UPDATE - 11/13/2020:
Unfortunately, we will not be able to transition our planned Detroit Voices Short Film Competition into a virtual program this year. This was a difficult decision but one that needed to be made. We are very appreciative of your support of Cinetopia and look forward to seeing you and your films back with us in the near future. Our 2020 submitters will be emailed with options. If you submitted your film and have not heard from us, please email detroitvoices@cinetopiafestival.org.

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We are deeply saddened to announce that, with the health and safety of our audience as our highest priority, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year's Cinetopia Film Festival. Our team is working now to turn our 2020 Detroit Voices Program into a virtual offering to be held in Fall 2020 (aiming for early October). Please email detroitvoices@cinetopiafestival.org for more information.

The Cinetopia Film Festival's Detroit Voices Short Film Competition champions Michigan filmmakers by showcasing the talent and creative spirit of our state. As the only submission-based program of Cinetopia, Detroit Voices provides local filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their short films to a Michigan audience, compete for cash awards totaling $6,000, and participate in networking and educational opportunities leading up to and during Cinetopia.

The competition is open to Michigan filmmakers of all ages.

Awards & Prizes

Grand Jury Prize - Best Short Film
Jury prize for the most dynamic narrative short film in competition.
Cash Award: 2,000 U.S. Dollars

Audience Choice
The audience decides and votes for the crowd favorite!
Cash Award: 1,500 U.S. Dollars

Honorable Mention
Jury prize for the short film that has that special something that makes us smile, laugh, and/or cry.
Cash Award: 1,500 U.S. Dollars

Rules & Terms

Detroit Voices is a short film competition. Only short films will be accepted.

We will only watch the first cut submitted. Please submit your application when you are ready to send your film in the most complete and finished form possible.

Detroit Voices 2020 Rules and Regulations:

1. The film must be made by Michigan filmmakers.

2. Your film must be primarily shot in Michigan. While we do not require that your film be shot in Detroit, we will give priority consideration to films shot in communities in and around Metro Detroit.

3. All submissions must only contain content owned by the submitting filmmakers.

4. Films must be under 30 minutes.

5. Films with unlicensed music or visuals cannot be played at the festival.

6. The filmmaker or a representative for the filmmaking team must be in attendance at the first festival screening to be considered for any of the 2020 prizes.

7. Cinetopia reserves the right to use clips from the film and images submitted with the film for marketing and promotional purposes.

8. Cinetopia reserves the right to reject any material that is discriminatory in nature.