Guerilla Film Project

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Header Description

Started in 2005, Pickford Film Center's Guerilla Film Project (GFP) is a 65-hour filmmaking competition for high school students that attracts budding young filmmakers from across the Northwest.

Over President's Day Weekend, teams gather and race against the clock to write, shoot, cut and edit a three minute film in under 65 hours. All film entries are required to use a specific line of dialogue, select props, and a particular type of film shot. Films are then viewed by a jury of film professionals. Prizes are awarded at a filmmaker screening to be held the following Sunday.

Info/Contact

KEY INFO

65-hour Film Challenge for high schoolers
Challenge starts Thursday of President's Day Weekend @ 5 pm
Screening and Awards the following Sunday
Teams of 1 - 5 members
$40 Registration fee

CONTACT INFORMATION

Lesley Schroeder
Education, Events & Outreach Coordinator
Pickford Film Center
1318 Bay Street, Bellingham WA
lesley@pickfordfilmcenter.org

registration

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED

$40 registration fee paid via credit card at the box office or via check payable to Pickford Film Center

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TIMELINE

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 — Registration closes at 11:59 pm

Teams are announced, along with judges and panelists

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 5:00 PM — GFP Kickoff

All teams will receive three prompts via email (also posted on our website). These prompts will be a prop, a camera angle or movement, and a site or theme. All three prompts MUST be included in the film however you wish.
Teams have 65 hours to create and return their project film.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 10:00 AM — GFP Film Project due

Films on a drive can be dropped off at Pickford Film Center or uploaded via a link to be provided with registration
We will send an email confirmation that your film has been received and accepted. If you film is submitted on time but does not meet submission requirements, you will be notified and will have one hour until 11:00 am to resubmit. (To avoid this, PLEASE READ THE RULES below).

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1:00 PM — Film Screening and Awards

Tickets to the screening are free, but must be reserved to guarantee a seat. RESERVE YOUR SEAT BELOW.

Showtimes

Showtimes Civil War | 10:00AM, 1:15PM, 3:45PM, 8:35PM Housekeeping for Beginners | 10:45AM Wicked Little Letters | 6:15PM Twilight | 9:15PM

Rules etc

RULES

Guerilla filmmakers must be between ages 15 – 18 or registered as high school students.
Teams must have 3 – 5 members. Teachers, parents, actors, are not considered part of the team.
Competition is limited to the first 25 teams to register.
Team members are responsible for the creative aspects of the filmmaking process. Teachers and parents are allowed to provide technical support only.
Film projects MUST be completed within the designated time NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Completed projects must be no more than three minutes long.
Projects must be submitted in mp4 (H.264 codec) format with 1080p resolution. The projects can be submitted as a removable hard drive or via a specified dropbox link.
All films must start with a 15 second black screen title plate which includes the film name, high school and team name. This will not count in your total film time.
Teams must edit their own projects and are responsible for providing their own editing equipment.
Use of copyrighted music is only allowed if a team includes written proof of permission from the music’s creator which needs to be handed in with the submission form.
All film content must remain within a PG rating. See the MPAA website for guidelines.
Filmmakers are required to sign a release form granting Pickford Film Center the right to use footage created during the Guerilla Film Project for promotional materials. Any revenue received from the use of these materials will be used by Pickford Film Center to fund future community projects.
No one associated with the Guerilla Film Project or the Pickford Film Center can assist teams with their projects in any way.

JUDGES’ CHOICE AWARDS

Five judges will be present at the screening, and will vote for three different categories. After the screening of the films, the judge’s choices will be announced. The awards are as follows:

Best Picture (Gold Hamster): $100
Best Use of Prompts (Gold Hamster): $50
Best Editing (Gold Hamster): $50

PEER CHOICE AWARDS

Each team member involved in the competition will vote after each film is viewed. Peers vote for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place based on script, sound, camera work, and overall impact. The awards are as follows:

First Place (Gold Hamster): $100
Second Place (Silver Hamster): $50
Third Place (Bronze Hamster): $25

Free movie passes handed out to everyone for participating!