Contest Rules 📝
Contest explainer video 📼
Every year I create a set of rules that every film must follow in order to be eligible to place in the short film contest…and while this year I’ve stripped away many of the rules to free you up to make the movie you want to make there are some important messages and details you cannot miss.
This video exists to give you further context about the contest, rules, prizes, screening night and more.
So please watch and also reference this website for all important contest information to make sure you don’t miss an important detail!
Rule 1️⃣
Your short film must be 5 minutes or less in total run time (including credits). Your film can be shorter than 5 minutes, but CAN NOT EXCEED 5 minutes.
Rule 2️⃣
You must creatively implement a VHS tape in your film . This is here to keep things fair, and to prevent some people from ripping and uploading and older fi
Judging criteria 🗒️
The way the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place films will be awarded is via a point system based on the judging criteria below.
1st and foremost I will personally watch & narrow down all of the short film submissions into my Top 25 favorites (with consideration of all judging criteria), from there those top 25 films will be scored by a panel 5 judges based on the criteria listed below…the top 10 highest scoring films will become the “Top 10” films which will screened & awarded at this years “Top 10 Screening Party”
Each criteria (listed below) will be scored out of 10 points (10 being the highest score). The top 3 films with the highest combined point total aggregated from all 5 judges scores will win the 1st / 2nd / & 3rd place prizes.
Story 📚
We want to see original short films that explore new ideas. A higher point total will be awarded for films that have a uniquely compelling & creative story.
scare / Creep factor 🫣
This is a horror film contest after all. We want to be scared! If your film scares us or creeps us out, you will score a higher point total.
Creative use of VHS Tape 📼
We want to see your creativity in how you implement a VHS TAPE into your film. If vas tape is just a throw a way element in the film, you will score lower. We want to see you creatively implement this prop in your film.
For further explanation / examples / context, please watch the explainer video at the top of this page.
Production Value 🎬
We don't care what camera you shoot on, this criteria is based on how cohesive and polished your film feels.
Directing / Editing / Cinematography / Production Design / Acting / Sound Design / Color Grading etc… = YOUR OVERAL PRODUCTION VALUE
FEATURE POTENTIAL 🎬
As filmmakers, creating a short film in some instances can be a calling card to creating a “feature film” version of your shot. This has happened to some of today’s biggest directors… a short film they made landed them the opportunity to turn that short into a feature. So in the spirit of this, we want to see you create a short film that has us wanting to see more! So as you set out to make your film this year, try to create something that has us wanting to see a feature version of it!
Thank You 🙏
Lastly, I just want to give a major shoutout to this year's sponsors. They all play an important role in my workflow as a filmmaker, creative, and business owner...so I can't thank them enough for being a part of this contest and providing you all with the opportunity to walk away with some really cool and amazing prizes.
