In 2024 we've expanded our competition to embrace films between 1 minute and 5 minutes. Additionally we've added a first and second place prize specifically for the international competition.

Created in 2018 The Very Short Shorts Mobile Film Competition has been an annual part of the Green Screen Environmental Film Festival every year. Devised to democratise sustainability themed filmmaking, the competition has attracted hundreds of submissions from Trinidad and Tobago residents over its lifetime. Our programming is focussed on sustainability and environmental content.

Since 2021, a separate international category has been created to give filmmakers from around the globe an opportunity to participate. All finalist films in the international competition will be included in the Green Screen Environmental Film Festival programme in 2023 and compete for the People's Choice Prize. The best Caribbean film, highest scoring in the international category by a regional filmmaker will also be awarded a prize.

This Green Screen competition is open to filmmakers WORLDWIDE.

Please see details of prizes below:
First Prize - Best International Submission: $250 USD (or equivalent in Trinidad and Tobago dollars)
Second Prize - Best International Submission: $150 USD (or equivalent in Trinidad and Tobago dollars)

*Note that prizes and prize categories can be added at any time by the Organizers
The competition will be open to filmmakers of all levels of experience.
Films must be shot ENTIRELY on a MOBILE DEVICE (smartphone or tablet) in HD video. Submissions will be limited to a BETWEEN 1 MINUTE AND FIVE MINUTES, not including credits. Credits should not exceed 10 seconds in duration. Participants will be allowed any number of submissions and one story can be told via several segments. However, each segment must be able to stand on its own as a narrative piece. Submissions will be accepted online only via FilmFreeway.

Participant eligibility
Any filmmaker from any country, with any citizenship or residency, may participate in the Very Short Shorts Mobile Film Competition.


First Prize - Best International Submission: $250 USD (or equivalent in Trinidad and Tobago dollars)
Second Prize - Best International Submission: $150 USD (or equivalent in Trinidad and Tobago dollars)

Additional prizes may be added at anytime by the festival organisers at their discretion.

The 4th Edition of the Very Short Shorts Mobile Film Competition International, presented by Green Screen - The Environmental Film Festival, open on January 01 2024, organised by the Green Screen Environmental Film Festival (hereafter referred to as “Organiser”).
The Organiser aims to motivate, inspire and promote filmmakers, regardless of their experience in the field of film. The focus of films must be sustainability and environmental issues

The Organiser intends to include selected submissions to the Very Short Shorts Film Competition International in Green Screen 2024 and in the future.
By entering Very Short Shorts Mobile Film Competition, the participant (hereafter referred to as “Participant”) accepts the following Regulations on behalf of him/herself and any crew members who may also participate.

2 CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
Submissions are open to all persons aged 18 and above. There are no citizenship or residency requirements. Anyone from any country or nationality can participate.

2.1 SUBMITTING
Submitting a film or films to Very Short Shorts Mobile Film Competition International is possible until August 31, 2024 at midnight Trinidad and Tobago time via filmfreeway.com. All participants are expected to complete the FilmFreeway form completely and truthfully. PLEASE NOTE THE CUT OF TIME MAY BE DIFFERENT IN YOUR TERRITORY. We will be unable to accept late submissions.

2.2 EXCLUSION FROM THE CONTEST
The Organiser reserves the right to exclude from the contest Participants who have breached the Contest Regulations. Participants who attempt to disrupt the course of or manipulate the contest will also be excluded from participation.

The film must be shot entirely on a mobile device (smartphones, tablets) in HD video.
DSLR, compact cameras are not accepted. Multiple mobile devices can be used, but no non mobile footage may be included. Any software to edit video and audio as well as colour correction or special effects is allowed.
Use of additional equipment (professional or home-made) is allowed, including (but not limited to) external microphones, wide angle lens, lighting, tripod, broom handle etc
Copyrighted material is not accepted, unless there is a written permission to do so. The Organizer is not liable for any copyright material unlawfully used. Please do not use music that you do not have permission to use.
The film must be an original production. It may not infringe on the copyright, trademark or other rights of any individual.
Films must have full clearance for all content, including music.
No extreme violence, or content considered to be obscene (including language) racist, sexist, homophobic, culturally or religiously intolerant material is allowed.

IMPORTANT!! - Please note that film subjects for a general, all ages, audience will score better and be more likely to be included in the festival and compete for prizes. Films with adult themes, language and situations will score lower.

3 FILMS

3.1 FORMATS
In order to submit a film, every participant must use filmfreeway.com. The best video format (codec) is Apple ProRes 4:2:2 Standard (not HQ or LT) or h.264. Both in a .mov wrapper.
MP4 is also accepted
If you are using another format or have trouble uploading, please contact us at veryshortshortsmobile@gmail.com

Several films can be submitted per filmmaker/crew.
All films must be BETWEEN ONE AND FIVE minutes in length, excluding credits.
A film can be told in an unlimited number of short episodes. However, each episode must stand on its own as an individual piece, independent of any other episodes. All episodes may not be selected for Green Screen or a competition prize.

3.2 FORMAL REGULATIONS
Films of all types and genres may be submitted to the contest. This includes documentary, narrative (Action, Drama, Comedy etc), experimental, musical or music video. A film entry participates in the competition once it is received before the entry deadline.
Creativity & Originality: Total 25 Points
• The story or premise is unique and well-presented
• The film uses visuals, sound, acting, direction or other elements to convey a well-crafted message
• The film is fun, entertaining, or thought-provoking
Messaging: Total 30 Points
• The message is clear
• The message is directly related to environmental or sustainability issues
• The message is persuasive
Content: Total 25 points
• There is good educational value in the film
• The film uses information or examples to inform the audience about a specific issue
• The information is presented in an interesting or innovative way
Technical Quality: Total 20 points
• Lighting, sound & cinematography are well utilized
• Good editing is utilized
• The film flows from scene to scene
The festival/competition managers are under no obligation to share jury scoring with participants or winners.

3.3 PRESENTATION AT GREEN SCREEN ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL
Providing they do not breach the conditions, selected films will be uploaded to social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram and Youtube as well as included in the Green Screen Environmental Film Festival programme in 2024 and beyond.

4 TRANSFERRAL OF RIGHTS TO THE ORGANISER
The Participant maintains at all times the rights to his/her film entry. However, he/she grants the Organiser the right to present the submitted film, make it publicly available, distribute it and make it available for third party viewing unrestrictedly in terms of location and frequency.
Furthermore, the Participant expressly agrees to his/her film being made public via the greenscreen.film website, social media accounts, as well as the apps, websites and media channels of our partners. If applicable, the Organiser will refer to or create links to the film in various publications or on the Internet.
If there is interest in any paid distribution facilitated by the festival/competition the filmmaker agrees to an equal 50/50 split of any fees. Paid distribution will only be non-exclusive. Filmmakers will always maintain full ownership of the work. Films will not be included in paid distribution packages without expressed permission and signed agreements from filmmakers.

4.1 THIRD PARTY DECLARATION OF CONSENT
By submitting a film, the Participant declares that he/she owns all rights (including all third-party rights) with regard to the submitted film. In the event that one or more persons are clearly recognisable, or sound/music of third parties can be heard in the film, those involved must agree that the film be made public. The respective declaration of consent must be made available if requested by the Organiser.
Should third parties nevertheless assert claims resulting from the infringement of their rights, the Participant declares the Organiser free from all said claims. The person who submits the film is solely responsible for its content (image, sound, data, texts etc.).

4.2 MUSIC RIGHTS
You must seek approval from the producer or their representative, before using another person’s music. The Participant declares the Organiser free from all responsibilities regarding claims brought forward by music producers or their representatives and/or other collecting societies in relation to the film created by that Participant.

4.3 RIGHTS TO ONE’S OWN PICTURE
By participating, the Participant agrees to photographs and recordings being made of his/her person throughout the contest process – particularly during the Award Ceremony – and those photographs and recordings to be published at greenscreen.film as well as on the Organiser’s Facebook page and in other publications. Furthermore, the Participant also agrees to his/her name being published at greenscreen.film as well as on the Organiser’s Facebook page and in other publications. The Participant also understands that his/her name may be published in connection with his/her photograph.

5 DATA PROTECTION
The Organiser does not pass on personal data to third parties unless the individual has given his/her explicit consent. The Organiser may pass on data to partners when necessary for the awarding of a prize.

6 LIABILITY
Claims for damages with regard to Very Short Shorts Mobile Film Competition International against the Organiser are – to the extent legally permissible – excluded, irrespective of legal grounds unless the Organiser deliberately or grossly neglects its statutory duties.

7 FINAL PROVISIONS
Should a clause in these regulations be invalid or a legal loophole exist, the validity of the remaining clauses or the regulations as a whole remain unaffected. In the above-mentioned event, the missing or invalid clause shall be replaced by a valid clause that comes closest to the intended sense and purpose of the invalid or missing clause. The Organiser reserves the right to make decisions on all matters unforeseen by these regulations and, in special, vindicated cases, to make exceptions to these regulations.
The laws of Trinidad and Tobago apply.