ENTER BY: September 15th, 2008 UPDATED!
FESTIVAL DATE: October 11th, 2008

Every other year NIFP sponsors the Middle of Nowhere Short Film Festival in order to help promote local filmmaking. We give local filmmakers the opportunity to show off their work and to win prizes. The festival is held at the Joyo Theatre in Havelock. Cash prizes, special guests and you choose the Audience Choice winner! Official entry form can be found at the bottom of the page.


HISTORY: 2006 M.O.N. INTRODUCTION VIDEO:

HISTORY: 2006 AWARDS VIDEO:

CHECK OUT OUR MYSPACE PAGE: MySpace URL:
HERE

Official Rules
(2008 competition)

Official Rules:
1. Contestants must be Nebraska residents with a Nebraska address and phone number or the film must be shot in Nebraska with documentation as to where and when it was shot.

2. Entries must be original, undistributed work, by the contestant. There are no theme or genre specifications for this year’s competition. All entries must be filmed between January 1, 2007 and Sept 14, 2008.

3. Entries may be created by any means necessary-Video, film, digital, etc.

4. Entries may be in any style-Narrative, documentary, abstract, experimental, animation, etc.

5. The following formats will be accepted for entry: Mini DV, DVD

6. You may submit up to 2 entries per category.
The categories for Middle of Nowhere 2008:

Short Film Category
A. All entries must be 3 minutes or less including credits.
B. Entries that exceed 3 minutes will be disqualified.
C. Standard Entry Fee-$15
NIFP Member Entry Fee-$5(This applies to the first entry only. Second entry is the standard fee.)
D. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of originality, creativity, entertainment value, technical proficiency, acting, and the judge’s impressions.
E. All entries using copyrighted music or images must include written permission to use the copyrighted material with the entry form or they will face disqualification of the entry.

Extended Short film Category
A. All entries must be 7 minutes or less including credits.
B. Entries that exceed 7 minutes will be disqualified.
C. Standard Entry Fee-$25
NIFP Member Entry Fee-$10(This applies to the first entry only. Second entry is the standard fee.)
D. Submissions will be evaluated on the basis of originality, creativity, entertainment value, technical proficiency, acting, and the judge’s impressions.
E. All entries using copyrighted music or images must include written permission to use the copyrighted material with the entry form or they will face disqualification of the entry.
F. Top winners from this category will be screened at the film festival (Only judges top selections of entries are guaranteed to screen).

7. Applicants must submit the following for each entry:

A. A completed application form with original signature.
B. One copy of the entry.
C. A check for the appropriate entry fee according to the category made out to NIFP(Any returned/NSF checks will be cause for disqualification of your entry)

8. Entries must be mailed to: NIFP, PO Box 80205, Lincoln, NE 68501

9. Hand delivered entries will be accepted only at an official NIFP meeting or event.

10. Contest Deadline: Entries must be postmarked on or before September 15, 2008.

Deadlines will be strictly enforced.

Do not send the only copy of your film or video.
Judging Process:

1. Judging will be done by professionals and academics with experience in the film, video, television, and theatre industry. NIFP members are not eligible to be competition judges. All entries will be rated on a scale of 1 to 100. Judges scores will be averaged.
A. All entrants will receive judging scorecards (Must be present the night of the screening to collect).

2. The categories that will be awarded prizes this year are:

Standard Short Film Category
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

Extended Short film Category
1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

Overall
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Sound Score
Audience Choice (Only films screened are eligible for this award)

SCORING: The entries receiving the top scores will be announced during the awards ceremony on October 11, 2008 after festival film screenings. Best Actor, Actress, Best Sound Score, and Audience choice will also be announced at that time.

Disqualification:
Any entry failing to comply with the official rules will be disqualified and not judged.

Contacting judges about your entry prior to announcement of winners automatically disqualifies the entry. All entries postmarked AFTER the deadline will be returned unopened.

The NIFP Board of Directors will review any possible violations and make final decisions on any disqualifications of entry.

Note to entrants:

Traditionally, the Middle of Nowhere Film Festival shows every entry. However, due to consideration of time constraints and appropriateness, the final decision for Festival screening lies with the Festival Directors.

See you at the Festival October 11th!