FOLLOW YOUR HEART International Film Festival

Official Rules, Terms, Categories & Awards

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1. FESTIVAL OVERVIEW (FilmFreeway & Public Description)

FOLLOW YOUR HEART International Film Festival (“Follow Your Heart”) is an international short film festival.

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The festival is held twice a year in the United States and takes place in front of a live audience in two major cities:

• Miami

• New York

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Each city hosts an independent festival edition, with its own:

• Official Selection

• Jury

• Live cinema screenings

• Awards ceremony

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2. FESTIVAL MISSION

 

The mission of the FOLLOW YOUR HEART International Film Festival is to support and promote talented creators in the fields of cinema and contemporary art, as well as representatives of the art, beauty, and fashion industries, whose work is distinguished by emotional expression, artistic integrity, and a high level of professional excellence.

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3. OFFICIAL SELECTION, JURY & AWARDS PROCESS

• Every submitted film is reviewed for Official Selection.

• Each film awarded Official Selection status becomes an official participant of the festival.

• Finalists are determined after the completion of the selection process for each specific festival edition (Miami or New York).

• Finalists and winners are announced live during the cinema event.

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Jury Decision Process

• The Festival Grand Prix is selected live by the jury, immediately after theatrical screenings.

• All other categories are evaluated in advance by the jury prior to the live event.

4. Festival Categories, Jury Requirements & Awards

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GENERAL JURY REQUIREMENTS

Members of the FOLLOW YOUR HEART International Film Festival jury are selected from recognized professionals with an established reputation in cinema, arts, culture, media, or related creative industries.
Jury members must demonstrate high professional authority, ethical standards, and a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, unless otherwise specified.

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I. Main Cinematic Categories

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1. Best Film

Jury Requirements:
Distinguished professionals with recognized achievements in their field, including directors, producers, actors, screenwriters, cultural figures, creative leaders, and representatives of related industries with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience.

Award:
Digital Winner Certificate + Festival Laurel (Bay Leaf)

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2. Special Jury Prize

Jury Requirements:
Film and creative industry professionals with experience in festival juries, curatorship, expert evaluation, or artistic direction (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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3. Audience Choice Award

(Determined by live audience voting during the festival)

Jury Requirements:
This award is determined exclusively by the festival audience; jury participation is not required.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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4. Best Short Drama

Jury Requirements:
Directors, screenwriters, producers, playwrights, actors, and film educators with professional experience in dramatic cinema (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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5. Best Short Thriller

Jury Requirements:
Industry professionals experienced in genre filmmaking (thriller, crime, mystery) with at least 5 years of professional practice.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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6. Best Short Comedy

Jury Requirements:
Directors, writers, actors, showrunners, and producers with proven experience in comedy formats (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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7. Best Super Short Film

Jury Requirements:
Film professionals working with experimental, digital, and short-form formats, with at least 5 years of experience.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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8. Best Animation

Jury Requirements:
Animators, animation directors, visual artists, motion designers, and educators with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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9. Best Student Film

Jury Requirements:
Film school educators, directors, producers, and academic curators with mentoring and professional experience of at least 5 years.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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10. Best Young Director (Under 21)

Jury Requirements:
Directors, producers, art directors, and industry professionals experienced in working with emerging talent (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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II. Acting Categories

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11. Best Actor

12. Best Actress

13. Best Young Actor

14. Best Young Actress

Jury Requirements:
Professional actors, directors, casting directors, acting coaches, and theatre or film educators with at least 5 years of industry experience.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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III. Technical & Artistic Categories

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15. Best Cinematography

Jury Requirements:
Directors of photography, cinematographers, videographers, and directors with strong visual storytelling expertise (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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16. Best Original Soundtrack

Jury Requirements:
Composers, sound designers, and music producers with professional experience in film and media (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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IV. Special & Media Categories

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17. Special Festival Awards

Jury Requirements:
Recognized professionals from culture, arts, media, and creative industries.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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18. Best Video Blog

Jury Requirements:
Media producers, video creators, digital experts, and journalists with at least 5 years of experience.

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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19. Best Show Host

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20. Best Female Show Host

Jury Requirements:
Television hosts, producers, journalists, and media professionals with experience in live, broadcast, or stage formats (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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21. Best Show

Jury Requirements:
Producers, directors, creative directors, and showrunners with proven experience in television or live stage productions (minimum 5 years).

Award:
Digital Certificate + Festival Laurel

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New nominations 2026 ! 

22.The best vertical video (film, music video, TV series)

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V. Grand Prize of the Festival

🏆 Festival Grand Prix — Special Award from the General Sponsor

Awarded to the best overall project of the festival, based on artistic excellence, originality, and professional achievement.

Grand Prize Includes:

• A special award from the festival’s general sponsor

• Digital Grand Prix Certificate

• FOLLOW YOUR HEART Festival Laurel

• Opportunities for international promotion through festival media and partner platforms

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New nominations

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Additional Categories & Jury Requirements

(Costume, Makeup & Visual Image)

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1. Best Costume Design

Jury Requirements:
The jury panel shall include active fashion designers, costume designers, and accessory designers with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the fashion, film, or costume industry.

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2. Best Makeup & Special Effects in Film

Jury Requirements:
The jury panel shall include professional makeup artists, SFX makeup specialists, prosthetic makeup artists, as well as active beauty professionals (including makeup artists, brow artists, and permanent makeup specialists) with at least 5 years of professional experience in the industry.

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3. Best Hairstyling

Jury Requirements:
The jury panel shall include professional hair stylists with a minimum of 5 years of experience working in film, advertising, fashion, or television projects.

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4. Best Character Visual Image

(Costume + Makeup + Hairstyle combined)

Jury Requirements:
The jury panel shall include specialists in character visual styling, including costume, makeup, and hairstyling professionals, as well as active stylists working in film, fashion, and media industries, with at least 5 years of professional experience.

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5. Best Artistic Character Design

Jury Requirements:
The jury panel shall include art directors, production designers, and creative producers with documented professional experience of at least 5 years in film, media, fashion, or visual arts projects.

 

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6. TECHNICAL & LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Films must be produced no earlier than 2023.

• Films are accepted in all languages.

• All films containing dialogue must have English subtitles.

• Minimum resolution: HD 720p or higher.

• Films with poor sound quality or visual defects will not be considered.

7. TERMS & CONDITIONS (Legal Version)

• Submission requires a registration fee, except for selected free-entry categories.

• One film may be submitted to multiple categories.

• Multiple projects may be submitted by the same participant.

• Premiere status is not required.

• Submission fees are non-refundable.

• Once submitted, applications cannot be withdrawn or canceled.

• Applicants confirm that they hold all rights to the submitted materials.

• By submitting a film, applicants grant the Festival the right to screen the film publicly before a live audience.

• The Festival reserves the right to:

  • modify rules and guidelines at any time;

  • determine eligibility and category placement;

  • use promotional materials for marketing and media purposes.