-Entry Fee: $11 for first entry and $6 for each additional entry per individual (see discount code). U.S. dollars only.
-No fee waivers are available.
-There is a limit of six entries per school (three per each category), and all six could come from the same individual.
-Entries are limited to 20-minute maximum running time.
-Students must be currently registered in a public or independent high school and in grades 9-12.
-Entries submitted must be pre-screened and endorsed as the school's official entries by a teacher at the school—preferably a film teacher. All of the school's entries (up to six) must be screened by the same teacher.
-Films not in English language should have English subtitles.
-Films must be the work of the student or student group–no major contributions from teachers, parents, professionals, or others.
-Entries must be received by January 1, 2017. No late entries will be accepted.
-Winners will be notified and posted on the competition website by late January 2017.
-The competition screening will be on January 28, 2017.
Categories
Dramatic: Tells a fictional story, is narrative
Documentary: Nonfiction content, interviews and voice-over narration, still photographs, footage of actual events to explore a chosen subject
Judging
Finalists for first- and second-place awards will be decided by a screening committee. Finalists will be sent on to a panel of judges who are recognized professionals with established careers in the film industry. Each winner may receive a written personal critique from one of the competition judges or a member of the competition advisory panel. Honorable mention awards will be chosen by the screening committee.
Judging criteria is based on the technical and artistic merit in the quality and use of lighting, composition, editing, audio quality, camera technique, originality, writing, pacing, structure and overall impact.