The Mystery Box Film Challenge is a film challenge for all who love to make films. Participants get items/prompts that they have to use in their film. In years past we gave out physical boxes with the items in it. Like the television show Chopped on Food Network but for filmmakers.

Filmmakers have roughly 2 months to complete a film. Those who submit finished films will have them premiere at the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival followed by a short Q&A and small awards presentation. So are you up for the challenge?

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Be sure to check back here for this year's items and prompts you will have to use!

Awards & Prizes

Best of Show Award

The Best of Show Winner and finalists are provided with a laurel which may be used for their own marketing and promotional materials.

Rules & Terms

1.) 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.

2.) Submission Guidelines

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.

1 - 10 MINUTES IN LENGTH: Total time includes your credits and titles in the film. Cannot go beyond 10 minutes. These will be short films.

BOX ITEMS/PROMPTS: Filmmakers must use all items/ prompts in their film.

3.) Tech Specs

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.

All finished films submitted for the challenge by the deadline will be screened at the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival.