Minds In Frame Script Competition | the glowmedia project

Script Competition Guidelines

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GUIDELINES

Theme:

Mental Health Awareness

Objective:

Create a compelling, informative, engaging short film script focusing on mental health awareness.
The script should be written for a school audience and should encourage open dialogue and understanding of mental health issues.

Eligibility:

The contest is open to teens and young adults ages 13 to 21.

Length and Format:

Should be 10 minutes or less (approximately 10 pages, considering the standard of 1 page per minute of screen time).
Formatted according to industry standards (e.g., Courier 12 pt font, standard margins).

Content and Tone:

The content must be appropriate for a school audience (ages 13 and above).
The script should be sensitive and respectful towards mental health issues, avoiding stereotypes and stigmatization.
Incorporate themes like empathy, support, understanding, and resilience.

Originality:

Must be original and not previously published or produced.
Plagiarism of any kind will result in disqualification.

Characters and Setting:

Characters should be relatable (someone you know, someone you would like and respect, etc.) to a school-age audience.
Settings should be feasible for low-budget or school-level film productions (e.g., classrooms, homes, school yards).

Educational Value:

The script should include accurate information about mental health. (If selected, our team of mental health professionals will work with you to ensure its accuracy.)
It can include a character learning about or dealing with mental health issues, showing a journey of understanding, support, or personal growth.

Diversity and Inclusion:

Encourage representation of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Language:

Use age-appropriate language.

SUBMISSIONS

Deadline:

Submissions must be received by November 30, 2024.

Selection and Notification:

A panel of judges, including educators and mental health professionals, will review submissions.
Selected writers will be notified via email and may be invited to participate in a workshop for script development.

AWARDS

The winner and one guardian (if under 18) or guest will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles to be on set during the filming of their script (not to exceed $5,000).

Travel: Round-trip airfare to Los Angeles will be provided if the winner lives more than 100 miles away from Los Angeles. For winners within 100 miles, ground transportation or a gas reimbursement will be provided instead.
Accommodation: A 4-night stay in a reputable, conveniently located hotel or Airbnb will be provided.
Transportation: Ground transportation will be provided to and from the airport, hotel, and film set.
Meals: Daily meal allowance to cover the cost of meals during the stay.
On-Set Experience: The winner will have the opportunity to provide input, work closely with the film crew, and interact with the actors, gaining invaluable insights into the filmmaking process.
Credit: The winning writer will be credited as the film's writer.

The glowmedia project proudly accepts entries on FilmFreeway, the world's #1 way to enter film festivals and creative contests.

Official Rules and Prize Information: Script Competition

1. ELIGIBILITY
• Participants: This contest is open to legal residents of the U.S. who are between the ages of 13 and 21 at the time of entry.
• Parental Consent: Participants under the age of 18 must provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian at the time of entry submission. Entries without parental consent will be disqualified.
• Exclusions: Employees, officers, directors, affiliates, and immediate family members of the contest sponsor and its partners are not eligible to enter.
• Geographical Restrictions: Contest is open nationwide.

2. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• Submission Period: The contest begins on September 15, 2024 and ends on November 30, 2024, at 11:59pm PT. All entries must be received by the deadline to be eligible.
• How to Enter: Participants must submit their original scripts via filmfreeway.com by the contest deadline.
• Entry Limitations: Each participant may submit one script. Multiple entries from the same participant will result in disqualification.
• Entry Fee: There is no fee to enter.
• Script Requirements:
• The script must be original and created by the participant.
• It should focus on one of the following themes: [list of themes, e.g., gun violence trauma, climate change anxiety, bullying, etc.].
• The script must be no longer than 10 pages and formatted according to standard screenplay formatting rules.

3. JUDGING CRITERIA
• Selection Process: Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
-Creativity and originality: 25%
-Relevance to the contest theme: 25%
-Quality of writing and structure: 25%
-Emotional impact or educational value: 25%
• The judges will consist of a panel of psychologists, educators, writers, and film makers.
• The decision of the judges is final and binding.
• Judging Period: The judging process will occur from December 1, 2024 to January 9, 2025.

4. PRIZES
The winner of the contest will have the option to choose between the following two prize packages:

1. Cash Prize of $2500
• The winner may opt to receive a cash prize of $2500. This option is available for those who prefer a direct monetary reward. With this option, no travel or additional expenses are covered by the sponsor.

2. All-Expenses-Paid Trip to Los Angeles to Participate in the Production of the Winning Script
• Alternatively, the winner can choose an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Los Angeles to participate in the production of their winning script. This package includes:
- Roundtrip airfare to Los Angeles
- Four (4) nights’ hotel accommodations
- Ground transportation
- A daily meal allowance
• The total value of the trip will not exceed $5000. If the winner is under 18, one of the travelers must be their legal guardian.
• Explanation of Prize Value
The difference in value between the cash prize and the trip arises because the cash prize option does not involve covering travel-related expenses. The all-expenses-paid trip option includes costs for travel, accommodations, and other associated expenses, resulting in a higher overall value.
• Prize Restrictions: Prizes are non-transferable, non-exchangeable, and not redeemable for cash unless otherwise stated. The sponsor reserves the right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value.

5. WINNER NOTIFICATION
• Notification: Winners will be notified via email on Friday, January 10, 2025.
• Claiming the Prize: Winners must respond within 7 days of notification. Failure to respond in this time period will result in forfeiture, and an alternate winner may be selected.
• For participants under 18, written confirmation of parental consent will be required before the prize can be awarded.

6. TAXES
• Winners are responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes associated with the prize. Winners will receive a 1099 tax form if required by law.

7. PUBLICITY AND USE OF ENTRIES
• By entering the contest, participants agree to allow the sponsor to use their name, likeness, and script for promotional purposes without further compensation unless prohibited by law.
• Winning Script Production: The winning script will be produced by the sponsor. By submitting their entry, participants grant the sponsor the right to adapt, produce, and distribute the winning script in any format, with full credit given to the creator.
• The sponsor may also use the submitted scripts in educational programs, promotional materials, and/or other content, with full credit given to the creator.

8. GENERAL CONDITIONS
• Right to Modify or Cancel: The sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the contest if any fraud, technical failure, or any other factor impairs the integrity of the contest.
• Disqualification: The sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any participant it finds to be tampering with the entry process or to be acting in violation of these rules or in an unsportsmanlike manner.
• Winning Script Production: The winning script will be produced by the sponsor. By submitting their entry, participants grant the sponsor the right to adapt, produce, and distribute the winning script in any format, with full credit given to the creator.
• The sponsor may also use the submitted scripts in educational programs, promotional materials, and/or other content, with full credit given to the creator.

9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
• The sponsor is not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, misdirected, or invalid entries. The sponsor is also not responsible for any technical malfunctions or failures that could affect entry submission or winner selection.
• The sponsor is not liable for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from participation in the contest or acceptance/use of the prize.

10. GOVERNING LAW
• This contest is governed by the laws of District of Columbia. All disputes arising out of or in connection with this contest will be resolved in the courts located in District of Columbia.

11. PRIVACY
• Personal Information: The sponsor will collect personal information for the purposes of administering the contest. The sponsor will not share or sell this information to third parties except as necessary to administer the contest.

12. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED
• This contest is void where prohibited by law. Participants residing in jurisdictions where this type of contest is not allowed are ineligible to enter.

13. OFFICIAL RULES ACCEPTANCE
• By entering the contest, participants agree to abide by these official rules and the decisions of the judges and sponsor, which are final and binding in all respects.