CriticBridge Terms & Conditions

Last updated: March 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account on CriticBridge, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions. CriticBridge is a professional platform connecting filmmakers with verified Rotten Tomatoes-approved critics. Filmmakers pay CriticBridge for the service of sourcing and managing the critic network; critics are independent contractors compensated for their time and labor, not for opinions or ratings. Both filmmakers and critics must accept these terms to use the platform.

2. Filmmaker Obligations

Filmmakers agree to: (a) provide accurate information about their film submissions, including runtime, genre, and screener access details; (b) pay the agreed-upon review fees and platform listing fees; (c) respect editorial independence — payment does not guarantee positive reviews; (d) not attempt to influence, coerce, or retaliate against critics based on review content; (e) provide working screener links and any necessary passwords for critic access.

3. Critic Obligations

Critics agree to: (a) maintain Rotten Tomatoes-approved status and provide truthful credentials; (b) deliver honest, independent reviews within the agreed deadline; (c) not accept assignments they cannot complete on time; (d) comply with the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) provisions outlined in Section 5; (e) not use the platform to solicit filmmakers outside of CriticBridge.

4. Platform Fees & Payments

CriticBridge charges a 15% platform fee on all review payments, deducted from critic payouts. Filmmakers pay a listing fee ($10 for films under 45 minutes, $15 for longer films) and select one of three critic tiers: Reach ($35/review), Press ($65/review), or Prestige ($85/review plus a $10/review publicist coordination fee). Deadlines within 2 weeks incur an automatic rush fee of $10 per review. Each critic is capped at three concurrently active assignments at any time. All fees are non-refundable once a critic has claimed an assignment.

5. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) — Critics

By accepting these terms, all critics enter into a binding Non-Disclosure Agreement with CriticBridge and each filmmaker whose assignments they claim. This NDA covers screener confidentiality, content protection, press material handling, and carries penalties including permanent removal, forfeiture of earnings, and potential legal action for violations. The NDA remains in effect indefinitely for each assignment claimed.

6. Editorial Independence

CriticBridge is committed to maintaining editorial independence. Payment for a review does not guarantee a positive review. Filmmakers may not request specific ratings, scores, or favorable language. Critics who feel pressured to alter their honest opinion should report the filmmaker to CriticBridge administration.

7. Account Termination

CriticBridge reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban any user who violates these Terms & Conditions. Grounds for termination include NDA breaches, fraudulent activity, harassment of other users, providing false credentials, or any activity that undermines the integrity of the platform.

8. Limitation of Liability

CriticBridge acts as a platform facilitator and is not responsible for the content of reviews, the quality of films submitted, or disputes between filmmakers and critics. CriticBridge's liability is limited to the platform fees collected. Users agree to resolve disputes directly or through CriticBridge's dispute resolution process.

9. Changes to Terms

CriticBridge may update these Terms & Conditions at any time. Users will be notified of significant changes via email. Continued use of the platform after notification constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.