FESTIVAL

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nikola Tesla

On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American scientist of world importance, the International Festival of Short Documentary and Video Films “TESLA CINEMA FEST” will be held online. The festival is dedicated to Tesla’s people and the peoples of the world, Tesla’s life, work and legacy, as well as the future with Tesla – technology and innovation in a higher category. It provides a space for creators of short films and videos to present their works and connect with audiences around the world.

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Festival format

The festival is dedicated to short auteur films and video works in all forms and genres of the seventh art. In addition to the best short films and video works, special attention will be paid to innovative and original creations.

The winning films will be screened and the awards ceremony will be held at the New Yorker Hotel in New York, followed by screenings at Tesla Clubs around the world.

The festival combines online screenings, panel discussions, workshops and interactive sessions with the aim of reaching and inspiring a global audience.

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Film and video submissions

Applications are open via the festival website:

🌐 www.teslacinemafest.com

Participants will receive a confirmation and registration number by December 15 of the current year. The films will be screened the following year on the festival platform.

Films must not exceed 30 minutes in length and can be in Serbian, English, French, Spanish or Italian, preferably with English subtitles. Each submitted work must include:

🎬 Trailer (up to 2 minutes),

📝 Short synopsis (up to 450 characters),

📜 Short biography and video interview with the author (up to 2 minutes).

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Film and Video Categories – Tesla Cinema Fest

Tesla’s People and Peoples of the World

Films and videos that explore nations, culture, and Tesla’s global impact. They examine how different people experience and are inspired by Tesla.

Description: This category explores how communities around the world celebrate and draw inspiration from Nikola Tesla. Films and videos can showcase local traditions, culture, education, and communities that preserve Tesla’s legacy, offering a unique perspective on his universal impact. Examples of topics: cultural events, educational programs, personal stories inspired by Tesla.

Nikola Tesla and His Work

Documentary films and videos dedicated to Tesla’s life and inventions.

Description: This category focuses on Tesla’s biography and scientific contributions. Entries may explore his research, eccentricities, eccentric personality, and profound influence on modern technology. Examples of topics include dramatizations of Tesla’s life, archival materials, visualizations of his inventions, and interactive documentary formats.

The Future with Nikola Tesla

Futuristic and innovative films and videos that explore technology and visions of the future inspired by Tesla’s ideas.

Description: This category presents visions of the future inspired by Tesla’s creativity and innovation. Through artistic, conceptual, and futuristic formats, the authors explore technology, science, energy, sustainability, and possible worlds that Tesla himself might have imagined. Topic examples: futuristic technology, energy independence, robotics and artificial intelligence inspired by the Test.

Technology and Innovation

Focus on contemporary technologies and scientific projects from around the world.

Description: This category brings together films and videos that document contemporary technologies, experimental projects and global scientific achievements. The focus is on practical research, innovation and inspiration through technological progress. Topic examples: innovations in energy, medicine, education, film production, digital creativity and STEM fields.

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Application requirements

Films completed by December 15 of the current year are accepted. Works that have previously been screened or published online may be accepted if they have been significantly re-edited and are no longer publicly available in their original form.

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Awards – Tesla Cinema Fest

🏆 Grand Prize: TESLA SPIRIT AWARD

All films and videos in the competition categories are automatically considered for awards. Awards may include trophies, certificates, digital certificates and badges, as well as potential cash prizes or scholarships (depending on the agreement with sponsors).

The Audience Award and Critics’ Choice Award will be determined by online voting on the festival’s streaming platform (Dailymotion / PeerTube / Vimeo) and other media channels.

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Organizers

The festival is organized by the Tesla Science Foundation (USA) and STV Info Media (Serbia), in partnership with the video portal www.SerbiaWorld.info and the global Tesla Club network.

The Tesla Science Foundation, headquartered in Philadelphia, is the world’s most active organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Tesla’s legacy. Through conferences, exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural events, the Foundation’s mission is simple but powerful: To connect people through Tesla’s legacy and inspire a new version and generation in the light of the future.

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Why participate?

🎥 All films and videos of the participants will be presented at: 🌐 www.teslacinemafest.com

They will also be shown at: 🌐 www.nikolatesla.org.rs and 🌐 www.serbiaworld.info

The selected and awarded works will receive the opportunity to improve at the international documentary film and video festival.

✅ Screening and awarding of your film in New York

✅ Screenings in over 100 Tesla Festivals worldwide, on five continents

✅ Inclusion in the educational educational platform for children and international multimedia

✅ Promotion through global media, social networks and TV interviews

✅ Connecting with a community of innovators, artists, filmmakers and video creators

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Note

To participate, each author must write a Film Application Agreement when submitting work via the festival website:

🌐 www.teslacinemafest.com

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Contact

📩 Information: info@teslacinemafest.com

📩 Applications: office@teslacinemafest.com

🌍 Website: www.teslacinemafest.com

🌍 Tesla Science Foundation: www.nikolatesla.org.rs

🌍 Video portal: www.serbia.

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TECHNICAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Accepted films must submit their film/video by November 30th of the current year, in the following format for screening at the TESLA CINEMA FEST Online Film Festival:

Video format: h.264 (.mp4) Resolution: HD, 2K or 4K All films/videos screened at the festival must include a .srt file with subtitles. If the primary language is not English, a version with embedded English subtitles is required for screening. Filmmakers are responsible for all shipping and insurance costs. DCP format is not mandatory, but may be requested for screening in certain cases.

Application fee: 85 USD — Payment is due upon receipt of your film/video submission confirmation and after sending a copy of the film/video to the TESLA CINEMA FEST Online Film Festival.

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ADDITIONAL TERMS – AGREEMENT – IMPORTANT !!!

By submitting a documentary film/video, you agree to the following statements:

I am the current copyright holder of this work (documentary film/video). In the event of a change in ownership or rights to my film/video, this agreement to screen at the TESLA CINEMA FEST Online Film Festival shall remain valid and binding if the film/video is submitted. I own or control the copyright and am authorized to submit this documentary film/video to the TESLA CINEMA FEST Online Film Festival. To the best of my knowledge, all statements in this document are true. This documentary film does not contain material that could give rise to claims based on work, copyright orders, breach of contract or other copyright claims. If my documentary is selected for screening at the TESLA CINEMA FEST Online Film Festival (website: www.teslacinemafest.com ), I grant the right to screen this film/video on partner platforms and film screenings worldwide.

I understand and accept that, if selected, the submitted material may be used for promotional purposes of the Festival. I grant the TESLA CINEMA FEST Online Film Festival and its partners the right to use up to two minutes of footage, photos, titles and information from my film/video for promotional purposes.

I fully agree to indemnify and hold the TESLA CINEMA FEST Online Film Festival and its partners harmless from:

a) Any damage or loss of copies of the film/video or videotapes in transit or while in the possession of the festival.
b) Any claims arising in connection with this documentary film/video. If a claim arises in connection with this film/video, I will bear all costs of defending the “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online Film Festival and pay all damages awarded. I also agree to reimburse all legal costs of the festival incurred in defending against such claims.

I understand that the festival reserves the right to classify my film/video in the appropriate competition category. By submitting my film/video, I confirm that I have read, understood and accepted all terms and conditions of entry and participation.

If the “TESLA CINEMA FEST” Online Film Festival is canceled or postponed due to force majeure, natural disasters or any reason beyond our control, entry fees are non-refundable. I also understand and agree to the additional entry conditions listed above.

Signature of the film/video author – Title of the film/video

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