Official Rules



Short-Film Guide  

View our "Short-Film Guide" for information on the themes, links to royalty-free music, and find free editing software.

Eligibility


This contest is open to filmmakers in grades Pre-K-12 and levels of experience who reside or attend school in the state of Georgia. 



Content Requirements

 
  1. Film should emphasize responsible water stewardship.
  2. The overarching theme is World Water Day (March 22, 2020), with suggested storylines/themes as follows:
    • Journey of a Raindrop - What happens to a raindrop on its journey through the water cycle? 
    • Keepin' it Clean - Every living on Earth needs water. Let's keep our waterways clean and healthy.
    • Drought - A period of time with little to no rainfall, resulting in drier-than-normal conditions. What does this mean for living things?
    • Fix-A-Leak Week - Leaky faucets and toilets can waste hundreds of gallons of water. Nip the drip!
  3. Film should be engaging, fun, clever, and thought-provoking. 
  4. Film must be rated G.
Submission Requirements
  1. Film must be at least 30 seconds and no more than 1 minute 30 seconds in length, including credits 
  2. Film must include 5 seconds of black screen both at the beginning and end, which will not count toward the film’s total running time.
  3. Film and completed submission form must be submitted electronically using FilmFreeway.com. filmfreeway.com/festival/RippleEffectFilmProject
  4. High definition videos are strongly encouraged (1280x720 or 1920x1080). Suggested frame rates are 24fps (23.98) or 30fps (29.97).
  5. There is NO entry fee.
  6. Film must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 2, 2020.
  7. Include all filmmakers' names when submitting to FilmFreeway for inclusion in festival guide.
Film must comply with OFFICIAL RULES. Failure to comply will result in disqualification. Rights are reserved by the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County (ACC) to disqualify a contestant who submits a film that is deemed to be offensive, libelous, slanderous, inflammatory or otherwise inappropriate in any way for this film contest. ACC is not responsible for entries that are lost, late, misdirected, damaged, incomplete or in violation of copyright laws. Films will remain the property of the ACC Water Conservation and may be reproduced.

Evaluation Criteria


A rubric is currently in development and will be added to the website.

Prizes


The finalists' films will be shown and winning films announced at the "Ripple Effect Blue Carpet Premiere" in Spring 2020.  Winners will be awarded up to $1000 in prizes. Finalists will be featured on the Athens-Clarke County Water Conservation Office website and youtube channel.  All entries will receive free admission to the "Blue Carpet Premiere".