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.
This video exists to give you further context about the contest, rules, prizes, screening party night and more.
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 CANNOT EXCEED 5 minutes.
Rule 2️⃣
You must creatively implement and or use the number 23 in your film.
Rule 3️⃣
You must implement and use a Voice Over in your film.
Rule 4️⃣
Your film must not exceed more than 23 edits/cuts. If your film contains more than 23 different edit or cut points your film will be disqualified.
Rule 5️⃣
NO Generative AI films are allowed. Any generative AI films will be immediately disqualified and not up for consideration to win the contest, any prizes, or awards.
X FACTOR BONUS ✅
If your short film is comprised of a single take (1 shot) you will receive 2 bonus points added onto the total score of your film.
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 the Top 25 (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 15 highest scoring films will become the “Top 15” films which will be screened & awarded at this years “Top 15 Screening Party in Los Angeles”
Each criteria (listed below) will be scored out of 10 points (10 being the highest score and 1 being the lowest). The top 3 films with the highest combined point total aggregated from all 5 judges score cards will win the 1st / 2nd / & 3rd place prizes.
The other auxiliary awards such as the best scare, best cinematography, best practical effects, Jakob’s Favorite and film funding etc. will be awarded based on the criteria below as well as decided by a unanimous decision from our collective judging panel.
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 THE RULES 📃
We want to see your creativity in how you implement the various rules and challenges of this year’s competition. The number 23, the VoiceOver, and the 23 cuts or less…or even 1 take bonus challenge.
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. The world that you’ve built.
Directing / Editing / Cinematography / Production Design / Acting / Sound Design / Color Grading / locations / Costumes & Wardrobe etc… = YOUR OVERAL PRODUCTION VALUE
FEATURE POTENTIAL 🎬
A short film in most instances can be a calling card to creating a feature film. 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! On a scale 1 to 10, how much do we want see a feature version of your short film.
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.
