Terms & Conditions

These general terms and conditions (hereinafter "GTC") govern the contractual relationship between the user, as a visitor to the event (potentially represented by a parent or legal guardian), and the organisation of the Merge Film Festival (hereinafter referred to as the "Festival"). The GTC constitute an essential and binding part of the contract between the parties.

1. General Provisions and Scope of Application

The GTC apply to all services offered, provided or co-organised by the Festival (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Services").

We invite every visitor to carefully read the GTC before accessing, using or consulting the services, in particular in the following cases:

• when consulting the Festival's official website;
• when requesting or purchasing an accreditation or ticket, accepting an invitation to use the Services, or submitting a film to the Festival;
• when submitting a job application to the Festival;
• when using digital platforms or tools made available by Festival staff that are linked to the Services governed by these GTC;
• when transmitting information to the Festival by email, phone, post or in person, by visiting the event venues or interacting with staff;
• when attending events, conferences, workshops, masterclasses, screenings or other initiatives organised as part of the Festival (individually referred to as "event" and collectively as "events");
• when participating in competitions promoted through the website;
• when purchasing tickets or products through the Festival's official sales channels, both online and in person.

Where specific services are governed by particular or additional terms, these shall apply together with the present GTC.

The visitor's attention is also drawn to the policy regarding the processing of personal data, available in the Festival's Privacy Policy section.

2. Festival Events and Services, Venues, Website and Their Use

2.1. Use of Services and Conduct

The use of Festival services entails the obligation for visitors to comply with the rules of conduct and to follow the instructions provided by the organisational staff and security personnel. Participation in events is at the visitor's own risk; the Festival accepts no liability for any damages arising from access to events or use of the services provided.

The Festival also reserves the right to restrict or revoke access to services where this is deemed necessary to ensure the orderly running of events, the safety of those present and compliance with public order, including matters relating to health and safety. In such circumstances, the visitor shall have no claim for compensation for any direct or indirect consequences arising from the Festival's decision.

2.2. Short Films and Videos

During the screening of short films, recording is not permitted, whether in a professional and/or commercial capacity, or by means of photographs or audio recordings, without the explicit written authorisation of the Festival.

2.3. Security

Security personnel, contracted by the Festival, have the right to check the contents of visitors' bags at the entrance to every event.

Visitors may not bring photographic or filming equipment, audio recording equipment or other recording devices, glass cups, narcotics, fireworks, objects considered dangerous to public safety (including, without limitation, knives or other bladed weapons, firearms, tear gas), or any other items that, in the opinion of security staff or Festival employees, are considered dangerous or contrary to the Festival's wishes. Items may be confiscated before the event and retained until its conclusion, after which they will be returned.

It is strictly forbidden to endanger one's own health or safety or that of others. Climbing lighting rigs, fences, roofs or any other equipment or structures at the event venues is prohibited.

Visitors may not bring their own food or drinks to Festival screenings or other events, except for those taking place in the piazza (Cerchio 91), where visitors are permitted to bring plastic bottles, food and beverages.

In the spirit of environmental sustainability, visitors must dispose of waste in the appropriate containers.

2.4. Theft

The Festival accepts no liability for the loss of visitors' personal belongings. Items found at the Festival venues will be deposited at the information centre.

2.5. Access to Events

Access to events may be denied or visitors may be asked to leave if, by way of example and without limitation, they:

• fail to comply with reasonable health, safety and public order instructions provided by staff or security personnel;
• engage in harassing, aggressive or dangerous behaviour towards other participants or staff;
• cause damage to Festival structures, equipment or spaces;
• introduce prohibited items or substances;
• misuse accreditations, tickets or passes, including transferring them to third parties in breach of the established conditions;
• obstruct the orderly running of screenings or scheduled activities.

In the cases indicated above, any access tickets will not entitle the holder to a replacement or refund, unless otherwise required by law.

The Festival's right to exercise any further legal or contractual remedies remains unaffected, including the right to seek compensation for any damages arising from violations of these provisions.

3. Tickets

3.1. Introduction

The Festival manages ticket sales to visitors under the commercial name "Merge Film Festival". These provisions apply to all services offered by the Festival at the Festival box office, both online and on-site.

3.2. General Clauses

The information provided on the website does not constitute an offer within the meaning of the Swiss Code of Obligations, but merely an invitation to the purchaser to submit an order (invitatio ad offerendum).

The purchaser submits their completed order to the Festival through the website, providing all the necessary information requested. There is no limit to the number of tickets that a single purchaser may buy.

The website of Cinema Lux in Massagno may be regarded throughout the Festival as a spokesperson for the Merge Film Festival. Purchases of tickets and/or subscriptions from that site are therefore to be considered as an extension of the Festival website and shall be deemed valid.

3.3. Order Acceptance, Electronic Delivery and Printing

The Festival accepts the order placed by the purchaser by sending them, upon completion of the order submission process, the electronic ticket in PDF format to the email address provided by the purchaser. The ticket may subsequently be printed (once only per ticket) or saved to the visitor's device directly from the website once the transaction has been completed.

The printed electronic ticket, where applicable, must be kept carefully until the date of the Event and must not appear damaged at the time of use, particularly in the QR code area, in any way that could prevent it from being checked at the entrance to the Event. If the electronic ticket has been damaged in this way, the holder shall have no right to admission to the Event and/or to a refund of the amount paid by the purchaser.

In the event of loss or damage to an electronic ticket, the purchaser may reprint the same electronic ticket. However, they must pay close attention to the provisions set out below. In such cases, the damaged electronic ticket must be destroyed immediately. If, at the time of the loss or damage, the purchaser has deleted and/or is no longer in possession of the PDF file, they must promptly notify the Festival of the loss or damage. The Festival will send the purchaser a new PDF file and will retain the right to cancel the lost or damaged ticket, but is not obliged to do so. The purchaser must be aware that the cancellation of an electronic ticket is not always technically possible.

Any form of duplication, copying, alteration or counterfeiting of the electronic ticket, or the electronic distribution of the PDF file, is strictly prohibited.

3.4. Incorrect Email Address

In the event of discrepancies between the ticket(s) ordered and the ticket(s) displayed or delivered electronically at the end of the transaction, the purchaser must promptly contact the Festival before 7pm on the evening prior to the Festival. The reference number is: +41 (0)77 993 04 97.

Failure to notify the Festival of such issues will be considered proof that the purchaser has accepted the ticket(s) and a refund will therefore not be possible.

3.5. Payment

Payment is made by charging the amount due to the credit/debit card indicated during the order submission process for online orders, or at the Festival box office in the case of orders placed on-site.

3.6. Returns, Transferability and Ticket Resale

Tickets cannot be refunded, returned or exchanged after payment and the sales contract cannot be cancelled, except in the event of an event cancellation. Entry to cinema venues will not be permitted after the screening has begun.

It is prohibited, without the prior written consent of the Festival, to directly or indirectly resell Festival tickets to third parties. Visitors are not permitted to buy or sell tickets at any location other than the Festival's official sales channels.

In the event that an event is postponed or permanently cancelled, tickets will remain valid and may be used on subsequent days or for other events of the same category, but cannot be returned or refunded.

3.7. Cancellation of a Screening

Refunds for electronic tickets in the event of an Event cancellation will take place automatically in favour of the purchaser by crediting the credit card used during the order submission process with the amount originally paid. The right to a refund is exclusive to the purchaser named on the electronic ticket and is non-transferable. The Festival programme may be subject to changes for technical or organisational reasons, without entitlement to a refund.

3.8. Refusal to Admit the Holder of a Ticket to an Event

The Festival has the right to refuse admission to an event if multiple prints, duplicates or copies, or imitations of an electronic ticket are in circulation, and to all persons in possession of a duplicate, copy or imitation of an electronic ticket. The holder of an electronic ticket who has been refused admission for the aforementioned reason shall have no right to any refund.

Access to exclusive areas is guaranteed only when in possession of a valid entry ticket or written confirmation from the Festival. One of these must be presented at the entrance in printed form or on a digital device.

3.9. Data Protection

To facilitate purchases on the website without inconvenience, the Festival requests basic information such as the purchaser's name, address, phone number and email address, as well as the purchaser's credit card details and certain information relating to orders and deliveries. The Festival may communicate personal data to its affiliates or to trusted companies or individuals to process it on its behalf, in accordance with the instructions given by the Festival and in compliance with the Festival's data protection and privacy policy.

4. Festival Products

All products purchased from the Festival, online or in person, may be returned by the customer within 30 days. The date of the postmark or the date on which the item is returned in person will be considered as the return date.

To be eligible for return, the item must not have been used or worn and must be in its original packaging. The following items will not be accepted for return:

• damaged products;
• products not in their original packaging;
• products missing some of their accessories;
• gift vouchers;
• perishable products such as food or beverages.

The product must be sent by post, together with proof of purchase, to: PoPaCi Pictures SNC, Strada dra Caveta 14, 6967 Dino. The postal costs for returning the product are the customer's responsibility.

Upon receipt and inspection of the return, the Festival will inform the customer as to whether their return request has been accepted or rejected. If the request is approved, the amount paid will be refunded and a credit will be automatically applied to the original payment method used.

5. Cancellation of the Festival, Its Services or an Event due to Force Majeure

Cancellation of the Festival for legal, cantonal, federal or international decree or regulatory reasons shall result in automatic cancellation of any contractual restrictions with visitors, without further consequences for the Festival.

The Festival may also be cancelled for urgent reasons, or to safeguard overriding public or private interests. In doing so, it will automatically withdraw from the contractual relationship with its visitors, without further consequences for the Festival.

In such circumstances, the Festival undertakes to promptly inform visitors whose obligations remain fully in force, to the extent that their rights are not materially affected. Tickets or subscriptions already sold will be refunded in accordance with the provisions of these GTC.

6. Website

6.1. Website Functionality

The Festival takes all reasonable care to ensure that the information provided on the website is complete, accurate and up to date. However, the Festival cannot be held responsible for the completeness, accuracy and currency of the information on the website or for errors in data transmission, and disclaims any liability for damages or complications arising therefrom, to the extent that such damages or complications are not intentionally caused or do not arise from gross negligence on the part of the Festival.

The visitor also authorises the Festival to use images and footage taken during the Festival for promotional purposes, without entitlement to compensation.

6.2. Protection of Copyright relating to the Website and its Content

All website content is protected by copyright and, unless specifically stated otherwise, belongs exclusively and entirely to the Festival. The website may contain references to third-party protection rights and use by third parties that must likewise be respected.

Reproduction, in whole or in part, dissemination, transmission by electronic or other means, alteration, linking or use for public or commercial purposes of the Festival's website without the prior written authorisation of the Festival is prohibited.

All content in electronic format and/or on the website in the form of texts, graphics, logos, icon buttons, images, audio files, digital downloads, data archives and software is the property of the Festival and is protected by copyright law. Any unauthorised or unlawful use may be prosecuted.

7. Civil and Criminal Liability

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Festival disclaims any liability, including for negligence, material damage, injury or other damage to property of visitors or ticket holders resulting from the organisation of an event or the provision of services. In particular, the Festival shall not be held responsible or liable in any way for damages caused by the cancellation or poor organisation of an event or the unsatisfactory provision of services.

The right to exercise further legal remedies and to seek compensation for breach of the GTC remains unaffected.

8. Food and Beverages

The Festival is not responsible for allergies or reactions to food products or beverages.

9. Exercise of Rights, Waiver Clause, Applicable Law and Jurisdiction

The fact that the Festival may not exercise one of the rights or enforce one of the provisions set out in these GTC shall not be construed as a waiver of the right to exercise those rights. If any provision of the GTC should be found invalid or unenforceable by a court, the remaining provisions shall continue to be effective.

Legal obligations not specified in these GTC are governed by and shall be interpreted in accordance with Swiss law. The ordinary courts of Lugano have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising from or in connection with these GTC.

10. Amendments and Updates to the GTC

The Festival has the right to correct or amend the GTC at any time. Amendments to these GTC will be published on the website.

Last updated: 22/03/2026