Indianapolis (Jan. 14, 2010) – This year Heartland Truly Moving Pictures is fulfilling a long-time goal by establishing the Heartland High School Film Competition, which opens its call for entries tomorrow. Submissions will be accepted through May 15, 2010, giving aspiring high school filmmakers four months to concept, shoot and edit their own 10-minute truly moving picture. <br><br>
“Holding a film competition specifically for high school students has been a dream of ours for many years,” said Heartland Truly Moving Pictures President and CEO, Jeffrey L. Sparks. “Our goal is to reach tomorrow’s potential filmmakers today before they have decided what their contribution will be to the filmmaking world. Some may go on to become professional filmmakers while others will realize different dreams. No matter what their interest level is in this art form, we hope to encourage high school students to create films that align with Heartland’s mission and celebrate the best of the human spirit.” <br><br>
The competition, which is the first of its kind for Heartland, will be open to all currently enrolled high school students who have not yet graduated. Film submissions will be judged on criteria similar to that of the Heartland Film Festival, including artistic excellence, technical merit and representation of Heartland’s organizational values (hope, integrity, tolerance, beauty, reconciliation, courage, humility, faith and fidelity.) The inaugural competition’s theme will be “hope”. <br><br>
High School Film Competition Details:
· Open to students (both nationally and internationally) age 14 and up who have not yet graduated from high school in the current school year.
· Call for entries open January 15, 2010 and will close May 15, 2010.
· All films must run 10 minutes or less.
· Films must be submitted in DVD format.
· Non-English language films must be subtitled.
· Entry fee is $15 and the first 100 entries are free.
· Entry must have an adult sponsor affiliated with a school, home school or community organization. <br><br>
Four finalists will be awarded $500 and two FEST Passes to the 2010 Heartland Film Festival where their films will be screened as part of a Shorts program. They will also receive recognition during the 2010 Heartland Film Festival Crystal Heart Awards Gala. <br><br>
One Grand Prize winner will be awarded $2,500, paid travel and accommodations for the filmmaker and one parent/guardian to attend the 2010 Heartland Film Festival, along with two FEST Passes to the 2010 Heartland Film Festival where the winner's film will be screened as part of a Shorts program. The winning filmmaker will also be honored onstage during the 2010 Heartland Film Festival Crystal Heart Awards Gala and receive an award statue.<br><br>
Visit TrulyMovingPictures.org for more information including rules, regulations and entry forms.