Published: 2026 Guidelines • Indian Copyright Act, 1957 Compliance
Creator Ownership Guarantee: You, the creator, retain 100% of the copyright in your film, screenplay, direction, and footage. The organisers do not claim ownership of your intellectual property.
1. The Filmmaker's Sole Authorship
Every participant certifies that their submitted film or reel is an authentic, original creation conceived, filmed, and produced by the creator or credited team. By submitting to NRSFC 2026, you declare that:
- You are the rightful author and copyright holder of the visual work;
- The work does not copy, counterfeit, or plagiarize any third-party production;
- You have the legal authority to grant the non-exclusive screening license necessary for festival evaluation.
2. Music & Soundtrack Clearance
Music is an essential element of emotional storytelling, but rights must be respected to prevent takedowns and disqualifications. We accept music under any of the following categories:
- Original Composition: Music composed or performed specifically for your film by you or a collaborating artist who has granted written clearance.
- Royalty-Free / Creative Commons: Tracks from verified libraries (e.g., YouTube Audio Library, Pixabay Music, Freesound, Incompetech, Mixkit) with proper attribution in your end credits.
- Licensed Commercial Music: Music where you hold a valid synchronization license from the copyright holder or publisher.
- Public Domain: Traditional folk melodies or classical compositions where copyright has expired.
3. Archival Photos, Home Video & Fair Dealing
Under Section 52 of the Indian Copyright Act, 1957 (Fair Dealing for criticism, review, and reporting), filmmakers may incorporate brief historical photographs, vintage family home videos, newspaper clippings, or historical references provided they form a bona fide part of a family memoir or historical documentary.
4. Artificial Intelligence & Synthetic Media Policy
NRSFC 2026 celebrates raw, authentic human connection and living family memory. Accordingly:
- Allowed Assistive AI: Using AI for colour grading, noise removal, automatic subtitle generation, or audio mastering is fully permitted.
- Prohibited Synthetic Content: Submitting entirely AI-generated deepfakes, synthetic fabricated family histories, or cloning living/deceased family members' voices without explicit subject/estate consent is strictly forbidden and subject to instant disqualification.
5. Notice & Takedown Mechanism
If any copyright holder believes that a video submitted or exhibited as part of NRSFC 2026 infringes upon their protected copyright, they may file an official notice to legal@nationalreelsfilm.com specifying:
1. Description of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed;
2. Link or identifying title of the offending submission in NRSFC records;
3. Proof of copyright ownership or authorized power of attorney;
4. Contact details of the complainant (email, phone, address);
5. A signed declaration under penalty of perjury.
Upon receipt of a verified claim, the disputed film will be temporarily placed on hold pending creator response within 48 hours.