MONTHLY CHALLENGE RULES

Effective Date: 5 September 2026

1. THE CHALLENGE

The Indie Birds Monthly Challenge is an open creative challenge inviting filmmakers and creators to make an original work inspired by a new theme announced each month.

Each month’s theme is intentionally open to interpretation. There is no single required genre, style or story.

For the September 2026 challenge:

THE LAST TIME

What if you knew it was the last time?

Interpret the theme in your own way.

2. WHO CAN ENTER

The challenge is open worldwide.

Filmmakers, first-time creators, students, artists, animators, content creators and creative teams are welcome to participate.

If a participant is under the age of majority applicable to them, any required parent or legal guardian consent is the participant’s responsibility.

3. WHAT YOU CAN MAKE

We welcome:

Short films
Fiction
Documentary
Animation
Experimental films
Original videos
Mobile-shot films
Mixed-media works
Other original screen-based creative works

There is no required camera, production budget or production style.

A phone is enough. An idea is enough.

4. RUNTIME

Each entry must be:

Minimum: 1 minute

Maximum: 5 minutes

The runtime includes credits.

Entries outside the permitted runtime may be disqualified.

5. LANGUAGE

Any language is welcome.

For works that are not in English, English subtitles are strongly recommended so the editorial team and wider audience can understand the work.

6. ORIGINALITY

Your entry must be an original work created by you or your team, or a work for which you have the necessary authority to submit.

Previously published or publicly available works are permitted unless a particular monthly challenge states otherwise.

7. THIRD-PARTY MATERIAL

You are responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for material that you did not create yourself.

This may include:

Music
Sound recordings
Film or video footage
Photographs
Artwork
Performances
Voice recordings
Stock material
Archival material
Other copyrighted material

Do not submit material that you do not have the right to use.

8. AI-GENERATED OR AI-ASSISTED WORK

AI-assisted and AI-generated work is permitted unless specifically excluded by a particular monthly challenge.

If AI has been materially used in creating the work, Indie Birds may ask you to disclose how it was used.

The creator remains responsible for the work and for ensuring that the use of AI does not knowingly infringe third-party rights.

9. SUBMISSION

Submit your entry through the official submission platform specified for the relevant monthly challenge.

For this edition:

Submission Deadline: 30 September 2026

Entry Fee: FREE

Only complete submissions received before the applicable deadline will be considered.

10. MULTIPLE ENTRIES

Participants may submit more than one work.

Each entry must independently satisfy the challenge rules.

Each submitted work should be entered separately where the submission platform requires separate entries.

11. SELECTION

Every eligible submission will be considered by the Indie Birds editorial team.

Selection may consider:

Originality
Creative interpretation of the theme
Storytelling
Direction
Visual or artistic approach
Emotional or intellectual impact
Overall execution
Distinctive creative voice

This is not a popularity contest.

Audience size, follower count and production budget do not determine the winner.

12. WINNER

One entry may be selected as the:

INDIE BIRDS MONTHLY CHALLENGE WINNER

The winner will receive:

Official Indie Birds Monthly Challenge Winner recognition
An Indie Birds Creator Winner Badge
Editorial and social recognition through Indie Birds channels

There is no cash prize for this edition.

13. SPECIAL MENTIONS

Indie Birds may select additional entries for:

SPECIAL MENTION

Special Mentions may recognise an exceptional interpretation, performance, idea, visual approach, storytelling technique or other creative achievement.

The number and nature of Special Mentions are at the discretion of the Indie Birds editorial team.

14. PUBLICATION & PROMOTION

Selected works may be featured through Indie Birds’ editorial and social channels.

If selected, Indie Birds may use reasonable promotional material associated with the work, including:

Film title
Creator name
Stills
Poster
Trailer
Short excerpts
Synopsis
Creator biography
Credits
Social media handles
Website links

Submission does not guarantee publication or promotion.

15. COPYRIGHT OWNERSHIP

You retain ownership of your copyright.

Entering the Monthly Challenge does not transfer ownership of your work to Indie Birds or Camran Films.

The permissions required for challenge review, selection, publication or promotion are limited to those stated in these Rules and any additional permission specifically agreed with the creator.

16. DISTRIBUTION IS SEPARATE

Entering the Monthly Challenge does not automatically submit your work for commercial Distribution.

If you want Indie Birds to consider your work for Distribution, use the separate Distribution submission process.

Any commercial Distribution arrangement will be governed by the separate Distribution Terms and applicable written agreement.

17. DISQUALIFICATION

Indie Birds may disqualify or remove an entry if:

It does not meet the challenge requirements.
The submission contains materially false information.
The creator does not have the necessary rights or permissions.
The work materially infringes third-party rights.
Required information is deliberately withheld or falsified.
The work violates applicable law or platform requirements.
The entry is otherwise materially inconsistent with these Rules.

Where appropriate, Indie Birds may request clarification or supporting documentation before making a final decision.

18. COPYRIGHT CLAIMS

If a credible copyright or rights complaint is received concerning a submitted or selected work, Indie Birds may temporarily restrict, remove or suspend the work while the matter is reviewed.

The creator may be asked to provide evidence of ownership or permission.

Creators remain responsible for the rights representations they make when submitting their work.

19. DEADLINES

The published deadline is final unless Indie Birds officially announces an extension.

Indie Birds may change a deadline where reasonably necessary and will communicate any official change through its relevant channels.

20. JUDGING & FINAL DECISION

Indie Birds’ editorial decision regarding the winner and Special Mentions is final.

Indie Birds is not required to provide individual judging scores or detailed feedback to every participant.

21. NO GUARANTEE

Participation does not guarantee:

Selection
Publication
Winner status
Special Mention
Promotion
Audience growth
YouTube views
Monetisation
Revenue
Distribution
Employment or future opportunities

22. CHANGES TO THE CHALLENGE

Indie Birds may make reasonable changes to the challenge where necessary, including changes to deadlines, publication arrangements, judging procedures or programme administration.

Any material change will be communicated through the official Indie Birds channels where reasonably possible.

23. AGREEMENT

By submitting an entry, you confirm that:

You have read these Monthly Challenge Rules.
Your submission meets the eligibility and runtime requirements.
You have the necessary authority to submit the work.
You are responsible for obtaining required third-party rights and permissions.
The information you provide is accurate.
You understand that submission does not guarantee selection or publication.
You understand that Monthly Challenge participation is separate from Distribution.

INDIE BIRDS MONTHLY CHALLENGE

September 2026

THE LAST TIME

Make something worth remembering.

A creator programme by Camran Films