Code of Conduct

Our membership of the AG Filmfestival results in the following CoE:

Preamble

The Arbeitsgemeinschaft Filmfestival is the nationwide interest group for film festivals in Germany. The aim of the AG is to network with each other, to create better conditions for film festivals in Germany and to strengthen and promote film culture together with filmmakers and other associations. Film festivals are part of the exploitation chain; they see themselves as part of the film industry as well as the cultural practice of cinema and its mediation. Film festivals stand for a diverse engagement with film in its various facets. Festivals are committed to a pluralistic and just society and speak out against all forms of discrimination. Diversity should be taken into account in all areas of the film festivals. The film festivals are guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Film festivals are public events lasting several days that take place annually or biennially. They are characterized by an artistic curatorial intention and a programmatic profile. They are places of encounter. They promote film culture and filmmakers. The best possible projection of cinematic works in cinemas or cinema-like situations is part of their self-image. The film festivals serve as forums for exchange and opinion-forming. Excluded are festivals that focus on PR, image or advertising films, festivals organized by commercial enterprises or in the context of trade fairs, as well as purely competitive events and film tours.

Diversity should be reflected both in internal structures and in the external presentation.

Film festivals should be inclusive. They should enable all social groups to participate in festival events regardless of physical, cognitive or social barriers.

Film festivals should be fair employers and pay all employees appropriately for their work.

The position of festival director should be publicly advertised and filled according to a clear and transparent procedure.

Juries should be diverse and independent.

Submission modalities must be transparent and unambiguous - this applies, for example, to the regulations and the prizes to be won. This information will be clearly visible on the website, even after the festival has finished. Submission does not obligate participation. The written invitation must be confirmed by the rights holder.

Festivals that charge a submission fee undertake to screen the submitted films. Submission fees must be reasonable.

If a film is not accepted, the festivals will inform the submitters. The form of rejection must be clear from the regulations.

The film festivals undertake to provide free accreditation to representatives of the selected films. Depending on the importance and possibilities of the respective festival, the coverage of travel and accommodation costs or appropriate screening fees are optional.

The festival invites filmmakers to promote exchange with the audience and networking among filmmakers.

The transferred screening rights refer exclusively to the projection within the framework of the respective festival edition and the availability in its film markets. No other forms of exploitation of the film (TV, Internet, screenings of any kind, etc.) may be linked to festival participation unless the rights holders have expressly agreed to this. Each festival obtains the rights of use for image and film material for press and advertising purposes from the rights holders.

The number of screenings in the festival program must be clarified with the rights holders as part of the invitation.

The festival will show the film in the format agreed with the rights holders in good time. The festival guarantees the best possible projection and will not show any unfinished versions or versions marked as viewing material.

Festivals undertake to handle the analog and digital film copies and materials provided with care. They respect the interests of rights holders and other festivals.

The film festivals mark the authorship of the works presented in their publications.

The festivals hand out the prizes to the winners as quickly as possible and pay them the prize money in the amount published in the regulations in the catalog or on the homepage. Any necessary tax deductions must be indicated in the regulations.

Audience statistics must be kept according to transparent criteria.