Likeness releases, location releases, and copyright permissions for each entry should be kept at the school sites. Students are responsible for obtaining the necessary written permissions on all copyrighted work. Paperwork must be kept on file at school site.
Releases
Likeness Release: For submissions to be displayed at the Fox Theater and Comcast, one needs signed release forms from all whose faces are recognizable and central to the shot. In public settings, people in the background do not need to sign a release. To simplify your record keeping you may add a signature page to these documents. Download: Likeness Release for Adults or Likeness Release for Minors.
Location Contract: In a suit happy society, the location contract protects both the property owner and the video production team. Getting permission is also a courtesy that can prevent you from being ejected from a location. If you are shooting on private property of any kind, complete the Location Contract. A location contract is not needed if the film is shot on campus.
Festival Permission and Release Form: This form allows the Festival staff to display and distribute your work. It is the second page of your Festival application. Applications will not be accepted without this form.
High School Application | Middle School Application
Copyright requirements
Pictures and Film Clips: You may use public domain images and film clips in your film if you cite your sources in the credits. You will need written permission from the copyright holder to use all copyrighted materials.
Music: Original music or music that is in the public domain may be used in your film if the source is cited in the credits. You will need written permission from the copyright holder to use all copyrighted materials.
Copyright Information For the Classroom
Copyrighted Material:
When student productions are made for educational purposes and for display in an academic setting (the classroom), Copyright law allows you to use
As much of a web page’s text as you like, but not 100%
10% of a song or 30 seconds, whichever is shorter
10% of a video or 3 minutes, whichever is shorter
However, the source of such material must be cited in the production.
When student productions are to be displayed in public venues (Internet, TV, this Festival), students must get permission to use copyrighted material in their video production. (Copyrighted Material includes copyrighted music, video clips, still pictures, and text.) Use the Copyrighted Materials Permission Request letter to obtain permission from the copyright holder.
Contact information for several main music copyright holders:
Universal Music Group (i.e., MCA, Geffen, Mercury, Island)
Director of Licensing
Universal Music Enterprises
2220 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90404 | 310.866.5039
Warner Music Group (i.e., Warner Bros., Atlantic, Elektra)
Elliott Peters elliott.peters@wmg.com
VP Business Affairs/New Technology
Warner Music Group
75 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10019 | 212.275.1348
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Global Digital Business, Business Affairs
550 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
EMI-Capitol Music Group North America (i.e., Capitol, Virgin, Chrysalis)
Alasdair McMullan, Esq.
VP Legal Affairs
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104 | 212.492.5056
