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An incubator for first-time feature filmmakers.

Terms and Conditions


1. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

Cinema Co-op (the “Competition”) is administered and hosted by Antigravity Academy, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Antigravity Academy,” “Antigravity,” “we,” or “us”).

By entering Cinema Co-op, each entrant (“Entrant”) agrees to comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and Terms and Conditions (the “Rules”).

2. ELIGIBILITY

Cinema Co-op is open to individuals worldwide who are eighteen (18) years of age or older and legally eligible to enter into a binding agreement under the laws applicable to them.

To participate in Cinema Co-op, each Entrant must either:
  • Be an active member of Antigravity Academy’s Indie Institute (the “Indie Institute”) at the time of submission; or
  • Pay the one-time Cinema Co-op application fee of $75.

Payment of the one-time application fee does not enroll an Entrant in Indie Institute or entitle Entrant to Indie Institute membership benefits.

3. COMPETITION PERIOD

Cinema Co-op submissions open October 15, 2026 and close December 31, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time (the “Competition Period”).

Antigravity Academy currently anticipates notifying and/or announcing the winning film or films in February 2027. Antigravity Academy reserves the right to adjust the judging and announcement timeline as reasonably necessary.

4. HOW TO ENTER

To enter Cinema Co-op, an eligible Entrant must submit a completed short film less than 12 minutes, behind the scenes photos, and all other required application materials through the official Cinema Co-op submission process during the Competition Period.

Entrants may submit more than one film, provided that each submission independently satisfies all requirements contained in these Rules.

Each submitted film must have been created specifically for Cinema Co-op between the dates September 15th and December 31st 2026. Films completed prior to the launch of the Competition are not eligible.

Incomplete, late, invalid, unintelligible, fraudulent, or misdirected submissions may be disqualified at Antigravity’s sole discretion.

5. CORE CREATIVE TEAM

Each submission shall designate at least one (1), but no more than three (3), individuals as its “Core Creative Team.”

Core Creative Team members may include the film’s writer(s), director(s), and/or producer(s).

A film may involve additional cast, crew, collaborators, volunteers, or other participants beyond the Core Creative Team. However, only the individuals officially designated as members of the Core Creative Team will be considered the winning team for purposes of any prizes or benefits awarded through Cinema Co-op.

Entrants are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions and agreements from their collaborators.

6. FILM REQUIREMENTS

Each submitted film must be created specifically for Cinema Co-op and comply with the following requirements:

  1. Films must be under twelve (12) minutes in total running time.
  2. Films must be shot on phones only. Professional film cameras may not be used.
  3. No professional camera or lighting equipment may be used.
  4. No professional sound equipment may be used.
  5. No post-production visual effects (VFX) may be used.
  6. Films must be shot in real locations only. Professional sets and soundstages may not be used.
  7. Props, costumes, and scenic elements should consist of items Entrants already have access to or can reasonably build, borrow, or obtain within the spirit of the Competition’s no-budget filmmaking philosophy.
  8. Entrants are encouraged to invite friends, family, fellow filmmakers, and members of their existing communities to participate as cast and crew. Hiring professional actors or crew is not prohibited, but Entrants are encouraged to first work with collaborators and resources already available to them.
  9. The use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) is prohibited. This prohibition applies to the use of AI tools or AI-generated material at any stage of the filmmaking process, including development, writing, pre-production, production, image generation, video generation, voice generation, music generation, editing, visual effects, and post-production.
  10. Entrants must submit behind-the-scenes (“BTS”) materials and share their no-budget filmmaking philosophy as part of their submission.

A traditional screenplay is not required, and improvisation is permitted.

Limited incidental spending is permitted. Cinema Co-op does not require Entrants to spend literally zero dollars. However, Entrants are expected to primarily use resources already available or reasonably accessible to them and should not use substantial spending, rentals, purchases, or other production expenditures to circumvent the purpose or creative limitations of the Competition.

Antigravity Academy reserves the right to request additional information regarding an Entrant’s production or creative process to verify compliance with these requirements and may disqualify a submission that does not comply with these Rules or the spirit of Cinema Co-op at Antigravity’s sole discretion..

7. OWNERSHIP AND RIGHTS TO SUBMITTED FILMS

Entrants retain ownership and copyright in their submitted films and underlying original creative materials. By submitting the film, each Entrant grants Antigravity a nonexclusive, perpetual license thereafter, to view the creative material, and exhibit, post, display, or otherwise show the film in all manners and in all media owned or controlled by Antigravity.

Entrants will have the option to opt out of having their films shared on the Cinema Co-op community platform for viewing and voting. Entrants may exercise this option during the submission process.

Each Entrant represents and warrants that they own or control all rights necessary to submit the film and to grant the rights described in these Rules.

Entrants are solely responsible for obtaining all permissions, releases, licenses, clearances, and other rights necessary for the submitted film, including rights relating to performances, music, locations, artwork, trademarks, copyrighted material, and other third-party materials appearing in or used in connection with the film.

8. USE AND SHARING OF SUBMITTED FILMS

Entrants retain all ownership and copyright in their submitted films.

Optional Community Sharing

As part of the Cinema Co-op application, Entrants allow their submitted film to be shared on Antigravity Academy’s community platform for viewing by members of the community.

Entrant grants Antigravity Academy permission to upload, host, display, and make the submitted film available through the community platform. Entrants will have the option to not participate in the community sharing. Participation in community sharing is optional and will not affect an Entrant’s eligibility for or consideration in the Competition.

Entrants retain all ownership and copyright in films shared through the community platform and may request that their film be removed from the platform at any time.

Use of Winning Films

If a film is selected as a Cinema Co-op winner, Antigravity Academy will showcase and promote the film and their participation in the Competition. Entrant grants Antigravity all rights necessary to promote and exhibit the film, including, but not limited to, the right to:
  • Screen the film at Antigravity Academy events, showcases, festivals, or community programs;
  • Share the film, excerpts, clips, stills, or behind-the-scenes materials through Antigravity Academy’s websites, social media, and other promotional channels; and
  • Feature the winning filmmakers and their work in materials related to Cinema Co-op, Indie Institute, and Antigravity Academy.

Any such public use of the film or related creative materials will be coordinated with the winning filmmakers.

9. JUDGING AND WINNER SELECTION

Submissions will be reviewed and evaluated through a selection process administered by Antigravity Academy.

Antigravity Academy, in its sole discretion, will determine the process by which submissions are reviewed, evaluated, advanced, and ultimately selected as winners. Not all submissions are guaranteed to be reviewed by every individual involved in the selection process.

Selection will be based on creative and programmatic considerations determined by Antigravity Academy. Submission does not guarantee advancement, selection, or receipt of a prize.

Potential winners may be required to verify their eligibility and compliance with these Rules before being officially confirmed. If a potential winner is determined to be ineligible or fails to respond to a notification within the timeframe provided by Antigravity Academy, Antigravity Academy may select an alternate winner.

10. PRIZES

The winning Core Creative Team will receive:

A Development Deal with Antigravity Academy

Antigravity Academy will work with the winning team to support the development and advancement of a creative project on terms to be negotiated in good faith.

The specific nature of the development relationship will depend on the project, its needs, its stage of development, and other relevant circumstances. Antigravity Academy may, but is not obligated to provide creative guidance, development support, introductions, industry connections, strategic support, and other assistance intended to help advance the project as far as reasonably practicable.

Selection as a Cinema Co-op winner does not, by itself, guarantee production financing, a production commitment, distribution, representation, employment, or any particular production budget.

SXSW Opportunity

The winning Core Creative Team will also receive one flat travel stipend, to be shared among the Core Creative Team, to assist with travel-related expenses associated with attending SXSW 2027.

The amount and payment terms of the travel stipend will be determined by Antigravity Academy in its sole discretion, and will be communicated to the winning team by Antigravity Academy.

Unless expressly confirmed by Antigravity Academy in writing, the SXSW opportunity does not include reimbursement or payment of expenses beyond the passes and designated travel stipend.

Prizes are non-transferable except at Antigravity Academy’s discretion. Antigravity Academy reserves the right to substitute a prize or component of a prize with one of comparable value if reasonably necessary.

Winners are responsible for any taxes, fees, travel documentation, visas, insurance, or other costs or requirements associated with accepting or using a prize unless Antigravity Academy expressly agrees otherwise in writing.

11. ENTRY CONDITIONS AND RELEASE

By entering Cinema Co-op, each Entrant agrees to:

(a) comply with and be bound by these Rules and the decisions of Antigravity Academy regarding the administration of the Competition;

(b) release and hold harmless Antigravity Academy, its parent, subsidiary, and affiliated companies, prize suppliers, partners, and organizations involved in administering, fulfilling, advertising, or promoting Cinema Co-op, together with their respective past and present officers, directors, members, employees, agents, and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to the Entrant’s participation in Cinema Co-op or acceptance, use, or misuse of a prize, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law; and

(c) indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Antigravity Academy from any and all claims, expenses, liabilities, and reasonable attorneys’ fees arising out of the Entrant’s submission (and the production thereof), Entrant’s breach of these Rules, infringement or alleged infringement of third-party rights, participation in Cinema Co-op, or acceptance, use, or misuse of a prize.

Nothing in these Rules grants Antigravity Academy the right to commercially exploit an Entrant’s copyrighted work beyond the rights expressly granted herein.

12. PUBLICITY AND WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Antigravity Academy may publicly announce and identify Cinema Co-op winners in connection with the Competition, including the names of winning Core Creative Team members, the title of the winning film, and basic information about the winning team and project.

Any additional use of a winning film, clips, stills, behind-the-scenes materials, photographs, or other creative materials for screenings, promotion, or other public-facing purposes will be coordinated with and subject to the permission of the winning filmmakers as described in these Rules.

13. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Except for the licenses expressly granted in these Rules, ownership of submitted films and original creative materials remains with the applicable Entrants and rights holders.

Entrants are solely responsible for protecting their intellectual property rights, including obtaining copyright registrations or other protections they consider appropriate.

Participation in Cinema Co-op does not provide an Entrant with any ownership interest in or right to use Antigravity Academy, Indie Institute, Cinema Co-op, or any trademarks, branding, materials, platforms, or other intellectual property owned or controlled by Antigravity Academy.

14. INDEPENDENT RELATIONSHIP

Participation in Cinema Co-op does not create an employer-employee, partnership, joint venture, fiduciary, agency, or similar relationship between an Entrant and Antigravity Academy.

No Entrant has authority to assume or create any obligation on behalf of Antigravity Academy unless expressly authorized in a separate written agreement.

Any subsequent development or production relationship between a winning team and Antigravity Academy may be governed by separate agreements.

15. GENERAL CONDITIONS

Antigravity Academy reserves the right to cancel, suspend, extend, modify, or terminate Cinema Co-op, in whole or in part, for any reason, including but not limited to fraud, technical failures, force majeure events, legal requirements, or other circumstances beyond Antigravity Academy’s reasonable control materially impair the integrity, administration, or proper functioning of the Competition.

Antigravity Academy reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant or submission that Antigravity Academy reasonably determines:

  • Violates these Rules;
  • Contains materially false or misleading information;
  • Circumvents or attempts to circumvent the production restrictions;
  • Uses prohibited AI;
  • Infringes or appears to infringe third-party rights;
  • Interferes with the Competition or submission process; or
  • Engages in fraudulent, abusive, threatening, disruptive, or otherwise inappropriate conduct in connection with the Competition.

Antigravity Academy’s failure to enforce any provision of these Rules will not constitute a waiver of that provision.

16. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Released Parties are not responsible for:

  1. Incorrect or inaccurate information caused by Entrants, technical systems, platforms, software, or human error;
  2. Technical failures, interruptions, outages, lost data, network failures, or software or hardware malfunctions;
  3. Unauthorized intervention in the submission, judging, or Competition process;
  4. Lost, late, incomplete, corrupted, inaccessible, or misdirected submissions;
  5. Errors occurring in the administration of Cinema Co-op or processing of submissions; or
  6. Injury, loss, or damage to persons or property arising directly or indirectly from participation in Cinema Co-op or acceptance, use, or misuse of a prize.

Entrants are responsible for conducting their productions safely and lawfully and for obtaining any insurance, permits, permissions, releases, or other protections they determine are necessary.

17. CHOICE OF LAW AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

These Rules shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its conflict-of-law principles.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any controversy, dispute, or claim arising out of or relating to these Rules or participation in Cinema Co-op shall be resolved through binding arbitration in Los Angeles County, California, pursuant to the applicable rules of the American Arbitration Association.

Such arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator selected in accordance with those rules. The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law or determined by the arbitrator, each party shall bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs.

18. COMPETITION RESULTS

Cinema Co-op winners are currently anticipated to be announced in February or March 2027.

Winners may be announced publicly through Antigravity Academy, Indie Institute, Cinema Co-op, social media, websites, events, email communications, and other channels.

Any use or sharing of submitted films or related creative materials will be subject to the permissions described in these Rules.

19. SUBMISSION MATERIALS

Antigravity Academy does not claim copyright ownership of submissions that are not selected as winners.

Submission materials may be retained as reasonably necessary for Competition administration, recordkeeping, legal compliance, archival purposes, and the exercise of the rights granted to Antigravity Academy under these Rules.

Entrants acknowledge that Antigravity Academy and its employees, partners, collaborators, or community members may independently create, develop, receive, or encounter ideas, themes, concepts, stories, characters, formats, or other creative material that may be similar to material contained in an Entrant’s submission.

Submission to Cinema Co-op does not create a confidential, fiduciary, or implied contractual relationship regarding an Entrant’s ideas or creative concepts beyond the express terms of these Rules.

20. RIGHT TO AMEND RULES

Antigravity Academy reserves the right to amend, modify, clarify, or update these Rules as reasonably necessary to address operational needs, legal requirements, program changes, or unforeseen circumstances.

Material changes will be communicated through the official Cinema Co-op program page and, where reasonably practicable, to Entrants who have already submitted.

No amendment will transfer ownership of an Entrant’s submitted film to Antigravity Academy without the Entrant’s separate written agreement.

21. ACCEPTANCE OF RULES

Submission of an entry to Cinema Co-op constitutes the Entrant’s acknowledgment that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Rules.

Where a submission has multiple Core Creative Team members, the individual submitting the film represents that they are authorized to submit the film and associated materials on behalf of the Core Creative Team and that all members have been informed of the applicable Competition requirements.

Antigravity Academy may require additional acknowledgments, releases, agreements, or documentation from Core Creative Team members before awarding a prize.