Entries Sought For 2016 SMPTE-HPA Student Film Festival

The HPA and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) today issued the call for entries for the 2016 SMPTE-HPA Student Film Festival. The HPA serves the professional community by providing expertise, support, tools, and the infrastructure for the creation and finishing of motion pictures, television, commercials, and an array of content for a growing number of platforms, and SMPTE is a leader in motion-imaging standards and education for the communications, media, entertainment, and technology industries.

The organizations will host the 2016 SMPTE-HPA Student Film Festival in conjunction with the SMPTE 2016 Annual Technical Conference & Exhibition (SMPTE 2016) on Oct. 26 in Hollywood, California.

"The SMPTE-HPA Student Film Festival is growing into a rich showcase of student work, with outstanding short films being submitted from around the world," SMPTE President Robert Seidel said.

"It's always exciting to see the fresh techniques and ideas put forward by student filmmakers, and I'm sure this year will be no exception."

The SMPTE-HPA Student Film Festival highlights the creative use of technology by young filmmakers, as it is employed in the art and craft of storytelling. The festival is open to full-time students currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or film school.

This is an international festival, and entries from all parts of the world are encouraged. As the festival focuses on technology, students should ideally major in an area that emphasizes engineering, science, advanced technologies, or fundamental theories associated with motion imaging, sound, metadata, and workflows consistent with SMPTE's and HPA's fields of interest.

Films must adhere to time limit requirements, which include all main titles and ending credits. Students may submit films for consideration in one of the following six categories:
• Best creative use of entertainment technology to engage the audience in the story – narrative format. (max. five min.)

• Best creative use of entertainment technology to engage the audience in the story – narrative format. (max. 30 sec.)

• Best portrayal of entertainment technology in the film – documentary format. (max. five min.)

• Best portrayal of entertainment technology in the film – documentary format. (max. 30 sec.)

• Best use of virtual reality in storytelling – narrative format. (max. three min.)

• Best use of mobile device or tablet to convey a story – narrative format. (max. three min.)

All entries recognized as Official Selections are automatically eligible for the 2016 SMPTE-HPA Student Film Festival "Audience Award," which is voted on by festival attendees during the event and presented at the conclusion of the evening.

"The HPA and SMPTE are dedicated to supporting the newest members of the motion-imaging industry through a variety of educational initiatives and networking opportunities," said Leon Silverman, president of the HPA.

"This film festival is unique in that it celebrates the creativity and ingenuity that this new generation of filmmakers brings to our industry." 

In addition to the submitted film, all narrative film entries, except those in the VR category, must be accompanied either by a behind-the-scenes video demonstration (two min. max.) of how technology was used to enhance production, or by a brief written description (150 words max.) of the same.

Entries will be accepted now through June 27. To be eligible to submit a film, students must have completed four courses toward their major course of study and be in good academic standing. They must present supporting documentation and identification in order to qualify.

smpte.org/film-festival