• Open to Emirati nationals between the age of 18-35.  

• Proficient in English.  

• Applications must be submitted by individuals; group entries will not be accepted.  

• Application Form – to be completed online

• Curriculum Vitae – maximum two pages

• Portfolio - showcasing one selected short film  

By entering this competition, entrants acknowledge and confirm their agreement to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.   

1. Eligibility   

• Open entry: The residency programmes are open to Emirati filmmakers who have created original work.

• Age and legal capacity: Participants must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into a binding agreement. In cases where legal capacity is in question, entrants must provide documented consent from a legal guardian.   

• Nationality: Open to UAE nationals only.      

• Originality: All submissions must be original works and must not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.    

• Exclusion criteria: Employees, contractors or representatives of the organising body, sponsors or affiliated partners of ADMAF and Institut français des Émirats arabes unis are not eligible to participate, except as explicitly stated in these Terms and Conditions. 

2. Submission Guidelines  

• Submission period: Entries must be submitted within the official submission period. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

• Format and content: Submissions must include a detailed description of the work and an artist’s statement. All digital files must adhere to the accepted file formats and size limits specified.   

• Multiple entries: Multiple entries from the same applicant are not permitted. 

• Visual materials: Digital files must be submitted in one of the following formats: PNG, JPEG or PDF and must adhere to the specified file size limits. 

3. Judging Process and Criteria    

• Selection committee: An independent panel of experts in art and film will evaluate all eligible submissions.    

• Final decision: All decisions made by the selection committee are final and binding. 

4. Intellectual Property and Usage Rights    

• Ownership: Participants retain full ownership of their submitted works.    

• License to ADMAF: By entering the programme, participants grant ADMAF a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, reproduce, distribute and otherwise use the submissions for promotional, educational and archival purposes, subject to proper attribution.    

• Moral rights: Participants confirm that any use of the submitted works in connection with the programme does not compromise their moral rights. Any third-party rights associated with the submission must be clearly identified and managed by the entrant.    

5. Residency Support Disbursement   

• Residency: The residency for which the participant has been selected will be funded for its full duration, in accordance with the specific programme. Funds will be disbursed based on a pre-established payment schedule.    

• Additional benefits: Winners may receive exhibition opportunities and global media exposure.    

• Travel requirements: By accepting the residency, the selected participant agrees, where required, to undertake domestic and international travel in connection with the residency and to comply with all applicable travel, visa and entry requirements, as well as any policies or conditions set by the organising parties.   

6. Publicity and Use of Likeness  

• Consent: By participating, entrants grant consent to the use of their names, likenesses, biographical information and submitted works for promotional and publicity purposes related to the programme, without additional compensation unless otherwise agreed.    

• Filming and photography: All applicants consent to being photographed and filmed in connection with programme-related activities. 

• Media release: Programme participants and recipients must agree to take part in interviews, photo sessions and other media activities as reasonably requested by ADMAF and Institut français des Émirats arabes unis.    

7. Confidentiality and Data Protection  

• Confidentiality: All information provided in submissions will be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely for the purposes of evaluating the programme and its subsequent administration.   

• Data protection: Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws and ADMAF privacy policy.   

8. Dispute Resolution and Governing Law  

• Arbitration: Any disputes arising out of or in connection with these Terms and Conditions shall be resolved by confidential binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of Abu Dhabi.    

• Governing law: These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction of Abu Dhabi.     

• Jurisdiction: Participants consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the relevant courts for any disputes not resolved through arbitration.    

9. Limitation of Liability   

• No guarantees: ADMAF is not liable for any technical issues, unauthorised third-party interventions or other disruptions that might impact the submission process or evaluation.    

• Force majeure: ADMAF shall not be responsible for any delay or failure in performance due to events beyond their reasonable control.    

10. Amendments and Modifications  

• Right to amend: ADMAF reserves the right to amend or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time with changes effective immediately upon publication on the official programme website page. Participants will be notified of significant changes, and continued participation constitutes acceptance of the amended Terms and Conditions.  

• Communication: All notices and communications regarding amendments will be sent to the email address provided during registration or made available on the official website.   

11. Termination and Forfeiture 

• Non-compliance: Submissions that fail to adhere to these Terms and Conditions or the applicable guidelines will be disqualified at the sole discretion of ADMAF.   

• Withdrawal: Participants may withdraw their submission at any time prior to the submission deadline. Withdrawn entries will be permanently removed from consideration.  

12. Miscellaneous Provisions 

• Severability: If any provision of these Terms and Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.   

• Entire agreement: These Terms and Conditions, together with any additional guidelines or documents referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between the participants and the organisers in relation to the programme.  

• Contact: For any questions or further clarifications regarding these Terms & Conditions, participants may contact ADMAF at [email protected].