NASA and Houston Cinema Arts Society are looking for short film submissions of 10 minutes or less that include at least 10% (based on your video’s total running time, not including credits) of actual NASA footage provided in the link below.
NASA FOOTAGE TO SELECT FROM: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/download-nasa-videos-for-cinespace
**IMPORTANT – You are strongly encouraged to review the Finalists and Winners from 2015 and 2016 – WE STRONGLY URGE YOU TO USE NASA ARCHIVE FOOTAGE THAT HAS NOT BEEN USED IN PAST COMPETITIONS**
The finalist films will screen at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival in November 2017, and other selected screenings/film festivals across the country, as well as on NASA TV and even the International Space Station.
Note: If your film is any other language other than English, the review copy of your work should have English subtitles. Should you win, you’ll be require to submit a 1080p version without subtitles and provide either English subtitle transcript or SRT file with English subtitles.
--Judging Criteria: The Selection Committee and Competition Judges (collectively the “Jury”) understand that various genres and formats have different dominant qualities. The Jury will consider the following to select finalists and winners:
- Is the work based on innovative artistic presentation and storytelling?
- Does the work provoke an emotional response?
- Does the work show a mastery of filmmaking craftsmanship?
- Does the work exemplify creative excellence that pushes the boundaries of filmmaking and storytelling?
- Does the work show a high level of technical, conceptual, and aesthetic innovation and display an exceptional level of creative vision?
- Does the work show an exemplary use of the original NASA material used?
- Does the work show an exceptional level of creative vision and execution?
- Does the work capture a creative expression?
- Does the work explore new ideas or techniques to further filmmaking as an art form?
- Does the work offer a fresh perspective?
-- Awards: The following prizes will be awarded:
- Grand Prize: USD $10,000
- Second Prize: USD $5,000
- Third Prize: USD $3,000
-- Special Judging Categories and Awards: Besides the above awards, the Jury may also award two additional prizes of $4,000 each. For these awards they are looking for Submissions that elevate the featured themes using creative and original cinematic and/or storytelling techniques. If the jury feels that a Submission meets these criteria, the Submission may be considered for these awards. If no submissions sufficiently meet the criteria, these categories may not be awarded this year.
- Film Best Depicting Benefits of Space to Humanity: USD $4,000
- The Jury will use the following NASA statement as a guide: “Through advancing the state of scientific knowledge, the benefits of space exploration and scientific research in space will strengthen economies and enhance the quality of life here on Earth for all people. This Special Award is for the submission that best captures and communicates this message.”
- Film Best Depicting Spirit of Future Exploration of Space: USD $4,000
- The Jury will use the following NASA statement as a guide: “The U.S. and NASA figure prominently in exploration and pioneering. As nations explore, they discover, innovate, prosper, lead— and become great. NASA missions, both robotic and human, expand the knowledge of our planet, our solar system, and the universe, leading to the expansion of mankind itself from the Earth to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. This Special Award is for the submission that best captures and communicates this future-oriented message.”
- Please read the OFFICIAL RULES for all the important details.