LOCO wants filmmakers and audiences to feel safe and to be safe at our events. The following safeguarding policy is designed to help us achieve that. The most important thing we want you to know is that if something or someone makes you feel uncomfortable at one of our events, no matter how minor it seems, you can report it to us.

Harassment of event participants, panellists, staff or volunteers at LOCO events is unacceptable and anyone violating this policy at our events may be asked to leave. Harassment of other forum users will not be tolerated and anyone violating this policy may be expelled from the group/ forum at any time.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments or attitudes related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion; deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of the event, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. The team views neither ignorance nor intoxication as an excuse for unacceptable behaviour.

If anyone engages in harassing behaviour towards you, the LOCO team will take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender of expulsion from the event (with no refund). If you feel you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of our team immediately. The team will be more than happy to assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event.

LOCO also accepts that we are not above our own policies so please know all of the above applies to all members of our team, including festival volunteers, in equal measure. If there are ever any aspects of our events/ online interactions which you feel is offensive or makes you uncomfortable please inform us.

If you’d like to discuss our safe policies or have any concerns about feeling comfortable at our events or in our online spaces, please email anna@locofilmfestival.com. All communication related to this policy will be dealt with in confidence.

With thanks to Cinema For All for support in compiling this policy.

April 2023