Calling all WNY filmmakers and hobbyists! Buffalo Shorts was created to provide WNY filmmakers and enthusiasts an opportunity to have their work celebrated in community.

Buffalo shorts accepts films up to 15 minutes in length, to be included in the new uncurated Buffalo Shorts streaming channel! www.vimeo.com/showcase/buffaloshorts. All films will be accepted and notified upon verification of compliance to submission rules - on a rolling basis.

Select films, chosen by our panel of judges will be featured twice weekly on Buffalo Rising as soon as a minimum level of submissions have received. Filmmakers will be notified by email if their film has been selected for feature.

These featured films are chosen by 6 film aficionados (see below) who will be ranking the films that will ultimately compete for bragging rights and a special showcase gathering at Raven Vanguard Design Studio in Allentown (Date TBD upon Covid-19 social distancing restrictions). Tentative date listed as November 14, 2020.

JUDGES:

Lukia Costello - Independent photographer, filmmaker, Director and founder of MicroMania Film Fest and The New Hotness Media Institute.

William Graebner - is Emeritus Professor of History, State University of New York, author and co-author of 11 books and Buffalo Rising film reviewer.

Dianne Bennett - the first woman to head a large US law firm, retired tax lawyer and Buffalo Rising film reviewer. William and Diane post film reviews on their blog at 2filmcritics.com.

Thomas M. Moll - Creative Director and Managing Member of Raven Vanguard Design Studio, LLC, based in Allentown - www.ravenvanguard.com

Edreys Wajed - is an artist, educator, performer, and entrepreneur based in Buffalo.

Paulette D. Harris - Artistic Director Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center has worked in television, theatre and film collectively for more than 30 years in various capacities.

Alycia Ripley - A published author of three novels and one memoir, a writer for national and local publications, and a script doctor for various things you’ve watched on Netflix. www.alyciaripley.com

Newell Nussbaumer - A diehard Buffalonian and has been supporting film culture in this city for years, through Buffalo Rising and other grassroots efforts.

All films submitted will be included in our showcase and earn a chance at being featured on BuffaloRising.com ( 620,000 monthly page views, 150K monthly visitors and 120K social media followers).

Films 5 minutes and under get a chance to qualify and compete in MicroMania Film Festival 2020. Deadline: June 1st for short films wishing to be considered for inclusion in MicroMania Film Festival 2020 taking place July 18-25 visit micromaniafilmfest.com for details.

Submission is open to residents and film students who study in WNY but do not reside here year round.

Western New York is the westernmost region of the state of New York. It includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, Jamestown and the surrounding suburbs, as well as the outlying rural areas of the Great Lakes lowlands, the Genesee Valley, and the Southern Tier.

Vertical, horizontal or square video formats are accepted. If necessary for story, please use subtitles in non-English language films. All genres welcome.
Creation date: any.

By submitting a project you agree that you have the rights to do so as a producer/creator and that you own, have documented permission or have purchased rights to all art or music used in your project.

Submissions must include: Director/Creator credit and description. Filmmakers will be requested to provide 1 horizontal image (under 2MB) provide an link to download their film in HD (under 5GB) and provide genre information as well as descriptive tags.

Filmmakers agree to allow their film to be streamed online indefinitely but, may request the removal of their film at any time.

Buffalo Shorts reserves the right to disqualify content of sexually explicit hateful, discriminatory, overly political, illegal or explicit nature. Films that run over 15 minutes before credits roll will be disqualified. Films of exceptionally poor technical quality will be disqualified. Films with adult themes or language will be tagged as 'Mature'.

Films using copywritten music for which rights or permission have not been acquired will be disqualified.

Films are intended for 'All audiences' unless tagged as 'Mature'. Buffalo Shorts has not been created for children.