Filmmaker Grant

1. Eligibility

• Open to filmmakers worldwide.

• Entrants must be 18 years or older (or have parental/guardian consent if under 18).

• All films must be the original work of the entrant and must not infringe upon the rights of any third party.

2. Submissions

• All submissions must be made through the official Borderless Frames website or designated partner platform.

• Films may be in any language but must include English subtitles if not in English.

• You may submit in multiple categories, but each submission requires a separate entry fee.

• Entry fees are non-refundable.

3. Categories

• Borderless Frames accepts short films in all genres including narrative, documentary, experimental, and animation.

• Special categories may be introduced each season to highlight unique themes or voices.

4. Film Requirements

• Short films only (runtime of 40 minutes or less, including credits).

• Films must be submitted in a digital format (.mp4 or .mov).

• Content must not promote hate speech, explicit or extreme violence, or illegal real-world activity. (Fictional depictions of crime are allowed.)

5. Selection & Judging

• Submissions are reviewed by the Borderless Frames judging panel.

• Decisions of the jury are final.

• Selected finalists and grant winners will be notified by email and announced on our official website and social-media channels.

6. Awards & Prizes

• Annual Film Grant: Each year, one filmmaker will be awarded a $35,000 grant to support their next project.

• Top Finalists: Selected finalists may receive recognition through Emerging Artists Magazine features, interviews, and promotion across Borderless Frames platforms.

• All monetary prizes will be paid via PayPal.

• Winners are responsible for providing a valid PayPal account to receive payment.

• Borderless Frames is not responsible for transfer fees, currency exchange costs, or restrictions that may apply in the winner’s country.

7. Rights & Permissions

• By submitting, filmmakers grant Borderless Frames the right to use stills, trailers, and short clips (under 30 seconds) for promotional purposes only.

• Filmmakers retain full ownership and copyright of their work.

8. Disqualification

• Submissions that fail to follow the rules may be disqualified without refund.

• Films containing plagiarized material or violating copyright laws will be disqualified.

9. Agreement

By submitting, entrants agree to all Borderless Frames rules and confirm that all information provided is accurate and truthful.

10. The deadline for this competition is December 31st, 2025. Announcements will be made January 20th.