LOL! TEARS! IKYFL! I’M DEAD!!! We’re kicking off the first annual HBCU Look at Us: Short Film Showcase with a comedic bang! Curated Mission is calling all storytellers from historically Black colleges and universities to submit your most side-splitting, jaw-dropping, laugh-’til-you-cry short films. Physical comedy? Awkward humor? Satire so wrong it’s so right? If your work makes people say “I’m DEAD,” then we want it.

🎥 Submission Details:
* At least one key creative must be an HBCU student or alum
* The theme is COMEDY: IYKYK (Basically make us LAUGH—whatever your style!)
* Runtime must be 20 minutes or less
* Completion date of January 2022 or later
* Verification of HBCU affiliation required if your film is selected
* No refunds for unqualified submissions

Set in Atlanta—home to the prestigious Atlanta University Center (AUC)—this inaugural event promises a powerhouse lineup of fresh, bold, and hilarious cinema. Beyond the screen, enjoy compelling post-screening Q&As with the filmmakers who are reshaping the comedy landscape through the lens of lived experience, creativity, and fearless humor.
CURATEDmission is an outlet of 2:42am Productions, where we proudly amplify underrepresented voices with this dynamic showcase spotlighting BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ creators. Join us in celebrating the diversity within our diversity—and the laughter that brings us all together.

Awards & Prizes

All selected films will screen at the event at the LOOK Cinema in Brookhaven and receive Official Selection laurels. Each selected film will receive 5 free tickets to attend the showcase. Filmmakers will participate in a Q&A to explore their film/work with a live audience.
Audience will vote for the Best Film and the winner will receive a special prize!!

Rules & Terms

📜 Rules & Terms
HBCU Look at Us: Short Film Showcase
CURATEDmission - 2:42am Productions are proud to amplify comedic storytelling from HBCU creators.
THIS IS NOT A FILM FESTIVAL. It’s a curated, public showcase. Please consider whether your film is a good fit for the showcase if you are actively submitting to film festivals, as participating in a public showcase may affect your eligibility for film festivals!!!
This showcase is a chance to celebrate comedy, culture, and creativity with a community that gets the joke—and the vision.

To ensure a fair and smooth selection process, all entries must adhere to the following:

🎓 Eligibility Criteria
* At least one key creative (Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, or Editor) must be a current student or graduate of a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
* Completion date of January 2022 or later
* Selected films will be required to provide verification of HBCU affiliation. Any selections without verification will be disqualified from the showcase. No refunds will be issued for non-eligible submissions.
* If selected, filmmakers are expected to attend the showcase to represent their film. Only apply if you are local to Atlanta or are willing to expense your travel to Atlanta.
* Projects affiliated with 2:42am Productions employees are not eligible.

🎥 Film Specifications
* Short films only — 20 minutes or less
* Genre: Comedy in all its forms (awkward, witty, physical, dark, satirical, etc.)
* Final completed works only — no works-in-progress or updated versions allowed.
* Completion date of January 2022 or later
* Digital submissions only; no physical formats accepted
* Films must not be available for public streaming during the submission and screening period (this may affect festival eligibility)
* Selected films must provide a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) for screening.
This showcase has partnered with AutoDCP to support DCP delivery.
Delivering a DCP, either one you already have or one made by AutoDCP, requires that you be subscribed to the AutoDCP e-delivery service. This service allows you to make unlimited deliveries to any supported festival. The monthly price is a flat $10, there is a 7 day free trial. You may opt to cancel AutoDCP's e-delivery service at any time.

NOTE: Costs to using AutoDCP
There is no cost to deliver via AutoDCP if you deliver within the 7 day free trial. After 7 days, there will be a monthly fee of $10.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A DCP:
You are not required to make an DCP with AutoDCP. There are many DCP creation services! If you choose to make a DCP with AutoDCP, the cost is only $5/minute. For example a seven minute short will cost $35. AutoDCP does not have any hidden fees, nor does it require you to pay more to 'own' it.

🎞 Captions & Accessibility
* Open captions required for all selected works to support accessibility.
* Must be burned into the video
* Non-English language films must have English captions burned in
* Captions must be synchronized, legible, and include essential sound cues

🔐 Screeners
* All submissions must include a secure online screener, preferably via Vimeo (password-protected) or direct upload to FilmFreeway.
* Screener links and passwords must remain active through Sept 30, 2025
* Submitters must promptly update any broken or changed screener links. Failure to respond to outreach may result in disqualification.

🛑 Refund & Disqualification Policy
Once your project is marked "In Consideration" on FilmFreeway, no refunds will be issued for any reason including—but not limited to:
* Incorrect submission category
* Missing materials or deadlines
* Changes in distribution or festival status
* Duplicate entries or technical errors
* Voluntary withdrawal *2:42am Productions retains the right to disqualify any project at their discretion, even after selection has been announced.

📣 Promotional Support
If selected, please submit:
* High-resolution stills (no behind-the-scenes)
* Press kit which includes headshot of key creative with HBCU affiliation
* Trailers (Vimeo/YouTube)
* Social media handles This will help us promote your work in the press, on our site, and across social platforms.

⚖️ Legal Terms & Copyright
* All films must be fully cleared for public exhibition.
* Submitters are solely responsible for securing all rights (music, visuals, etc.).
* By submitting, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless 2:42am Productions from any legal claims tied to your work.
* Selected filmmakers grant permission for promotional usage of their film materials.

✅ If Selected
* Confirm your participation within 5 days of notification
* Submit your DCP file within 14 days of notification
* Films without completed materials or required format may lose showcase placement.
* Filmmakers will not receive travel stipends nor screening fees for this showcase. The sole purpose is to present your film to a new audience!

🧠 Code of Conduct
All showcase attendees, including filmmakers, guests, and volunteers, must adhere to our community Code of Conduct. Violations (including harassment, misconduct, or abuse) may result in removal.