Entries for the ninth annual Show Me Shorts Film Festival are now open. This year they are not only calling for New Zealand and international short films. The festival has added a new competitive entry category for music videos.
Festival Director Gina Dellabarca says, "After many years of explaining to music video makers that they could enter Show Me Shorts, but were unlikely to be selected for screening, we have decided to give them their own entry category and award. Music video makers create some of the most unique and exciting work I have seen. Show Me Shorts wants to celebrate this, by acknowledging excellence in filmmaking as with our other awards."
Show Me Shorts is New Zealand's only Academy Awards™ accredited film festival. The winner of the prestigious Rush Munro's Best Film award qualifies for consideration in the short film categories at the Academy Awards™.
Show Me Shorts takes place in cinemas throughout New Zealand every November. Screening a varied selection of the 40 best local and international short films, grouped into six themed sessions.
Winner of the 2013 Rush Munro's Best Film Award, Joe Lonie said, "The Oscar accreditation says awesome things about the vision and ambition of the Show Me Shorts crew. I'm very impressed that they could make that happen and I feel extremely lucky that our movie [Honk If You're Horny] will benefit from it."
Show Me Shorts now has four categories of entry. Films made by New Zealanders or with significant New Zealand content are eligible for the 'New Zealand Short Films' entry category. Films made outside of New Zealand are eligible for the 'International Short Films' entry category. Music videos made by New Zealanders or with significant New Zealand content are eligible for the 'Music Video' entry category. Short films that have screened online are eligible for the 'Not in Competition' category.
The 'Not in Competition' category is another new one for Show Me Shorts. Dellabarca says, "We are responding to changing market dynamics. Some of the best short films go straight online these days, for a variety of reasons. We don't want to deny our audience the opportunity to see these, so this new entry category allows us to screen a small selection of the very best ones in our high quality cinematic viewing environment."
The total prize pool for Show Me Shorts 2014 is valued at over $35,000 (including a range of cash prizes), and there are now 12 different award categories. Submitted films must be between 2-20 minutes long, and made within the last two years. (Music videos must be between 1-10 minutes long.) Filmmakers at all levels, from beginner to expert, are welcome to apply. Films and music videos with high production values will be given extra weight in the selection process, as will those that make their New Zealand premiere during the festival.
For inspiration, budding filmmakers can view the 'Screening Room' section of the Show Me Shorts website, featuring online short films to watch, with a different theme, filmmaker or genre every month.
Subscribe to the Show Me Shorts email newsletter via www.showmeshorts.co.nz to receive monthly short film news and information.
The final entry deadline for Show Me Shorts 2014 is 5pm Tuesday the 1st of July 2014.
Check out the Work Opportunities on the WIFT website for two great intern jobs too.
For further information about entering a short film or music video, view the full entry guidelines at http://www.showmeshorts.co.nz/enter-your-film, or to enter your film directly go to https://www.withoutabox.com/login/5217.
For more information:
Heidi North-Bailey
Festival Coordinator
Show Me Shorts Film Festival Trust
Ph 022 028 3579
info@showmeshorts.co.nz