Harkening back to the days when shorts preceded features in the theatre, LOCAL SHORTIEZ invites PNW-based film and media-makers to submit work under 3 minutes for an opportunity to screen online alongside a programmed feature. NWFF will select one short film to screen up to 4 weeks leading up to Local Sightings Film Festival. All selected films will be eligible to additionally show at the festival in September 2021.

ABOUT LOCAL SIGHTINGS FILM FESTIVAL
Northwest Film Forum’s annual Local Sightings Film Festival showcases the growing complexity of creative communities in the Pacific Northwest. Featuring a competitive selection of curated shorts, feature film programs, 360 video and VR180 projects, Local Sightings invites regional artists to experiment, break, and remake popular conceptions around filmmaking and film exhibition.

ABOUT NORTHWEST FILM FORUM
Founded in Seattle in 1995 as an independent film and arts nonprofit, Northwest Film Forum incites public dialogue and creative action through collective cinematic experiences. Each year the Forum presents hundreds of films, festivals, community events, multidisciplinary performances, and public discussions. As a comprehensive visual media organization, the Forum offers educational workshops and artist services for film and media makers at all stages of their development. More information is available at nwfilmforum.org.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All types of moving image media are eligible; projects must be finished within 18 months from submission date, and the filmmaker(s) must live in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, or the Yukon Territories) or have had the majority of their production (over 50%) based in these states. Local Shortiez does not require festival premiere status. All films must include captions.

FILM LENGTHS
Shorts should not exceed 2:59 min; anything above that length will not be considered.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Filmmaker name(s), year, city, state, duration
• One sentence logline
• 2 hi-res still images
• Digital film file (Quicktime H.264)
• Captions! (.srt or .vtt file)

NOTIFICATION ANNOUNCEMENT
Local Shortiez will inform all entrants no later than 6 weeks after their submission date whether their film has been selected to show the following month.

COMPENSATION
Each selected film will receive a $50 honorarium, paid by check or PayPal.

ONLINE PLATFORM
Local Shortiez will screen on NWFF's Eventive platform, available to stream for up to 1 month preceding at least one programmed feature film. Geoblocking through Eventive available upon request. NWFF will additionally host the film on Vimeo for the month and may invite the filmmaker to record an interview or Q&A.

QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
Please direct all submissions inquiries to amanda@nwfilmforum.org