1.) Submission Requirements
ITEMS/PROMPTS: Filmmakers must use ALL items/prompts in their film which are listed above to create a new short film for the challenge.
PG-13 RATING: Films should align with the PG-13 rating. R or NC-17 films will not be accepted. This is for a general audience.
5 MINUTES IN LENGTH: Total time includes your credits and titles in the film. Cannot go beyond 5 minutes. Can be shorter than 5 minutes. These will be short films.
2.) Technical Specifications
Films should be 1920 x 1080 (aspect ratio 16:9) full HD, 24fps. The film may be in other aspect ratios & resolutions, as long as it fits within the 16:9 1080 24P display. H.264 is the preferred codec with a MP4 or MOV wrapper/file type.
3.) Eligibility Requirements
All entries must be either in English or subtitled in English. Dialogue lists are not accepted.
Entrant confirms and warrants required legal authority to submit the entry to the Mystery Box Film Challenge and to use all music, images, and content in the entry.
4.) Official Rules
• Films Must Be Created for This Challenge
All films must be made specifically for the Mystery Box Film Challenge. Pre-existing or repurposed content is not allowed and will result in disqualification.
• All Required Elements Must Be Used
Each film must include all required items and elements provided above. Any film that fails to incorporate these requirements will be automatically disqualified.
• No Public Screenings Before the Festival
Films may not be shown publicly or online before the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival. This includes private screenings, preview screenings, and online previews. The goal is to encourage in-person attendance and preserve the premiere experience. Early public release will result in disqualification.
• Public Release After the Festival
After the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival has concluded, you are free to share and distribute your film however you choose.
• Promotion and Sharing by Mystery Box Film Challenge and NEPAFF
By submitting, you grant the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival and Mystery Box Film Challenge the right to share and promote your film on our YouTube channel and social media platforms. If you do not want your film to be posted or promoted after the festival—especially if you plan to submit it to other festivals—you must notify us in writing as soon as possible.
• Right to Disqualify
We reserve the right to disqualify any film for any reason, including but not limited to failure to follow the above rules.
5.) General Information
All finished films submitted for the challenge by the deadline will be screened at the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival as long as they meet all submission requirements.
The challenge organizers will screen the films first to determine if they meet the requirements for the challenge. Then our selected judges will screen the selected films that meet all the requirements to determine the Best of Show Winner for the Mystery Box Film Challenge.
Refund of submission fee will not be given if your film does not meet our requirements above and/or is not accepted as part of the Mystery Box Film Challenge.
Entry fee is used for marketing purposes and for the cash prize.
