European Union calls for short film entries - Applicants have until October 4 to enter competition

Applications are opened for the EU Short Film competition, which targets persons 18–25 year olds with fewer than five years’ experience in film-making.

The European Union (EU) said that the strategic importance of the competition is multi-fold – to foster interest in Jamaica’s film industry while developing the capacities and skill sets of creatives to meaningfully contribute to economic development.

“Ensuring a viable environment now is an investment in the future, and who best to give the spotlight than our young people, who will inherit the earth and hold its resources in trust for future generations? We’re using the competition to increase awareness while giving the Jamaican youth a platform to raise their voices in defence of the environment,” said Malgorzata Wasilewska, the EU ambassador to Jamaica, in explaining why the EU is investing in the competition.

TRAINING WORKSHOP

Gabrielle Blackwood, director of the award-winning Jamaican short film Flight, will join international film experts to lead a mandatory training workshop for participants. Blackwood will deliver a session on cinematography.

Participants are being invited to express themselves through three-five minute videos on the theme: ‘My Environment: a heritage to be protected’.

The application period is September 9–October 4, 2019. It will be structured into two parts. Part one will involve strategic targeting of approximately 50 persons, who will be further shortlisted based on the established criteria and their video articulation of a response to the question, ‘Why is environmental protection important and how can communication technologies, like film/video help in improving environmental awareness?

Part two involves shortlisting 20 candidates for participation in a capacity building workshop on October 19. This training is designed to build the capacity of young storytellers to write and produce short videos; provide a basic introduction to videography; and share creative post-production techniques.

FORMATS OF FILM

Participants will be inspired to tell exciting stories through the medium of video/film, utilising a camera or even a smartphone in three to five minutes. Films can be in any format– including animation, drama, mini-documentary, music video or personal story.

These films must be submitted by November 16, and will be judged by a panel comprised of EU officials, industry experts in creative video/film production and project partners. Entrants will then be judged on their adherence to the submission rules, quality and content, which should be research-based, inspiring and creative.

The winners will be announced on December12, 2019.