The Rules
Length
Issue films should be no less than 30 seconds and no more than 60 seconds in length.
Format
Live action or animated.
Deadline
May 21, 2006
Who Can Participate
Any American resident aged 18 to 26.
Style and Content
Any social issue that elicits passion for you, from AIDS to homelessness to healthcare to discrimination. Any approach is welcome, using honesty, humor, seriousness to present a societal issue that you feel strongly about. We encourage raw, open, honest expression, as well as an inventive cinematic and creative approach. Neither the VIP judges nor public voting are looking for generic, polite “well intentioned,” brief films. We want a dynamic take on an issue, and cinematic style that progresses the idea you are presenting. Make your own rules. Break the rules. We want uncensored, unzipped, truthful.
You can use bold or rude comedy or searing harsh truth, you can be flashy or minimalist. Obviously, no pornography, nudity, overt swearing that violates FCC standards – you do want your winning entry broadcast on venues from mtvU to NBC or whoever, after all! The objective is to craft a 30-to-60 second film that illuminates an issue within our society, or America, or globally, that touches hearts or changes minds. It can be a call to action.
Submission Format
Live-Action, animation, or a combination of both.
Windows media file only
Video resolution 320 by 240
250k bitrate
Audio: stereo 2 pass CBR 48
We will only accept digital submissions via email/internet. We will provide instructions how to upload.
Content and Censorship
We would like it as unregulated and uncensored as possible – but! There are legal constraints about copyright and obscenity.
Because the finalists will be presented online via Microsoft; on mtvU; and other broadcast and internet platforms, crossing legal boundaries into pornography, libel, excessive obscenity and copyright infringement will void your submission. So go to the edge – but recognize the boundaries. Check with us if you have a question about those boundaries.
You cannot use copyrighted music, only original or uncopyrighted.
Otherwise it’s up to you.
Judging Process/Criteria
The first cut will be done by the FYI/Film Your Issue ThinkTank.
Semi-finalists will then be presented to the VIP panel of judges and public to select the winners. The semi-finalists will be mounted on MSN Video, and public voting will be conducted on MSNBC.com.
Criteria include:
Overall impact: dynamic/persuasive/informational/emotionally moving/focused message
Originality: concepts/ideas/format
Cinematic Style: camera angles/editing/acting/direction/lighting, etc.
Within specific sub-categories, like Animal Welfare, Global Issues/UN Millennium Development Goals, and Arts as a Bridge Between Communities and Cultures, laser-beaming those specific subjects will be key.
Legalities:
All submissions to the FYI Film Your Issue competition for Round 2 will automatically confer to FYI Film Your Issue all rights without fee or penalty, to present and license the entry on any and all platforms, including internet, broadcast, podcast, cellphone.
Only one candidate from a finalist film is eligible for the internship, so that decision, should be multiple filmmakers per film, will have to be decided by the filmmakers themselves.
Read the Rules and Regulations for additional legal terms.
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