Dark Passage Films - Privacy Policy

At Dark Passage Films, LLC ("Dark Passage Films," "we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website (the "Website"), submit films, interact with our services, or otherwise engage with us. By using the Website or our services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy is incorporated into and subject to our Terms of Use. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, please do not access or use the Website or our services.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time as described in Section 8 below. Please review it periodically.

## 1. Information We Collect

We collect information from you in two main ways: information you provide directly to us and information we collect automatically.

### Information You Provide Directly

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you interact with the Website or our services, including but not limited to:

- **Account and Subscription Information**: Your name, email address, and any other details you provide when creating an account, subscribing to our newsletter, or registering for events or updates.

- **Film Submission Information**: Details about you as a filmmaker (such as your name, contact information, and professional background), film details (including title, synopsis, genre, runtime, and production information), and screener links or other submission materials.

- **Payment Information**: Billing details, credit card information, or other payment data when you purchase products, services, merchandise, or make donations through the Website. Note that we use third-party payment processors and do not store your full payment card details on our servers.

- **Communications**: Any information you provide when you contact us via email, forms, or other channels, including inquiries, feedback, or support requests.

- **Other User-Provided Data**: Any additional information you choose to share, such as in surveys, contests, or promotions.

### Automatically Collected Information

When you visit the Website, we automatically collect certain information about your device, browsing actions, and patterns using cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies. This may include:

- **Log Data**: Your IP address, browser type and version, pages visited, time and date of your visit, time spent on those pages, and other diagnostic data.

- **Device Information**: Details about your computer, mobile device, or other hardware, including device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information.

- **Usage Data**: Information about how you use the Website, such as referring/exit pages, clickstream data, and interaction with features.

- **Cookies and Tracking Technologies**: Data from cookies (small text files stored on your device), pixel tags, or similar tools to track your preferences, remember login details, and analyze trends.

We may also collect information from third-party sources, such as social media platforms if you interact with us through those channels, or from partners in connection with film submissions or promotions.

We do not collect sensitive personal information (such as racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious beliefs, or health data) unless it is voluntarily provided by you in the context of a film submission or other relevant interaction, and only with your explicit consent where required by law.

## 2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes to operate our business and provide you with the best possible experience. These include:

- **Providing and Maintaining Services**: To operate the Website, process film submissions, manage accounts, and deliver the content and features you request.

- **Processing Submissions and Communications**: To review and evaluate film submissions, communicate with filmmakers about opportunities, feedback, or decisions, and facilitate collaborations.

- **Marketing and Newsletters**: To send you newsletters, updates, promotional materials, event invitations, or other information about Dark Passage Films, our films, or industry news (only with your consent, and you may opt out at any time).

- **Customer Support**: To respond to your inquiries, provide assistance, and resolve any issues you may encounter.

- **Analytics and Improvement**: To analyze usage patterns, measure the effectiveness of our services, and improve the Website's functionality, content, and user experience.

- **Security and Fraud Prevention**: To detect, prevent, and address technical issues, security breaches, fraudulent activity, or other misuse of the Website.

- **Legal and Compliance**: To comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms of Use, and protect our rights, privacy, safety, or property, as well as that of our users or others.

- **Research and Development**: To conduct internal research for technological development and demonstration purposes.

We may combine information we collect from you with information from other sources to enhance our services. We process your information based on legitimate interests, contractual necessity, consent, or legal requirements, as applicable.

## 3. Information Sharing

We value your privacy and do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes. We may share your information only in limited circumstances:

- **With Your Consent**: When you explicitly agree, such as sharing film submission details with festival partners or collaborators.

- **Service Providers**: With third-party vendors, consultants, or agents who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processors, email service providers, hosting services, or analytics tools. These providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes we specify and to maintain its confidentiality.

- **Legal Obligations**: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, legal processes, or enforceable governmental requests, such as subpoenas or court orders.

- **Protection of Rights**: To protect the rights, property, or safety of Dark Passage Films, our employees, users, or the public, including in cases of suspected fraud, illegal activities, or emergencies.

- **Business Transfers**: In connection with a merger, acquisition, reorganization, bankruptcy, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, where your information may be transferred to the new owner.

- **Aggregated or Anonymized Data**: We may share non-personal, aggregated, or anonymized data (which cannot identify you) with third parties for research, marketing, or other purposes.

We require all third parties to respect the security of your personal information and to treat it in accordance with the law.

## 4. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on the Website. These tools help us remember your preferences, understand how you interact with the site, and deliver personalized content.

- **Essential Cookies**: Necessary for the Website to function properly, such as maintaining sessions or enabling core features.

- **Performance Cookies**: Collect anonymous data on how visitors use the Website to improve its performance.

- **Functionality Cookies**: Remember your choices (e.g., language preferences) to provide a more personalized experience.

- **Advertising Cookies**: Used by us or third parties to deliver relevant ads based on your interests.

You can manage cookies through your browser settings or by using tools like the "Do Not Track" feature. However, disabling cookies may affect the availability and functionality of certain parts of the Website. For more information, please refer to our Cookie Policy (if available) or contact us.

## 5. Data Security

We employ reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encryption, firewalls, access controls, and secure servers.

Despite these efforts, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, and you transmit information to us at your own risk. In the event of a data breach, we will notify affected individuals and authorities as required by law.

## 6. Your Rights

Depending on your location and applicable laws (such as GDPR for EU residents or CCPA for California residents), you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

- **Access**: Request details about the information we hold about you.

- **Correction**: Update or correct inaccurate or incomplete data.

- **Deletion**: Request the removal of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations).

- **Opt-Out**: Unsubscribe from marketing communications or object to certain processing activities.

- **Portability**: Receive a copy of your data in a structured, machine-readable format.

- **Restriction**: Limit how we process your information in certain circumstances.

- **Complaint**: Lodge a complaint with a relevant supervisory authority.

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information in Section 9. We may require verification of your identity before processing your request. We will respond within the timeframes required by law.

## 7. Children's Privacy

Our Website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13 (or 16 in certain jurisdictions). We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected such information without verifiable parental consent, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

## 8. Changes to This Policy

We may revise this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated policy on the Website and updating the "Last Updated" date at the top. For significant changes, we may also provide additional notice, such as via email.

Your continued use of the Website or our services after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this page regularly.

## 9. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy, your personal information, or our privacy practices, please reach out to us:

- Via our Contact page on the Website.

- By email at [privacy@darkpassagefilms.com] (or other contact information provided on the Website).

We will make every effort to address your inquiry promptly.

Last Updated: January 11, 2026