“Show me the Path”, the Salem Film Festival Youth & Amateur Competition has been created for the spectator, the student, and the amateur. Everyone has taken, and is on, a different path in life towards our own film dreams. Show us what kind of path you are on and where you want to go, then learn more about the different paths that are out there in the film industry. Screenings of your work and forums will be held during the festival at the IKE Box and special recognition screenings Saturday afternoon at The Historic Elsinore Theater, in Salem Oregon.
Announcing a call for Entries! download pdf copy
This call heralds to Youth ages 12-19 and Amateurs 20 and over with budgets under $500, with original films to screen to a sophisticated audience and awards totaling $3K.
A jury of media professionals and enthusiasts will review all film submissions for both the Amateur and Youth. Those receiving rave reviews will be shown during special engagements at the IKE Box. Award winning films will be honored with a special screening Saturday April 22nd at The Historic Elsinore Theater.
3k in Prizes
for the following Entry Classes
Fictional Narrative:
A narrative is a story; show us one in your submission. Fictional scripted Youth and Amateur productions will be judged.
10-minute maximum entry length; excerpts of long productions are accepted.
Abstract/Artistic:
Visual experiments and expressions in audio-visual media; this is an all-encompassing category for Youth and Amateur productions; visual-poems, music videos, cinematography reels, etc. 5-minute maximum entry length; excerpts of longer productions are accepted.
Commercial/PSA:
Short, eye-catching, and informative. Youth and Amateur productions maximum 1-minute in length are being judged.
Non-Fiction:
Documentary, journalistic, real narrative, that’s the key. Show us what you’ve seen in your world. This category has a 10-minute maximum entry length. Excerpts of longer productions are accepted.
Highlight Reel:
Dynamically photographed montages of achievement are being judged in this category. Non-narrative based highlight montages under 3-minutes in length are being judged.
Best Special FX-Motion Graphics Clip:
1 min max CGI or good ol’fashion camera parlor-tricks, amaze the judges in this category. Show us your magic, 1-minute maximum entry length.
Youth and Amateur will compete for 1st thru 3rd place awards separately. Juried selections in each class will be scored in categories including Cinematography, Editing, and Original Use of Content. Awards will be given to; BIS, “Best in Show”, in both Youth and Amateur.
SFF Youth & Amateur Competition is offering two additional Free Entry Classes to showcase your talent.
Show Me the Path:
This is our theme. Now make it yours! Create an original 1-minute film with our theme, “Show Me the Path”. We anxiously await productions will be judged and screened throughout the week.
72-Hour Project:
How are you at working on a budget, of time?
You and your crew will receive instructions including a Character, Prop, Line of Dialogue, and Genre, Friday March 10th at 5:00 pm. You will have until Monday March 13th at 5:00 pm to mail the finished, original, project on DVD to a special location. More details will be available to participating entrants after registration via email and the web.
Submissions will be juried and outstanding work will each receive awards at a special screening engagement.
Entry Fees
$15 Per Entry in Categories:
Non-Fiction 10 min max
Fictional Narrative 10 min max
Abstract/Artistic 5 min max
Highlight Reel 5 min max
$5 Per Entry in Categories:
Commercial/PSA, Best Special FX-Motion Graphics Clip - 1 min max
Free Entry
“Show Me the Path” & The 72-Hour Project
72 Hour entrants must register by email no later than March 8th.
Email: 72hour@salemfilmfestival.com
All Entries will be judged and awarded prizes as either Youth or Amateur separately, entry is according to application and eligibility. Each Entry Class has a Youth and an Amateur side.
download pdf copy of the application
