Judging & Evaluation Policy

1. Purpose

This policy explains how judging and evaluation are carried out for Festival submissions. It exists to ensure fairness, integrity, confidentiality, and consistency across all assessment processes, while protecting the Festival’s artistic independence.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• Judges, jurors, and evaluators
• Screeners and programmers involved in scoring or assessment
• Festival staff overseeing judging processes

It applies to all submissions that enter any form of competitive or evaluative process.

3. Appointment of Judges

• Judges are appointed by the Festival based on experience, expertise, and suitability.
• Judges may include filmmakers, industry professionals, academics, critics, or specialists.
• Judges may change between editions, categories, or rounds.
• The Festival reserves the right to remove or replace judges at any time.

Appointment does not guarantee participation in future editions.

4. Evaluation Responsibilities

Judges are expected to:

• Review submissions fairly and professionally
• Assess works on their merits
• Follow all Festival policies
• Maintain confidentiality at all times
• Avoid inappropriate communication with entrants

Failure to meet these standards may result in removal from judging duties.

5. Evaluation Criteria

Judging may consider factors such as:

• Creativity and originality
• Storytelling and execution
• Technical quality
• Artistic intent and impact
• Overall effectiveness

No single criterion guarantees selection or awards.

6. Independence & Integrity

• Judges must act independently and without external influence.
• Attempts to influence judges or the judging process may result in disqualification.
• Judges must not seek personal benefit from their role.

7. Conflicts of Interest

A conflict of interest includes, but is not limited to:

• Personal or professional involvement with a submission
• Financial interest
• Close personal relationships with contributors

Judges must:

• Declare conflicts immediately
• Withdraw from evaluating affected submissions

The Festival will reassign submissions where required.

8. Confidentiality

Judges must not disclose:

• Scores, rankings, or feedback
• Jury discussions
• Shortlists or outcomes before announcement
• Internal evaluation processes

Confidentiality obligations continue after the Festival concludes.

9. Security of Materials

Judges must:

• Access submissions only through authorised systems
• Not download, copy, or share materials
• Protect passwords and access links

Any breach may result in removal and further action.

10. Decision-Making

• Final judging decisions are made through the Festival’s authorised processes.
• The Festival may moderate or review results to ensure fairness and consistency.
• All judging outcomes are final.

11. Appeals

Judging decisions:

• Are not subject to appeal
• Will not be reconsidered due to disagreement with artistic judgement

Only procedural or administrative errors may be reviewed at the Festival’s discretion.

12. Ethical Conduct

Judges must:

• Act respectfully and professionally
• Avoid discriminatory or inappropriate language
• Treat all submissions equally

Misconduct may result in immediate removal.

13. Amendments

This policy may be updated at any time to reflect changes in judging practices or legal requirements.

14. Acceptance

Participation in judging constitutes acceptance of this Judging & Evaluation Policy.