Golden Lion Awards Film Festival
Dear Principals and Technology Teachers,
The Fourth Annual Golden Lion Awards Film Festival will be held on Friday, April 12, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm in Ursuline Academy’s Besl Theatre. This year’s event is co- sponsored by the following schools and organizations.
• Ursuline Academy • Taylor High School • Mason High School • Mariemont High School • Indian Hill High School • St. Ursula Academy • INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati
Throughout the last six years, many students from across Cincinnati, Dayton, and Kentucky have submitted their works to the film festival. The films have varied from comedies to documentaries and news reports to music videos. This year, students are once again invited to submit their films. We hope that your school will contribute to this event.
In this packet, you will find a description of film awards and categories, online submission instructions, and a poster to hang at your school. Prior to the film festival, videos will be evaluated by a panel of judges. The night of the event, award winning videos in each category will be shown to the entire audience. Throughout the film festival, all other videos will be available for viewing on laptops. Winners in each film category will receive either a Golden Lion, White Lion, or Mountain Lion award. Before the conclusion of the festival, judges will vote on the Special Recognition Awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Original Screenplay, Most Inspirational, and Critic’s Choice.
The film festival is a free event that is open to all students and the general public. Throughout the film festival, snacks and soft drinks will be provided, and students will have the opportunity to play movie trivia games, create special effects with a green screen, and participate in technology related games.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Thank you!
Ann T. Brinkmann Neal Ryan Ann T. Brinkmann Neal Ryan Festival Co-Director Festival Co-Director Electronic and Digital Media Director Media Production Teacher Ursuline Academy Taylor High School [email protected] [email protected] (513) 745-2773 (513-824-7498)
Film Awards and Categories
Film Awards Films entered into the Golden Lion Film Festival have the possibility of winning one of three types of awards. Each award type is listed below:
• Golden Lion Award. Student films that win a Golden Lion award have achieved excellence in technical quality, story content, and film purpose. Films that are recognized at this level receive a Golden Lion Trophy.
• White Lion Award. Student films that are awarded a White Lion award, may be very strong technically (lighting, filming, sound, editing, effects, etc.), but may lack strength in story content (i.e., scriptwriting, talent, acting, etc.) and/or film purpose. Films that are recognized at this level receive a White Lion Medal.
• Mountain Lion Award. Student films that are awarded a Mountain Lion award, may be very strong in story content (i.e., scriptwriting, talent, acting, etc.), but may lack strength in technical quality (i.e., lighting, filming, sound, editing, effects, etc.). Films that are recognized at this level receive a Mountain Lion Certificate.
Film Categories This year’s film categories include 10 different film types in which students can enter. Each is described below: 1. Commercial (15 seconds-1 Minute): This category is for your best advertisement or promotional video created this year. Subject of the commercial may range from a school-related activity to a commercial product.
2. Public Service Announcement (30 seconds -2 minutes). This category is for your best advertisement of a cause or charity.
3. Music Video (1-4 Minutes): This category is for original songs or song spoofs (think Call Me Maybe). Original songs created for high school bands must have the permission of the band before using its song.
4. Comedy (1-4 Minutes): This category is for anything you find humorous. Submissions such as popular “YouTube” videos are appreciated.
5. Documentary (2-10 Minutes): This film-type is an in-depth, non-fiction, look at an event, person, place, or thing.
6. Short Film (2-10 Minutes): A short film must tell a story—think beginning, middle, end, climax, and dénouement...in other words, stuff you learned in English class. Remember, a good film starts with a good script.
Film Awards and Categories
Categories
7. Informational/Educational Films (1-10 Minutes): This category is for videos that teach or demonstrate (i.e. “how to” videos). Corporate videos also fall into this category.
8. Newscast/News Story (1-10 Minutes): This category is for solid, broadcast journalism. The winner will be the story that most effectively communicates the “who, what, where, when, why, and how” of your chosen topic, which can include school sports.
9. Animation (1-6 Minutes): This category is a specialty category for those students who excel in computer graphics, computer animation, or flash, or have the patience for stop-frame animation. Be sure your animation tells a story.
10. Alternative (1-10 Minutes): This category is for anything that doesn’t conform to any of the other categories. The goal is to have fun, be creative, and entertain.
Special Recognition Award Categories At the conclusion of the film festival, judges will present four special recognition awards to films that stand out in the following four areas. Films that are recognized in these categories will receive a Gold Lion Special Recognition Award Trophy:
1. Best Cinematography. This award recognizes student films that demonstrate excellent camera work and film techniques.
2. Best Original Screenplay. This award recognizes outstanding student work in character development, setting, and storytelling.
3. Most Inspirational. This award recognizes student films that inspire us to be better students, citizens, and people.
4. Critics’ Choice. This award recognizes student films that show overall excellence in both Technical and Content Quality.
Ì Please Note that to maintain competitiveness, the film festival committee reserves the right to change a film’s category.
Online Submission and Rules
Entry Deadline: Monday, April 8 Festival Night: Friday, April 12
1. Submissions. All videos must be submitted online using a video sharing site such as youtube, vimeo, schooltube, etc. Once you upload your video, send the video link to Ann Brinkmann at [email protected] and Neil Ryan at [email protected].
When you upload your video to a sharing site, you should see a place to enter a video description. In the video description box, make sure you enter the following information: • Individual Name or Group Names • Movie Title • Category • School • Faculty Member
2. Email: After you upload your video, send an email to both Ann Brinkmann and Neil Ryan that includes your video link as well as the following information:
• Film Title • Film Category • Length • Individual Name or Group Names • School • Faculty Advisor • Faculty Advisor Email • Student Cell Phone Number • Student Email Address
3. Deadline: All entries must be received by 3:00 PM on April 8, 2013 (no exceptions). Emails received after 3:00 on this date, will not be accepted.
4. Authorization: Note that by sharing your video links with the Golden Lion Film Festival Committee, you are granting permission for the film festival committee to use the link for evaluation, viewing, and/or promotional purposes.
5. Category Selection: Please note that to maintain competitiveness, the film festival committee reserves the right to change a film’s category.
6. Film Festival Attendance. If you submit a video, you MUST attend the Festival. If you have a good reason why you cannot come (i.e. soccer game, doctor’s appointment), you must contact either Ann Brinkmann at [email protected] or Neil Ryan at [email protected].
7. Film Content. Your film should not contain profanity or explicit material. All scenes should be PG rated. You should be able to show your film to a younger sibling with no issues. You may not show or promote any drug or alcohol use. You may not use ANY visual or audio of guns, bombs, or any other violent weapons without the approval of the festival team.
8. Obey Copyright Laws: Only 10% of your film may contain commercially produced footage. Don’t submit a “re-edited” version of any commercial video. Your video should be YOUR work.