The Ames Free Library and Hockomock Film Festival in Easton, Massachusetts, invite you to enter our Three-Minute Film Contest benefiting the Ames Free Library.

This contest encourages amateur filmmakers to create a film that captures our theme: THE WAY WE LIVE NOW: SNAPSHOTS FROM THE PANDEMIC.

This is your chance to get creative with writing, acting, composing, choreographing, documenting, filming, and editing your own movie. Animation is also welcome!

Submissions will be judged and prizes will be awarded in each of our four age brackets. Entrants should live within the continental United States.

No filmmaking experience or professional camera equipment is required to make a film. Both amateurs and experts alike are encouraged to submit an entry, and films can be shot on cell phones, tablets, or cameras. The judges will be looking for films that are exceptionally creative, impactful, original and relevant to the theme.

Register as a youth, teen, adult, or family. Registration is $25 per entry by June 10 and then increases to $30.

Be sure to create your film according to the theme AND the specifications listed below.

Winners will be announced via the Ames Free Library’s Facebook Live at noon on Friday, July 10.

Awards & Prizes

Each category offers a CASH prize of $150!

Rules & Terms

The Ames Free Library/ Hockomock Film Festival Three-Minute Film Contest is open to four age brackets. Entrants can sign up for more than one (for example, a teen can register in the teen bracket AND take part in the family bracket). Entrants can also register for up to two films, should they decide to create two films.

Age Brackets:
Youth (grades 8 and under)
Teen (grades 9-12)
Family (any family members residing in your household)
Adult (ages 19 and up)

Competition Guidelines:

· All short films must be written, directed, and edited by the entrants themselves.

· For safety, group projects must not be in-person, but you may collaborate on the project virtually.

· Adult guidance and instruction are permissible, but the planning and production must reflect youth and teen effort. Adults are permitted to act in youth and teen films.

· Films must be G or PG-rated in language and subject matter or they will be disqualified.

· A title and credits should be included in your film.

· Films must be between TWO and THREE minutes in length, including credits.

Two minutes is the minimum, and three minutes is the maximum.

· Sound or video clips from other films, television shows, music videos, etc. must be within the public domain or you have received written permission from the copyright holder. This includes the use of trademarked products or characters. Copyright-free, public domain, trade-friendly or creative commons copyright music can be used.

· All persons that appear in a film must be aware that they are a part of the film.

- The Ames Free Library reserves the right to accept or decline any entry, for whatever reason, without notice or explanation.

Important Dates:

· Registration is $25 per film prior to June 10; $30 after June 10.

· All entries must be submitted by Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at midnight EST

· Winners will be announced via the Ames Free Library Facebook Live at 12 pm EST on Friday, July 10, 2020.