Fun. Fast. Crazy8s!

Register to submit your short film pitch package today. Submit your video pitch and script sample by latest October 13, 2023.

Crazy8s is an 8-day short filmmaking challenge and program that provides support and funding to emerging filmmakers to produce a short film, and provides training opportunities to crew and cast. Each year, more than one hundred teams apply to be part of Crazy8s.

Crazy8s is run by the Crazy8s Film Society, a registered British Columbia not-for-profit organization. Its mandate is to foster support for emerging BC-based, Canadian short filmmakers who have limited access to resources or funding to produce professional-quality short-form content. Since 1999 Crazy8s has produced 139 short films that have gone on to win awards at film festivals worldwide.

Crazy8s Film Society believes in equality, diversity and community. The program welcomes contributions from all, and is not limited to, people of varied age, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender-identity, language, race, sexual orientation, and religious views.

Crazy8s accepts all genres of live action, scripted short film pitches including drama, comedy, science fiction, horror, fantasy, musical, etc. We do not accept animation or documentary pitches.

– $2,000 Cash
– Over $50,000 In-Kind Sponsorship for Professional Production Gear/Services
– Professional Colour Timing + Sound Mixing
– Professional Story Editing
– Professional Casting Services
– Production Insurance
– A percentage of Municipal Location Permit Fees Waived
– Professional Directing/Producing/Post-Production Mentorship
…and more.

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 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 year 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 take 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, etc. We do not accept animation 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.

– 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 12 minutes in length, including on-screen credits. This translates into approximately 5-10 pages of script. The maximum script length is not negotiable.

CANADIAN CERTIFICATION (CAVCO)

– 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 or Permanent Resident)
• 2 Points Writer (must be Canadian or Permanent Resident)
• 1 Point Lead Actor (either 1st or 2nd lead must be Canadian or Permanent Resident)
• 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.

2023
• September 5 (Tue) Crazy8s 2024 Registration Opens 12:00 pm NOON Pacific time
• September 24 (Sun) Registration and Information Session
• October 13 (Fri) - Submission Deadline
• November 15 (Wed) - Top 40 Announcement 12:00 pm NOON Pacific time
• November 25 (Sat), November 26 (Sun) - Live Pitches
• November 29 (Wed) - Top 12 Announcement 12:00 pm NOON Pacific time
• December 8 (Fri) - First Full Script Draft Deadline 12:00 pm NOON Pacific time + Script Coordination Workshop
• December 9 (Sat) – Story Editing Workshop (Writers, Directors, and Producers must attend)
• December 10 (Sun) – Table Reads (Writers, Directors, and Producers must attend)
• December 15 (Fri) – Second Full Script Draft Deadline 12:00 pm NOON Pacific time

2024
• January 5 (Fri) - Final Full Script Draft Deadline 12:00 pm NOON Pacific time
• January 17 (Wed) - Top 6 Announcement 12:00 pm NOON Pacific time
• January 20 (Sat) – Production Workshop #1 (Directors, Writers, Producers must attend)
• January 21 (Sun) – Producer Workshop (Producers must attend)
• February 24 (Sat) – Production Workshop #2 (Directors, Writers, Producers, Cinematographers must attend)
• February 25 (Sun) – Vendor Partner Meet & Greets (Directors, Writers, Producers,
Cinematographers, Keys/HODs welcome)
• March 8 (Fri) – First Day of Principal Photography
• March 8 – 10 (Fri-Sun) – Production Days
• March 11 – 15 (Mon–Fri) – Post-Production Days
• March 15 (Fri) – Final Completed Film Delivery 6:00 pm + QC Screening (Directors, Writers, Producers, Editors, Cinematographers welcome)
• April 3 (Wed) - Marketing and Distribution Workshop (Directors, Writers, Producers welcome) / Production Paperwork Due
• April 20 (Sat) GALA SCREENING + AFTERPARTY
• April 28 (Sun) - Director Workshop (Directors welcome)

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 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.

– Video pitches and script samples are assessed by a panel of industry professionals and Crazy8s alumni. Crazy8s staff do not adjudicate the video pitches or script samples.

– Your script sample must be of the project you're pitching. It 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.)

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 15, 2023 to schedule a time to pitch in-person to a jury of industry professionals (may include Crazy8s alumni) on either November 25 or 26, 2023.

– 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.

– 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 an attached Producer at the in-person pitch, a Producer must be secured no later than November 29, 2023.

– 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 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 8, 2023.

– 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.

– 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.

– 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, and Post Production Mentors 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 8 - 10, 2024 and in post-production March 11 - 15, 2024. All final completed films will be delivered to Crazy8s Film Society by 6:00 pm on March 15, 2024.

– The final completed films will be shown at a Gala Screening and Afterparty slated for April 20, 2024.

– 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.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ava Safai

    Launched my career. Thank you Crazy8s!

    May 2023
  • Mary-Jo Dionne

    I loved my experience with Crazy8s. As a filmmaker / applicant, I learned more in my weeks going through the process than I ever anticipated I would -- made some incredible working-relationships that I plan to take with me into my next projects. Outstanding communication from the team -- can't say enough good about it. :)

    April 2022
  • This is a great opportunity for filmmakers looking to take a leap of faith and be caught by their community. Thank you Crazy8s!

    May 2021