In star wars (a new hope) it opens with "A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away" and they were fined because that's against the rules not to have any title/credit sequence.
Ahhh, one of the often repeated myths surrounding the "Star Wars"
films.
There is no rule that a film must have a title credit sequence. The
misunderstanding is from "The Empire Strikes Back"; the DGA
agreement states that the directors name will be "on a separate card
which shall be the last title card before the first scene of the picture".
On behalf of Irvin Kershner the DGA filed against LucasFilm because
his name appeared at the end of the film. The film was not changed,
the DGA agreement was. Today section 8-301 reads: "on a separate
card which shall be the last title card before the first scene of the
picture or the first title card following the last scene of the picture."
None of the unions or guilds has any wording about where a title
sequence is placed.
The original 70mm release of "Apocalypse Now" had no credits. Beginning
or end. "Manhattan" has no opening title. "Schizopolis" doesn't have
have an opening title. I think "Inside Llewyn Davis" doesn't. And there
are dozens of movies that show only the title and no credit sequence.
So I agree with our Founder; not having a title will not be disqualify
a movie from a festival. I believe it might be off putting to judges and
audiences. Not having a title at all is very unusual.