1. YOU MUST use both of the following items within your film for it to qualify
ITEM 1: straws (drinking straws)
ITEM 2: stars
These must be visible somewhere, but can be included in any creative way you want. Feel free to be imaginative with how you incorporate them into your film. You can use them in a straightforward and literal way, or find a more subtle way to incorporate them. Anything goes!
Films without these two items will be disqualified.
2. Films can be documentary, animated, narrative fiction, mixed-media, or experimental
3. Your film must be between 7-11 minutes long. Anything longer or shorter will not be accepted.
4. Institutional bias is our theme, so each film must address the institutional bias in relation to long-term care services and community living for the disability community.
If you are unsure what the institutional bias is, check out this blog: http://cdrnys.org/blog/disability-dialogue/the-disability-dialogue-the-institutional-bias/
5. Filmmakers will have 42 days to make a well-made, compelling film. You must turn your film in by April 15, 2019 at 11:59 PM EST.
Please submit your films on FilmFreeway:
https://filmfreeway.com/FreeOurPeopleFilmContest
6. Our panel of judges will determine which film is the best, based on both content and quality. Our judges this year are Christine Bruno, Mat Fraser, and Claudia Gordon.
7. Please include English subtitles/captioning. This is a requirement to enter. If you need help with this, please email lsmith@cdrnys.org
There are also specific rules for cast and crew to follow:
8. At least one member of the main crew (writer, director, editor, or cinematographer) must have a disability. We encourage films with multiple disabled people in crew roles. We also encourage nondisabled filmmakers to work with disabled filmmakers.
9. Any character that is written to be disabled must be played by someone actually disabled. Disabled mimicry is not allowed and will disqualify your film. If your film is animated, any characters with disabilities must be voiced by disabled people. We encourage you to cast disabled people in roles not specifically written as disabled, as well.
10. There is a $5 entry fee, to prevent unrelated films from being submitted. If you are a disabled person who cannot afford the fee, email lsmith@cdrnys.org for a code to waive the fee. We do not want a fee to prevent you from entering.
We look forward to seeing what you submit!
Happy Filmmaking!