HYP Fest showcases creators, filmmakers, and storytellers across a variety of mediums and this year's festival will focus on short form content including social media content, film shorts, tv episodes, web series, and music videos. The festival seeks to amplify historically underrepresented and international creatives as well as story lines and content that celebrates diverse and varied perspectives.

HYP Fest is proud to offer industry programming, such as panels, workshops, and networking events with creatives and distribution / acquisition partners as well as global reach which includes streaming via Roku and Amazon Fire.

We will be presenting special awards, including ones for HBCU students and alumni, as well as the Future award which will be awarded to a film/show that leverages A/R, V/R, AI, blockchain, NFTs, and/or an immersive experience.

Categories for submission of content include:
Narrative Short Film (excluding social media short films) - Narrative or non-scripted work of fiction, less than 40 minutes
Documentary Short Film (excluding social media short films) - Non-fiction film, may include re-enactments or fictionalized depictions of actual events, less than 40 minutes
Social Media Short Films - IG Reel, TIkTok, Youtube less than 40 minutes
Episodic/Muti-Episode Content - Any multi-episode content, such as webseries, docuseries, special run, anthologies, less than 40 minutes each episode
Futur Film - Submission that leverages A/R, V/R, AI, blockchain, NFTs, immersive experience either virtual or in-person, 3D (Can qualify for this category plus one of the other 6 above categories), less than 40 minutes
TV Shows/Series/Pilots - Any scripted or unscripted show, each episode less than 40 minutes
Works-in-Progress - Any scripted or unscripted show or movie, that is a work-in-progress / not considered to be completed, less than 40 minutes
Music Video - Any original music video / original song.
Gaming - Games that can be played at home virtually

HBCU STUDENTS & ALUMNI: Please use the code "HBCU" for complementary submission for the first 50 applicants. Please send your student ID or alumni card, along with proof of attendance/graduation to [email protected].

ALL STUDENTS (COLLEGE/GRADUATE LEVEL): Please use the code "STUDENT50" when submitting for half-off the fee. Please send your student ID, along with proof of attendance to [email protected].

Awards and recognition will be provided for each of the categories of submission. In addition, we will be presenting special awards, including ones for HBCU students and alumni, as well as the Future award which will be awarded to a film/show that leverages A/R, V/R, AI, blockchain, NFTs, and/or an immersive experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
The undersigned, the authorized representative of the project named below and throughout this application (hereafter called the "Project") to HYP (hereafter called the “HYP”) for consideration for the 2023 HYP Fest (hereafter called the “Festival”), hereby acknowledges the following:
1. The undersigned represents and warrants to HYP that: (a) The undersigned is duly authorized, on behalf of the undersigned and on behalf of all other persons or entities who have any ownership rights, licenses or interests (including, without limitation, intellectual property rights or distribution licenses) in or relating to the Project (collectively and separately hereafter called the “Project’s Owners”), to permit HYP to exhibit this Project in the Festival and to make the promises, representations and warranties set forth herein, (b) exhibition of the Project in the Festival will not violate any law or any right or consent of any person or entity, whether such exhibition is theatrical (live), digital, or any combination thereof; and (c) the Project is not subject to any litigation, arbitration, or other adversarial claim or proceeding, nor is the Project the subject of any threat of litigation, arbitration, or other adverse claim or proceeding.
2. The undersigned further represents and warrants, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners, that the exhibition of the Project in the Festival, whether live, digital, or any combination thereof, will not violate or infringe any copyright, patent, privacy right, publicity right, trademark, service mark or any other personal or property right of any person or entity, and that the Project does not and will not constitute or include any defamation of any person or entity. All license fees, clearance fees, and other obligations, of any kind, arising from or associated with the exhibition of the Project in or in connection with the Festival, have been and will be timely paid in full.
3. In the event that the Project is accepted by HYP for inclusion in the Festival, the undersigned acknowledges, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners, that HYP’s exhibition or presentation of the Project in the Festival does not and will not create any confidential or fiduciary relationship between HYP on the one hand and the undersigned and/or the Project’s Owners on the other. The undersigned further acknowledges, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners, that neither the undersigned nor any of the Project’s Owners will receive any compensation for such exploitation, although some Festival prizes may include cash awards. The undersigned acknowledges that no obligation of any kind is assumed by, or may be implied against, HYP or the Festival in the event of, by virtue of, or as a result of HYP’s selection of the Project for the Festival. The undersigned and the Project’s Owners understand and acknowledge that the selection of the Project for inclusion in the Festival does not and will not in any way constitute an express or implied endorsement or approval by HYP or the Festival of the content of the Project or any opinion expressed therein.
4. The undersigned agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, to indemnify and hold harmless HYP and the Festival, together with each of their parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, creative advisors, agents and representatives (collectively, “HYP Related Parties”), from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that may be asserted by any person or entity, or may be incurred by the HYP, the Festival, or any HYP Related Parties, at any time in connection with the Project or HYP’s use, handling, consideration or exhibition thereof, and/or arising from any breach or alleged breach of any representation made by the undersigned to HYP, the Festival or any HYP Related Parties, including, without limitation, any express or implied representation in these Terms and Conditions.
5. The undersigned warrants and agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that the Project is being submitted to HYP voluntarily and without promise or inducement, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of HYP, the Festival, and/or any HYP Related Parties to accept the Project for inclusion in the Festival, to exhibit the Project in the Festival, to acknowledge the submission of the Project, or to return any Project materials to the undersigned or others. The undersigned further agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and the Project’s Owners and every other representative or person affiliated with the Project, that , in submitting the Project for consideration, the undersigned, the Project’s Owners, and any other representative or person affiliated with the Project are jointly and severally waiving, forfeiting, forgoing and relinquishing any right that we might otherwise have to assert any claim or commence any proceeding in any forum or tribunal against HYP, the Festival, or any HYP Related Parties, based upon, arising out of or otherwise relating to the submission, exhibition or failure to exhibit the Project (including, without limitation, claims relating to any failure or refusal to exhibit the Project in the Festival, the exhibition or marketing of the Project at or in connection with the Festival, alleged oral or written representations by the Festival or its representatives relating to the submission or exhibition of the Project, and any other matters arising from or relating to the submission of the Project), whether such claims may be based on theories of contract, implied contract, tort, statute, or other legal theory (hereinafter, “Claim”). In the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, in violation of the agreement set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, the undersigned, on behalf of the undersigned, the Project’s Owners, and any other representative or person affiliated with the Project agrees to indemnify HYP and the Festival from any and all Claims, losses, liabilities, damages, fees and expenses (including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs) that are incurred by HYP, the Festival and any HYP Related Parties as a result of or in connection with any such Claim or any action, arbitration or other proceeding brought in violation of the representations and agreements set forth in this submission agreement.
6. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of the agreements set forth herein, the undersigned further agrees and accepts that, in the event that any Claim is asserted, or any action, arbitration or other proceeding is brought or commenced, by the undersigned, any of the Project’s Owners, or any other representative of or person affiliated with the Project, in violation of the agreements set forth herein, and in the further event that an arbitrator or other tribunal should permit such Claim to proceed despite the waiver language set forth in paragraph 5 above, the sole and maximum remedy that could be awarded to any person or entity asserting any Claim shall be a refund of the submission fee paid in connection with the submission of the Project to HYP for consideration for the Festival. Under no circumstances shall any other remedy, including without limitation actual, expectancy, reliance, consequential, special, punitive or exemplary damages, or any other damages, or injunctive, declaratory, provisional or other relief, be available to the undersigned, the Project’s Owners, or any other person or entity representing or affiliated with the Project.
7. In the event that the Project is accepted by HYP for inclusion and exhibition in the Festival, the undersigned, requiring the consent of no other party to do so, hereby grants, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, each of the following rights to HYP, the Festival, and any HYP Related Parties without reservations, conditions or qualifications: (a) the right to use footage, stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the Project for promotional purposes; (b) the right to issue and authorize publicity concerning the Project and all personnel related to the Project; and (c) to use the names, likenesses and biographical information of all Project personnel, including, without limitation, director(s), producer(s), writer(s), cast member(s) and crew in connection with the exhibition of the Project in, and promotion of, the Festival and the promotion of HYP.
8. In the event that the Project is accepted by HYP for inclusion and exhibition in the Festival, and if the undersigned or the Project’s Owners and any other representative or person affiliated with the Project have contractual obligations to any producers, distributors, creators, cast or crew regarding "festival benefits" (which may include but are not limited to production credits, screening tickets, Festival credentials or monetary compensation), the undersigned agrees and accepts that those “festival benefits” must be administered and distributed by the undersigned and/or the Project’s Owners, do not impact the nature or quantity of benefits provided by HYP and that HYP has no responsibility whatsoever in connection therewith.
9. The undersigned warrants and agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that HYP has made no claims, representations or guarantees, and has provided no assurances, in relation to the internal process utilized by HYP with respect to selection of projects for inclusion in the Festival, and that the submission of the Project neither imposes nor creates any obligation or responsibility on the part of HYP, the Festival, or any HYP Related Parties to provide the undersigned, the Project’s Owners, or any Project- related parties with comments, feedback or other information pertaining to the viewing or consideration of the Project by HYP for possible inclusion in the Festival.
10. The undersigned warrants and agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that by submitting the Project to HYP, HYP and all persons employed by, contracted by, or otherwise directly associated with the Festival are deemed to have been granted the irrevocable right to view and/or download all digital assets associated with the Project, including, but not limited to, any representation of the Project in the form of video files, still images, assets streamed via the Internet, and/or all other assets and information provided by the Applicant on the application. All digital assets referenced above shall remain active and accessible by HYP until February 2nd, 2024. Any dissemination of these materials, incidental or otherwise, shall not be the responsibility of HYP.
11. The undersigned represents that if the undersigned is younger than the legal age to enter into contracts in the state of the undersigned’s principal place of residence, HYP has been provided with signed, written consent from the undersigned’s parent or legal guardian.
12. Without in any way limiting the provisions or scope of this submission agreement, the undersigned agrees, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, that any claim, dispute or controversy arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise related to the Project, the Festival, or these Terms and Conditions, including, without limitation, any Claim (as this term is defined above) and any other claim or cause of action of any nature arising from the actual or alleged breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation or validity of these Terms and Conditions, as well as the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, will be governed by the internal, substantive laws of the State of California and will be subject to and submitted to exclusive, binding arbitration before a single arbitrator in Los Angeles, California, which shall be the sole and exclusive forum for determination of such claim, dispute or controversy. Such arbitration will be administered by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect. The arbitrator will be selected by mutual agreement of the parties or, if the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator, will be appointed by JAMS pursuant to its Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures then in effect. The arbitrator shall issue a written award and, subject to the terms of paragraph 6 hereof, shall have the right to award monetary relief. The undersigned specifically agrees and acknowledges, that the arbitrator shall not have the power to award punitive or exemplary damages, nor shall the arbitrator have the power to order HYP to include the Project in the Festival or to award any injunctive or non-monetary relief. The arbitrator shall have the power to award, and shall be required to award, to the substantially prevailing party in any such arbitration, its reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration (including, without limitation, reimbursement of that party’s share of the arbitrator’s fees and JAMS administrative charges). The arbitrator’s award shall be final, binding and non-appealable. Judgment on the arbitrator’s award may be entered in any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction in the United States. In agreeing to this exclusive arbitration provision, the undersigned hereby waives, forfeits and relinquishes, on behalf of the undersigned and each of the Project’s Owners, any right or entitlement that the undersigned and/or the Project’s Owners might otherwise have had to bring or litigate any claim or claims in any federal or state court against HYP, the Festival, or any HYP Related Party, and further waives, forfeits and relinquishes any right to a trial by jury with respect to such claim or claims.
13. The undersigned hereby acknowledge that the undersigned has the right to consult with an attorney of its own choosing with respect to these Terms and Conditions for submitting a project to the Festival. By completing the submission application for 2023 HYP Fest consideration, the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the undersigned is doing so after having consulted with an attorney or having freely or voluntarily elected not to do so without coercion or duress.
14. Code of Conduct: HYP promotes an environment where bold, creative, and distinctive voices are celebrated. HYP is committed to allowing filmmakers, their teams and Festival attendees to experience the Festival free of harassment, discrimination, sexism, and threatening or disrespectful behavior. HYP reserves the right to rescind an invitation to participate in the Festival for those who engage in such conduct.
15. The undersigned hereby acknowledges on behalf of all Project Owners that the undersigned has read and understood the Terms and Conditions for submitting a project to the Festival, and that the information contained in said Terms and Conditions does and shall supersede any information obtained elsewhere, including, but not limited to, information contained in any current documents and/or documents from prior years.
16. By completing the submission application for the Festival consideration, the undersigned, on behalf of the undersigned and all Project Owners, freely and voluntarily gives and expresses full and complete acceptance of all of the terms and provisions set forth in these Terms and Conditions. The parties acknowledge that no oral representations, inducements, promises or assurances of any kind, and no representations, inducements, promises or assurances not set forth in these Terms and Conditions, have been made to the undersigned or the Project’s Owners by the Festival, HYP, or any HYP Related Parties. The undersigned agrees and acknowledges that these Terms and Conditions are subject to change and agrees to abiding by future updates to these Terms and Conditions.
17. In the event that the Project is accepted for the 2023 HYP Fest, the Project Owners will enter into a Festival Participation Agreement incorporating all of the terms and conditions of this agreement, which terms and conditions shall be and remain binding upon the undersigned, the Project and the Project Owners. HYP reserves the right to rescind any and all Festival acceptance invitations given to the Project and the Project Owners, whether verbally or in writing, in the event that the Festival Participation Agreement is not accepted by the Project Owners.