, moral rights, rights of publicity, and/or privacy.
17. Release and Limitations of Liability
In consideration for permission to participate in the Contest, entrants (together with parent/guardian) expressly release and hold harmless WSYFF from and against any and all claims, demands, and causes of action arising out of the entrant’s participation in the Contest. Entrant’s release and agreement to hold WSYFF harmless includes but is not limited to intellectual property disputes, cancellation of the Contest, injury, death, harm or losses of any kind, whether or not caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other fault of the WSYFF or its agents. Entrant (together with parent/guardian) waives any right to claim any damages whatsoever, including but not limited to consequential, punitive, direct, or indirect damages, and releases and forever discharges WSYFF, its representatives, employees, officers, agents, and affiliates from all such claims, on behalf of entrants.
18. Disputes
Except when prohibited by law, entrants agree that any and all disputes will be handled individually. In the case of any dispute, entrants agree to attempt resolution with WSYFF. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, and enforceability of the Rules, entrants’ rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the WSYFF in connection to the Contest, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Washington. Any legal fees incurred by WSYFF in the event of a dispute relating in any way to the Contest are the responsibility of the entrant.