Media That Matters Film Festival

This festival competition aims to bring social-issue short films to audiences around the world. Winning films will have a New York City, NY, United States, premier, and there will be an awards ceremony and industry networking events. Films will take part in the Media That Matters international, multi-platform campaign with DVD distribution, broadcasts, streaming, and international screenings.


The organisers list the following recommendations and rules for submission:

1. The shorter the better - 12 minutes maximum length. If your piece is too long, consider submitting a shorter cut or a stand-alone excerpt.
   
2. All genres are welcome, as long as the film focus is on a social issue: documentary, narrative, experimental, comedy, animation, public service announcement (PSA), digital story, music video, game, interactive online project, youth media.
3. The festival seeks films on any social or environmental issue. The final films are those that encourage the audience to be engaged in the issue.
4. Youth-produced projects are welcome.

The Media That Matters Film Festival is a project of Arts Engine, Inc, an organisation that supports, produces, and distributes independent media and promotes the use of independent media by advocates, educators, and the general public. By fostering the production and use of independent film, video, and new media, Arts Engine works to connect media makers and active audiences in order to spur critical consideration of pressing social issues.

All music and other rights must be cleared and the submitted film must be available for home video, educational, broadcast, and theatrical distribution.

Limit: two submissions per filmmaker; youth and community media centres may submit up to five pieces.

Submission fee: US$25. US$10 for students over 18 and free for students under 18.