Vlieks 2027 Application

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Vrystaat Arts Festival's Vlieks 2027

The Vrystaat Arts Festival's Vlieks programme celebrates film as a dynamic and expressive art form through screenings, masterclasses, and discussions. For 2027, we are expanding our horizons, inviting independent, emerging, and student filmmakers from South Africa, the African continent, and across the globe to submit their short films.

While all selected films will be showcased in our official selection, South African entries will exclusively compete for the Vryskitter Award for Best SA Short Film / Best SA Feature Film, while international entries will be considered for the newly established Best International Film.

Submission is FREE.

Eligibility:

Submission Categories

We accept submissions across two main tracks:

South African: Films produced within South Africa, helmed by South African citizens, or focusing heavily on South African themes.

International Short: Films produced outside of South Africa.

Accessibility

Non-English films must include accurate English subtitles. Subtitles must be burned-in on the screener.

Copyright Compliance

Applicants must hold the copyright to their films or provide a letter of permission from the copyright holder.

Duration

Short Films should not exceed 40 minutes, films over 40 minutes will be considered in the feature length category.

Completion

Only completed films will be considered; works in progress or pre-production are ineligible. Films must have been completed on or after 1 January 2024 to be eligible for the 2027 programme.

AI Declaration

Any film utilizing AI-generated video, audio, or script elements must declare this in the submission form and clearly label fictitious representations in the film’s credits.

*Please note: The Vrystaat Arts Festival will take NO responsiblity for costs attached to the filmmaking process (pre-, during, and post-production).

Key Dates:

2026

Applications open: September 4^th
Submission Deadline: November 27th

2027

Notification of Selection: January 15^th

We look forward to seeing your creative visions!
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1. Name/s of filmmaker/s * This field is required.Please provide the full name/s of the filmmaker/s primarily responsible for the film.
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2. Short bio on the filmmaker/s * This field is required.Please provide a short professional biography of the filmmaker/s, including relevant filmmaking experience, previous work or other information relevant to this application.
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3. Name of Production Company / Producer * This field is required.Please provide the name of the producer and production company, where applicable
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4. In which South African province are you currently based? * This field is required.
Free State
Western Cape
Eastern Cape
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal
Northern Cape
Northwest
International
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If International, from which Country?* This field is required.
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1. Title of the film* This field is required.
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2. Logline * This field is required. Provide a concise one- or two-sentence summary of the film for assessment and, if selected, promotional and programme use.
(Max 25–30 words)
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3. Short Synopsis * This field is required. Provide a concise summary of the film for assessment and, if selected, use in the printed festival programme, website and promotional material.
(Max 60–100 words)
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4. Year of completion / production* This field is required.Please indicate the year in which the final version of the film was completed
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5. Director’s Statement * This field is required.Briefly describe the creative intention behind the film, including why it was made, its themes and/or cultural relevance, and any important aspects of the creative process or methodology.
(Max 150 words)
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6. Category:
Feature film (41 mins +)
Short Film (40 mins or less)
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7. Film DurationPlease provide the total running time in minutes, including credits.
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8. What will the premiere status of this film be if selected for Vlieks?* This field is required.
World Premiere
South African Premiere
Free State Premiere
Not a Premiere
African Premiere
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If the film has previously been screened publicly or at another festival, please provide the festival/platform name, location and screening date.
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Is the film currently publicly available online or on a streaming platform?* This field is required.
Yes
No
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If yes, please provide details and/or a link* This field is required.
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9. Genre/s of the film * This field is required.
Comedy
Action
Horror
Drama
Documentary
Thriller
Animation
Experimental
Student
Other
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10. Give the names and roles of the film's cast and crew: * This field is required. Please provide the full names and roles of the principal cast and key creative/production team (e.g. director, writer, producer, cinematographer, editor and composer)
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11. Recommended age suitability* This field is required. Please indicate the age group for which you consider the film suitable. This information will assist the Festival with programming and audience guidance.
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12. Does the film contain any of the following content?Select all that apply.
Strong language
Sexual content
Religious or sensitive religious content
Drug or substance use
Nudity
Violence
None of the above
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13. Additional content advisoriesPlease identify any other potentially sensitive or distressing content that audiences should be made aware of (e.g. sexual violence, suicide or self-harm, abuse, discrimination or other potentially distressing themes).
Enter N/A if none apply.
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14. Primary language(s) of the film: * This field is required.
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15. Does the film include English subtitles?
YESNO
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16. Does the film make use of any AI-generated elements?
YESNO
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If Yes. Please describe the AI tools used, the elements of the film in which they were used, and the extent to which AI contributed to the final work.* This field is required.
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17. Awards / NominationsPlease list any significant awards or nominations received by the film, if applicable.
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18. Filmmaker Attendance: If selected, would the director, filmmaker or another representative be interested and available to attend Vlieks during the Festival?(Please note that indicating availability does not constitute a commitment by the Festival to provide travel, accommodation or other expenses.)
Yes
No
Possibly
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1. Full Name of Main Contact Person* This field is required.Please provide the details of the person who should receive all Festival communication regarding this application. This person will serve as the primary contact if the film is selected.
First Name
Last Name
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2. Role / Capacity of Main Contact Person* This field is required.(e.g. Director, Producer, Filmmaker, Production Manager, Distributor or Other.)
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3. Contact Number Please include the international country code (e.g. +27 for South Africa).
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4. Email Address* This field is required.
example@example.com
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5. Address* This field is required.
Street Address
Street Address Line 2
City
State / Province / Region
Postal / Zip Code
Please Select
Please Select
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Christmas Island
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Curaçao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Polynesia
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guam
Guatemala
Guernsey
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
North Korea
South Korea
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mayotte
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Montserrat
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Nagorno-Karabakh
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Niue
Norfolk Island
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
Northern Mariana
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestine
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Pitcairn Islands
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Republic of the Congo
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Barthelemy
Saint Helena
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Martin
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
Somaliland
South Africa
South Ossetia
South Sudan
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Svalbard
eSwatini
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tokelau
Tonga
Transnistria Pridnestrovie
Trinidad and Tobago
Tristan da Cunha
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
British Virgin Islands
Isle of Man
US Virgin Islands
Wallis and Futuna
Western Sahara
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Other
Country
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1. Relevant Social Media HandlesPlease provide the relevant social media handles and/or profile links for the film, filmmaker, production company or key creative team, where applicable.
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2. Film Stills / Promotional Images* This field is required. Please upload a minimum of 3 high-resolution stills or promotional images from the film that may be used by the Festival for programme, media and marketing purposes if the film is selected. Images should be free of watermarks, logos and embedded text wherever possible
Drag and drop files here
Select files to upload
Min. file size0.2MB, Max. file size: 19.5MB
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3. Film Poster / Key ArtworkPlease upload the official film poster or key artwork, if available. High-resolution files are preferred.
Drag and drop files here
Select files to upload
Max. file size: 10.6MB
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4. Trailer / Teaser LinkIf available, please provide a public or accessible link to the film's official trailer or teaser.
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1. Submit a screener link* This field is required.Please provide a private or accessible online link to the complete film for assessment.
The link must remain active and accessible for the duration of the selection process.
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2. Exhibition Master* This field is required.If selected, will you be able to provide a professional exhibition-quality master in the technical format required by the Festival (e.g. DCP or another approved screening format) by the specified deadline?
Yes
No
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If not, please specify the reasoning and propose an alternative* This field is required.
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1. Copyright Indemnity* This field is required.I confirm that I am the sole copyright holder of this film or have secured all necessary rights, licenses, and clearances (including music, archival footage, and talent releases). I indemnify the Vrystaat Arts Festival against any claims, liabilities, or legal actions regarding copyright infringement, defamation, or trademark violations.
I acknowledge and agree
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2. Exhibition & Promotional Rights* This field is required.If selected, I grant the Vrystaat Arts Festival permission to exhibit the film as part of Vlieks during the 2027 Vrystaat Arts Festival and to use the film's title, submitted synopsis, filmmaker information, approved production stills, poster/key artwork and excerpts of up to 60 seconds from the film or submitted trailer for Festival-related programme, publicity, media and promotional purposes across print, digital, social media and broadcast platforms.
I acknowledge and agree
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3. Technical Delivery Commitment* This field is required.If selected, I commit to delivering the final exhibition master and all requested marketing materials by the strict deadlines set by the festival. I understand that failure to deliver these assets on time may result in the film being removed from the programme.
I acknowledge and agree
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4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure* This field is required.I confirm that I have fully and accurately disclosed any use of generative or AI-assisted tools in the creation of this film and its submitted materials. Where AI-generated or AI-assisted material has been used, I confirm that its use complies with the Festival's AI requirements and that I have the necessary rights and permissions for its inclusion. I understand that incomplete or misleading disclosure, or AI use that does not comply with Festival requirements, may affect the film's eligibility or result in disqualification.
I acknowledge and agree
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5. Accuracy and Authority Declaration* This field is required.I confirm that I have fully and accurately disclosed any use of generative or AI-assisted tools in the creation of this film and its submitted materialsI confirm that I am authorised to submit this application and that, to the best of my knowledge, all information and materials provided are accurate, complete and not misleading. I understand that materially false or incomplete information may affect the film's eligibility or participation in the Festival.
I acknowledge and agree
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6. Signature* This field is required.
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7. Full Name of Authorised Signatory* This field is required.
First Name
Last Name
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8. Date Signed* This field is required.
Date
Year
Month
Day
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9. Place Signed* This field is required.
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5. Final Declaration* This field is required.I confirm that I have read and understood the declarations and conditions above, that I am authorised to submit this application, and that the information and materials provided are accurate and complete. I agree to the applicable Vlieks and Vrystaat Arts Festival terms and conditions.
I acknowledge and agree
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Please verify that you are human* This field is required.
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