Terms of Use

Effective Date: May 1, 2026

These Terms of Use, including any policies and documents expressly incorporated herein by reference (collectively, "Terms"), set forth a binding agreement between you and First Frame Foundation, a Virginia nonprofit corporation ("First Frame Foundation," "we," or "us"). These Terms govern your access to and use of any First Frame Foundation website that links to these Terms, including the website located at https://firstframefoundation.org (collectively, the "Site"), and any content or functionality offered on or through the Site. Please read these Terms carefully before accessing or using the Site.

1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the Site, or by clicking to accept these Terms when that option is made available to you, you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, YOU MUST NOT ACCESS OR USE THE SITE. Your use of certain Foundation programs, applications, or services may require acceptance of additional terms specific to those programs. Where such additional terms are provided, they also apply and control in the event of any conflict with these Terms.

2. Changes to Terms
First Frame Foundation reserves the right to change, modify, update, or supplement these Terms at any time. Changes are effective immediately upon posting to the Site. Your continued use of the Site after any change is posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

3. Privacy Policy
When you access the Site, you provide us with different types of information. Please review our Privacy Policy, available at https://firstframefoundation.org/privacy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect information through the Site, as well as your rights and choices regarding that information. The Privacy Policy is incorporated into and made a part of these Terms by this reference.

4. Accessibility
First Frame Foundation is committed to making its website accessible to all visitors, including individuals with disabilities. We strive to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA and to maintain a site that is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for users of assistive technologies. If you experience difficulty accessing any content or functionality on the Site, or if you require content in an alternative format, please contact us at the address in Section 19. We will make reasonable efforts to provide the information or assistance you need. Requests for accommodations are welcomed and will be addressed promptly. This accessibility commitment extends to all Foundation programs, services, and activities. First Frame Foundation does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability in its programs, services, or online communications.

5. Nondiscrimination
First Frame Foundation conducts all of its programs, services, and activities without discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. This commitment applies to program selection, mentorship matching, grant awards, festival participation, hiring, vendor selection, and all other Foundation activities. Individuals who believe they have been subjected to discrimination in connection with a Foundation program or this Site may contact us at the address in Section 19.

6. Eligibility to Use the Site
The Site is available to users of all ages for general browsing and informational purposes. To submit program applications, register for Foundation activities, or make a charitable contribution through the Site, you must be at least the age of majority in your state of residence and fully able to enter into a binding legal agreement. Users under 18 years of age may engage in transactional activities on the Site only with verifiable parental or guardian consent. By accessing the Site for transactional purposes, you represent that you satisfy these requirements or have obtained the required consent.

7. Your Use of the Site
First Frame Foundation grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-transferable, and fully revocable license to access and use the Site for personal, non-commercial purposes, subject to your compliance with these Terms and all applicable laws. In connection with your use of the Site, you agree:

  • To comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and not to use the Site for any unlawful or prohibited purpose;

  • Not to obtain or attempt to obtain any content through means not intentionally made available to you through the Site;

  • Not to upload, post, email, or transmit any material that is derogatory, defamatory, harassing, threatening, obscene, or offensive;

  • Not to display, distribute, reproduce, or commercially exploit any portion of the Site without our prior written consent;

  • Not to circumvent, disable, or otherwise interfere with any security features of the Site or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any content; and

  • Not to use the Site in any manner that could damage, disable, overburden, or impair it, or interfere with any other user's use or enjoyment of the Site.

8. Foundation Content
All text, graphics, interfaces, content, photographs, videos, documents, trademarks, logos, artwork, and computer code (collectively, "Foundation Content"), including the design, expression, and arrangement thereof, contained on or made available through the Site is owned, controlled, or licensed by First Frame Foundation and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. Except as expressly provided in these Terms, no Foundation Content may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, publicly displayed, encoded, translated, transmitted, or distributed in any form or by any means without First Frame Foundation's prior written consent.

9. User Content
9.1 Your Responsibility - Certain portions of the Site may allow you to submit, transmit, or post content including text, images, videos, testimonials, and other materials ("User Content"). You are solely responsible for all User Content you upload or otherwise transmit via the Site, and you represent and warrant that you have all rights necessary to do so and that your User Content complies with these Terms.

9.2 Participant Intellectual Property - First Frame Foundation does not claim ownership of any creative work, screenplay, short film, portfolio material, or other intellectual property developed by participants through or in connection with Foundation programs. No participant, mentee, or grantee is required to assign intellectual property rights, revenue participation, or any ownership interest as a condition of acceptance into or participation in any Foundation program, grant, or service. This provision governs creative works submitted in connection with program participation and supersedes any conflicting interpretation of the general license in Section 9.3 as applied to such works.

9.3 Site Administration License - By submitting User Content on the Site, including profile information, testimonials, and general site communications (but not creative works governed by Section 9.2), you grant First Frame Foundation a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute such User Content solely for the purpose of operating the Site and advancing the Foundation's charitable mission. This license does not extend to the sale or commercial exploitation of your User Content independent of the Foundation's charitable activities.

9.4 Monitoring and Removal - First Frame Foundation reserves the right to monitor, moderate, and remove User Content that violates these Terms or that we determine, in our reasonable discretion, is inconsistent with the Foundation's mission and values. We are not responsible for User Content submitted by third parties and make no representations regarding its accuracy, integrity, or quality.

10. Program Applications and Submissions
First Frame Foundation actively welcomes applications for mentorship, micro-grants, Academy participation, and film festival submissions as part of its charitable mission to support emerging filmmakers. Program-specific submission guidelines and eligibility requirements are described on the relevant program pages of the Site. Submission of an application does not create any obligation on the part of the Foundation to select, fund, or otherwise act upon that submission. All selection and grant decisions are made at the sole discretion of the Foundation consistent with its mission, applicable program guidelines, and its nondiscrimination commitment in Section 5. Creative materials submitted as part of a program application remain the intellectual property of their creator as described in Section 9.2. Unsolicited suggestions or ideas submitted outside of a formal program process are treated as non-confidential. The Foundation is under no obligation to respond to, compensate for, or maintain the confidentiality of any such unsolicited operational suggestions.

11. Charitable Donations
The Site may offer functionality to make charitable contributions to First Frame Foundation. All donations are subject to the Foundation's Donation Policy, available at https://firstframefoundation.org/donations, which is incorporated into these Terms by this reference. First Frame Foundation has applied for recognition as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN: 42-1959463) and that application is currently pending with the IRS. No goods or services are provided in exchange for charitable contributions unless expressly stated.

12. Proprietary Rights
You acknowledge that First Frame Foundation or its licensors own all right, title, and interest in and to the Site and Foundation Content, including all intellectual property rights. You agree not to reverse engineer, decompile, modify, sell, distribute, or create derivative works from any portion of the Site. You agree not to remove or alter any proprietary rights notices on or within the Site. The trademarks, service marks, and logos displayed on the Site may not be used without First Frame Foundation's prior written approval.

13. Third-Party Links
The Site may contain links to independent third-party websites provided for convenience. First Frame Foundation does not endorse and is not responsible for any materials, content, products, or services available from such third-party sites. If the Site provides links to social media platforms and you access those platforms through our links, information you post on those platforms may be publicly visible. We are not responsible for any third-party use of information you post on such platforms.

14. Copyright Infringement (DMCA)
First Frame Foundation respects intellectual property rights and expects users to do the same. If you believe that content accessible on the Site infringes your copyright, you may submit a written notice under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. Section 512) that includes all of the following:

  • A physical or electronic signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the allegedly infringed exclusive right;

  • Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to be infringed;

  • Identification of the material claimed to be infringing, with information reasonably sufficient to permit us to locate it on the Site;

  • Contact information sufficient to permit us to reach you, including address, telephone number, and email address;

  • A statement that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and

  • A statement, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.

DMCA notices must be submitted to:

First Frame Foundation
8401 Mayland Drive, Suite 7673
Richmond, Virginia 23294
Phone: (703) 936-7888
Email: give@firstframefoundation.org

15. Electronic Communications
By using the Site, you consent to receive communications from us electronically, including by email and by notices posted on the Site. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

16. Disclaimer of Warranties
YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE SITE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE SITE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. FIRST FRAME FOUNDATION EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. FIRST FRAME FOUNDATION DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS OR WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE. YOUR SOLE REMEDY FOR DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SITE OR ANY CONTENT AVAILABLE THROUGH IT IS TO STOP USING THE SITE.

17. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FIRST FRAME FOUNDATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO: (I) YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE; (II) ANY ACTION YOU TAKE BASED ON CONTENT AVAILABLE ON OR THROUGH THE SITE; (III) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR DATA; OR (IV) THE CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SITE. IN NO EVENT SHALL FIRST FRAME FOUNDATION'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU EXCEED ONE HUNDRED UNITED STATES DOLLARS ($100.00). THESE LIMITATIONS APPLY REGARDLESS OF THE FORM OF ACTION AND EVEN IF FIRST FRAME FOUNDATION HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

18. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless First Frame Foundation and its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and assigns from and against any and all claims, demands, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to: (i) your violation of these Terms; (ii) your use of the Site; (iii) your violation of any third party's rights; or (iv) your User Content.

19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and your use of the Site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any claim or dispute arising under these Terms or relating to the Site shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts of competent jurisdiction located in Henrico County, Virginia, and you expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

20. Miscellaneous
These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and First Frame Foundation with respect to your use of the Site and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements on that subject. If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of our right to do so in the future. First Frame Foundation may assign its rights and obligations under these Terms. You may not assign any of your rights or obligations under these Terms, and any purported assignment is void. Any provision that by its nature should survive termination of these Terms shall so survive.

21. Contact
For questions or comments regarding these Terms, accessibility accommodations, or the Site, please contact:

First Frame Foundation
8401 Mayland Drive, Suite 7673
Richmond, Virginia 23294
Phone: (703) 936-7888
Email: give@firstframefoundation.org
Website: https://firstframefoundation.org