Short film contests are often the default for film festivals anxious to do something besides just show movies but who are just unsure what that something else should be. Sundance has plenty going on, however, so when they announce a short film contest, it's probably going to be something special.
The video (see below) that announces this search for "daring personal short films" is pretty unremarkable, but the contest itself holds promise.
The Challenge: Create a unique, compelling, and personal Short Film that explores an empowering person or an optimistic story about individuals and communities who are overcoming poverty and hunger, combatting disease, or improving health.
The prize for winning isn't too shabby either:
FIVE winning Short Films will premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and those FIVE winning filmmakers will each receive a $10,000 prize and an an all-expenses paid trip to attend the Film Festival as the Special Guest of Sundance Institute and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Check out the Sundance Institute Short Film Challange (hosted by intriguing project pitch platform Tongal) and let me know if you submit. I'll be curious to see how this goes. Entries are due by July 1st and a winner will be selected in October.
