The chance to enter your films into the Virgin Media Shorts competition is now over

Want a recap on the formats required or more details about any of the legal bits and pieces? You've come to the right place...

Check out the film specification
Read the legal stuff

Film Specification

Virgin Media Shorts is all about shining a light on Britain’s best film makers and giving you the biggest possible arena to showcase your work.

As well as showing your films online, on TV and through the mobile internet, we’ll be showing 12 shortlisted films on 211 cinema screens across the UK. They’ll be seen by millions of film fans, industry insiders and the great British public.

If you’re one of the successful 12, your film will be shown before the advertisements in front of the feature film in cinemas across the country.

Duration

Up to 2.5 minutes (150 seconds).

Format

This section is about the file formats we need you to supply your film in if you get to the second stage of the competition, as well as the regulations around what kind of content is acceptable for the types of distribution we have in mind for it.

1st Stage: now complete

Films are submitted online. Any of the industry standard formats was acceptable e.g. .mov, .wmv, MP4 or .avi.

2nd Stage

Submit your film by post
If you’re lucky enough to be long-listed after the first stage, we’ll ask you to provide your work in its highest quality as a master copy by post. You can send us your film on tape or digitally. Check which formats are acceptable below. 

Acceptable tape formats

The following tape formats can be accepted. They are listed in quality order, from lowest to highest.  MiniDV is not usually of high enough quality to transfer to 35mm.  Therefore we’ll only accept this format in very special circumstances – where we really love your film and it works cinematically on the big screen.

Acceptable digital formats

All digital formats should have I-Frames and be of a high quality resolution of 25Mbits/second or above.  The following standards can be accepted.  These could be accepted on DVD or USB connected hard/drives (e.g. Lacie drives).

Film format specifications

The content will need to be as follows. We prefer to receive film format rather than PAL format, but either can be received.  The content cannot be received in NTSC format (the US format at 29.97 FPS).

Audio format specification

Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, stereo or mono.

Content

We think that your film deserves to be seen by everyone so we ask that your film is U/PG rated according to BBFC guidelines (see http://www.bbfc.co.uk/policy/policy-thecategories.php).  Your Film must also comply with:

(a)    Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code (see http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/codes/bcode/) and must, in particular, be suitable for transmission on UK television prior to 9pm; and

(b)    the CAP (Non-broadcast) Code (see http://www.cap.org.uk/cap/codes/cap_code/).

We’ve included a snapshot of the guidelines below to give you an idea of what that might mean. But the best thing to do is check out the full guide at the sites above. 

• Use of illegal drugs, smoking, solvent abuse and misuse of alcohol must not be glamorised, encouraged or condoned and are not allowed in programmes directed at children unless editorially (morally) justified.
• Violence – after effects and descriptions (verbal or physical)of violence must be appropriately limited for PG. There must be no violence or dangerous behaviour easily imitable by children unless very strong editorial justification.
• Crime – nothing to encourage or incite the commission of crime or lead to disorder. (includes descriptions of criminal techniques, or inclusion of anything which could prejudice an on-going case)
• Offensive language – no offensive language in PG material.
• Sex – representations of sexual intercourse must not occur in PG material, unless for a serious educational purpose. A discussion or portrayal of sexual behaviour must be editorially justified and must be appropriately limited and inexplicit.
• Nudity must be justified by context and must not be of a sexual nature for PG.
• Exorcisms, occult practices and the paranormal as a serious investigation cannot be PG. Can feature if used for entertainment purposes e.g story of a ghost as opposed to a medium using or demonstrating occult practices.
• Emulation – material must not be included which (taking into account the context) condones or glamorises violent, dangerous or seriously anti social behaviour and is likely to encourage others to copy such behaviour.
• Offence – care must be taken to provide moral context for the following: offensive language, violence, sex, sexual violence, humiliation, distress, violation of human dignity, discriminatory treatment or language (eg on grounds of age, disability, race, gender, religion, beliefs and sexual orientation).
• Methods of suicide or self harm should not be included unless where editorially justified.
• Hypnotism – demonstrations should not be shown in full so as not at have adverse reaction on viewer.
• Commercial references – should not contain advertising of a product nor appear to promote a particular brand or product through editorial.
• Undue prominence – no prominence should be given to any specific company or brand so as to make it stand out from any others. 
• No strobing or fast flashing sequences, or subliminal images within the content.

The legal stuff

Below, you’ll find the terms and conditions of the 2008 Virgin Media Shorts competition (the “Competition”).  They’ll tell you all the important stuff like when you need to submit your entry by, what format it needs to be in and who owns what along the way.  

Entry procedure:    You may enter by submitting your short film (the “Film”) together with a completed entry form.  The Film and your entry form are together referred to in these terms and conditions as the “Content”.  By submitting your Content, you will be deemed to accept these terms and conditions.

Who can enter:    Anyone who is over the age of 18 and is a UK resident can enter.  For the avoidance of doubt, employees of Virgin Media group companies can enter unless they are directly connected with the running of Virgin Media Shorts.  You can submit as many Films as you like, but you’ll need to complete a separate entry form for each one.

Formats:    You must submit your initial Film entry online at www.virginmediashorts.co.uk (the “Website”).  So it’ll need to be in a format suitable to upload (i.e. .mov). 

For the second stage of the submissions, if you are selected for the shortlist, you must re-submit your selected Film in its highest quality original format (e.g. master tape).  If we’re unable to transfer your visual and sound file to a 35mm print at an acceptable technical standard, your Film will be eliminated from the shortlist. 

Opening Date:    You can upload your Content to the Website from 1 May 2008 unless we let you know otherwise via a message on the Website.

Closing Date:    All Content must be received online by 30 June 2008 at 24:00 hrs.  Any alterations to Content or withdrawals from the Competition must reach us (at shorts@virginmedia.co.uk) by 30 June 2008. 

How long can it be:    Total running time for each Film must be up to 150 seconds, including titles and credits.  We have the right to edit the credits of any Film.

Content:    Your Film will need to be U/PG rated according to BBFC guidelines (see http://www.bbfc.co.uk/policy/policy-thecategories.php).  Your Film must also comply with:

(a)    Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code (see http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/codes/bcode/) and must, in particular, be suitable for transmission on UK television prior to 9pm; and

(b)    the CAP (Non-broadcast) Code (see http://www.cap.org.uk/cap/codes/cap_code/).

Virgin Media reserves the right: (a) not to publish or distribute your Content; (b) to remove your Content or any means of access to your Content at its discretion at any time.

Language:    Your film must be in English or subtitled in English.

IMPORTANT: this section (Licence, Warranty and Indemnity) plays a vital part in ensuring that there are no legal obstacles to us showcasing your work.  Please make sure you read and understand it.  For further explanation and assistance, you should also read the FAQs.

Licence:    In consideration of Virgin Media permitting you to submit your Content and enter the Competition, you grant to Virgin Media, from the date of submission of your entry until 30 June 2014, a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, sub-licensable right and licence to:

(a) use, host, reproduce, edit, publish, distribute, transmit and otherwise make use of the Content or part thereof in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, including but not limited to cinemas, linear television, television video on demand, multimedia distribution systems, the internet, internet TV, and mobile/handheld devices;

(b) use any trade marks, service marks or trade names (e.g. brand names, logos) incorporated in the Content; and

(c) use the name and likeness of any individuals represented in the Content. 

In addition, you agree to waive all so-called “moral rights” to the Content.  (This is so we can, for example, showcase excerpts of your Film alongside excerpts of other filmmakers’ entries for promotions at a later date).

You undertake to execute, or ensure the execution of, whatever further documents Virgin Media requires from time to time for the purpose of giving Virgin Media the full benefit of this licence if your Film is selected for the shortlist.

Warranties:    You represent, warrant and agree that:

(a) you are entitled to grant to Virgin Media the rights set out in the above licence;
(b) no Content (or part thereof) submitted by you will: (i) be defamatory, abusive or offensive; (ii) infringe the copyright, moral right, performing rights, rights of privacy, trade mark or other proprietary right of any third party; (iii) constitute a misuse of any confidential information of a third party; (iv) advertise, promote or endorse any products or services; (v) adversely affect the reputation of any Virgin Media group company; (vi) be false or misleading or omit information that should be disclosed by you or (vii) contain software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to affect the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;

(c) any necessary consent, waiver, clearance, licence or approval required for Virgin Media to make use of the Content as set out in the above licence has been obtained and that any fees or payments relating thereto have been paid; and

(d) you have not entered into, nor will you enter into, any agreement or arrangement which could conflict with your obligations to Virgin Media under these terms and conditions.

Indemnity     You hereby indemnify Virgin Media against any claims arising out of or in connection with any Content, including but not limited to a claim arising out of or in connection with a breach of any of the warranties set out above. 

Publicity:    By entering the Competition, you agree to be named in the media and to participate in as many promotional and press activities as possible before, during and after the awards ceremony, especially if you’re one of the 12 shortlisted film makers.  We’re talking about:
- media interviews
- photo opportunities

If you’re one of the 12 shortlisted film-makers, we expect you to attend the awards ceremony too.

Insurance:    Neither Virgin Media nor the UK Film Council (“UKFC”) takes responsibility for any loss or damage to Content or such Content’s delivery materials, so you will be sending your delivery materials at your own risk. 

Grand Prize:    The Grand Prize is the opportunity to make a short film with funding provided by Virgin Media and UKFC.  In order to receive the Grand Prize and make this film you will need to satisfy the following conditions:

you (or your team if appropriate) will have to come up with an acceptable script for the film after your selection as the winner. 

Virgin Media and UKFC will give you (non-financial) help and advice while developing this script, but UKFC and Virgin Media will have final say as to whether to “green-light” this script and give you the Grand Prize, and your film must be completed within 18 months of being awarded the Grand Prize;
the Grand Prize is not a cash prize for you: it comprises funding of £15,000 from Virgin Media, which may be matched by up to £15,000 from UKFC’s film production fund for the cost of the film.

For the avoidance of doubt, the film’s budget must not exceed £30,000.  Check out the FAQs for more details on Grand Prize fulfilment; you will need to enter into a production financing agreement with Virgin Media and the UK Film Council in order to access the funding; copyright in the film will be owned by Virgin Media and the UK Film Council as they determine between them; Virgin Media and the UK Film Council will hold certain non-exclusive distribution rights in the film; and if selected, the film will be made according to the UK Film Council’s usual conditions for short film funding. 

If successful you will need to dedicate a substantial amount of time and possess the highest level of commitment to work with UKFC and Virgin Media at a professional level. The UK Film Council will make an assessment as to whether the film can be successfully delivered within the allotted production timescale alongside your time commitments.

People’s Choice:    A People’s Choice award from the 12 shortlisted Films will be chosen. The prize for the People’s Choice award will be confirmed closer to the award ceremony.
     
The Grand Prize and the People’s Choice Prize are not transferable. 

Decisions: The judges’ decisions in all matters are final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Miscellaneous:    Virgin Media accepts no responsibility for: (a) lost, late or undelivered entries, notifications or communications; or (b) any event which may cause the Competition to be disrupted or corrupted.  Proof of submission of Content shall not be proof of receipt.

Virgin Media reserves the right at its sole discretion to: (a) disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process (including but not limited to any unauthorised use of any computer program, script, or any other device intended to automate any aspect of the entry and voting process); (b) cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition; or (c) amend these terms and conditions where reasonably necessary. 

You release and hold harmless Virgin Media from any and all liability and any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Competition to the extent permitted by law.

Governing Law: These terms and conditions shall be governed by and in accordance with the laws of England and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.