Got 75 seconds to honor heroes?

75 years ago, Germany and Japan unconditionally surrendered, ending the largest and most deadly conflict in human history. WWII involved almost every nation; by allying and working toward a common goal, warriors and citizens forever changed our world.

Victory marked the start of political, economic, and physical reconstruction. Millions of refugees and displaced persons, whose lives had been violently uprooted by the war, began the long and difficult process of recovery and repatriation.

Stories about triumph over adversity, selfless sacrifice, and unity are perhaps more important today than they have ever been. For Veteran’s Day 2020, help us commemorate the “Greatest Generation” with a short, 75-second film about them, their deeds, or their legacy.

Awards & Prizes

The Greater Dallas Veterans Foundation and NTX VetFest are excited to collaborate on this unique, groundbreaking contest to capture compelling stories and honor the sacrifices and heritage of the Greatest Generation.

All films will be evaluated by a panel of judges who will preview, critique and rank them. This panel will select Jury Award Winners for 5 categories within 6 contest levels.

Films may also be eligible for “The Victory” Award.

In addition to other prizes, all Award Winners will receive one (1) limited edition 2020 Challenge Coin commemorating the 75th Anniversary of VE/VJ Day (Value $75) and one (1) Star Pass to the 2021 Dallas International Film Festival (Value $1K).

All Award-Winning films and filmmakers will be featured on the GDVF and NTX VetFest YouTube Channels and social media platforms.

JURIED AWARDS

Films within the following 5 Categories are eligible for Jury Awards; it is solely up to the Entrant to specify one or more categories in which their film(s) will be evaluated.

• Narrative: Fictional, even if content is based on actual events.

• Documentary (excluding broadcast journalism or PSA): Factual representation of historic event or person.

• Broadcast Journalism / PSA: A “news-like” broadcast of a historic event or person; or an advertisement that serves the public interest in a specific event or issue to promote a desired action, raise awareness, or modify public attitude.

• Animation: Animated content, either narrative or documentary, created via digital or traditional methods (Claymation, hand drawing, stop motion). This category does not include live action film that has been edited to create a “strobe” effect.

• Music Video: Narrative or documentary content set to music and visually represented using any technique.

Films within these Categories will be judged within the following 6 Contest Levels; it is solely up to the Entrant to specify the level at which their film(s) will be evaluated. Entrants who meet multiple eligibility requirements MUST enter the classification for which the Director qualifies.

• Elementary: Entrants aged 5 through 11.

• Junior: Entrants aged 12 through 15.

• Young Adult: Entrants aged 16 through 22.

• Hobbyist: Entrants over the age of 22 who are not professional filmmakers.

• Professional: Entrants who are professional filmmakers.

• Military: Entrants who are currently serving in or are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard); is a member or former member of the National Guard or the US Space Force; or immediate family members* of those who are serving or have served in one of the aforementioned forces.

*Immediate family members are limited exclusively to the following people/relationships: parents, siblings, spouse or civil partner, and children (either by birth, adoption, or marriage).

PLEASE NOTE: Each Category and Contest Level must have a minimum of 3 entries to remain eligible for awards. If a Contest Level has fewer than 3 entrants, or jurors deem all films in a Category undeserving of awards, we may elect to not choose an award winner within that Category or Contest Level.

Every submission will be evaluated on the following creative and technical criteria, as applicable:

• Originality / Creativity
• Direction
• Writing / Lyrics
• Cinematography
• Performances
• Pacing
• Structure
• Sound / Music / Melody
• Production Value
• Overall Quality

It is solely at the discretion of the Jury to designate Jury Award winners.

THE VICTORY AWARD

Films not receiving a Jury Award will be posted to the GDVF YouTube channel for audience voting.

The Victory will be awarded to the film receiving the most “Likes” during the voting period (November 7-10, 2020).

Award of The Victory is based solely on viewer’s response during this time period.

The Victory will be awarded to only one film, regardless of Category or Contest Level.

PLEASE NOTE: We explicitly disclaim any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a film competing for The Victory, whether by us or YouTube viewers.

The odds of winning either a Jury Award or The Victory depend on the number of submissions and the quality of entries.

JURISTS

The following industry professionals are among the people comprising the Jury Panel:

JOHNATHAN BROWNLEE is an award-winning Canadian-American director, producer, writer and actor with a diverse international body of work. His feature films, documentaries, television series and digital content have been viewed in more than 100 countries in 14 languages. A highly respected producer, Johnathan has worked in 20+ countries with Academy Award-, Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-winning talent, including Helen Hunt, Angelina Jolie, Jerry Seinfeld, Luciano Pavarotti, Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Rashida Jones, Dan Aykroyd, Richard Gere, Aaron Paul, and William H. Macy. Active philanthropically, Johnathan currently serves as CEO & President of the non-profit Dallas Film, which produces the Dallas International Film Festival. He recently created the Veterans Institute for Film & Media (VIFM), a special hands-on training program for military veterans. He has also served on the Community Board for First Credit Union as Vice Chair and as the Los Angeles representative for the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. Johnathan is currently casting his next feature, “The Eyes of Jefferson” (director/writer), and is in development on the films, “Montserrat” (director/writer), as well as Hallmark’s “An Island Light” and “Twisted Retribution” (director) and “The Devil’s Country” and “Good Enough” (director/writer).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnathan_Brownlee
www.torfoot.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnathan-brownlee-897587b/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0115234/

JEREMY LOCK directs his lens towards elements of the world that few of us have the opportunity or the desire to see first-hand. During his 25-year career as a photojournalist, Jeremy has captured images that are beautiful, heartbreaking, provocative, and devastating – sometimes all in the same frame. Before retiring from the USAF in 2013, he was specially trained to shoot from the air and under the sea and is the only person to be named “Military Photographer of the Year” a record-breaking seven times (2002, '05, '06, '08, '10, '11, ‘12). In addition to being recognized as the best in the business and an accomplished military veteran—receiving a Bronze Star Medal for distinguished service in Iraq—Jeremy captures the essence and reality of humanity at its finest and at its worst. He’s photographed everything from the hunt for Osama bin Laden, to the playful nature of our young military who are defending our freedom, and the plight of humans in search of food after the Haiti earthquake disaster. Jeremy’s images have been published in magazines, newspapers and books, including National Geographic, Time, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, among others, and have earned multiple awards from prestigious organizations including World Press Photo, National Press Photographers Association, and Oasis. His recent, highly diverse projects include documenting the Konyak Tribe of Nagaland, India; covering rallies, protests and marches in Dallas, Texas; capturing the devastation of Hurricane Laura and Operation BBQ Relief’s service in Lake Charles, Louisiana; and participating in “The Social Movement,” a docu-reality TV series.

https://www.jeremytlock.com

ANUTA SUGIMURA is an Asian-American award-winning independent documentary filmmaker and former news producer with more than 20 years of film and television news experience. Her first feature film, “Battlefield: Home - Breaking The Silence,” which was inspired by her own experiences as a military child during the Vietnam War, was awarded Best Documentary at the 2018 SAMHSA Voice Awards for its attention and awareness of PTSD and mental health. The film also garnered several awards at various film festivals, as well as special screenings at UCLA's Friends of Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, and Anita was recognized as Best Female Director at the Sante Fe Film Festival. Her previous works include: The Amazing Race (CBS), Feature film, "Pickin' & Grinnin' with Director Jon Gries, and other short documentaries. She is currently in development on two projects: one a multimedia book and film, as well as her mother's biography as a Nagasaki survivor. Anita is a member of IDA (International Documentary Assn), BGDM (Brown Girls Doc Mafia), NYWIFT (NY Women In Film & Television), AWD (Alliance of Women Directors), and the APA (American Psychological Assn.) and is a contributing writer with The Rural Assembly and CAAM (Center for Asian American Media). In addition to being a classically trained chef, Anita has degrees in sociology and psychology, as well as a Master of Science in International Conflict Analysis & Resolution. Anita is a passionate mental health advocate and speaker for our veterans and military families.

https://gizzybearpro.com
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4467995/

DEBORAH STONE started her career in the entertainment industry as an actor in Dallas, Texas. After several years of being cast in commercials and television projects, she and her family moved to New Jersey, where she was represented by the William Morris Agency, NY. During this time, she discovered her love for production—especially writing—and began working with TV One Productions, becoming a director within two years. After moving back to Dallas in the early 2000’s, Stone opened her own production company. Over the years she has produced numerous commercials, several music videos, directed two national series, and produced feature films. She has produced more than 500 episodes for a network talk show and hundreds of episodes for network television. In 2016, Stone directed the animated feature film, “The Adventures of Azzu and Gazzu,” and currently is working on a project with Dr. Daniel Wallace, following his search for ancient Greek New Testament manuscripts throughout Europe and the Middle East. In May 2017, she was awarded an International Film Award for directing and producing the documentary, “Brushstrokes of a Man,” the story of Thomas Kinkade.

https://silverstoneproductionsllc.com
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4148385/

HARRY HUNSICKER is the former executive vice-president of the Mystery Writers of America and the bestselling author of eight crime thrillers. His work has been short-listed for both the Shamus and Thriller Awards. Hunsicker’s story “West of Nowhere,” originally published in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, was selected for inclusion in the anthology The Best American Mystery Stories 2011. His latest novel, Texas Sicario, was published in January 2019 by Thomas & Mercer.

https://harryhunsicker.com

J. ISAIAH EVANS, of the band The 40 Acre Mule, is a native of Dallas but spent parts of his youth in the greater New Orleans area. There, he fell in love with the music that would become his career. It's also where he became familiar with the work of The National WWII Museum. He is the nephew of two Tuskegee Airmen and the grandson of a Soldier who all proudly fought in Europe during the war. He and his wife, an American History and Government teacher, are self-described "WWII nerds" who still make Dallas their home.

https://the40acremule.com/home

Rules & Terms

The following rules govern all film submissions to the “75 for the 75th” Film Contest. By submitting a film to the Contest, Entrants acknowledge that they have obtained consent from any and all owners, creators, writers, producers and/or other authorized representatives of whose consent is required to submit the film, and that they have read and understood the submission rules and regulations set forth below.

Entering a film into the Contest is FREE.

Total runtime (TRT) must not exceed 75 seconds; films longer than 75 seconds will not be considered, viewed, or evaluated. Credits are included in the TRT.

All entries must be submitted by midnight (US CDT; UTC/GMT -5), Friday, October 23, 2020.

The Contest is open to US and International filmmakers of all ages and experience.

Entrants may submit more than one film to the Contest.

Films previously submitted to other contests or festivals, that have been previously released via any home video or public distribution platform, have been broadcast/streamed on television or the internet, or shown in a theater in any country are eligible.

Films must be submitted in one of the following formats:
• mp4
• H264
• ProRes422

Films must be submitted at either 720p or 1080p (HD) resolution. 4K films will need to be converted before submitting.

All films must be submitted via FilmFreeway at https://filmfreeway.com/75forthe75th; we do not accept physical copies of films in any format or via any other online submission method.

Films with dialogue must be in English or have English subtitles. If subtitles are used, they should meet “Safe Title Area” guidelines. We are not responsible for ensuring subtitles appear onscreen.

We are not responsible for streaming quality. It is the sole responsibility of the Entrant to ensure that any submission plays in its entirety.

Films must be Entrant’s original work. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, Entrant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. By entering the Contest, you represent that you have secured all necessary rights.

Films may contain stock footage and photography but may not be comprised solely of stock footage or photographs.

Entrants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. We expressly disclaim all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

Entrants must provide email or other contact information for each participant of the film, including cast and crew. This information will be used solely for Contest administration and to contact winners; it will not be used for any other purpose or shared with any entity not affiliated with the Contest except to the extent permitted by law.

By entering the Contest, the Entrant grants us the right to use their name and submission (without compensation to the Entrant) for promotional purposes, unless prohibited by law.

We reserve the right—at our sole discretion—to reject or disqualify any and all ineligible entries.

Please Note: If you have any questions regarding your submission or the Contest rules, please reach out to our Contest Director at: NTXVetFest@outlook.com.

CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

THE FINE PRINT

By participating in the Contest, the Entrant acknowledges that we have no obligation to use or post any submission. Subject to these Terms, the Entrant retains copyright ownership of the submission.

It is the sole responsibility of the Entrant to secure authorization and permission from the copyright owner(s) of any and all copyrighted content or materials included within the submission. We expressly disavow any responsibility for, and will not be held responsible for, any unauthorized inclusion of any copyrighted content or materials within or relating to the submission, including any content or materials that are or may become the basis for any third-party claims for copyright infringement. We reserve the right to disqualify any submission with any unauthorized inclusion of copyrighted content or materials. In the event that any claim, dispute, action or proceeding shall be brought or asserted by any person or entity that alleges the submission makes unauthorized or unlawful use of any copyrighted content or material, Entrant shall fully indemnify and defend each person and entity associated with the Contest, including all their representatives and affiliates, from any liability in connection therewith and from any fees and expenses, including but not limited to attorneys’ fees, that any of them may incur in connection therewith.

By entering this contest, each Entrant agrees to the following Terms & Conditions:

To abide by these Terms, and the decisions of the Contest Administrators, which shall be final and binding in all respects relating to this Contest;

To release, discharge and hold harmless the Contest, the Contest’s licenses and assigns, and their respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and the respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives of the forgoing (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind to persons, including death, or property resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the Entrant’s participation in the Contest or any Contest-related activity and from any and all claims, debts, demands, actions or causes of actions, suits, sums of money, damages, and liabilities of whatsoever kind or nature, which have arisen or may arise as a result of the Released Parties exercise of the rights granted to them as set forth herein;

To the use of his/her name, voice, performance, photograph/film, image and/or likeness for programming, advertising, publicity and promotional purposes in any and all media, now or hereafter known, worldwide, including without limitation, on the Internet, and in perpetuity by the Contest and its designees, without compensation (unless prohibited by law) or additional consents from the Entrant or any third party and without prior notice, approval or inspection, and to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so; and

To hold the Released Parties harmless and to indemnify the Released Parties from and against all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred by the Released Parties in connection with the defense of any claim or claims on account thereof, including reasonable attorney’s fees.

By participating, the Entrant also agrees not to release any publicity or other materials on his/her own or through someone else regarding his/her participation in the Contest without the prior consent of the Contest, which it may withhold in its sole discretion.

Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, misdirected, undelivered, or garbled submissions; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, processing of submissions, the incorrect uploading of an submission, or in any Contest-related materials.

Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest.

Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Contest or downloading materials from or use of the website.

Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Contest or website, who act in an inappropriate or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Terms, as solely determined by the Contest, will be disqualified and all associated submissions will be void.

Should any portion of the Contest be, in the Contest’s sole opinion, compromised by virus, worms, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes which, in the sole opinion of the Contest, corrupt or impair the administration, security, fairness or submission of submissions, the Contest reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Contest.

Any attempt to deliberately damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be in violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Contest reserves the right to seek damages and other remedies (including attorneys’ fees) from any such individual to the fullest extent of the law, including criminal prosecution.

Additionally, Entrants hereby grant to us a royalty-free, fully paid up, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive and fully sub-licensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, combine with other works, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, edit and display such submissions (in whole or part) including, without limitation, the names and likenesses of any persons or locations embodied therein, and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later developed.

These rights include, without limitation, the right to exhibit submissions and to use submissions in any and all media including but not limited to the Contest and the Contest’s licensee’s social media properties and/or offline media, in perpetuity without compensation, permission or notification to the Entrant or any third party.