Festival Rules and Regulations
The Rhodope International Documentary Film Fest (RIFE) revives one of the most emblematic international film events for young filmmakers in Bulgaria, held in the beautiful mountain town of Smolyan during the 1980s and early 1990s.
The idea for RIFE came from the need for documentary filmmakers to exhibit their films and to have a place where they can improve their abilities, learn more in their areas of interest, and hear the opinions of high-profile international film professionals.
RIFE’s main focus remains on the neighboring countries Greece, Turkey, and Germany, and the theme of the 2025 edition of the festival is “NUTRITION.”
Nevertheless, we are always on the lookout for good stories, and documentaries on any topic from all over the world are welcome.
The festival is co-organized with the support of Goethe-Institute Bulgaria.
Awards & Prizes
Grand Prix Award for Best Documentary Feature Film in the International Competition (Sponsored by Magic Shop)
Documentary Featurette Award for Best Featurette Film in the International Competition (Sponsored by Sonus Film)
Short Film Award for Best Short Film in the International Competition (Sponsored by Sonus Film)
Audience Award – The audience will vote for its preferred Competition film
Rules & Terms
1. The 5th Rhodope International Documentary Film Festival will be held from 10th to 13th July 2025 in Smolyan, Bulgaria.
2. The festival program is divided into the following sections:
– International Documentary Feature Competition
– International Documentary Middle-Length Competition
– International Documentary Short Competition
– Special Events: lectures and workshops
3. Film submissions are accepted for the following competition sections:
– International Documentary Feature Competition
– International Documentary Middle-Length Competition
– International Documentary Short Competition
4. Eligibility criteria and film completion dates:
– Only films completed between 1st January 2023 and 1st March 2025 are eligible
– All submitted films must be in final cut
– Films in languages other than Bulgarian must include English subtitles
5. Film duration per category:
– Short Films: under 30 minutes
– Middle-Length Films: 30–60 minutes
– Feature Films: over 60 minutes
6. Submission deadlines:
– Early Bird Deadline: 1st January 2025
– Regular Deadline: 15th February 2025
The Festival Director will appoint a Selection Committee to view all submissions.
7. The online submission form is available via FilmFreeway:
https://filmfreeway.com/RIFE-2025
8. Submission fees (Early Bird / Regular):
– Feature: €10 / €15
– Middle-Length: €7 / €10
– Short: €5 / €7
Bulgarian documentary productions of any length may be submitted free of charge. If selected, they will be included in the appropriate international competition category.
Submission fees are non-refundable, even if the film is not selected or the submission is withdrawn.
9. Submission procedure:
– Read and agree to the Festival Regulations
– Submit your film via FilmFreeway
10. Film formats:
– For selection: a secure online screener (valid for at least 3 months after the deadline)
– For screening: DCP or HD file with an accompanying .srt subtitle file
11. RIFE will cover the full cost of returning copies of selected films shown in Smolyan to the producer’s address, unless the film is to be sent elsewhere.
The festival also covers storage and insurance during the event.
RIFE’s liability is limited to the replacement value of the screening copy.
12. RIFE may invite one representative of each film selected in the International Documentary Competition for a two-day stay in Smolyan.
Guest service details (including transportation, accommodation, and accreditation) will be provided to selected participants in their personal invitations.
13. Festival Juries and Awards
An international jury of three members will determine the award-winning films in each category.
Awards:
– Grand Prix for Best Documentary Feature
– Featurette Film Award for Best Featurette
– Short Film Award for Best Short Film
– Audience Award: The audience will vote for their favorite Competition entry
The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
14. The participant guarantees that they own or otherwise control all rights to the submitted film.
15. RIFE reserves the right to feature the selected film in a parallel geo-blocked (to Bulgaria) online section of the festival between 13th July and 31st August 2025.
16. All RIFE participants undertake to comply in full with the present Regulations.
The Festival Director has the right to settle all disputes and issues not covered by these Regulations.
17. For additional information, please visit:
www.rife.bg or contact us at info@rife.bg
Consent
Submission to RIFE constitutes your full consent to all rules, regulations, and terms described in this document, including eligibility for any Festival awards.
By submitting, you confirm that:
– All film and music rights have been cleared in accordance with Bulgarian copyright laws
– RIFE has the right to use existing trailers or a 30-second excerpt (chosen by the festival) to promote the event through trailers or festival reels
– RIFE is also granted the right to use photographs and stills provided with the submission for promotional purposes
By submitting your film, you agree not to withdraw it from RIFE after it has been accepted by the Selection Committee.