Rules and Regulations: FAQs

Rules and Regulations: FAQs2024-03-01T12:01:46-05:00
Who can participate?2024-03-01T12:00:53-05:00

The PLURAL+ Youth Video Festival (hereinafter referred to as “PLURAL+”) is open to young people of all nationalities with a keen interest in the cross-cutting issues of migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia.

Entrants to PLURAL+ must be no older than 25 years old at the time of the production of their videos.

PLURAL+ is organized into three age categories:

  1. 12 years old and under
  2. 13 to 17 years old
  3. 18 to 25 years old

While the people appearing in the video do not have to be young, the video must reflect the thoughts and opinions of the young filmmaker(s) about migration, diversity, social inclusion, and xenophobia. The person submitting the video (“the entrant”) must be actively involved in its making; e.g. either as a director, writer, camera person, editor, actor, coordinator, etc.

Immediate family members of staff members of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and members of the PLURAL+ International Jury are not eligible to enter the competition.

Can we submit a video as a group?2024-03-01T12:00:59-05:00

Yes! Multiple young people can work together on one video. When submitting a video as a group, the video will fall into the age category of the main entrant.

Can we ask our teachers, friends or family for help?2024-03-01T12:01:06-05:00

While people over the age of 25 (parents, teachers, etc.) can provide support and assistance in the making of the video, their role should remain minimal. However, it is understood that for the youngest age category (12 years old and under) , adults may play a more substantial role. Each case will be reviewed, and approval will be at the discretion of the PLURAL+ team.

What types of videos do you consider? What’s the required format?2024-03-04T13:05:21-05:00

PLURAL+ video entries must be:

  • Between one (1) and five (5) minutes in length, including title(s) and opening/closing credits. If an entry is slightly below or above the aforementioned time limit, it will be reviewed and evaluated on a case-to-case basis at the discretion of the PLURAL+ team.
  • In English or include English subtitles
  • Produced after 1 January 2021.

In addition, PLURAL+ video entries can be of any genre (animation, documentary, music video, comedy, etc.) as long as they have the potential to make the audience think in constructive ways about the PLURAL+ themes – migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia.

If selected, entrants must be prepared to submit a digital copy of their video in either of the following formats: MOV (preferred), MP4, AVI, QT, MKV, or FLV. Full HD (1920×1080) or higher is preferred but not required.

Can I use information from other sources?2024-03-01T12:19:05-05:00

Yes. When quoting or referencing information from other sources (qualitative or quantitative data) in your submission, please verify, fact-check, and always cite the source. Lack of proper citation may lead to disqualification.

Can I use stock footage and images?2024-03-01T12:19:00-05:00

The aim of the PLURAL+ Call for Submissions is to foster creativity, therefore we welcome artworks that are the original work of the entrant(s) in its entirety. However, we understand that limitations might arise when producing specific types of shots. To this end, stock footage and images are allowed. However, please strictly restrict the use of stock footage and images under 15% of the total duration of your video. Overuse of such materials may result in immediate disqualification, subject to the discretion of the International Jury and PLURAL+ staff.

Free-of-charge attributable materials must be credited at the end of your video, or make sure to obtain the pertinent licenses and keep a registry of them. You must own copyrights and/or obtain permission or a license for all contents submitted. The PLURAL+ team might ask you for proof. Submissions containing copyrighted materials without proper licensing or permission will not be eligible.

Can I use any music and sound effects?2024-03-01T12:18:55-05:00

No. You may use music and sound effects that are your own creation. However, you cannot use covers or adaptations of songs without prior consent from the original creators and/or musicians.

Alternatively, you can use royalty-free music and sounds, provided that you can submit either proof of copyright ownership and/or proof that the audio exists in the public domain.

Make sure at all times to credit free-of-charge attributable music and sound effects at the end of your video, or to obtain the pertinent licenses and keep a registry of them. You must own copyrights and/or obtain permission or a license for all contents submitted. The PLURAL+ team might ask you for proof. Submissions containing copyrighted materials without proper licensing or permission will not be eligible.

Check the PLURAL+ website to find music resources for your video.

Can I repurpose footage from Media outlets, Films, and Series?2024-03-01T12:18:50-05:00

Footage and multimedia content from media outlets, feature and short films, and series, is protected by copyright: it can only be used under a license or by obtaining permission from the copyright holder.

In some cases, content from media outlets might be protected under licenses such as Creative Commons, allowing for distribution, remixing, adaptation, or building upon such materials. Read carefully the conditions of such licenses before including the content in your video and make sure to credit the source adequately.

You must own the copyright(s), or obtain permission, or acquire a license for all materials submitted. The PLURAL+ team might ask you for proof. Submissions containing copyrighted materials without proper licensing or permission will not be eligible.

What should my video be about?2024-03-01T12:19:12-05:00

PLURAL+ recognizes young people as powerful agents of social change and video entries should therefore serve as an instrument for them to express their thoughts and opinions on one or several of the main themes of PLURAL+: migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia.

PLURAL+ video entries can be of any genre (animation, documentary, music video, comedy, etc.) as long as they have the potential to make the audience think in constructive ways about the cross-cutting social issues pertaining to the themes of PLURAL+, ranging from, but not limited to, peace and human rights, to racism and discrimination. To get a better idea, interested candidates should browse past PLURAL+ winning videos here.

PLURAL+ video entries should not contain profanities or material that some audiences may find inappropriate or offensive, nor should they be created for commercial purposes.

How do I submit my video?2024-03-01T12:16:31-05:00

To submit a video for consideration, you must first complete the online form here.

Please provide all of the required information. Incomplete submissions will lead to disqualification.

The form will ask you to submit your videos in one of two ways:

  1. Through a video-streaming website (e.g. YouTube or Vimeo). If submitting through this option, the entrant will be asked to include the URL of the video in the online form. The entrant must ensure that the video link is accessible and not private.
  2. Through a file-hosting website (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, etc.) where the entrant’s video is saved. If submitting through this option, you will be asked to include the URL of the video in the online form. The entrant must ensure that the video link is accessible and not private.

Note: Services that require sending files via email (e.g. WeTransfer, FileMail, etc.) are not acceptable.

What’s the deadline to submit my video?2024-03-01T12:16:35-05:00

Submissions must be completed by 31 May 2024, 5:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT/ New York time).

The PLURAL+ team will automatically disqualify any video entries received after the deadline.

How do you choose the PLURAL+ recipients?2024-03-01T12:16:39-05:00

Initially, submissions are carefully reviewed by a pre-selection committee consisting of representatives from UN entities, civil society, media companies, and other key stakeholders. This committee selects the shortlist of the best videos, which are then further evaluated by a prestigious International Jury.

The International Jury comprises a group of six to eight members who are selected every year by UNAOC and IOM for their experience and achievements in the fields of filmmaking and media, as well as migration, diversity, social inclusion, and the prevention of xenophobia. The International Jury members will be announced through the festival’s social media platforms and on our website later in the year. In the meantime, learn about members of the PLURAL+ International Jury from past years here and follow PLURAL+ on social media for frequent updates.

How many videos are selected each year?2024-03-01T15:39:40-05:00

There are a variety of recognitions granted through PLURAL+ each year.

The PLURAL+ International Jury Distinction is given to one video per age category:

  1. 12 years old and under
  2. 13 to 17 years old
  3. 18 to 25 years old

In addition to the main categories, UNAOC and IOM will also confer PLURAL+ Special Recognitions each year. Please refer to the Recognitions page for this year’s themes.

PLURAL+ Partners also grant numerous additional recognitions. See a list of the PLURAL+ Partners.

When are PLURAL+ recipients announced?2024-03-01T12:16:49-05:00

All entrants to PLURAL+ will be notified about the outcome of their submissions by mid-October 2024, and the PLURAL+ recipients will be publicly announced at a Ceremony which will take place in late 2024. More information regarding the ceremony will be shared on our social media platforms closer to the date of the event.

What do PLURAL+ recipients get?2024-03-01T12:17:31-05:00

Recipients of the International Jury Distinctions and Special Recognitions are invited to the location of the PLURAL+ Ceremony, all expenses paid. (While the venue may occasionally change, most of the past Ceremonies have been hosted in New York.)

The invitation covers the travel and accommodation expenses of 1 person per video only. If you submit a video as a group, only 1 person will be invited to receive the recognition on behalf of the entire group and therefore only 1 person will be covered to travel. Other members of the group are welcome to attend the Ceremony at their own expense. In the case of participants under the age of 18, the invitation will also cover the travel and accommodation costs of an adult chaperone (parent or legal guardian).

PLURAL+ recipients of Partner Recognitions are invited to attend the ceremony at their own expense.

The ceremony is attended every year by a diverse, global audience (United Nations employees, media professionals, representatives of civil society organizations, academics, etc.). PLURAL+ recipients gain international exposure and the opportunity to connect and network with a multitude of professionals, peers, and organizations and to explore opportunities for further distribution and dissemination of their work. Partner recognitions vary according to the Partner organization.

Do I maintain the rights to my video?2024-03-01T12:17:36-05:00

Yes! However, it is understood and agreed upon that PLURAL+ and its Partners will have unlimited access and use of the recognized videos in all formats and platforms to further the educational objectives of PLURAL+ indefinitely and without compensation to the entrant. By submitting the video through the PLURAL+ website, you agree to these terms.

Do I get a certificate of participation if my video is not recognized?2024-03-01T12:17:45-05:00

Filmmakers who receive recognition through any of the PLURAL+ distinctions, as well as those recognized by PLURAL+ Partners, will receive digital certificates. Shortlisted videos that did not receive any distinctions will also be granted a digital certificate of participation.

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