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'Phone it in' film challenge 2021BASICS
Screenings: All submissions will be screened in a once-per-week Zoom event starting in March. The screenings will be split up by genre. Awards: $500 Grand Jury prize; $250 for First Runner Up; $100 for Audience Favorite; $50 each for Best Actor/Actress; Other recognition provided as the jury sees fit (best cinematography, best sound, best writing, etc).
Sponsored by the Virginia Film Office
RULES + TERMS1. Original Work. All submissions should be the original work of the filmmakers and have all the necessary rights and clearances to the story being told. All footage and content must have been created during the competition except for music and sound effects, which may be licensed. No stock or previously-shot footage allowed. 2. Format.a. Short films must be submitted electronically with a Google Drive/Dropbox link to be downloaded. 3. Distribution. We encourage filmmakers to consider submitting their final project to non-VPA contests, however it is forbidden to screen the eligible work prior to the scheduled awards ceremony. 4. Geography.The project must be filmed in Virginia during the allotted time period. The location(s) will be processed during the final submission application. 5. Age of filmmaker.Filmmakers of all ages are permitted to submit. However, filmmakers under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present during the filming and screening. 6. Length of film. To allow for the most films to be programmed, we ask that submission runs no shorter than 5 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes, including credits. 7. Registration.Registration is free for VPA members, thus one of the team’s filmmakers (producer, director, writer, etc.) must be a current Virginia Production Alliance member to register the team. Membership will be verified upon registration. Register your team HERE. 8. Categories.When submitting a film, you will be asked to identify the genre, or category that best represents the project: a. Action/Adventure. Films with high-energy sequences, such as fights, combat, chases, rescues, and so on.9. Content. While films will not be judged on message or content, films containing excessively violent content, depictions of rape or incest, or material that is deemed pornographic by the jury, will not be accepted into the competition. 10. Completed films. The competition will accept incomplete films, however note that the judges’ score will reflect what is submitted by the deadline. It is at the discretion of the jury to screen incomplete submissions. 11. Enter as many films as you wish, however realize that quantity does not equal quality. We’re giving you an entire month to submit the best short possible. 12. Language. Films can be in any language however English subtitles are required. 13. Copyrighted material. It is the responsibility of the filmmaker to secure authorization for any copyrighted material, logos, music, and so on. Filmmaker should be prepared to submit receipts, permissions, releases, or clearances. Submissions without these elements may be disqualified. 14. Screening. Accepted films will be grouped by genre as best as possible, taking into account the puzzle-piecing of various runtimes. Considerations will be made for production value, including sound, lighting and camera work that does not induce nausea or seizures. VPA members will receive free online admission to the screenings. Non-VPA members will pay a small fee ($5) for access to each weekly event. 15. Slate. Your film must have the following phrase either at the beginning or end of the credits: “Proudly made during the Virginia Production Alliance Filmmaking Competition, February 2021” with the VPA logo. 16. Disqualification. Any film submission that violates the terms of this agreement may be disqualified without refund. | THINK YOU'RE FINISHED?When you're ready to submit, a Google Form will ask for the following: 1. A link to download your film, and the password, if necessary. We will not accept physical submissions. 2. Name(s) of the filmmaker(s). The VPA member(s) must submit on behalf of the team to verify membership to the competition. 3. Film title and length. Films can be no shorter than 5 minutes and no longer than 10 minutes, including credits.4. The genre and logline of the film. Each submission must have one of the genres listed above (Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Horror/Suspense, etc.) As far as loglines, here’s a definition from Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat: “A logline is a one or two-sentence description of your movie that tells us what it is. It must contain a type of hero [the type of person plus an adjective describing them], an antagonist [same], and the hero’s primal goal.” 5. Dates and filming locations. Tell us where you shot the film and when. 6. A Behind-the-Scenes photo of your mobile device being used as a camera to verify the first shoot date. By registering your team, you give permission to the VPA full rights for use on its website, social media and other mediums. |