SUBMISSION & FILM AWARDS RULES

  1. Films completed in 2025 or 2026 are eligible for the 2027 competition. Films can have been previously broadcast or released online

  2. Only finished films will be accepted. The version submitted at the time of entry is the version that will be reviewed.

  3. Selected films will be screened across CTAFF venues during the festival period, 12 February - 27 February 2027. CTAFF additionally reserves the right to extend selected screenings to further venues within South Africa for a period of 2 months following the festival, as part of its mission to bring adventure film to wider audiences across the country.

  4. All selected finalists will be required to enter into a licensing agreement with CTAFF covering the festival period prior to their film being confirmed in the programme.

  5. All decisions relating to programming, category placement, awards, and any matter not explicitly addressed in these Rules and Terms rest solely with CTAFF and its jury.

  6. All films submitted to the festival are eligible to win more than one CTAFF Film Award. There is no limit to how many awards a single film may receive.

  7. The Jury reserves the right to withhold any specific Film Award if it determines that no submitted film sufficiently embodies the intended ethos of that award.

  8. To be eligible for the Best South African Adventure Film Award, the filmmaker (director or primary creative lead) must be a South African citizen actively involved in the South African film industry (at the sole discretion of the Festival Director). The subject matter of the film does not need to be South African, but films with South African stories or settings will be given additional weight in judging.

  9. Film Award winners are decided through a combination of audience voting and Jury deliberation.

  10. Winners will be notified within a week after the Festival's Closing Night.

  11. Filmmakers whose films win one or more Film Awards will receive a cash prize, paid out cumulatively across every award won. All payouts will be made via PayPal. Winning filmmakers must be able to receive funds via PayPal in their country of residence as a condition of receiving the cash portion of their award; the laurel, certificate, and website listing are unaffected either way.

  12. All decisions made by the Jury and CTAFF regarding Film Award winners are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding adjudication outcomes.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Selected films will be required to provide a high-resolution screening master before the deadline of 18 January 2027. Full instructions will be sent directly to selected filmmakers.
Preferred specifications for screening masters:

  • Codec: Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) or Avid DNxHD HQX

  • Resolution: 1920x1080p (HD). 4K files and DCPs are not required but may be discussed for select cinema venue screenings.

  • Frame rate: As edited, to a maximum of 30 frames per second

  • Audio: Uncompressed PCM, .wav or .aif, 24-bit, 48kHz, full stereo mix

  • Container: .mov or .mxf

  • Subtitles: SRT Files must be provided for films, or portions of dialogue not in English

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Films selected for the CTAFF programme will be promoted across the festival's marketing channels, including digital platforms, print materials, social media, and press. Selected filmmakers will be asked to provide a set of promotional assets in advance of the festival. Full requirements will be communicated directly to finalists upon selection.

GRANT OF RIGHTS

By submitting a film to CTAFF, the Entrant represents and warrants that:
(a) The Filmmaker is the rightful copyright holder of the submitted film, or has obtained all necessary rights, licences, and permissions from the copyright holder to submit the film to CTAFF and to authorise its public screening.
(b) The Filmmaker has obtained the necessary ‘talent release agreements’ from those appearing in the film.
(c) All music contained in the film has been properly licensed for public performance.
(d) The submitted film contains no material that is defamatory, libellous, or in violation of any person's right to privacy or publicity. The screening of the film will not infringe the copyright, moral rights, or any other rights of any individual, company, or organisation.
(e) The Filmmaker accepts full and unconditional agreement to all CTAFF Rules and Terms by virtue of making a submission.

INDEMNITY

The Filmmaker agrees to indemnify the Cape Town Adventure Film Festival, its director, employees, contractors, and representatives, and to hold them harmless from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable legal fees, arising directly or indirectly from any breach by the Entrant of any statement, representation, or warranty made in connection with this submission.

RULES