Contest Rules
The entrance fee is $25 per team until July 11th. $50 until two weeks prior to the contest date. $75 until the contest. Teams are given 54 hours (from the end of the Inception meeting till Drop-Off) to script, shoot, and edit their 4-7 minute short film. At the Inception meeting, teams will be given their genre and three elements: an action, prop, and line of dialogue. Failure to do
so will lead to disqualification from awards.
24 hours into the competition, teams will receive a call or email from the "executive producer" who will ask them to add in a 4th element. Failure to add in this element will only disqualify the short from receiving the "Curve Ball" award. Only one representative from each team (the Team Leader) needs to be at the Inception meeting, though more are welcome to come. All content for your film must be created during the 54 hours of competition. All content must be suitable for a PG-13 rating. No nudity, excessive vulgarity, or excessive gore. If you have a question about specific content, contact a 54 Film Fest representative about it. A 54 Film Fest representative will be at the Drop-Off two hours before competition end (10pm till Midnight). Late turn-ins will be accepted and screened, but will be disqualified for all awards. No talent or crew member may be paid. You can still buy them food! Format
Films should be turned in as digital files (it will be screened in the same resolution you turn it in as). h.264 preferred, but all files compatible with Compressor are accepted. Flash drives preferred, but DVDs and other storage devices are accepted. It is a good idea to turn in two copies--a primary and a back up--of your film. Teams can have +30 seconds of credits for a maximum length of 7:30. Production Materials
All release forms must be filled out completely and turned in at the Drop-Off with your film. The Team Leader Agreement must be turned in at the Inception Meeting. Only use original material, or material you have permission to use. If the copyright is in question, a 54 Film Fest representative will contact you regarding the issue. Use of copyright material without permission is grounds for disqualification from the screening and awards. Screening
The screening will be at a local theater; specifics can be found on the homepage of each city. Tickets will be available for $8 a piece or $15 for both screenings in cities that require it. Team leaders will receive one free ticket. Judging
The following individual categories will be judged by industry professionals:
Best Directing
Best Editing
Best Sound Track
Best Audio Mix
Best Production Design
Best Wardrobe
Best Make-Up
Best Special Effects
Best Visual Effects
Best Cinematography
Best Writing
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Child Actor
Best Child Actress
The following will be judged by 54 Film Fest:
Best Use of Action
Best Use of Prop
Best Use of Dialogue
The Curve Ball Award
All films will be screened in private before a diverse audience prior to the Screening. This audience will judge the Best Film based on entertainment value alone. Award Ceremony
The award ceremony will follow the Screening.
