The Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) are excited to announce a call for entries for the CRASSH Film Festival (short films), which takes place at the University of Cambridge in Autumn 2021 and forms part of CRASSH’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

As CRASSH turns 20, our celebrations focus on ‘Global Conversations’. We are hosting a series of connected competitions throughout 2021, including our forthcoming writing competition and online art exhibition. This competition shares the same central themes but explored through the medium of film. Winning entries will be presented at the CRASSH Short Film Festival in Autumn 2021.

Submissions are welcome for all types of short and experimental films, documentaries, animations etc., interpreting the theme of 'Global Conversations' in its broadest sense.

With this competition, we hope that you will explore the broadest reaches of ‘Global Conversations’. We are looking for entries that are thoughtful, accessible and maybe even personal. Subjects that you could consider include the global nature of film and the moving image, changes to how we have international conversations over time, the idea of global citizenship in changing political climes, reflections on decolonisation efforts inside and outside the arts, film and culture, the joy of global connectivity and the potential pitfalls a new, constantly conversing world may bring.

Selection Panel:
• Steven Connor (Director at CRASSH)
• Melissa Calaresu (Lecturer at Faculty of History and Gonville and Caius College)
• Matthew Webb (Executive Director & Trustee, Cambridge Film Trust)
• Laura McMahon (Lecturer in Film and Screen Studies, University of Cambridge)

Youth Judges:
• Fiona Hughes (Youth Lab participant at Cambridge Film Festival and 3rd year BSC for Film and Television Production student at the University of York)
• Mia Williamson (Youth Lab participant at Cambridge Film Festival and 3rd year BSC for Film and Television Production student at the University of York)

Theme: Global Conversations

• Cost of submission: free
• The maximum duration for submitted films is 5 minutes (including credits).
• A maximum of 3 submissions per filmmaker
• Deadline for submissions: 31 July 2021
• Entrants will be advised whether their work has been selected for the exhibition in September 2021.
• Final exhibition copies must be submitted by 19 September 2021 in MP4 format.
• Film Festival Dates: September/October 2021 (Exact dates TBC)
• We welcome films in all languages, but English subtitles are required for any film not in English.
• CRASSH will not be able to provide feedback on submissions prior to selection, nor reasons for rejection.

Rules & Terms

The Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at the University of Cambridge retains the right to use excerpts of any submissions to promote the competition online, or the anniversary celebrations more widely.

The submitter must have the legal authority to submit the work. By submitting, the submitter confirms that the work is theirs and that they have all the necessary rights for sharing in this way.

By submitting their work all entrants are deemed to have read and agreed the rules and regulations governing the competition. In the event of any disagreement, the interpretation of the CRASSH selection panel will take precedence.

CRASSH reserves the right to withdraw selected works from the competition.

It is the responsibility of the submitter to ensure the correct contact email address is supplied.

By entering this competition, you are consenting for your work to be included in this exhibition, other online, digital and print media, on our websites and social media and other possible communication platforms, at any time.

GDPR: No personal details of participants will remain with CRASSH after the Film Festival ends.

Participants included in the film festival have the right to ask for their work to be removed from the screening at any time by contacting CRASSH.