Short Cuts Competition Regulations

§1. GENERAL INFORMATION

1.1
The New Horizons Association, with its registered office in Warsaw (00-153), ul. Zamenhofa 1, entered in the register of associations, other social and professional organizations, foundations, and independent public healthcare institutions, as well as in the register of entrepreneurs maintained by the District Court for the Capital City of Warsaw, 12th Commercial Division of the National Court Register, under KRS number 0000162000, NIP 525-22-71-014, REGON 015503904 (hereinafter referred to as the Organizer), is the organizer of the 17th American Film Festival  (hereinafter referred to as the Festival), including the ‘Short Cuts’ American Short Film Competition (hereinafter referred to as the Competition).

1.2
The Festival will take place in Wrocław, at venues designated by the Organizer, from November 17 to November 22, 2026, and online from November 17 to December 6, 2026.

1.3.
Detailed information on the Festival's profile and program sections is available on the Festival's official website: americanfilmfestival.pl

1.4
Pursuant to the Organizer’s decision, live action short films of the running time shorter than 30 minutes may be submitted to the Festival, provided that they were completed after January 1, 2025. Documentary, animated and experimental films are not eligible.

1.5
Films selected for the Competition must be delivered to the Organizer in the DCP format. In exceptional cases, and only upon prior consultation with and approval of the Organizer, an HD file or Blu-ray disc may be accepted.

1.6
The Festival gives preference to Polish premieres. The Organizer reserves the right to refuse films that have previously been publicly screened in Poland for inclusion in the Competition. 

1.7
The selection of films and invitations to participate in the Festival are entrusted to the Festival Selection Committee, which reserves the right to assign a selected film to an appropriate program section.

1.8
A film whose participation in the Festival has been confirmed may not be withdrawn from the program after September 30, 2026.

§2. ‘SHORT CUTS’ AMERICAN SHORT FILM COMPETITION

The AFF’s ‘Short Cuts’ American Short Film Competition serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing the most compelling live action short films produced in the United States. The Competition highlights fresh, daring voices in independent cinema, celebrating filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling and visual expression within a brief, impactful format. In alignment with the Festival’s mission, films addressing diverse and inclusive topics, as well as works by underrepresented filmmakers, are strongly encouraged. We seek innovative live action shorts that exhibit a distinct narrative identity and capture the complexities of contemporary American realities.

2.1.
A film will be eligible for the Competition if:
1) it has a total running time of thirty (30) minutes or less, including credits,
2) it was completed after January 1, 2025, in accordance with §1.4.,
3) it has not been previously publicly screened in Poland, with preference given to world, international, and European premieres.

2.2.
The following awards are granted within the Competition*:
1) Grand Prix for the director of the highest-rated film, awarded by the International Jury, together with a cash prize of $3,000;

2.3.
Jury members and Jury President are invited by the AFF Director, who may attend jury deliberations without voting rights. Decisions are made by a simple majority in an open vote.
Persons associated with films in competition may not be members of the jury.

The Organizer reserves the right to decide that none of the above prizes may be awarded ex aequo. The Jury may award only one distinction for each prize.

§3. FESTIVAL STRUCTURE

- COMPETITIONS -

3.1
BREAKTHROUGH - a panorama section of contemporary American cinema, focusing on artists in mid-career and those making significant directorial debuts. Includes BREAKTHROUGH COMPETITION films competing for Narrative Audience Award.

3.2
AMERICAN DOCS - a program of compelling and award-winning documentaries from the film festival circuit. Includes AMERICAN DOCS COMPETITION films competing for Documentary Audience Award.

3.3
‘SHORT CUTS’ AMERICAN SHORT FILM COMPETITION (organized since 2026)
The ‘Short Cuts’ American Short Film Competition serves as a dynamic platform for showcasing the most compelling live action short films from the United States. Two awards are granted:
1) GRAND PRIX – cash prize of $3,000;

- NON-COMPETITIVE SECTIONS –

3.4
HIGHLIGHTS - a gala screening section of new films from established and recognized film directors.

3.5 FESTIVAL FAVORITES - awarded and favored films from other festivals.

3.6
SPECIAL SCREENINGS/ SPECIAL DOCS - non-premiere screenings of narrative and documentary works.

3.7
IN THEATERS 2025/2026 – a selection of notable films previously screened in Polish cinemas or at domestic film events.

3.8
YOUNG AMERICANS – one of the Festival’s youngest sections, showcasing the latest and most captivating portraits of growing up—stories of first loves and first disappointments, of capturing the spirit of the moment, and of looking back at what it meant to come of age decades ago.

3.9
RETROSPECTIVES – dedicated to major figures and themes in American cinema history.

§4. DATES, MATERIALS, AND PRESENTATIONS

4.1
Submission period: July 15 – September 1, 2026.

4.2
Submissions must include all required materials, in particular a link to an online preview copy with English subtitles. The access password must remain valid throughout the selection process. If it is necessary to change the password during the selection process, the password must be changed immediately after the change and communicated to the festival organizers.

4.3
Submissions must include all required materials, in particular a link to an online preview copy with English subtitles. The access password must remain valid throughout the selection process. If the password needs to be changed during the selection process, the Applicant must change it promptly and immediately notify the Festival organizers.

4.4
The Festival presents films in their original language with English and Polish subtitles. Applicants are required to provide dialogue lists and English subtitle files.

4.5
For each selected film, the Applicant must provide promotional and informational materials, including stills, synopsis, director’s biography and filmography, and a basic credit list.

4.6
Each film may be screened no more than three (3) times.

4.7
The screening schedule is determined by the Festival management.

§5. PROMOTION

5.1
Applicants of selected films shall provide promotional materials upon request (including posters, trailers, etc.).

5.2
The Organizer may use excerpts from selected films (up to 3 minutes) and related materials for Festival promotion (including on the Festival website, in the catalog, program, press releases, etc.).

5.3
The organizer reserves the right to use promotional materials both during and after the Festival.

§6. TRANSPORT AND LIABILITY FOR COPIES

6.1
Screening copies of films selected for participation in the Festival shall be delivered electronically.

6.2
The Organizer will make every effort to ensure that screening copies do not fall into the hands of third parties and undertakes to remove them from its servers after the end of the Festival.

§7. FILM RIGHTS

7.1
The Applicant declares that they hold all rights necessary to submit the Film to the Festival and to enable its screening during the Festival, including copyrights, related rights, and image rights. In particular, the Applicant declares and warrants that:
1) they hold the copyright to the submitted Film (including the rights to all works incorporated therein) or possess the relevant licenses authorizing such use;
2) they hold the related rights to the submitted Film or possess the relevant licenses authorizing such use;
3) the dissemination of images of individuals in connection with the submission of the Film to the Festival or its screening during the Festival does not infringe the personal rights or image rights of the individuals concerned.

7.2
The Organizer may refuse, suspend, or withdraw a film if third-party rights are infringed.

7.3
The Applicant shall indemnify the Organizer against all claims arising from rights infringements, pursuant to Article 392 of the Polish Civil Code.

7.4
The above provisions apply accordingly to promotional materials referred to in §5.

§8. PERSONAL DATA

8.1
The Applicant entrusts the Organizer, within the meaning of Article 31 of the Personal Data Protection Act of 29 August 1997 (consolidated text: Journal of Laws of 2002, No. 101, item 926, as amended), with the processing of personal data.

8.2
This entrustment covers the personal data of individuals indicated in the application form and in the payroll, in particular filmmakers and performing artists. The entrustment includes the processing of the following categories of personal data:

1) first name and last name,
2) email address,
3) telephone number,
4) profession.

8.3
The Organizer may process the entrusted personal data for the purpose of qualifying the film for the competition, as well as for the purpose of screening the film.

8.4
The Organizer is authorized to further entrust the processing of personal data to third parties where necessary.

§9. FINAL PROVISIONS

Submission of a film constitutes acceptance of these Regulations. Matters not regulated herein shall be decided by the Festival Director.

*Competition prizes are subject to taxation pursuant to applicable Polish tax law, i.e. Article 13, Section 2 of the Personal Income Tax Act, for participation in competitions in the fields of science, culture, art, and journalism. Prizes will be paid after deduction of an advance tax at the rate of 18%, taking into account tax-deductible costs at 20%. In the case of winners who are artists or creators and are not Polish residents, the Association, in accordance with Article 29, Section 1, point 1 of the Personal Income Tax Act, will collect an advance tax at the rate of 20%, excluding tax-deductible costs. If a non-resident presents a certificate of tax residence, the Association will collect advance tax in the amount specified in the relevant double taxation treaty.