Terms and conditions

Last updated: 8 November 2026

1. Who we are

40ms is an art project run by Giuseppe Cao, Via della Selva 23, 38123 Trento (TN), P.IVA 02738220223 ("we"). For any question write to [email protected].

2. What 40ms is

40ms is a ten-minute film made of 15,000 frames. Each frame lasts 40 milliseconds and is a photo taken by a different person. Frames are placed in order of the time they were taken, from midnight to midnight.

When you buy a frame you buy a place in the film: a minute of the day in which to take your photo, and the right to see it edited into the film, with your name in the end credits if you wish.

3. Who can take part

You must be at least 18 to buy. A minor can take part only through a parent or guardian, who buys, uploads the photo and accepts these terms on their behalf.

4. Prices and payment

Prices are shown in euros on the site at the time of purchase and include any applicable taxes. Single frames and packs are available, including as gifts.

Payment is handled by Stripe with Apple Pay, Google Pay or card. We never see or store your card details. After paying you receive an email confirmation with your order code, your timecode and the link to upload your photo.

The contract is concluded when you receive the order confirmation.

5. Your moment

When you buy you choose a minute of the day, for example 04:17. Each minute has 10 or 11 places. The photo must be taken by you during that minute, in your own time zone, on any day until the collection closes.

You have 30 days from purchase to upload your photo, and in any case no later than the closing date (30 September 2027). If you upload nothing in time, your frame stays in the film as a black frame and your name stays in the credits.

5a. Your second

Besides single frames, a limited number of whole seconds is on sale: 25 consecutive frames of the film, at the price shown on the site. You can buy 1 to 5 consecutive seconds in one purchase and at most 5 seconds in total per person (counted by email address). The whole film offers at most 60 whole seconds.

Each second covers about two and a half minutes of the day: the site shows the exact window in which to shoot. You can upload up to 25 photos per second, taken in a row in that window. If you upload fewer, we repeat them in order to fill the seconds. All other terms apply.

6. Gifts

You can buy one or more frames as a gift. After payment you receive by email one code per frame (in the form 40MS-G…), with your dedication. You can pass the code on however you like, or send it from the site to the recipient's email: in that case you confirm the person is at least 18 and is happy to receive the gift. Whoever receives the code chooses their own minute and uploads their own photo, under these same terms.

The recipient enters the code on 40ms.it, on the "Choose your moment" page. Each code is worth one frame and can be used once. Gift codes are valid until the collection closes. The right of withdrawal belongs to the buyer, as long as the code has not been used.

7. Photo rules

Every photo must follow the Photo rules. We look at every photo before it goes into the film.

If a photo breaks the rules we tell you why and you can upload another one within 7 days. If you don't, we refund you in full.

8. Rights to your photo

Your photo remains yours: you stay its author and can keep using it however you like.

By uploading it you grant us a free, non-exclusive, worldwide licence, for the full term of the rights, to:

• include it in the film 40ms and its versions (full, short, high-resolution, subtitled);
• screen, broadcast and publish it online as part of the film;
• use it to tell and promote the project (website, social media, press, exhibitions and catalogues about 40ms).

We will never sell your photo on its own, for example as a stock image, and we will not use it to advertise third parties.

By uploading you confirm that you took the photo, that you can grant these rights and that any recognisable person in it has agreed.

8a. Your frame's page

Every frame has a public page (for example 40ms.it/f/6317) that you can share. It shows the frame number, timecode and time of day. Your photo and the name you chose for the credits appear only after the photo is approved for the film. The name is optional.

9. Right of withdrawal

You can withdraw from your purchase within 14 days of the order confirmation, without giving a reason, from the Withdraw from the contract page or by writing to [email protected]. We refund the full amount within 14 days, using the same payment method. Your place becomes free again and any uploaded photo is deleted.

10. Where the money goes

Revenue, after payment fees, taxes and the cost of producing the film, funds new art projects and pays artists. We publish an account on the site with income, costs and the projects funded.

The price you pay is payment for taking part in the film: it is not a donation and gives no financial rights over the fund or the film.

11. If the film doesn't fill up

The collection closes on 30 September 2027, or earlier if all 15,000 frames are sold. The film is made anyway at closing, with the frames actually sold. If there are fewer than 15,000, the film is shorter.

12. Liability

We do our best to keep the site running, but there may be interruptions for maintenance or technical problems. We are not liable, beyond what the law provides, for how third parties use the film after it is published. Nothing in these terms limits your rights as a consumer.

13. Changes

We may update these terms. Changes do not apply to purchases already made, except those in your favour.

14. Governing law and disputes

Italian law applies. If you are a consumer, disputes go to the court where you live, and you keep the protection of the consumer law of your country of residence. But first, write to us: we'd rather sort it out together.

15. Contact

Giuseppe Cao · Via della Selva 23, 38123 Trento (TN) · [email protected]