The Texas Monthly Short Film Contest

In Texas, cities and towns are more than just places, they’re part of who we are, how we define ourselves. This June, texas monthly will publish insightful first-person narratives about growing up in the Lone Star State, featuring stories from John Phillip Santos, Norah Jones, Stephen Harrigan, David Romo, Bryan Burrough, Shelby Hearon, T. Boone Pickens, and many more. The theme continues online at texasmonthly.com with the first Texas Monthly Short Film Contest. Entrants may submit a film or video—of a length no longer than five minutes—that portrays where they’re from in Texas. You can use stop-action, animation, old film, video—whatever works.
 

Judging and Prizes
Submissions will be judged by a panel of independent filmmakers and industry figures, including Richard Linklater, a self-taught filmmaker whose films include Fast Food Nation, The School of Rock, Dazed and Confused, and Slacker; Elizabeth Avellán, who produced Shorts, Sin City, Spy Kids, El Mariachi, among others; and John Pierson, a producer of films including The Blair Witch Project, Chasing Amy, and Clerks.
 

The winners will be announced July 15 at texasmonthly.com. There will be one grand prize winner, three runners-up, and honorable mentions in each of the two age categories.
 

The winning entries in each category will be showcased on texasmonthly.com, highlighted in an ad in an upcoming issue of texas monthly, and featured as part of a screening at the Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar in Austin. Grand prize winners in each category will also receive a Flip HD video camera.
 

You can also vote for your favorite film in our People’s Choice Awards. Starting May 19 you can view our gallery of select films and rate what you see.
 

What You Need to Know
• The Texas Monthly Short Film Contest begins April 14, 2010. (Films may contain footage that was shot prior to this date.)

• The contest is open to any legal U.S. resident.

• There are two categories: 17 & under and 18 & over. Minors must have documentation from a parent or legal guardian that must be included with submissions.

• Films must be no longer than five minutes.

• Films must be original content. Any copyrighted material must include permission from the copyright holder. Royalty-free music is permitted.

• Films must contain content in accordance with a G- or PG-rated film.

• Films must be submitted on data DVDs. No encoded DVDs are eligible. Texas Monthly will accept .mov files only. No .flv, .mp4, or .avi files will be accepted. Please submit your film with a minimum width of 480 pixels. Winners will be asked to submit encoded DVDs for compilation.

• DVDs will not be returned. Please send us a copy of your film.

• Label the spine and cover of your DVD with your film’s title.

• Submissions must include the entry application.

• Submissions must include a signed copy of the Official Rules and Regulations.

• Submissions must be postmarked no later than June 30, 2010.

• No online submissions will be accepted.

Please send your signed forms and DVD via USPS to:

The Texas Monthly Short Film Contest
P.O. Box 1569
Austin, TX 78767-1569
 

If you have questions, please e-mail them to filmcontest@texasmonthly.com.