Celebrating the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage
#HeritageAlive invites accredited NGOs to submit short films on the theme of living heritage and cultural traditions. We are looking for compelling visual stories that highlight the safeguarding, transmission, resilience, and continuity of intangible cultural heritage traditions of communities from around the world. A total of 6 films will be selected which will be featured at our side event at the 21st Session of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO 2003 Convention (21.COM) in 2026.
I. Submission Guidelines
To ensure a fair and streamlined process, please adhere to the following requirements:
- Duration: Maximum of 8 minutes.
- Eligibility: Open exclusively to NGOs of the ICH NGO Forum. Each NGO may submit one (1) film.
- Theme: Safeguarding and continuity of ICH, specifically aligned with the tenets of the 2003 UNESCO Convention.
- Content: The content should be about the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage (Oral traditions and expressions, including language, Performing arts, Social practices, rituals and festive events, Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, Traditional craftsmanship). It should be original in its treatment of a specific project or situation, and effective in clearly communicating the content to capture the audience’s interest.
- Language: The films may be created in any language, but all films must have English subtitles to ensure accessibility.
- Copyright: Submitters hold full responsibility for fulfilling all copyright laws (including music, archival footage, and talent releases) and need to submit proof of consent and copyrights along with the film. The film in its entirety must be licensed under terms that allow it to be presented to the public during the event (free of charge), and later facultatively on the #HeritageAlive website.
- Deadline for Submission: July 30, 2026.
- Submission: To ensure that your submission is complete this form should be completed and sent.
- Please write to madhura@banglanatak.com and pranav.chendke@hvpm.org for any queries
II. Core Tenets of the 2003 UNESCO Convention
The film is expected to address one or more of the core tenets of the 2003 UNESCO Convention as follows:
- Living, not static: A successful project shows how a tradition is alive and evolving today, rather than just how it looked in the past.
- Community Ownership: The community decides what their heritage is. Safeguarding cannot be forced from the outside.
- Transmission and Education: Safeguarding means ensuring the next generation has the skills and desire to keep the tradition going
- Respect for Identity and Diversity: Safeguarding must be compatible with international human rights and promote mutual respect between different communities.
III. Application Requirements
Every submission must be accompanied by a document providing the following details (details in the submission form):
- NGO Name (as registered with the ICH NGO Forum).
- Submitter Details: Name and contact information of the primary representative.
- ICH and Community Represented
- Rationale: A brief explanation (200 words) of why this film was created and its significance to the community including about the specific ICH element or safeguarding initiative showcased.
- Film Description/ Synopsis: A summary of the film’s narrative or project (max. 150 words).
IV. Technical Guidelines
- Films should ideally be recorded in Full HD (1920 × 1080).
- Higher resolutions such as 4K (3840 × 2160) are welcome.
- Films may be recorded using DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, or mobile phones. Regardless of the device used, the final video should be clear, stable, and visually legible for public screening.
- Films should be produced in horizontal (landscape) format with a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is the standard format for film screening.
- Vertical (9:16) or square formats should be avoided unless there is a clear artistic or narrative justification.
- Use a standard video frame rate such as 24 fps, 25 fps, or 30 fps.
- Clear audio is essential. Dialogue, interviews, or narration must be audible and free from excessive background noise. When possible, using an external microphone is recommended.
Lighting and Stability
- Ensure that footage is well lit and visually clear. Shots should be steady and stable. If filming with a mobile phone, the use of a tripod or stable support is strongly recommended.
File Format
- Films should be submitted in one of the following formats:
.MP4 (H.264 codec) – recommended
.MOV (ProRes 422 or H.264 codec)
File Size
- To facilitate uploading and downloading, the recommended maximum file size is 2 GB.
Naming Convention
Please name the file using the following format:
- NGOName_FilmTitle_2026.mp4
Example: HeritageCollective_BambooCraft_2026.mp4
V. Judging Criteria
An external Jury of experts will evaluate submissions based on a weighted score across these parameters:
| Parameter | What the Jury is Looking For |
| Relevance | Direct alignment with the 2003 Convention tenets. |
| Community Voice | Evidence of the custodian community’s active participation and agency. |
| Content & Educative Quality | The ability of the film to inform and inspire the viewer. |
| Technical Quality | Clarity of visuals, sound design, and professional editing. |
| Completeness | A coherent narrative arc within the 5-minute limit. |
| Subtitles & Info | Accuracy of translations and adherence to all submission requirements. |
