Join us for the FOURTH year of the Lamorinda ShortDocs Film Fest. This is a short documentary film competition open to filmmakers of all ages. Entries will be accepted only from members of the Lamorinda Community. THIS IS A LOCAL FILMM FESTIVAL, AND ENTRIES FROM FILMMAKERS OUTSIDE THIS GEOGRAPHICAL AREA WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

New this year! The live screening of the finalists' films will take place as part of the California Independent Film Festival (CAIFF) at the Orinda Theatre on August 25th!

Films must be 6 minutes or less (with no minimum limit) and will be judged in 4 categories based on age of the filmmaker: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Adult. Two to four films in each category will be selected as finalists, and these films will be shown at a live screening event.

Entries will be judged on Originality/Creativity, Direction, Writing, Cinematography, Structure, Sound/Music, and Audience Appeal.

This is an all ages, family friendly event.

Please Note: This is a LOCAL film competition. There is a $30 fee to submit to the festival. Please read the guidelines and be sure you are eligible before sending us your film for consideration. If you are deemed ineligible, the fee will not be refunded.

If the submission fee is an obstacle to submitting your film, please contact us at film@lamorindaarts.org and we will do our best to support you. Visit us at www.lamorindaarts.org/shortdocs and then send us an e-mail to request a waiver code.

Awards & Prizes

Two to four films in each category will be selected as finalists to be presented at the live festival event on August 25th. Filmmakers selected as finalists will be notified in advance, and will be expected to appear at the screening event.

Judges will choose one winner in each age group (Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Adult) to be announced live at the event. Additionally, an "Audience Favorite" award will be selected among the student films.

Each winning film will be awarded a trophy as well as a $100 Amazon gift card.

Rules & Terms

PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR FILM.

This is a "local" film festival intended to present opportunities for novice and intermediate filmmakers throughout the Lamorinda Community (comprised of the towns of Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga, CA). Eligible filmmakers include anyone who lives or works in Lamorinda, attends school in a Lamorinda school or school district. Proof of local affiliation may be required from finalists.

This is an all ages festival, and all content must be G rated and appropriate for all audiences. Submitted films may be disqualified for content, or the producers may contact the filmmaker for a revised cut of the film removing the inappropriate material.

Anyone under 18 must provide parental contact information, either as a primary or secondary contact.

When submitting your film through this site, please complete the sections labeled "Project Information" and "Submitter Information." The "Specifications" section is NOT required.

Every Filmmaker is required to complete a Verification of Rules, Regulations, and Parental Consent. This document can be accessed at this web address: www.lamorindaarts.org/shortdocs/waiver2019. If the Filmmaker is under 18 years of age, it must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. Please download, sign, scan, and upload the signed document to the "Files & Attachments" section of your film's project page. No film can be shown at the festival without completion of this form.

Groups may enter, and should submit their film under one primary Filmmaker. The oldest member of the group will determine the age category the film must enter. (While students are allowed a reasonable amount of technical assistance from an adult or older student, true adult/child partners should enter the Adult category.) Names of group participants should be entered in the Production Credits line of the the submission form. Filmmakers within a group should expect to share potential awards and/or prizes with fellow members of the group.

Donors and supporters of the Lamorinda Arts Council and their families are welcome to submit films to the festival. Lamorinda Arts Council board members and Lamorinda ShortDocs committee members are not eligible, but their family members are.

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  • Tina Elliott

    Great film festival for students and adults alike. So much fun!

    April 2018
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  • Leonardo Ding

    Great festival. High quality productions.

    May 2016
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