3D Independent Film Competition wants your films, forever

The International 3D Society is currently running a 3D Independent Film Competition. The deadline is Dec 12th. Winners get:
- Flight and accommodations for 4 days and 3 nights in a four-star hotel in Los Angeles for the 3D Creative Arts Awards (currently scheduled February 2013). Winner will be recognized on stage at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA.
- Exclusive meet-and-greet with top leaders and professionals in the 3D industry.
- A tour at one of the major Hollywood 3D studios.
- Exposure and future opportunities through Autodesk and the International 3D Society.

BUT, BE WARNED! If you enter, this section of the rules and regulations is a bag of hurt:

"X. INDEMNIFICATION
The entrant in this competition ("Owner") hereby grants the International 3D Society, Inc. and Autodesk Pictures Entertainment (“The Companies”) and their respective parents, successors, licensees and assigns, the right, but not the obligation, to incorporate the content described above in this entry (the “Property”) in any manner the Companies see fit in the 3D Independent Short Film Competition ("Production") and to use and authorize others to use the Property as so incorporated in the Production in the distribution, sale, licensing, marketing, advertising, promotion, exhibition and other exploitation of the Production in all markets and media (whether now known or hereafter developed), throughout the universe, in perpetuity. In full consideration of all rights granted herein, the Companies agree to pay to Owner, and Owner agrees to accept, a license fee of $0 (Zero Dollars)."

...in other words, by entering, you give the organizers or anyone affiliated with them the rights to sell and exploit your film however they see fit. Forever. And you get $0. Whether or not you're a winner.

So if you've got an amazing 3D film that you only want to use to make some contacts and don't care if countless organizations will profit off your hard work, this is the competition for you.

Or maybe they won't exploit your film. Maybe like the Sony 3D World competition, whose planned Blu-ray 3D release never happened, your film just won't see the light of day, other than the screening for the judges.

If you want to actually engage an audience, check out our list of 3D-friendly festivals. If you're running a 3D film competition or festival that doesn't completely fuck over filmmakers, please send us some info and we'll promote it on our blog.

Whether you're submitting your film to a festival or a competition, always read over the rules carefully. There are many organizations looking for free 3D content that will use these events to get films. While I have bragging rights for having my short films play at festivals around the world, I've had them broadcast on a 3D TV channel without my knowledge, and used to advertise a 3DTV app affiliated with another competition I entered but didn't win.

Licensing your work for free is a decision you as a filmmaker should make very carefully, to determine if exposure, possible awards, and any prestige associated with the licensee are enough to warrant the exploitation of your work for someone else's financial gain.