Change the Talk is excited to announce our inaugural film festival, “Consent & Cinema,” to raise awareness about sexual violence and celebrate student creativity. We invite high school or alternative school students, ages 13-19, from anywhere in the United States to submit short films about sexual violence, rape culture, and consent. Change the Talk teen leaders and staff members will select 10-15 films to be screened at our festival on May 4, 2019 at 6pm in Los Angeles at the Greenway Court Theatre. The top three winners will win a cash prize! There is no requirement to attend the May 4 film festival if you submit a film.

We believe that art is an empowering and expressive tool in social justice movements. The quality of your work will not be assessed by production value, but rather your creative vision. Films will be assessed on the basis of strength of message, relevance to our mission at Change the Talk, and the creativity of the film. We are so excited to see your submissions and to amplify the work of student filmmakers concerned about sexual violence.

Change the Talk is a peer-to-peer sexual violence education program for teens in Los Angeles. Since 2015, we have been working to combat sexual violence through teen-led workshops at schools and youth groups, educational events, advocacy campaigns, and art projects. Every year, Change the Talk teen leaders plan and implement a special event to further our mission. Please reach out with any questions about our program or Film Festival: CTT@ncjwla.org.

Awards & Prizes

In addition to being screened at the film festival in May, the top three winning films will be highlighted on Change the Talk’s website, social media, and possibly in educational presentations.

1st place: $500
2nd place: $350
3rd place: $150

Rules & Terms

- Films must be submitted by April 6, 2018 prior to 12am Pacific Standard Time.
- Any teen in anywhere in the United States who is enrolled in a high school or alternative program can submit a film. You may be asked to show proof that you are 13-19 years old or currently enrolled in a high school or alternative program.
- Films must be under 8 minutes in length.
- Films must be made in the United States and the filmmaker(s) must reside in the United States and have created the film within the past two years.
- All films must be mainly teen-produced (writing, editing, directing), although adults are permitted to assist with your film.
- Films should address topics related to sexual violence, such as any or all of the following:
o Consent/consent culture
o Gender stereotypes/gender roles
o Rape culture/rape myths
o Advocacy against sexual violence
o Bystander intervention
o Supporting survivors
o Intersectionality in the movement to stop sexual violence
- Films can be narrative, experimental, PSA, documentary, music video, or any other form.
- Films must exclude graphic violence, profanity, and nudity.
- Films may only be submitted online via FilmFreeway.
- Filmmakers agree to have the films screened in public and used for Change the Talk educational purposes.
- All submissions must include a slide with: title of work, student name(s) and age(s), and date created. The slide can be submitted as a separate document from the film.
- All submissions must include title and credits.
- An individual teen or a group of teens can make films, and multiple submissions are permitted.
- Filmmakers are responsible for obtaining legal permission for any copyrighted media. Avoid prominent display of brands, such as sports teams, clothing brands, and the Hollywood sign.
- Filmmaker(s) must obtain parental permission to submit film(s) to the film festival and submit the permission form on this page.

TERMS OF USE:
By submitting your project via FilmFreeway.com to Change the Talk, a project of the National Council of Jewish Women | Los Angeles (NCJW | LA), you hereby agree to be legally bound by the following Terms and Conditions (the "Agreement").
1. By submitting your film to Change the Talk, you agree to the following COMPETITION CERTIFICATION: 
I/We have read all of the Change the Talk Film Festival rules. I/We understand and have complied with these rules. I/We warrant the submission of my/our original work and there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission. I/We also warrant the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead and I/we fully indemnify the Festival against any claim made for such violations of law. To the best of my/our knowledge, all of the statements herein are true and correct. I/We understand that failure to adhere to the Festival rules will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee. I/We agree to hold Change the Talk and NCJW | LA harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any film submitted to the Festival.
2. Submitted films should be original creations by the filmmaker(s). Filmmaker(s) are responsible for securing clearances or legal permission for the use of any copyrighted musical, cinematic, or literary materials. Avoid prominent display of brands, including sports teams, clothing brands, and the Hollywood sign.
3. By submitting your film, you confirm that you own 100% of the rights to the work. If the work is created by more than one person, the submitter must have the written consent of all owners before submitting.
4. Filmmakers must be between ages of 13 – 19. Change the Talk reserves the right to ask for proof of age if needed.
5. Change the Talk is not responsible for the streaming quality of online submissions uploaded through FilmFreeway.
6. By submitting your film, you are agreeing to screen your film online and at the Festival without a screening fee or any other compensation if selected.
7. Submission of an entry to Change the Talk Film Festival does not guarantee that a work will be shown at the Festival. Change the Talk and NCJW | LA reserves the right to refuse to screen any film online or at the festival. If subsequent to its initial consideration, the Festival determines that a submission no longer meets all of the criteria listed above, the submission will be designated ineligible.
8. Selection of an entry to the Change the Talk Film Festival grants Change the Talk and NCJW | LA the right to reproduce or utilize a portion of your entry, and your name and likeness for promotional purposes without compensation. All rights to the submitted material will remain with the entrant. By entering the competition, you are granting Change the Talk and NCJW | LA a license to use your film for any purpose, including to promote the film festival, display the film at the festival, display the film in workshops, display the film on social media and/or websites, and for any other use.
9. All entries must be submitted online via FilmFreeway. Filmmakers must complete the online registration form in full prior to submission. Filmmakers must obtain permission from parents/guardians to submit film(s) and submit consent form through FilmFreeway.
10. Selected films will be notified via email using the information provided on the submitted entry form. Changes in contact information may be made by contacting CTT@ncjwla.org. If your film is selected, Change the Talk will contact you regarding screening format requirements and related materials needed for the successful presentation and promotion of your project. 
11. We respect the privacy of our entrants. We will not disclose any contact information about you except to conform to legal requirements or comply with legal process.
12. GOVERNING LAW 
This Agreement and all matters or issues collateral thereto will be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the Laws of the United States of America applicable to contracts executed and performed entirely therein (without regard to any principles of conflict of laws). You agree that any legal action or proceeding between Change the Talk/NCJW | LA and you for any purpose concerning this Agreement or the parties’ obligations hereunder shall be brought exclusively in a federal or state court in Los Angeles, CA, in The United States of America.