RESULTS DAY

9-SEP 2024

INFO@DARKLANDFILMS.COM

DARK

Welcome to Darkland,

where the dark is not just seen,

but deeply felt and understood

HOME

ABOUT

FILM AWARDS

CONTEST RULES

HOW TO COMPETE

CONTACT US

LIMBO (USA)

ANTHONY VON SECK

SKIN (USA)

GUY NATTIV

ANACRONTE (Argentina)

Raúl Koler, emiliano sette

hauskeeper (germany)

Matthias Freier

LIMBO (USA)

ANTHONY VON SECK

SKIN (USA)

GUY NATTIV

ANACRONTE (Argentina)

Raúl Koler, emiliano sette

hauskeeper (germany)

Matthias Freier

best cinematography

LIMBO (USA)

ANTHONY VON SECK

SKIN (USA)

GUY NATTIV

hauskeeper (germany)

Matthias Freier

best lead actor

hambre (spain)

Manu herrera

best lead actress

skin (USA)

Danielle Macdonald

BEST EDITING & SOUND

LIMBO (USA)

ANTHONY VON SECK

SKIN (USA)

GUY NATTIV

ANACRONTE (Argentina)

Raúl Koler, emiliano sette

hauskeeper (germany)

Matthias Freier

best screenplay

hambre (spain)

manu herrera

SKIN (USA)

GUY NATTIV

ANACRONTE (Argentina)

Raúl Koler, emiliano sette

hauskeeper (germany)

Matthias Freier

DARK

LAND

winner

BEST LEAD ACTRESS

SKIN

Danielle Macdonald

DARK

LAND

winner

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

SKIN

GUY NATTIV

DARK

LAND

winner

BEST LEAD ACTOR

Emiliano Sette

HAMBRE

MANU HERRERA

DARK

LAND

winner

BEST EDITING & SOUND

SKIN

GUY NATTIV

DARK

LAND

winner

best screenplay

HAMBRE

MANU HERRERA

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 WINNERS

Welcome to Darkland,

where the dark is not just seen,

but deeply felt and understood

PHILOSOPHY

Exploration of the

Human Psyche

A focus on films that explore the complexities of the human mind, emotional depth, and psychological struggles. This could include narratives dealing with mental health, existential crises, and the darker aspects of human nature.

Darkland is an online film awards contest with a unique and distinct philosophical approach, focusing on the exploration of darker, more introspective, and unsettling themes within cinema. We‘re interested in narratives that delve into the less illuminated aspects of human experience, society, or imagination.

Social Commentary

Highlighting films that provide insightful commentary on societal issues, injustices, and the darker parts of human history or contemporary society. These

movies might tackle themes of oppression, corruption, and the

fight against systemic issues.

Creative Narratives

in Dark Settings

Encouragement of films that creatively use dark, fantastical,

or dystopian settings to

tell stories that resonate

on a human level, exploring

themes of survival, morality,

and the human condition.

Theme and Content

Films must explore dark themes or narratives, whether through their plot, characters, or setting. This could range from psychological thrillers to dark comedies, as long as the core elements align with the exploration of darker subjects.

FILM AWARD CATEGORIES

Best Picture

Best Feature Film

Best Film (Medium-Length)

Best Short Film

Best Micro-Short Film

Best Student Film

Best Experimental Film

Best Queer

Best Directing

Best Emerging Director

Best Directorial Debut

Best Original Screenplay

Best Original Concept

Best Cinematography

Best Lead Actor

Best Lead Actress

Best Supporting Actor

Best Supporting Actress

Best Ensemble Cast

Best Editing & Sound Design

Best Visual Effects

Best Original Score

Best Art Direction

Best Makeup & SFX

Artistic Merit

Preference for films that demonstrate high artistic quality, including direction, screenplay, cinematography, acting, and overall production values. Unique and original visual styles or storytelling methods could be particularly valued.

Best Avant-Garde Film

Best Drama

Best Comedy or Musical

Best Action Drama

Best Sci-Fi or Fantasy Film

Best Horror

Best Thriller

Best Animation

Best Feature Documentary

Best Short Documentary

Best Documentary Director

Best Documentary Filmmaking

Best Nature Documentary

Best Episodic Series

BEST DIGITAL Media

Best Fashion Film

Best Ad Film

Best Podcast

Best Music Video

Best Original Song

Best Music Video Production

Best Feature Screenplay

Best Short Screenplay

Best TV Script

Cultural and

Social Relevance

Films that reflect current social issues, provide historical commentary, or offer insights into the human condition through the lens of dark themes would be prioritized.

1. Copyright

You certify that your work is ready for festival exhibition (all music, fonts, visuals, etc. are cleared worldwide, in perpetuity, multi-platform), and that the intellectual property is yours. If you are acting as a distributor, you affirm you've secured permission from the copyright owner.

2. Use of Stills / Clip Fragments

You allow us to use stills and short clips from your film on the festival's digital platforms, including our website and social media channels, exclusively for promotional, non-commercial, and educational purposes.

Genre Diversity

While potentially leaning

towards genres like horror, thriller, noir, and dark fantasy,

the philosophy could also embrace dark themes within any genre, acknowledging that darkness and depth are not confined to traditional 'dark' genres.

Diversity and Inclusion

A commitment to featuring works from a diverse range of filmmakers, including underrepresented voices in cinema, ensuring a wide array of perspectives and experiences are showcased.

3. Downloading

You grant permission to the festival director to download your film(s) to assist with offline viewing and to fulfill festival's programming needs.

4. Streaming

You permit us to showcase your film online with appropriate encryption and password-protection.

5. IMDb

DARKLAND's team can update your awards/nominations on your IMDb pages, but will not initiate creation of film pages if they aren't existing.

6. Code of Conduct

You pledge to maintain respect and courtesy toward all involved.

7. Feedback

While we don't provide feedback on every submission, we do offer a critical review option.

8. No Refunds / Sportsmanship

No refunds will be provided based on dissatisfaction with final festival decisions.

9. One-Time Fee for All Categories

A singular fee ensures your film is evaluated across all festival categories for potential awards/nominations.

10. Accepted Submission Types

We accept a broad spectrum of submission formats.

Innovative Storytelling

A celebration of films that push the boundaries of traditional storytelling, employing unique narrative structures, visual storytelling, and experimental filmmaking techniques to engage with dark themes.

FILM SELECTION CRITERIA

Audience Impact and Engagement

Films that provoke thought, evoke strong emotional responses, or encourage audience engagement and discussion around the

topics they present.

CONTEST RULES

11. Submission Permissions

Filmmaker teams can enter multiple projects in the same festival round.

12. Submission Restrictions

Once a film has been submitted to a particular edition, it cannot be re-submitted in subsequent ones.

13. Film Reviews

To request a film review, your film must have been submitted to the competition.

14. Official Selection

A submission does not automatically grant "Official Selection" status.

15. Mailing List

By submitting to DARKLAND, you automatically join our newsletter.

HOW TO COMPETE

SUBMISSION IS BY EMAIL INVITATION ONLY.

PLEASE DROP US AN EMAIL AND WE’LL REVIEW YOUR PROJECT ACCORDINGLY.

INFO@DARKLANDFILMS.COM

3. Downloading

You grant permission to the festival director to download your film(s) to assist with offline viewing and to fulfill festival's programming needs.

4. Streaming

You permit us to showcase your film online with appropriate encryption and password-protection.

5. IMDb

DARKLAND's team can update your awards/nominations on your IMDb pages, but will not initiate creation of film pages if they aren't existing.

6. Code of Conduct

You pledge to maintain respect and courtesy toward all involved.

7. Feedback

While we don't provide feedback on every submission, we do offer a critical review option.

8. No Refunds / Sportsmanship

No refunds will be provided based on dissatisfaction with final festival decisions.

9. One-Time Fee for All Categories

A singular fee ensures your film is evaluated across all festival categories for potential awards/nominations.

10. Accepted Submission Types

We accept a broad spectrum of submission formats.

11. Submission Permissions

Filmmaker teams can enter multiple projects in the same festival round.

12. Submission Restrictions

Once a film has been submitted to a particular edition, it cannot be re-submitted in subsequent ones.

13. Film Reviews

To request a film review, your film must have been submitted to the competition.

14. OFFICIAL SELECTION

A submission does not automatically grant "Official Selection" status.

15. MAILING LIST

By submitting to DARKLAND, you automatically join our newsletter.

INFO@DARKLANDFILMS.COM

© 2023 DARKLAND