Wait for it! Watch for it! For two (2) weeks this fall, One Minute Silent Short Films will light up platform screens throughout Alberta, on the Edmonton Transit LRT system and the Calgary CTrain system, Edmonton Public Library locations and other screens around the city, bringing Media Art to Albertans ‘on the go.’ Miss a show in transit? You can watch the complete program online.

Submissions MUST BE SILENT (no music, dialogue, sfx, etc.) and EXACTLY 1 MINUTE (not under, not over)!

1st Place: $1000 (+prizes)
2nd Place: $500 (+prizes)
3rd Place: $250 (+prizes)
Best Animated Film: $250 (+prizes)
Best Non-Fiction Film: $250 (+prizes)
Best International Short: $250 (+prizes)
Best Film for Young Audiences: $250 (+prizes)
Best Youth Film: $250 (+prizes)
Spirit of Alberta: $250 (+prizes)
Audience Choice Award: $250

***Please note, due to international barriers, not all prizes are eligible to those outside of Canada, and prize money is subject to transfer fees. We apologize for the inconvenience.

ALL GENRES ACCEPTED:
Live-Action, Animation, Experimental, Documentary and Creative Non-Fiction

SUBMISSION LIMIT:
Filmmakers may submit a maximum of THREE one-minute silent shorts for the Jury’s consideration. A separate signed submission form must be provided for each film submitted.

LENGTH:
60 seconds (EXACTLY. Not over, not under)

AUDIO:
Silent (Subtitles & Title Cards permitted)

CONTENT:
General Audience (more on this below)

FORMAT:
Apple Pro Res 422 or H.264 (10 Mbit/s minimum); 16:9, 1080p recommended; Frame Rate 29.97

PREVIOUS SUBMISSIONS:
Films that have been accepted to the GMFF before are not eligible for selection again. We encourage you to submit newly created work from the past 12-24 months.

CREDIT NOTE:
IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE THE FILM TITLE AND CREDITS IN YOUR FILM. The title and creator’s name appears beside the film at all times within a set GMFF frame on PATTISON Onestop LRT Screens and on a Title Card before each film on our showreels; longer credits will appear with the film on the GMFF website and in the GMFF print program.

THEMES:
There are no pre-determined themes for the festival, but among our slate of awards, we offer a “Best Short for Young Audiences (children)” award. We also offer the “Spirit of Alberta Award” to a film that best expresses the spirit/character/beauty/complexity of our province; and a “Best Youth Film” award for a film created by a filmmaker 17 years and under.

CONTENT Cont.:
As Public Art on Public Transit in Public Space, the Gotta Minute Film Festival will reach a general audience of all ages. Given the makeup of our audience, GMFF is unable to accept works that contain profanity or nudity, works that condone or incite violence, hatred, or discrimination, works that portray violence, alcohol, smoking or drug use (even implied), or works that are unduly frightening to children. With both the Edmonton & Calgary Transit Systems as our hosts, we also cannot accept works that detract from the image of the ETS or C-Train and/or its employees.

AWARDS & PRIZES
Please note, that due to international barriers, not all prizes are eligible to those outside of Canada, and prize money is subject to transfer fees. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Warren Cowell

    Although I was unable to attend the festival, Gotta Minute is a great filmmaker's competition and I intend to compete every year.

    October 2023
  • Kang Le

    Such a wonderful festival! I am so happy to have had the chance to show my work.

    October 2023
  • Romina Schwedler

    What a gem! I absolutely loved the festival. It was one of those experiences that you know will forever stay in your heart. We felt genuinely welcome from the first email till the award ceremony wrapped. The screening venues were outstanding and everyone was extremely nice. We were honored to on top of it all receive the award for Best International Film. We can only say THANK YOU, and Happy 10th Anniversary, GMFF!!

    October 2023
  • A great festival of which I am a big fan. A great experience even though I didn't go, they kept constant communication and I felt part of it all.

    October 2023
  • Henning M. Lederer

    It is always a pleasure to be part of this unique festival. Having your work shown on so various and unusual displays is a great experience. Communication with the pleasant stuff makes it an overall nice festival.

    October 2023