These last few weeks have been very intense in terms of festival updates, and in this process I come across some cases that really catch my attention. These are festivals that clearly state in their regulations that they are free, but require submission through a paid platform, that is, they do charge for submission.
In this excerpt from some regulations, we see how this festival requires the use of a submission platform (in this case clickforfestivals.com). On one hand it tells us it is free, and on the other that we have to pay for the platform’s credits, which is “independent” of the festival.
3. Submission
The submission period will be from April 13, 2016 to June 15, 2016. Submission must be made through the online procedure, via the systems proposed on the festival’s website.
The submission cost is free, the credits that must be paid on each platform are independent of the festival and are the distribution costs established by the platforms for those who distribute their work through them.
This other case is similar, “while participation in the Festival is free” but…”said platform will apply a variable charge to the user…”
So, let’s see if we can clarify this, do I have to pay or not? Is there a fee to participate in the festival? Is it a free festival?.
If we are clear and honest, the moment I am required to pay to participate in a festival, enter a concert, have a drink at a bar, enroll at the University (and a long etcetera) it ceases to be free, doesn’t it?
The fact that the destination of this “fee” goes to the platform and not to the festival does not mean there is no payment, that it is “free”. That is: the destination of a payment does not define whether a service or product is free.
If there is payment, it is not free.
So what do we do in these cases? I believe that if a festival considers itself free, it should offer a truly free submission option, and if not, it should simply remove from its regulations that it is free.
The proliferation of paid submission platforms, under the “reelport model”, both in Spain and in Europe, and the fact that many festivals resort exclusively to them, without offering any free option, has led to an important change: in a high percentage, the festival circuit in Spain has ceased to be free, we cannot forget that this free nature was one of the hallmarks of this circuit compared to the United States.
The main difference, and one that deserves deeper reflection on the part of festivals, is the destination of these fees and that they become aware that, if they do not offer a free submission option, the festival is paid.