The Department of Mass Communication and the Common Reader Program at SHSU invite you to submit a short film to the "5th Annual Mass Communication Common Reader Film Festival: "Diversity". Inspired by this year's Common Reader book "American Like Me" by America Ferrera, we would like to encourage all students to produce short films with the central theme "Diversity" and submit them to our thematic film festival. This call is open to any currently enrolled SHSU student.

The official selection films will be available online (via YouTube) from November 1st through November 11th for viewers to watch the films and vote for their favorite until 5PM on November 11th. The awards ceremony will be live streamed on https://www.facebook.com/ShsuFilmProgram/live/ on November 11th, at 7PM CDT, when the winners in the four categories (Best Film, Special Award, Honorable Mention, Audience Choice) will be announced.

Awards & Prizes

AWARD CATEGORIES:

Best Film
$500 gift certificate from Amazon to be divided among group members. Laurels will be sent electronically to group members.
A jury composed of SHSU faculty and/or professionals in the field will choose the best film in the competition. This award will go to the film that tells the most compelling story first and foremost. Other technical aspects will also be taken into consideration.

Special Award
$500 gift certificate from Amazon to be divided among group members. Laurels will be sent electronically to group members.
A jury composed of SHSU faculty and/or professionals in the field will grant the "Special Award" to the film that most closely incorporates the themes of the book "American Like Me".

Honorable Mention
$250 gift certificate from Amazon to be divided among group members. Laurels will be sent electronically to group members.
A jury composed of SHSU faculty and/or professionals in the field will grant one film an "Honorable Mention" award for the hard work, dedication, and passion demonstrated in the film.

Audience Choice Award
$250 gift certificate from Amazon to be divided among group members. Laurels will be sent electronically to group members.
The film with the most audience votes will be given this award.

Rules & Terms

All filmmakers submitting to the "5th Annual Mass Communication Common Reader Film Festival: "Diversity" accept and agree to comply with the following Terms and Conditions:

1. The central theme of the film must be DIVERSITY.

2. Narrative (fiction), documentary, animated, or experimental films are accepted.

3. All entries must be submitted via FilmFreeway, by the deadline.

4. We accept films in any language. However, films not made in English must have English subtitles.

5. The person submitting the film agrees that it may be screened at the Festival if selected. This year, the films will be screened at the Festival's YouTube page, for that reason, you must comply with YouTube's guidelines. Films that infringe YouTube's guidelines will be disqualified.

6. You own the copyright to your film as its author and represent and warrant that you have (and will continue to have during the duration of the Festival and thereafter) all necessary licenses, rights, consents, and permissions we need to use your film and you will provide evidence of such on our reasonable request.

7. You agree that your film may be used for promotional reasons by SHSU, including but not limited to screening at Channel 7 KSHU, streamed through our website, and posted on social media.

8. The film is under 15 minutes and must have been produced by at least one SHSU student.

9. You MUST list all the SHSU students involved in this project in your cast and crew page.

10. You MUST write a short synopsis (50 words max.) for your film, which will be used in as your film's description on YouTube.

11. You must upload your film directly to FilmFreeway and allow for download.

12. The film you submit in this form is the one that will be screened at the festival. Make sure to test the file and that everything is working properly before submitting.

13. It is at the sole discretion of the pre-selection committee which films will be screened. Not every film submitted will be selected for the festival.