RULES
Posted: Tuesday, June 02, 2009
THE RULES IN BRIEF
Competitors have 72 Hours to write, shoot, edit, and submit a 5 minute short film based on a contest theme announced promptly at 8:00 pm (EDT), Friday June 26, 2009. Past themes include:
2004 - “Hide and Seek”
2005 - “AKA”
2006 - “Obsessive/Compulsive” with Music Challenge
2007 - “Elizabeth Ong is Missing
(Elizabeth Ong’s absence is essential to your story.
Elizabeth Ong does not visually appear in your film.
Elizabeth Ong has a connection with characters in your film)."
2008 - “A First Goodbye”
One lead character AND one key production member must be of Asian descent. A key member is a director, producer, writer, director of photography, or editor. A lead actor is a character that drives the storyline. However, one person of Asian descent can fulfill both requirements (e.g., an Asian actress who also directs with the rest of the cast/crew being Non-Asian).
The finished Team Film, including credits, must not exceed 5 minutes in duration.
All creative work for the Team Film, including but not limited to the following, must take place within the 72 hour period beginning at 8:00 PM (EDT), Friday, June 26, 2009 (Competition Time Period): Writing the script, Rehearsing, Costume/Set Design, Shooting, Editing, and Sound Design. Only the following work can begin prior to the Competition Time Period: Organizing Crew, Organizing Cast, Securing Equipment, Scouting/Securing Locations. All footage for the Team Film must be shot within the Competition Time Period.
• Any type of video or film or digital camera may be used.
• In addition to the required Competition agreements, each Team is responsible for securing talent, location and all necessary releases for completion of their respective film.
• Submission Format: Provide two (2) copies of finished product on miniDV tape (NTSC Standard Definition Format) or two (2) copies of finished product on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (NTSC Standard Definition, 720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs), or one (1) miniDV tape and one (1) data DVD.
• On or before Monday, June 29, 2009, all teams must overnight TWO (2) copies of their film to arrive in our offices in New York by 12pm noon (EDT) on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, for consideration in the judging process.
• Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on filmmaking ability, overall talent artist proficiency, originality, successful incorporation of the theme, and creativity.
• Student Filmmaker Award: This year’s Shootout will include a special category sponsored by the AAARI-CUNY. To qualify as a student entry, the following principal crew members must have all been enrolled students as of the Spring 2009 semester: Director, Writer and Producer. Consideration for the “Student Award” has no bearing whatsoever on judging for the other Shootout award categories. Submissions for the “Student Award” must also follow all other Shootout requirements in order to be considered for this category.
OFFICIAL SHOOTOUT RULES IN DETAIL
• Competition Period: “The 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout” (the “Competition” or the “Shootout”) commences with the announcement of the contest theme at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on June 26, 2009 and ends at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on June 29, 2009. The participating group (“Team” or “Entrant”) must complete its film/video work (“Team Film”) and have it postmarked by Monday, June 29, 2009. All teams must send their submissions via mail carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEX, DHL, Airborne delivered packages are the only ones that will be accepted) to arrive at: 72 Hour Film Shootout c/o Asian American / Asian Research Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, Room 1000, New York, NY 10036 (“Entry Address”) by 12pm noon (EDT) on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. It is HIGHLY recommended that teams use OVERNIGHT carrier. Teams may opt to use non-overnight delivery services to save money, however at their own risk. NO DROP-OFFS (including messenger service) WILL BE ACCEPTED. Only works that are received by the above deadline via the aforementioned official mail carriers will be admitted into the Competition.
• To Enter: The instructions for the Competition will be posted on the Asian American Film Lab Shootout website located at http://www.aafilmlab.org (the “Official Website”), a website owned and controlled by Asian American Film Lab (“AAFL”), on or around June 1, 2009. Log on and follow the instructions to complete the registration process. Entrants may register for the Competition by mailing an Official Entry Form and check or money order in the applicable amount based on the date of the entry (the “Registration Materials”) to the Entry Address. Entries postmarked on or before end of business day June 8, 2009 will be deemed Early Entries and will be assessed an entry fee of $45. Entries postmarked on or before June 19, 2009 will be deemed Regular Entries and will be assessed an entry fee of $45. Entries received by June 26, 2009, by close of business day, will be deemed Late Entries and will be assessed an entry fee of $95. Entries received after June 26, 2009 will not be accepted. Entries submitted in accordance with these Official Rules shall be collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Eligible Entries.” All entries must be submitted in accordance with the specification set forth in these Official Rules. All entries become the property of AAFL and will not be returned.
• Once an entry is deemed an Eligible Entry, AAFL will notify each Team via email that their entry has been received and is eligible. Team members will be invited to the Competition Launch Party via email for the Competition to be held on Friday June 26, 2009 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (EDT) (with the exact location to be announced on the Official Website). At 8 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, June 26, 2009, a contest theme (“Theme,” “Contest Theme” or “Competition Theme”), whose elements may include a prop, a character, a place and/or a line of dialogue will be announced. The theme will be announced on the Official Website. Upon receipt of the Contest Theme, each Team will be required to develop a film based on that theme to be submitted as their Team entry to the Competition (“Team Film”). To qualify as an official entry in the Film Shootout, each Team’s film must contain all required elements of the Contest Theme.
• Submission Requirements: Provide two (2) copies of finished product on miniDV tape (NTSC Standard Definition Format) or two (2) copies of finished product on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (NTSC Standard Definition, 720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs), or one (1) miniDV tape and one (1) data DVD. Entries shall consist of the Team’s Registration Material, Team’s Submission Documents, and two (2) copies of the Team’s Film (NTSC Standard Definition Format) no longer than 5 minutes in length as specified in these Official Rules. Teams may be asked, at a later date, to submit copies of their Team Film in additional formats during the judging process. Films must be wholly original to the Team. All creative work for the Team Film, including but not limited to the following, must take place within the Competition Time Period: Writing the script, Rehearsing, Costume/Set Design, Shooting, Editing, Sound Design. Only the following work can begin prior to the Competition Time Period: Organizing Crew, Organizing Cast, Securing Equipment, Scouting/Securing Locations. All footage for the Team Film must be shot within the Competition Time Period. No stock footage or footage shot or created before the Competition Time period may be used in the Team Film. Animation and special effects are permitted, but must be created during the Competition Time Period. Only one Team Film may be entered by a given solo filmmaker or a Team. If a solo filmmaker or Team submits more than one film, only the first film entered will be considered. Entries that are not the original work of the Team, or illegible or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Furthermore, entries which do not adhere to the following programming guidelines may be rejected by AAFL:
• The finished Team Film must incorporate the contest theme selected for the 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout which will be announced promptly at 8:00 p.m. June 26, 2009 (EDT) at a Launch Party in New York City and simultaneously on the Official Website.
• The finished Team Film, including credits, must not exceed 5 minutes in duration. Required elements such as bars and tone, as detailed below, do not count against the 5 minute duration time.
• Any type of video or film or digital camera may be used.
• The finished Team Film must be submitted on miniDV tapes or on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs) in NTSC Standard Definition format. Each team must submit two (2) copies of the Team Film on miniDV tape (NTSC Standard Definition Format) or two (2) copies of finished product on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (NTSC Standard Definition, 720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs), or one (1) miniDV tape and one (1) data DVD.
• If AAFL cannot view your film on its equipment, it may be disqualified. AAFL will not return any films/videos submitted. Once submitted, all films and the corresponding entry information become the sole property of AAFL and will not be returned. Teams whose entries are chosen as finalists may be required to provide their film/video in an uncompressed video format.
• The finished Team Film must begin with the following:
1) 10 seconds of bars and tone
2) Team name, date, title, running time
3) 10 seconds of black
THESE ELEMENTS ARE NOT A PART OF THE 5 MINUTE TIME LIMIT.
• If shot in a 16:9 ratio and/or anamorphic, the Team Film must be letter-boxed to conform with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The projector will not be switched to stretch the picture.
• Films must include the following credit: “This film was made possible in part by the support of the “6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout presented by the Asian American Film Lab.”
• AAFL reserve the right to reject any entry that could be considered pornographic, or that depicts hardcore or graphic sex, or any other material, including language, deemed objectionable to community standards as determined by AAFL in their sole discretion. AAFL reserves the right to reject any entry that it deems, in its sole discretion, to violate any of these policies.
• Releases: Each Team is responsible for securing talent, location and all necessary releases for completion of their respective film. Regarding music releases, Teams are encouraged to work with local composers and/or musicians to write and record music for the Films. AAFL realizes that this may be difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is permissible for a Team to use prerecorded music; HOWEVER the Team must have the rights to any music used in its Film. Participant shall defend, indemnify and hold AAFL and any and all other sponsors, and their respective affiliated entities, harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, or other payments, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees, arising out of any breach or alleged breach of any of your warranties or representations herein. Releases must be available upon request. NOTE: Not having proper releases may prevent winning films from being screened at the 2009 Asian American International Film Festival, or at any other festival or venue.
• Judging Panel, Voting and Winner Selection: Based on the judging criteria set forth below, entries will be judged by AAFL and two (2) Runner-Up Prize Winners and one (1) Grand Prize Winner will be announced at the Competition Wrap Party or equivalent event (with the exact time and location to be announced on the Official Website). All Competition Teams will be invited to the Competition Wrap Party, though there may be a limit to the number of seats allowed per team. Teams that are unable to attend the Competition Wrap Party will be able to determine if their Team is a Runner-Up Prize Winner or a Grand Prize Winner by accessing the Official Website.
• Prizes and Awards: Grand Prize (1): The Grand Prize Winner shall receive a prize package including but not limited to a monetary prize provided by AAFL. Runner-Up Prize (2): Runner-up Prize Winners shall receive a prize package including but not limited to a monetary prize provided by the AAFL. A current list of awards and prizes will be posted on the Official Website. The top ten Shootout Finalist films may receive possible screening opportunity at the New York Asian American International Film Festical and elsewhere. Additional award acknowledgments will be announced in the following categories: Acting, Editing, Direction, Story, and Cinematography. Additional categories, awards and prizes may be added, removed, or substituted at the sole discretion of AAFL.
• Eligibility: The Competition is open to filmmakers and Teams whose members are each legal residents of the United States and Canada and have at least one Team member who is at least 18 years old at time of entry. At time of entry and during the course of the Competition, entrants (and all participating Team members) must be amateur filmmakers (i.e., cannot have a contract with a major or independent U.S. or Canadian film studio). In addition, in order to be eligible to participate in this Competition each Team must contain at least one key member and one lead actor who are of Asian or Asian American descent. A key member is a director, producer, writer, director of photography, or editor. A lead actor is a character that drives the storyline. AAFL reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant who is under a third-party agreement which AAFL deems as contradictory to the amateur nature of this Competition. AAFL assumes no responsibility for any internal disputes among members of Teams that are entered into the Competition with regard to the film submitted into the Competition, or any internal disputes among the various individuals and/or entities that have collective interest in any submitted film. Such disputes will not be resolved by AAFL. In the event that any such dispute or personnel change interferes with the operation of the Competition, entrants and their respective Team members involved in the dispute may be disqualified, in AAFL’s sole discretion. VOID WHEREVER PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. Members of the Asian American Film Lab (“AAFL”) or sponsors and their affiliated entities are eligible to participate so long as they are not members of the organizing or judging committees of the Competition. By participating in this Competition, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of AAFL which are final in all matters relating to this Competition. No responsibility is assumed for incorrect or inaccurate entry information whether caused by an entrant, any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Competition or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries or votes in this Competition. Neither AAFL nor any of its sponsors and affiliated entities will be responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials of this Competition. If, for any reason, the Competition is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of AAFL, or any and all sponsors and affiliated entities, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Competition, or for any reason AAFL deem it necessary, AAFL reserves the right in their sole and unequivocal discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition and/or the prizes. All interpretations of these Official Rules and the decisions of AAFL are final. AAFL reserves the right in their sole and unequivocal discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering, or has tampered with the entry process; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person or entity.
• Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on filmmaking ability, overall talent artist proficiency, originality, successful incorporation of the theme, and creativity.
• Arrangements for the fulfillment of the Grand Prize will be made by AAFL during the 2009 calendar year. AAFL reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute the Grand Prize or the Runner-Up prize, or any portion thereof, with prizes of comparable value. The Grand Prize and Runner-Up prizes are non-transferable. Each Grand Prize Winner and Runner-Up Prize Winner (and each participating member, if a collective group), as a condition of receiving the Grand Prize, or the Runner-Up Prize must sign (i) an affidavit of eligibility and liability to release AAFL, affiliated entities, advertising agencies, and any other participating sponsors, and their respective employees, from any and all liability, claims, demands and causes of action for personal injury and/or damage, theft, loss, or any other harm suffered in connection with this Competition or the use or acceptance of the Grand Prize or the Runner-Up Prize and (ii) except where prohibited, a promotional release granting the right to use his or her name, likeness and Team Film for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation. Entry into this Competition constitutes each entrant’s agreement to sign such releases. Prior to the fulfillment of the Grand Prize, or the Runner-Up Prize, winners may be required to provide AAFL with identification proving his/her age and identity and also to sign additional release(s) and/or agreement(s) necessary to fulfill the Prize. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY, FINALIST OR GRAND PRIZE WINNER (AT AAFL’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH INDIVIDUAL’S DISQUALIFICATION AS A FINALIST AND/OR GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION AND ALL PRIVILEGES WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED. Upon receipt of any part of the Grand Prize or Runner-Up Prize, each prize winner is required to comply with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations related thereto.
• Entrants hereby agree to submit their entries under the following terms and conditions: (i) that AAFL may use entrant’s Film, and any ideas, concepts, materials, in whole or in part, contained in an entry to advertise, promote, and publicize AAFL and the Shootout, directly or indirectly, or as otherwise set forth in the Participant’s Agreement; (ii) that all materials submitted become the property of AAFL and will not be returned; (iii) that all materials submitted are free from any lien or claim by anyone, including, but not limited to, any union, guild or performance rights society; (iv) entrants have obtained all rights, permissions and licenses necessary for AAFL to use the entries for any purpose; (v) that no entry, or any part thereof, infringes any trademark or copyright or otherwise violates anyone’s right of privacy or publicity; (vi) entrants indemnify and hold harmless AAFL and any and all sponsors and affiliated entities from any claims, suits, losses damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that arise from any breach of the following conditions. All entrants agree to the foregoing and in addition agree to obtain, upon request of AAFL, any documentation and releases necessary to prove their unrestricted ownership in all materials contained in their entries and their right to use such materials without limitation for any purpose.
• Entrants will each sign a Participant’s Agreement which grants to AAFL the non-exclusive, irrevocable right and license to exhibit, broadcast, copy, reproduce, encode, compress, encrypt, incorporate data into, edit, broadcast, rebroadcast, transmit, record, publicly perform, and distribute and synchronize in timed relation to visual elements, the Team’s Film and any related materials submitted by entrants and the Team (such as personal information and/or elements, including but not limited to name(s), trademarks, tradenames, likenesses, photographs, biographical materials and all other graphic and/or textual material) (together with the Team Film, the “Materials”), and/or any portions or excerpts thereof, in any manner, an unlimited number of times, in any and all media, now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world, in perpetuity to advertise, promote, AAFL, the Shootout, and any of its awards or presenting sponsors in all media throughout the universe and may authorize others to do so. Such advertising, promotion, and publicity may include portions and excerpts, in addition to cut-in, synchronized, dubbed and superimposed versions of the Materials. AAFL may use and authorize others to use Participant’s name, voice, biography, and likeness as well as those of artists or individuals who rendered services in connection with the Team Film in any media for the purposes of advertising, promotion or publicizing the Team Film and the Competition by AAFL.
• All teams shall refrain from publicly screening or distributing the Team Film until after the winners of the Competition are announced by AAFL.
• All interpretations of the rules and decisions by AAFL are final. AAFL reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds or believes to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the event; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person or entity. AAFL reserves the right to amend these rules.
• This Competition is organized by Asian American Film Lab, Inc., a New York-based not-for-profit organization with a mailing address for the purposes of this competition at:
Asian American/Asian Research Institute
Attn: 72 Hour Film Shootout
25 West 43rd Street, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10036
tel (212) 869-0182
***PLEASE NOTE: This address is for Film submission ONLY and NO DROP-OFFS (including messenger service) WILL BE ACCEPTED!!! Team registration can be completed online or sent
to our PO Box***
• Student Filmmaker Award: This year’s Shootout will include a special award category sponsored by the AAARI-CUNY. To qualify as a student entry, the following principal crew members must have all been enrolled students as of the Spring 2009 semester: Director, Writer and Producer. Consideration for the “Student Award” has no bearing whatsoever on judging for the other Shootout award categories. Submissions for the “Student Award” must also follow all other Shootout requirements in order to be considered for this category.
Competitors have 72 Hours to write, shoot, edit, and submit a 5 minute short film based on a contest theme announced promptly at 8:00 pm (EDT), Friday June 26, 2009. Past themes include:
2004 - “Hide and Seek”
2005 - “AKA”
2006 - “Obsessive/Compulsive” with Music Challenge
2007 - “Elizabeth Ong is Missing
(Elizabeth Ong’s absence is essential to your story.
Elizabeth Ong does not visually appear in your film.
Elizabeth Ong has a connection with characters in your film)."
2008 - “A First Goodbye”
One lead character AND one key production member must be of Asian descent. A key member is a director, producer, writer, director of photography, or editor. A lead actor is a character that drives the storyline. However, one person of Asian descent can fulfill both requirements (e.g., an Asian actress who also directs with the rest of the cast/crew being Non-Asian).
The finished Team Film, including credits, must not exceed 5 minutes in duration.
All creative work for the Team Film, including but not limited to the following, must take place within the 72 hour period beginning at 8:00 PM (EDT), Friday, June 26, 2009 (Competition Time Period): Writing the script, Rehearsing, Costume/Set Design, Shooting, Editing, and Sound Design. Only the following work can begin prior to the Competition Time Period: Organizing Crew, Organizing Cast, Securing Equipment, Scouting/Securing Locations. All footage for the Team Film must be shot within the Competition Time Period.
• Any type of video or film or digital camera may be used.
• In addition to the required Competition agreements, each Team is responsible for securing talent, location and all necessary releases for completion of their respective film.
• Submission Format: Provide two (2) copies of finished product on miniDV tape (NTSC Standard Definition Format) or two (2) copies of finished product on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (NTSC Standard Definition, 720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs), or one (1) miniDV tape and one (1) data DVD.
• On or before Monday, June 29, 2009, all teams must overnight TWO (2) copies of their film to arrive in our offices in New York by 12pm noon (EDT) on Tuesday, June 30, 2009, for consideration in the judging process.
• Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on filmmaking ability, overall talent artist proficiency, originality, successful incorporation of the theme, and creativity.
• Student Filmmaker Award: This year’s Shootout will include a special category sponsored by the AAARI-CUNY. To qualify as a student entry, the following principal crew members must have all been enrolled students as of the Spring 2009 semester: Director, Writer and Producer. Consideration for the “Student Award” has no bearing whatsoever on judging for the other Shootout award categories. Submissions for the “Student Award” must also follow all other Shootout requirements in order to be considered for this category.
OFFICIAL SHOOTOUT RULES IN DETAIL
• Competition Period: “The 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout” (the “Competition” or the “Shootout”) commences with the announcement of the contest theme at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on June 26, 2009 and ends at 8:00 p.m. (EDT) on June 29, 2009. The participating group (“Team” or “Entrant”) must complete its film/video work (“Team Film”) and have it postmarked by Monday, June 29, 2009. All teams must send their submissions via mail carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEX, DHL, Airborne delivered packages are the only ones that will be accepted) to arrive at: 72 Hour Film Shootout c/o Asian American / Asian Research Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, Room 1000, New York, NY 10036 (“Entry Address”) by 12pm noon (EDT) on Tuesday, June 30, 2009. It is HIGHLY recommended that teams use OVERNIGHT carrier. Teams may opt to use non-overnight delivery services to save money, however at their own risk. NO DROP-OFFS (including messenger service) WILL BE ACCEPTED. Only works that are received by the above deadline via the aforementioned official mail carriers will be admitted into the Competition.
• To Enter: The instructions for the Competition will be posted on the Asian American Film Lab Shootout website located at http://www.aafilmlab.org (the “Official Website”), a website owned and controlled by Asian American Film Lab (“AAFL”), on or around June 1, 2009. Log on and follow the instructions to complete the registration process. Entrants may register for the Competition by mailing an Official Entry Form and check or money order in the applicable amount based on the date of the entry (the “Registration Materials”) to the Entry Address. Entries postmarked on or before end of business day June 8, 2009 will be deemed Early Entries and will be assessed an entry fee of $45. Entries postmarked on or before June 19, 2009 will be deemed Regular Entries and will be assessed an entry fee of $45. Entries received by June 26, 2009, by close of business day, will be deemed Late Entries and will be assessed an entry fee of $95. Entries received after June 26, 2009 will not be accepted. Entries submitted in accordance with these Official Rules shall be collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Eligible Entries.” All entries must be submitted in accordance with the specification set forth in these Official Rules. All entries become the property of AAFL and will not be returned.
• Once an entry is deemed an Eligible Entry, AAFL will notify each Team via email that their entry has been received and is eligible. Team members will be invited to the Competition Launch Party via email for the Competition to be held on Friday June 26, 2009 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (EDT) (with the exact location to be announced on the Official Website). At 8 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, June 26, 2009, a contest theme (“Theme,” “Contest Theme” or “Competition Theme”), whose elements may include a prop, a character, a place and/or a line of dialogue will be announced. The theme will be announced on the Official Website. Upon receipt of the Contest Theme, each Team will be required to develop a film based on that theme to be submitted as their Team entry to the Competition (“Team Film”). To qualify as an official entry in the Film Shootout, each Team’s film must contain all required elements of the Contest Theme.
• Submission Requirements: Provide two (2) copies of finished product on miniDV tape (NTSC Standard Definition Format) or two (2) copies of finished product on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (NTSC Standard Definition, 720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs), or one (1) miniDV tape and one (1) data DVD. Entries shall consist of the Team’s Registration Material, Team’s Submission Documents, and two (2) copies of the Team’s Film (NTSC Standard Definition Format) no longer than 5 minutes in length as specified in these Official Rules. Teams may be asked, at a later date, to submit copies of their Team Film in additional formats during the judging process. Films must be wholly original to the Team. All creative work for the Team Film, including but not limited to the following, must take place within the Competition Time Period: Writing the script, Rehearsing, Costume/Set Design, Shooting, Editing, Sound Design. Only the following work can begin prior to the Competition Time Period: Organizing Crew, Organizing Cast, Securing Equipment, Scouting/Securing Locations. All footage for the Team Film must be shot within the Competition Time Period. No stock footage or footage shot or created before the Competition Time period may be used in the Team Film. Animation and special effects are permitted, but must be created during the Competition Time Period. Only one Team Film may be entered by a given solo filmmaker or a Team. If a solo filmmaker or Team submits more than one film, only the first film entered will be considered. Entries that are not the original work of the Team, or illegible or incomplete entries will not be accepted. Furthermore, entries which do not adhere to the following programming guidelines may be rejected by AAFL:
• The finished Team Film must incorporate the contest theme selected for the 6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout which will be announced promptly at 8:00 p.m. June 26, 2009 (EDT) at a Launch Party in New York City and simultaneously on the Official Website.
• The finished Team Film, including credits, must not exceed 5 minutes in duration. Required elements such as bars and tone, as detailed below, do not count against the 5 minute duration time.
• Any type of video or film or digital camera may be used.
• The finished Team Film must be submitted on miniDV tapes or on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs) in NTSC Standard Definition format. Each team must submit two (2) copies of the Team Film on miniDV tape (NTSC Standard Definition Format) or two (2) copies of finished product on data DVDs in Quicktime Format (NTSC Standard Definition, 720×480 pixels, 29.97 fps without proprietary codecs), or one (1) miniDV tape and one (1) data DVD.
• If AAFL cannot view your film on its equipment, it may be disqualified. AAFL will not return any films/videos submitted. Once submitted, all films and the corresponding entry information become the sole property of AAFL and will not be returned. Teams whose entries are chosen as finalists may be required to provide their film/video in an uncompressed video format.
• The finished Team Film must begin with the following:
1) 10 seconds of bars and tone
2) Team name, date, title, running time
3) 10 seconds of black
THESE ELEMENTS ARE NOT A PART OF THE 5 MINUTE TIME LIMIT.
• If shot in a 16:9 ratio and/or anamorphic, the Team Film must be letter-boxed to conform with a 4:3 aspect ratio. The projector will not be switched to stretch the picture.
• Films must include the following credit: “This film was made possible in part by the support of the “6th Annual 72 Hour Film Shootout presented by the Asian American Film Lab.”
• AAFL reserve the right to reject any entry that could be considered pornographic, or that depicts hardcore or graphic sex, or any other material, including language, deemed objectionable to community standards as determined by AAFL in their sole discretion. AAFL reserves the right to reject any entry that it deems, in its sole discretion, to violate any of these policies.
• Releases: Each Team is responsible for securing talent, location and all necessary releases for completion of their respective film. Regarding music releases, Teams are encouraged to work with local composers and/or musicians to write and record music for the Films. AAFL realizes that this may be difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is permissible for a Team to use prerecorded music; HOWEVER the Team must have the rights to any music used in its Film. Participant shall defend, indemnify and hold AAFL and any and all other sponsors, and their respective affiliated entities, harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, damages, or other payments, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney fees, arising out of any breach or alleged breach of any of your warranties or representations herein. Releases must be available upon request. NOTE: Not having proper releases may prevent winning films from being screened at the 2009 Asian American International Film Festival, or at any other festival or venue.
• Judging Panel, Voting and Winner Selection: Based on the judging criteria set forth below, entries will be judged by AAFL and two (2) Runner-Up Prize Winners and one (1) Grand Prize Winner will be announced at the Competition Wrap Party or equivalent event (with the exact time and location to be announced on the Official Website). All Competition Teams will be invited to the Competition Wrap Party, though there may be a limit to the number of seats allowed per team. Teams that are unable to attend the Competition Wrap Party will be able to determine if their Team is a Runner-Up Prize Winner or a Grand Prize Winner by accessing the Official Website.
• Prizes and Awards: Grand Prize (1): The Grand Prize Winner shall receive a prize package including but not limited to a monetary prize provided by AAFL. Runner-Up Prize (2): Runner-up Prize Winners shall receive a prize package including but not limited to a monetary prize provided by the AAFL. A current list of awards and prizes will be posted on the Official Website. The top ten Shootout Finalist films may receive possible screening opportunity at the New York Asian American International Film Festical and elsewhere. Additional award acknowledgments will be announced in the following categories: Acting, Editing, Direction, Story, and Cinematography. Additional categories, awards and prizes may be added, removed, or substituted at the sole discretion of AAFL.
• Eligibility: The Competition is open to filmmakers and Teams whose members are each legal residents of the United States and Canada and have at least one Team member who is at least 18 years old at time of entry. At time of entry and during the course of the Competition, entrants (and all participating Team members) must be amateur filmmakers (i.e., cannot have a contract with a major or independent U.S. or Canadian film studio). In addition, in order to be eligible to participate in this Competition each Team must contain at least one key member and one lead actor who are of Asian or Asian American descent. A key member is a director, producer, writer, director of photography, or editor. A lead actor is a character that drives the storyline. AAFL reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any entrant who is under a third-party agreement which AAFL deems as contradictory to the amateur nature of this Competition. AAFL assumes no responsibility for any internal disputes among members of Teams that are entered into the Competition with regard to the film submitted into the Competition, or any internal disputes among the various individuals and/or entities that have collective interest in any submitted film. Such disputes will not be resolved by AAFL. In the event that any such dispute or personnel change interferes with the operation of the Competition, entrants and their respective Team members involved in the dispute may be disqualified, in AAFL’s sole discretion. VOID WHEREVER PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. Members of the Asian American Film Lab (“AAFL”) or sponsors and their affiliated entities are eligible to participate so long as they are not members of the organizing or judging committees of the Competition. By participating in this Competition, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of AAFL which are final in all matters relating to this Competition. No responsibility is assumed for incorrect or inaccurate entry information whether caused by an entrant, any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this Competition or by any human error which may occur in the processing of the entries or votes in this Competition. Neither AAFL nor any of its sponsors and affiliated entities will be responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials of this Competition. If, for any reason, the Competition is not capable of running as planned, including, but not limited to, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of AAFL, or any and all sponsors and affiliated entities, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Competition, or for any reason AAFL deem it necessary, AAFL reserves the right in their sole and unequivocal discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Competition and/or the prizes. All interpretations of these Official Rules and the decisions of AAFL are final. AAFL reserves the right in their sole and unequivocal discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering, or has tampered with the entry process; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person or entity.
• Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on filmmaking ability, overall talent artist proficiency, originality, successful incorporation of the theme, and creativity.
• Arrangements for the fulfillment of the Grand Prize will be made by AAFL during the 2009 calendar year. AAFL reserve the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute the Grand Prize or the Runner-Up prize, or any portion thereof, with prizes of comparable value. The Grand Prize and Runner-Up prizes are non-transferable. Each Grand Prize Winner and Runner-Up Prize Winner (and each participating member, if a collective group), as a condition of receiving the Grand Prize, or the Runner-Up Prize must sign (i) an affidavit of eligibility and liability to release AAFL, affiliated entities, advertising agencies, and any other participating sponsors, and their respective employees, from any and all liability, claims, demands and causes of action for personal injury and/or damage, theft, loss, or any other harm suffered in connection with this Competition or the use or acceptance of the Grand Prize or the Runner-Up Prize and (ii) except where prohibited, a promotional release granting the right to use his or her name, likeness and Team Film for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation. Entry into this Competition constitutes each entrant’s agreement to sign such releases. Prior to the fulfillment of the Grand Prize, or the Runner-Up Prize, winners may be required to provide AAFL with identification proving his/her age and identity and also to sign additional release(s) and/or agreement(s) necessary to fulfill the Prize. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY, FINALIST OR GRAND PRIZE WINNER (AT AAFL’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH INDIVIDUAL’S DISQUALIFICATION AS A FINALIST AND/OR GRAND PRIZE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION AND ALL PRIVILEGES WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED. Upon receipt of any part of the Grand Prize or Runner-Up Prize, each prize winner is required to comply with any and all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations related thereto.
• Entrants hereby agree to submit their entries under the following terms and conditions: (i) that AAFL may use entrant’s Film, and any ideas, concepts, materials, in whole or in part, contained in an entry to advertise, promote, and publicize AAFL and the Shootout, directly or indirectly, or as otherwise set forth in the Participant’s Agreement; (ii) that all materials submitted become the property of AAFL and will not be returned; (iii) that all materials submitted are free from any lien or claim by anyone, including, but not limited to, any union, guild or performance rights society; (iv) entrants have obtained all rights, permissions and licenses necessary for AAFL to use the entries for any purpose; (v) that no entry, or any part thereof, infringes any trademark or copyright or otherwise violates anyone’s right of privacy or publicity; (vi) entrants indemnify and hold harmless AAFL and any and all sponsors and affiliated entities from any claims, suits, losses damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that arise from any breach of the following conditions. All entrants agree to the foregoing and in addition agree to obtain, upon request of AAFL, any documentation and releases necessary to prove their unrestricted ownership in all materials contained in their entries and their right to use such materials without limitation for any purpose.
• Entrants will each sign a Participant’s Agreement which grants to AAFL the non-exclusive, irrevocable right and license to exhibit, broadcast, copy, reproduce, encode, compress, encrypt, incorporate data into, edit, broadcast, rebroadcast, transmit, record, publicly perform, and distribute and synchronize in timed relation to visual elements, the Team’s Film and any related materials submitted by entrants and the Team (such as personal information and/or elements, including but not limited to name(s), trademarks, tradenames, likenesses, photographs, biographical materials and all other graphic and/or textual material) (together with the Team Film, the “Materials”), and/or any portions or excerpts thereof, in any manner, an unlimited number of times, in any and all media, now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world, in perpetuity to advertise, promote, AAFL, the Shootout, and any of its awards or presenting sponsors in all media throughout the universe and may authorize others to do so. Such advertising, promotion, and publicity may include portions and excerpts, in addition to cut-in, synchronized, dubbed and superimposed versions of the Materials. AAFL may use and authorize others to use Participant’s name, voice, biography, and likeness as well as those of artists or individuals who rendered services in connection with the Team Film in any media for the purposes of advertising, promotion or publicizing the Team Film and the Competition by AAFL.
• All teams shall refrain from publicly screening or distributing the Team Film until after the winners of the Competition are announced by AAFL.
• All interpretations of the rules and decisions by AAFL are final. AAFL reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual it finds or believes to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the event; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person or entity. AAFL reserves the right to amend these rules.
• This Competition is organized by Asian American Film Lab, Inc., a New York-based not-for-profit organization with a mailing address for the purposes of this competition at:
Asian American/Asian Research Institute
Attn: 72 Hour Film Shootout
25 West 43rd Street, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10036
tel (212) 869-0182
***PLEASE NOTE: This address is for Film submission ONLY and NO DROP-OFFS (including messenger service) WILL BE ACCEPTED!!! Team registration can be completed online or sent
to our PO Box***
• Student Filmmaker Award: This year’s Shootout will include a special award category sponsored by the AAARI-CUNY. To qualify as a student entry, the following principal crew members must have all been enrolled students as of the Spring 2009 semester: Director, Writer and Producer. Consideration for the “Student Award” has no bearing whatsoever on judging for the other Shootout award categories. Submissions for the “Student Award” must also follow all other Shootout requirements in order to be considered for this category.
