By submitting a project for consideration to Crazy8s, you hereby acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to all of the following terms and conditions (the “Rules and Regulations”).
The Rules and Regulations are subject to all Canadian federal, provincial, regional and municipal laws, regulations, rules, and restrictions (collectively, the “Requirements”), including those relating to COVID-19 and public health and safety and welfare where required.
The Rules and Regulations may be updated, supplemented, and/or amended at any time by Crazy8s in order to comply with the Requirements. All dates, deadlines, events, and schedules set forth herein are subject to change, postponement, and/or cancellation due to circumstances relating to COVID-19 if applicable.
All applicants, cast members, writers, directors, producers, and crew members shall comply at all times with the Requirements and any other rules, requirements established by Crazy8s throughout all stages of their participation in the Crazy8s Program, including in all pitching, editing, and production activities.
ELIGIBILITY
– Directors, Writers, or Producers of a project are eligible to be the primary applicant for Crazy8s.
– ALL Director(s), Writer(s), and Producer(s), and either the 1st or 2nd Lead Actor of a project, must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada, and must also be residents of British Columbia. Proof of citizenship or permanent residency will be required at the Top 40 Quarterfinalist stage.
– Applicants must be at least 19 years of age. Full-time time high school students are not eligible to apply. Post-secondary students are eligible to apply but should be aware that the time commitment for winning projects is heavy and may not be compatible with full-time studies.
– Applicants are ineligible to apply to the Crazy8s Program if they have worked for the Crazy8s Film Society in the program/season immediately preceding the present application.
– The project Director may also be the Writer, or the Writer may also be the Producer. However, the roles of Producer and Director must be filled by different people.
– Directors may receive a Producer credit but cannot be the Lead Producer on the project.
– Past Crazy8s Directors for a winning project may not re-apply as Directors, but can work on Crazy8s films in other roles, including Lead Producer, for subsequent years.
– Crazy8s accepts all genres of live action, scripted short film pitches including drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, mockumentary, etc. We do not accept animation, AI, or documentary pitches.
– Film concepts must be based on an original idea. Chain of Title documentation will be required proving that applicants have the rights to tell the story. If the short film concept is based on a real person, real event, a short story, a poem, a play, or any other original work, it is essential to have written permission from the person who created the original concept. This includes other people’s work that inspired the current developing short original film, and the use of any AI-generated content elements inspired by other people or their work. AI-generated content or elements must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including those related to copyright, image rights, and intellectual property.
– Elements of AI can be used in eligible projects, but cannot be the only or main component. A real person(s) must be the primary creative contributor(s) of the submitted material, including the video pitch, script, live pitch and one-sheet, and final film. A pitch, concept, script, and any other elements or material that contains no original authorship by a real person is not eligible. Applicants must be able to provide proof that a real person(s) is/are the primary creative contributor of the submitted material. Final decisions on AI-related eligibility are at the discretion of Crazy8s Film Society.
– Applicants are free to adapt any work that is currently in the public domain, which includes work created by people who have been dead more than 50 years.
– The full run time of all completed Crayz8s short film projects must be at least 5 minutes in length, but shall not exceed 18 minutes in length, including on-screen credits. This translates into approximately 5-10 pages of script. The maximum script length of 10 script pages (excluding title page) is not negotiable.
– Applicants reapplying with a project submitted in a previous season must reapply with a project video pitch and script sample draft that is substantively different in content or approach, from the material previously submitted. The determination of whether the resubmitted project meets this criterion is at the discretion of the Crazy8s adjudication panel.
CANADIAN CERTIFICATION (CAVCO)
– All directors, writers, and producers of each Top 6 Finalist team must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.
– Each team’s attached Directors, Writers, and Producers proceeding to the Top 40 Quarterfinalist stage and live pitch session, must each submit a CAVCO ID as proof of their Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status prior to their live pitch.
– The Top 6 Finalist teams/projects must meet CAVCO guidelines for Canadian Production, which states that the production must have 6 out of 10 Canadian content points as follows:
• 2 Points Director (must be Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada)
• 2 Points Writer (must be Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada)
• 1 Point Lead Actor (either 1st or 2nd lead must be Canadian or Permanent Resident of Canada)
• 1 Point 2nd Lead Actor
• 1 Point Cinematographer
• 1 Point Production Designer
• 1 Point Editor
• 1 Point Music Composer
– Each Top 6 team is responsible for making the CAVCO application or CRTC and application after the Gala Screening and Afterparty.
COPYRIGHT
– The Crazy8s Film Society will own the finished films. Filmmakers are encouraged to screen their films at international film festivals and use the film to promote themselves as filmmakers. The filmmakers are responsible for their own film festival entry fees.
– Filmmakers will retain the rights to produce sequels, feature films, television series, web series, or any other production based on their Crazy8s short films.
– The Crazy8s Film Society will work to sell the finished films to Canadian broadcasters and other distribution methods. We also encourage the filmmakers to take an active hand in the distribution of their films.
ROYALTIES
– A percentage (50%) of the net proceeds after expenses from all sales will go to the filmmaker(s) as a royalty. It is up to each winning team to decide how that Royalty will be split amongst the team members, but it is advised that the Director(s), Writer(s), and Producer(s) share any royalties received. Filmmakers keep 100% of any received film festival cash awards.
– Performers will also see a royalty from gross sales, administered through the Union of BC Performers.
– The Crazy8s Film Society’s portion of distribution proceeds go back into the Society to help fund the program in future years.
SCHEDULE
NOTE: One or more of the foregoing dates and/or events may be postponed, cancelled, rescheduled, conducted online, or subject to restrictions on attendance due to COVID-19 concerns and health and safety, if required.
2025
September 5 (Fri) launch - Crazy8s 2026 registration opens at 12:00 pm NOON
September 21 (Sun) Registration and Information Session – Online
October 17 (Fri) - Submission Deadline - 11:59 pm
November 8 – 9 (Sat-Sun) – Video Pitch Jury Deliberation TBA – In-Venue/Onlne
November 12 (Wed) - Top 40 Announcement - 12:00 pm NOON
November 22 (Sat), November 23 (Sun) - In-Person Pitches – In Venue
November 26 (Wed) - Top 12 Announcement - 12:00 pm NOON
December 12 (Fri) - First Full Script Draft Deadline - 12:00 pm NOON + Script Coordination Workshop - Online
December 13 (Sat) – Story Editing Workshop – In Venue
December 14 (Sun) – Table Reads – In Venue
December 19 (Fri) – Second Full Script Draft Deadline - 12:00 pm NOON
2026
January 5 (Mon) - Final Full Script Draft Deadline 12:00 pm NOON
January 10 – 11 (Sat-Sun) – In-Person Pitch Jury Deliberation TBA – In-Venue/Online
January 14 (Wed) - Top 6 Announcement - 12:00 pm NOON
January 17 (Sat) – Production Workshop #1 – In-Venue
January 18 (Sun) – Producer Workshop –Online
February 21 (Sat) - Production Workshop #2 – In-Venue
February 22 (Sun) – Equipment + Post-Production Partner Meet & Greets – In-Venue
March 6 (Fri) – March 8 (Sun) – Production Days
March 9 – 13 (Mon–Fri) – Post-Production Days
March 13 (Fri) – Final Completed Film Delivery – 6:00 pm + QC Screenings
April 10 (Fri) - Paperwork Due
April 11 (Sat) GALA SCREENING + AFTERPARTY - The Centre and Science World
April 18 (Sat) - Marketing and Distribution Workshop
April 19 (Sun) - Directing Seminar
PROGRAM PHASE 1-4 (PITCH TO PRODUCTION)
PHASE 1: VIDEO PITCH + SCRIPT SAMPLE
(See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
– At least one of the Director(s), Writer(s), or Producer(s) must participate in the video pitch.
– Both your video pitch and your script sample must be submitted by the registration/submission deadline or your application is disqualified.
– Video pitches longer than 3 minutes will be disqualified. The pitch should contain the beginning, middle and end of the story. (See FAQ on the Crazy8s website for more information.)
– Each video pitch must start with a slate containing the name of the project and name of the Director(s), Writer(s), and Producer(s) (if Producer is attached at the time of application). Please mention any other attached team members that the jury should know about, e.g: proposed Lead Actor, Cinematographer, Editor, etc. Please do not submit a completed short film, as this will disqualify your application.
– If the video pitch contains any AI-generated elements or was created in part with the use of generative AI, you must disclose this in your video pitch and specify how AI was used.
– Video pitches and script samples are assessed by a panel of industry professionals and Crazy8s alumni. The adjudication panel is disclosed publicly after the Top 40 quarterfinalists are announced. Crazy8s staff do not adjudicate the video pitches or script samples.
– Script samples must be of the project you are pitching to Crazy8s, and should be submitted in industry-standard script/screenplay format and must include the first three pages of your current script draft, plus a title page that has your script title, the date of the draft, your name, and your contact information i.e. email address, phone number. (See FAQ on the Crazy8s website for more information.)
– If the script sample contains any AI-generated elements, including using AI to edit your draft or using generative AI to help create characters or scenarios, you must disclose this on your title page and specify how AI was used.
– You can upload your script sample (PDF files only) under the “Files & Attachments” section at the bottom right side of your project page. Please do not submit a script sample that is longer than 3 pages (not counting the title page), since the jury will not read past the first 3 pages.
PHASE 2: LIVE PITCH – TOP 40 QUARTERFINALISTS
(See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
– The Top 40 Quarterfinalists selected for the live pitch session will be contacted by Crazy8s on or around November 12, 2025 to schedule a time to pitch in-person to a panel of industry professionals (may include Crazy8s alumni) on either November 22 or 23, 2025. This second adjudication panel will not have seen the video pitches or script samples previously submitted for review by the initial-stage adjudication panel. The adjudication panel is disclosed publicly after the Top 12 semifinalists are announced.
– Each team’s attached Directors, Writers, and Producers must each submit a CAVCO ID prior to their live pitch session, as proof of their Canadian Citizenship or Permanent Resident status.
– Each team is asked to submit a digital one-sheet document with a short synopsis of their project and a bio of the Director prior to their live pitch session, and to bring six hard copies with them to the live pitch session.
– If the one-sheet contains any AI-generated elements, including using AI to edit your one-sheet draft, or using generative AI to help create any content, you must disclose this on your one-sheet and specify how AI was used.
– If your live pitch script/content contains any AI-generated elements, including using AI to edit your pitch draft or using generative AI to help create any pitch content, you must disclose this in your pitch and specify how AI was used.
– A Director and a Writer must be attached to the project by the time the project is pitched to the live pitch jury.
– If a project/team does not yet have at least one attached Producer at the in-person pitch and the project proceeds to the Top 12, at least one Producer must be secured no later than November 28, 2025.
– The Director must be present for the live pitch. If the Director cannot attend in person, they must be available by videoconference (e.g. Zoom, Google Meet).
– Each team will have 5 minutes to pitch their story and themselves to the jury, followed by 5 minutes to respond to questions from the jury.
– No reels are permitted as part of your live pitch – this is primarily a verbal pitch. The live pitch jury is separate from the video pitch jury, and will not have seen the video pitches or script samples from the first judging round. Crazy8s staff do not adjudicate the live pitches.
– Note: The live pitch sessions may be conducted completely online if required by public health and safety and welfare guidelines related to COVID-19.
PHASE 3: SCRIPT DEVELOPMENT – TOP 12 SEMIFINALISTS
(See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
– The Top 12 Semifinalists selected to go into the story editing phase will be contacted on or around November 26, 2025 and must sign a legal disclaimer stating that their film concept is based on their original idea to which they have the rights; or the filmmakers will need to provide documentation showing they have the rights to adapt the original idea. This documentation must be provided by the First Full Script Draft submission deadline of December 10, 2025.
– Each Top 12 Team will be assigned an industry professional Story Editor who will work with the project/team until delivery of the Final Full Script Draft to the script evaluation jury. Consultation with the Script Editor may be conducted in person or online or both. The Writer(s), Director(s), and Producer(s) must attend the first Story Editing Workshop consultation session.
– The Top 12 Teams will deliver a final full script draft, with a minimum length of 5 pages and a maximum length of 10 pages, in an industry-standard script format.
– If the full script draft contains any AI-generated elements, including using AI to edit your draft, or using generative AI to help create any content, you must disclose this on your title page and specify how AI was used.
– The Script Editor may continue to be attached to the project/team if it is selected as one of the Top 6 Teams.
– Note: Story Editing consultation sessions may be conducted completely online if required by public health and safety and welfare guidelines related to COVID-19.
PHASE 4: PRODUCTION AND WORKSHOPS – TOP 6 FINALISTS
(See SCHEDULE above for specific dates).
– The script evaluation jury (the same as the live pitch jury) will read and evaluate the scripts and select the final Top 6 teams and projects that will go into production. Crazy8s staff do not select the final teams/projects.
– The Top 6 Finalists will be contacted on or around January 14, 2026. Once selected the Writer(s), Producer(s), and Director(s) of the Top 6 Teams must sign a Transfer of Rights Agreement with Crazy8s Film Society before going into pre-production and production.
– The Top 6 teams will receive upwards of $50,000+ in camera, lighting and grip packages, $2,000 cash, and mentorship and workshops throughout the duration of the production and delivery of their final films. Director Mentors, Producer Mentors, Post Production Mentors, a Locations Mentor, and Production Design Mentor will be available to the teams.
– The Top 6 Teams are required to attend a series of workshops leading up to production. (See SCHEDULE above for workshop dates).
– All Top 6 teams will be in production March 6 - 8, 2026 and in post-production March 9 - 13, 2026. All final completed films must be delivered to Crazy8s Film Society by 6:00 pm on March 13, 2026.
– If your final film contains any AI-generated elements or generative AI was used to help create any content, you must disclose this in your end credits and specify how AI was used.
– The final completed films will be shown at a Gala Screening and Afterparty slated for April 11, 2026.
– Note: The Gala Screening and Afterparty may be postponed, cancelled, rescheduled, conducted online, or subject to restrictions on attendance due to COVID-19 concerns or to comply with the Requirements.
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Crazy8s Film Society reserves the right, in its sole and unfettered discretion, to cancel, postpone, or reschedule any or all of the Crazy8s film program or any events or activities associated therewith, due to COVID-19 concerns or in order to comply with the Requirements.
Applicants and their crews hereby release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Crazy8s Film Society, its members, directors, employees, and personnel from any and all claims, liabilities, costs, expenses, and damages for any and all damage, loss or liability (including, without limitation, claims arising from negligence, or relating to personal injury, property damage, illness, and wrongful death) suffered as a result of, in connection with, or arising from their participation in the Crazy8s film program or any events or activities associated therewith including as a result of exposure to COVID-19 from any other individual participating in or associated with the Crazy8s film program.
Applicants and their crews further release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Crazy8s Film Society, its members, directors, employees, and personnel from any and all claims, liabilities, losses, costs, expenses, and damages due to the cancellation, postponement, or rescheduling of any or all of the Crazy8s film program at any time for any reason, including due to COVID-19 concerns or if required to comply with the Requirements.
By applying to the Crazy8s film program each applicant and their team consents to provide Crazy8s Film Society their names, city of residence, photographs, voice and/or image for publicity purposes in all media, without payment, compensation, or notification.
Crazy8s Film Society reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Crazy8s film program due to force majeure, or circumstances or situations beyond their reasonable control such as strikes, lock-outs, labour disputes, war, riot, insurrection, earthquake, terrorism, civil commotion, fire, flood, accident, storm or any other act of nature.
