FAQs
Q1: How do I submit my work to the ifva?
If you are submitting to Open Group/Youth Group/Animation/Asian New Force/Tertiary Students Group/AI Creation, please create an account on FilmFreeway, then check your email and follow the system instructions. To submit your entry, click “Submit Now”, then “Add to cart and checkout” and make the payment (if any) of submission fee.
Q2: Are entry submissions by post accepted?
No. We do not accept submissions by post, DVD or USB. Please submit your entries via FilmFreeway.
Q3: What if I missed the deadline? Would the ifva extend the deadline or accept late submissions?
There will be absolutely no extension to the submission deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.
Q4: If I submit my work via Vimeo but have provided the wrong / invalid link, what can I do?
Please make sure the video link provided is valid. Any entry will not be considered if the link to the work is invalid.
Q5: Can I submit more than one work to the ifva? And How?
Yes. You only have to create ONE user account on FilmFreeway to add multiple entries. You can add more entries on “My Projects” on the FilmFreeway platform. However, each entry submitted may only enter one group.
Q6: What is the definition of an entrant?
An entrant must be the chief creator(s) of the work, such as a director or producer. He/she must be the copyright owner of the work. If the entrant is not the copyright owner of the work, or there are more than one copyright owner, he/she should first obtain written consent from all the copyright owner(s) before submitting the work to the ifva.
Q7: I don’t seem to be receiving confirmation emails. What’s the problem?
Some spam filters may filter out automated communications. Please add the email address ifva@hkac.org.hk and ifva-awards@hkac.org.hk to your spam filter’s list of approved senders so that our messages will reach you.
Q8: If my film has had a public screening, is it still eligible for the 30th ifva Awards?
Yes. If your film has been screened to a general public audience in Hong Kong or elsewhere, it is still eligible.
Q9: If my film has been submitted to previous editions of ifva Awards, is it still eligible for the 30th ifva Awards?
No, works that have been submitted to previous editions of ifva Awards will not be accepted.
Q10: Can I submit work(s) created with AI generative technology?
Yes. AI Creation accepts works from Hong Kong and Asian countries or regions that are created with Artificial intelligence (AI) generative technology. AI must be the core creative tool and be used solely across production. Video generation, motion graphic generation, and stimulation of character performance must be generated by AI tools. Please submit your entries on FilmFreeway.
Q11: If our work is a collaboration by several people from different countries or regions, which group should our work enter?
- If at least half of the joint-entrants of an entry are Hong Kong permanent residents, for a short film it can enter the Open Group (or the Youth Group if all joint-entries are at the age of 17 or under on or before 31st May 2026); for an animation it can enter the Animation Group; for an AI work it can enter the AI Creation.
- If at least half of the joint-entrants of an entry are nationals / permanent residents of Asian countries / regions (excluding Hong Kong), for a short film it can enter the Asian New Force Group; for an animation it can enter the Animation Group; for a AI work it can enter the AI Creation.
- If the number of Hong Kong permanent residents and the number of nationals / permanent residents of Asian countries / regions among the joint-entrants are equal, the joint-entrants of a short film may decide among themselves to enter either the Open Group or the Asian New Force Group.
- Under Animation and AI Creation, entries of Hong Kong and Asia Divisions will be assessed together.
Q12: If our work is a collaboration by several people of different ages, some over 18 and some under, is our work still eligible for the Youth Group?
No. All joint-entrants of an entry for the Youth Group must be at the age of 17 or below on or before 31st May, 2026, and at least half of the joint-entrants must be Hong Kong permanent residents. Otherwise, the Organiser has the right to judge the suitability of the selected entry category and has the final decision on the entry’s eligibility.
If at least half of the joint entrants are aged 18 or above on or before 31st May, 2026, and at least half of the joint entrants are Hong Kong permanent residents, the entry is eligible to enter the Open Group.
Q13: When will the finalists be announced?
The list of finalists will be announced online in September 2026. Finalists will be notified individually by phone or e-mail.
Q14: When will the final results be announced?
The final results will be announced at The 30th ifva Awards Presentation Ceremony to be held in October 2026. All finalists will be invited to attend the awards presentation ceremony. The list of winners will be uploaded to our website (www.ifva.com) after the awards presentation ceremony.
Q15: When will the finalist works be screened / exhibited?
All finalist works will be publicly screened/exhibited in the 30th ifva Festival, which will be held in October 2026 at the designated screening venue.
Please keep checking our website (www.ifva.com) for updates.
COPYRIGHTS
Q1: If I have used music, images and video or film clips whose copyrights belong to other parties, do I have to obtain their consent?
Yes. As fellow artists, you should respect the creative labour of other people as well as their intellectual property rights. In Hong Kong where intellectual property rights are respected, anyone who makes use of music, images and video or film clips without the copyright owner’s consent may have legal consequences. If you plan to use music, images and video or film clips belonging to others, you should get written consent from the copyright owner(s).
Q2: Must I get written consent? Will verbal consent do?
Verbal consent is legally recognised, but written consent is more reliable. It helps avoid disputes in future. If you have used third-party music, images and video or film clips, you are requested to submit written consent together with your work.
Q3: If I have used a piece of music belonging to a third party, how do I know who owns the copyrights, and how do I get their consent?
If it is a piece of music that you bought from a store, like music on a CD, then you could try contacting the following parties:
A) The Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong Limited (CASH), website: http://www.cash.org.hk/
B) The record company or distributor of that CD
The ifva does not have any connection with the above parties. Copyright issues may vary in different situation, and often it takes time to sort out. Therefore you are strongly recommended to clear the copyrights as early as possible.
Q4: Do I need to pay for copyrights?
It depends. You should discuss this with the copyright owner(s).
Q5: Can I use music that I downloaded or purchased from the Internet?
Yes, provided that you have obtained consent from the website / copyright owner and make sure that the piece of music is allowed for use in other creations. You may check the terms of use, for example, the license for public screening or broadcasting.
Q6: If I have used images or film clips belonging to a third party in my work, what should I do to obtain the copyrights?
Similar to using copyrighted music, you have to contact the copyright owner, usually the distributor or producer of the work.
Q7: How do I find out more about copyright laws in Hong Kong?
For details about the Copyright Ordinance (Cap 528), please visit www.legislation.gov.hk, or website of the Intellectual Property Department https://www.ipd.gov.hk/en/home/index.html
