The FedEx Institute Film Innovation Challenge is a festival designed to encourage filmmakers to push the envelope of what is technically possible. Technology advancements expand the toolkit at the disposal of filmmakers, and creates opportunities to rethink the way that film-making is done. The FedEx Institute of Technology is a national leader in technology innovation, and we are thrilled to work with filmmakers to advance technological capabilities in this important medium. For questions, please email fedex@memphis.edu with the subject "Film Innovation Challenge."

The Innovation Film Challenge is presented in partnership with IndieMemphis.

Film Innovation Prize:
The winner of the Film Innovation Prize will automatically be entered into the 2017 Indie Memphis Film Festival. The filmmaker will receive a $500.00 prize and an Oculus Rift ($600.00 value). Films submitted to this category must feature emerging trends in science and technology as their principle subject matter. This may be presented in the form of a documentary, original fictional work, or experimental piece. Content must focus on technology advances which could be implemented in the next 5-10 years based on the current state of emerging technologies.

Technical Innovation Prize:
The winner of the Technical Innovation Prize will automatically be entered into the 2017 Indie Memphis Film Festival. The filmmaker will receive a $1,000 prize. Films submitted to this category should exhibit technical innovation in their film making process. Technical innovation is defined as the incorporation of new or emerging technology in the creation of the submission and can include virtual reality/immersive technology, microfilmography, advanced cgi, etc. Films submitted to this category must include an essay explaining the implemented innovation. Please email essays to fedex@memphis.edu with subject line: "Film Innovation Challenge: Technical Innovation Essay." Only technique will be judged.

University of Memphis Student Prize:
The winner of the U of M Student Prize will receive $500.00 and a GoPro Hero Black ($500.00 value). U of M students and alumni may submit to either category but will be judged separately. Please clearly indicate your status as a student or former student in your submission title.

Films must be a minimum of 5 minutes in length and a maximum of 10 minutes.
Films must showcase a unique application of technology or an innovative technological technique. Films may be submitted to only one category. Technical innovation submissions must be accompanied by an essay describing the implemented technique. Descriptions of techniques may be sent to fedex@memphis.edu (subject line: FedEx Institute Film Innovation Contest).

A panel of film professionals will judge the finalists.
Finalist must be present at showing to win.