Campus MovieFest

Background

For the past few years, the Elfenworks Foundation, in partnership with Campus Moviefest, has  invited you to create short movies or music relating to social justice issues in America (visionary change makers, hunger, homelessness, access to medical care, runaways, abuse, incarceration, you name it). You’ve had the chance to earn up to a $10,000 grant during Campus MovieFest and College Battle of the Bands 2010-2011.

How it Works

Filmmakers at participating CMF schools can sign-up for free online and get all the gear needed to tell your story in a week. Or, students who attend any US college or university submitted their short movies online. Musicians submit their tracks online by the same deadline. Winners are selected by the Elfenworks Foundation, based on the following criteria:  story, message, cinematography, audio/music/narration, and overall impact. Winners will be announced at the CMF International Grand Finale.

A note about quality and expectations: The Elfenworks Foundation encourages you to focus on the stories, but don’t forget your audio and video quality, too. No more shaky pictures and inaudible interviews. We want to share the winning movies around the world, and therefore need them to meet a standard of brilliance. Think about your potential to move hearts and minds – and come at it smartly.

Over the years, students have shown keen interest in some of the categories over others. For example, we’ve had a lot of documentaries on homelessness. We’re not saying “stay away from straight documentaries on homelessness” but, to win, you might want to try something original about the subject. You may also consider some contemporary issues… like your perspective on the current protests.

Prizes:

There is one first prize of $10,000 and one runner-up prize of $3,500.  Judges may award an additional $1,000 prize for artistic excellence or best message.  Cash prizes will be distributed by Campus Moviefest.

Categories of Social Justice

New for 2011, students will have the opportunity to categorize their films into one or more categories which match the 35 categories of the database at inequality.com, the website of the Center for the Study of Poverty and Inequality at Stanford University.  The programmers at Elfenworks and CMF are working to allow the student films to be searchable and viewable on this database later on this year.

Details about possible themes your movie(s) can follow include (click title to expand):

CMF Entries – 35 Social Justice Categories

Did you know there are many nuances to poverty and inequality. In fact, there are 35. Check it out, and see which ones still have no CMF entries at all – perhaps you’re the filmmaker to address it.

College Battle of the Bands

Social Justice Music Category:

Beginning in 2009, College Battle of the Bands teamed up with The Elfenworks Foundation to find music whose message told the stories of those suffering from social injustices. Congratulations to our 2010 winners The Beat Advocate for their song “The Other Side” which took first place, and runners up “Close Your Eyes” by Silent Canvas and “New” by Taxi Project.  In 2009, the winners were Eyeshine for their song “Alone” which took first place, and runners up “This Time” by The Constant and “Lost and Forgotten” by Tsavo.  We can’t wait to be inspired by this year’s performances.

Bring your message home in a creative new way that uses the power of music to open ears, hearts and minds.  Possible directions you may choose to follow include (click title to expand):

Prizes:

There is one first prize of $2,500 and one runner-up prize of $1,500.  Some years, two songs may tie for second place, receiving the same prize amount.  Judges may also award additional prizes. Cash prizes will be distributed by Campus MovieFest.

As always, we’re looking for the very best and brightest. Good luck, and in the meantime, check out some of the previous years’ winners below, who’ve earned over $40,000 in cash grants, to make a difference.