CRITERIA:
The Robinson International Short Film Competition is open to any and all independent filmmakers, including college and graduate level film students, as well as professionals in the field. Eligible films must adhere to the following criteria:
Must be a Pittsburgh premiere (no prior public Pittsburgh screenings or TV broadcasts)
Films must have been completed in 2022 or later
Foreign language films must have English subtitles
Length: thirty-five (35) minutes or less
Acceptable genres include narrative, documentary, or animated films. Submissions must contain an essence of Jewishness as represented by theme, history, or culture.
Entry Format:
Please submit online via FilmFreeway. Vimeo links are strongly preferred.
Entrants may submit more than one film. Each entry requires a separate entry form and fee.
All submitted films are previewed by the Film Pittsburgh staff. Semi-finalists' films will be viewed by the competition's jurors.
ENTRY FORM:
The following info is needed to complete the FilmFreeway entry form:
Film synopsis (50 word maximum)
Country of origin
Language(s) spoken in film
Type of film (narrative, doc or animated)
Length of film
Screening and broadcast history
Honors and awards
Filmmaker’s contact information
Biography (100 word maximum)
Personal statement (100 word maximum)
ENTRY FEES:
Through October 31: $25
Through November 30: $35
After November 30: $45
Entries are due by December 23, 2023.
NOTIFICATION:
Finalists will be notified in March 2024 of their selection.
Production Deliverables for Finalists:
Selected films will need to be submitted as follows:
Preferred format: ProResHQ 422 QuickTime File
Also acceptable:
H264 QuickTime File (must be a maximum quality - 30mb/s or higher)
MP4 (must be a maximum quality MP4 - 30mb/s or higher)
1920 x 1080 Pixels
24 Frames Per Second (23.98fps is also accepted)
5.1 Audio (Stereo is acceptable if no 5.1 exists)
The above-mentioned specs are the preferred deliverable. If your project settings do not match, a master quality file of your project in its native framerate and resolution is acceptable.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Film Pittsburgh is not responsible for late, lost, damaged or ineligible entries. Entrants will retain all ownership rights to their submitted films. By entering this competition, the entrant certifies that they have the legal right to submit and exhibit the film. The applicant is responsible and liable for any breach of rights or the law in the submission and exhibition process. By submitting your film you give Film Pittsburgh the right to exhibit your film at the Robinson Awards Gala even if it is not a prize winner. Prize winners may be required to sign an affidavit confirming that their short film is original and that he/she holds all rights. Affidavits of winners under 18 years of age at time of award must be countersigned by parent or legal guardian. All federal, state, and local taxes, and customs fees, when applicable, are the sole responsibility of the winners. The undersigned assumes responsibility to ensure the submission payment information is complete and correct and agrees to reimburse Film Pittsburgh for any additional fees incurred by incorrect submission payments, submission disputes, and credit card charge backs. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Film Pittsburgh for any and all fees, claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving submission payment disputes, copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the content submitted and/or screened. By entering the competition, the entrant grants the right to publish or transmit portions of the film for the purpose of press or promotion, unless otherwise noted. Additionally, entry constitutes permission to use winners’ name, likeness, and voice for advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation. Void where prohibited.
