YOUTH

The Youth category is specifically for submissions where the primary filmmaker (Director or Screenwriter) is 17 years old or younger at the time of the submission deadline.

A youth filmmaker may have received guidance or support from adult mentors, teachers, or parents; this does not preclude them from entering the Youth category.

However, if an adult fills a Key Creative Crew Member role (as defined above) in a capacity that exceeds mentorship and is considered the primary creative driver of that role (e.g., an adult Director of Photography who has worked professionally), the film should be submitted under the Amateur or Professional category, based on the adult’s experience.

AMATEUR

The Key Cast (main actors) and Key Creative Crew Members must be the amateurs. A person is an amateur if they “have not been paid as a filmmaker in a key cast or key creative crew member role” for an extended period.

A single, non-creative, entry-level, or temporary paid job, like working as a “Production Assistant (PA)” one summer, is generally not enough to disqualify the filmmaker from the amateur category. A PA role is administrative/support, not a “key creative crew” position.

PROFESSIONAL

Professional Filmmakers create films/videos for a salary, fee, or commercial profit. Filmmaking is their career and primary source of income. E.g., they may have worked as a First A.D. on a number of films.

Additionally, if the budget for the film budget was more than $2,000, then it is to be entered under the Professional category regardless of the experience of the filmmakers involved.

Submission Form

This form is currently closed for submissions.