RULES & TERMS

FAITH FILM CHALLENGE - RULES & TERMS - Stories of Light Edition - H.S.IDEAS

These rules apply to all applicants, attendees, pitch submissions, and finalists who receive the production grant.

1. Eligibility

To enter the Faith Film Challenge, applicants must:

• Be a Nigerian resident.

• Be 18 - 30 years old at the time of application.

• Be able to produce a 3 - 5 minute short film within 8 - 12 weeks after receiving the grant.

• Attend the Stories of Light event (online).

• Submit a video pitch via unlisted YouTube link following the official instructions.

2. Submission Requirements

Applicants must provide:

Pitch Requirements

• One unlisted YouTube video pitch answering the official pitch questions.

• No profanity or inappropriate content in the pitch.

Sample Work (Optional but Recommended)

• Applicants may provide one link to a previous short film, reel, or skit (YouTube or Vimeo only).

• This helps the judges assess skill level, storytelling ability, and cinematic voice.

Accuracy

• All information submitted must be truthful and accurate.

3. Content Guidelines (For the Final Film Only)

The film created by the grant winner must follow these guidelines:

Faith & Theme

• Must reflect Christian values and be inspired by the theme “Stories of Light” (Matthew 5:14).

• Story must ultimately be hope-filled, redemptive, uplifting, or transformative.

Restrictions

The final film must NOT contain:

• Profanity or vulgar language

• Graphic or bloody violence

• Sexual content or suggestive scenes

• Hate speech or degrading portrayals

• Occult, demonic, or spiritually harmful themes

Moderate non-graphic violence is acceptable if it serves the story respectfully.

4. Production Grant & Oversight

If you are selected as the winner:

4.1 Grant Disbursement

• The ₦1,000,000 film grant will be managed and overseen by a H.S.IDEAS representative in Nigeria, who will act as a:

  • Production Liaison

  • On-ground Co-Producer

  • Financial Accountability Partner

4.2 Purpose of Grant

• The grant is strictly for producing the winning short-film concept.

• Funds may be allocated toward:

  • Cast

  • Crew

  • Equipment

  • Locations

  • Props

  • Art design

  • Transportation

  • Post-production

  • Any legitimate production needs
    

4.3 Timeline

• The film must be completed within 8–12 weeks of the award date.

• Shorter timelines are allowed, but 12 weeks is the maximum.
  

4.4 Weekly Check-ins

• The filmmaker must participate in weekly check-ins (video call or messaging) with the H.S.IDEAS representative to:

  • Review progress

  • Confirm spending and receipts

  • Ensure story and visuals align with the challenge guidelines

  • Address production challenges

Failure to check in may impact eligibility for the final release or future participation.

5. Ownership & Rights

5.1 Creator Ownership

The filmmaker retains full ownership and copyright to their film.

5.2 Licence to H.S.IDEAS

By entering the Challenge and/or accepting the grant, the filmmaker grants H.S.IDEAS a perpetual, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to:

• Screen the film anywhere and in any format, including:

  • Online platforms

  • Cinemas

  • Festivals

  • Events

  • Churches

  • Conferences

  • Television

  • Streaming platforms

• Use the film, trailers, posters, stills, BTS, and promotional material for:

  • Marketing

  • Social media

  • Faith Film Challenge promotions

  • H.S.IDEAS projects, campaigns, or showcases

5.3 Credit

H.S.IDEAS (and or its representatives) will be credited as Executive Producer and/or Producing Partner / Supporting Partner depending on roles played - where applicable.

6. Legal Responsibilities

• You must secure all rights for music, sound, images, cast, crew, locations, stock video, fonts, and any third-party materials used in the final film.

• Unlicensed or pirated material will result in disqualification.

• You are responsible for ensuring your film complies with Nigerian law and international copyright standards.

7. Event Participation & Media Release

By attending the event or submitting a pitch, you consent to:

• Being photographed, recorded, or included in event media.

• Allowing H.S.IDEAS to use your image, name, and voice in promotional content.

8. Data & Privacy

• Your information will only be used by H.S.IDEAS to communicate about:

  • The Faith Film Challenge

  • Event updates

  • Future filmmaking opportunities

• Your data will never be sold or shared with third parties.

9. Grounds for Withdrawal of Grant or Termination of Partnership

After receiving the grant, the filmmaker must uphold the production requirements and partnership expectations.

H.S.IDEAS reserves the right to withdraw funding, suspend further disbursements, or terminate the production partnership if the filmmaker:

• Provided false or misleading information during the application

• Violates eligibility rules

• Fails to follow the content guidelines for the final film

• Uses copyrighted material without permission

• Abandons the project or stops communication

• Misses multiple required check-ins without explanation

• Mismanages funds or refuses financial accountability

• Behaves disrespectfully or unprofessionally toward cast, crew, or the H.S.IDEAS representative

• Engages in illegal activity

• Produces content that is unsafe, harmful, or contradicts the agreed guidelines

Note:
If the grant is withdrawn, the filmmaker may be required to return unused funds, and H.S.IDEAS is under no obligation to release or promote the incomplete film.

10. Winner Attendance Requirement

The winner will be announced live during the Stories of Light event.

To receive the production grant, the selected winner must be present at the event.

If the Winner Is Not Present

If the 1st-place finalist is absent at the announcement, they forfeit the grant.

The grant will then be awarded to the next highest-ranked finalist who is present, following a pre-determined shortlist of five finalists.

If none of the top five finalists are present, H.S.IDEAS may select an alternative winner or choose not to award the grant this season.

11. Final Notes

• H.S.IDEAS reserves the right to adjust dates, timelines, or challenge details if necessary.

• Any changes will be communicated in advance.

• The goal of this challenge is to uplift young Nigerian filmmakers and create cinematic stories of faith, excellence, and hope.