The Privacy Policy

Last updated: 11 October 2025

Lightbox Film Festival (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in a safe, transparent, and responsible manner. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data when you visit our website or interact with the festival.

POLICY

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

• Name

• Email address

• Contact details

• Film/project details submitted through FilmFreeway

• Any information sent via contact forms or email correspondence

1.2 Automatically Collected Data

When you access our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address

• Browser type and version

• Device information

• Pages visited and time spent

• Cookies and tracking technologies (see Cookie Policy)

1.3 Data from FilmFreeway

If you submit a project to Lightbox through FilmFreeway, we receive:

• Submission information (title, runtime, category, file links etc.)

• Filmmaker contact details (provided by FilmFreeway)

• Eligibility details and any materials you provide on the platform

We do not collect or store payment information — all payments are handled securely by FilmFreeway.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use personal data for the following purposes:

• To manage and process festival submissions

• To communicate with filmmakers, judges, partners and award recipients

• To provide festival updates, announcements and results

• To administer judging and evaluation

• To display winning films, credits, posters or stills (where permitted)

• To improve website functionality and user experience

• To respond to enquiries and support requests

• To comply with legal or regulatory obligations

We will never sell your data to third parties.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR)

We process personal information under the following lawful bases:

• Contract: Processing your submission as part of your participation in the festival

• Consent: When you opt into communications or provide information voluntarily

• Legitimate Interest: Festival administration, fraud prevention, and site security

• Legal Obligation: When required by law, tax authorities or court orders

4. Who We Share Your Information With

We may share limited personal data with:

• Judging Panel: To evaluate your submission

• Festival Staff: For operational purposes only

• Service Providers: Such as website hosts and email systems

• FilmFreeway: Submission platform and payment handler

• Public Audiences: Only if your project wins or is officially selected and you have authorised promotional use

We do not share personal data with advertisers or external marketing companies.

5. Data Storage & Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including:

• Encrypted communication (SSL)

• Secure password-protected systems

• Access restrictions for festival staff

• Regular review of data handling procedures

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for festival administration or legal requirements.

6. Your Rights (GDPR / UK GDPR)

You have the right to:

• Access your personal data

• Request corrections or updates

• Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”)

• Object to processing

• Request data portability

• Withdraw consent at any time

To exercise your rights, please contact us at:
info@lightboxfestival.com

7. International Transfers

Our website and systems may store data on servers located outside the UK or EU.
Where applicable, we ensure adequate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses.

8. Cookies

We use cookies to improve website performance and user experience.
Please see our Cookie Policy for details.

9. Links to External Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party sites (e.g., FilmFreeway).
We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these sites.

10. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Any changes will be posted on this page with the updated date.

6. Contact

For questions regarding this Cookie Policy, please contact:

info@lightboxfestival.com