3rd Annual KDL Teen Filmmaking Contest

 
Are you ready to make an award-winning film? 

All Kent County teens, grades 6-12, are invited to enter films in the 3rd annual KDL teen filmmaking contest. Films selected from the contest will be screened at the KDL Teen Film Festival from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the East Grand Rapids branch of Kent District Library. $225 in gift card prizes will be awarded for the best films and the People's Choice Award.

Application and submission deadline: Tuesday, February 3, 2009

KDL Teen Film Festival
Saturday, February 7, 2009, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Join us for a free special screening of short films, documentaries, music videos, and animation created by talented Kent County teens. Vote for your favorite films. Refreshments will be provided. For all ages!
At the East Grand Rapids Branch of Kent District Library, 746 Lakeside Dr. SE.

Contest/Festival Rules:

Participants:
• The movies must be directed, filmed and edited by teens, grades 6-12.
• The filmmaker/director must be a resident of Kent County.
• All entries must be student produced, and may be either a group project or individual work.
• Adult guidance and instruction is permissible, but the planning, production, and selection of the subject matter must reflect student effort.

Work:
• Submissions must have been created after January 1, 2008.
• Films may be on any topic, but must be G or PG-rated in language and subject matter or they will be disqualified. Films will be previewed for content.
• All editing must be done before submitting the film.
• Title pages and credits should be included in your film.
• Films may be up to 10 minutes in length.
• Filmmakers are limited to one submission.
• Obtaining permission to use copyrighted music or using your own original music or copyright-free, public domain, trade-friendly, or creative commons copyright music will ensure the greatest broadcast of your film by KDL marketing. For suggestions of places to find such music, please refer to the end of this rules/information sheet.

Submission:
• Submissions are to be uploaded to YouTube and tagged "kdlfilm".
• An Entry Form, Release Form, and DVD for playback at the Film Festival must also be sent to the East Grand Rapids Branch. Please have a backup copy of your film. Contact Kip Odell at kodell@kdl.org if you have any questions about submitting your film.
• Entry Forms are available for download here, and photocopies of the entry form are acceptable.
• Entrants must sign a release form. If under 18, a parent or legal guardian must also sign the release.
• DVD must be labeled with your name, address, telephone number, and title of work.

• Send completed Entry Form and DVD, either by mail or in person, to:

East Grand Rapids Branch
Kent District Library
746 Lakeside Dr. SE
East Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Attn: Jenn Gregory

ENTRIES AND FORMS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR RECEIVED AT THE ADDRESS ABOVE BY 8:00 p.m., FEBRUARY 3, 2009.

DO NOT SEND YOUR ONLY COPY: The Kent District Library may not be held responsible for any damage that might occur to submissions.

Judging & Awards:
• All films will be previewed by select members of Kent District Library branch Teen Advisory Boards and their mentor librarians.
• Every attempt will be made to show all entries at the public festival screening event, but due to time constraints, Kent District Library does reserve the right to limit the number of films actually viewed that evening. Kent District Library will notify all entrants in advance whether their film will be shown.
• Entries will be judged by attendees of the East Grand Rapids Branch festival screening event held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• Gift card prizes will be awarded to:
People’s Choice Best of Show - $100.00
2nd Place - $75.00
3rd Place - $50.00

Copyrighted Music:
KDL strongly encourages all filmmakers to use original or copyright free music for their soundtracks. While films using copyrighted music will be accepted for the KDL Teen Film Festival, copyright law prohibits us from broadcasting your film on the KDL website or in other venues.

Sources for copyright free music may be found at:
Creative Commons
Internet Archive Open Source Audio
Audio Archive

If you have any questions, please email kodell@kdl.org

Lights, Camera, Action!