SHORT FILM SLAM presented by The Madlab Post ()

Festival start: 13 December 2024      Festival end: 15 December 2024

*** Submissions for the 2024 Short Film Slam, presented by The Madlab Post will be opening in the Spring. If you are interested in submitting your live action, animation, documentary or experimental film, Sign up for our waitlist to be the first to hear about the Call for Entries for our 2024 season - https://cinema.madlabpost.com ***

The Short Film Slam is a bimonthly competition presented by The Madlab Post that focuses on providing a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work. Each round, a selection of up to twelve short films will be screened for local audiences who get to cast a vote for their favorite film. The highest rated film at live screenings will be declared "Movie of the Month" during the following month. The highest rated "in-competition" films from each live and online screening room will advance to the final round. All finalists get to compete for a total of $1,000 in prize money during the final round and festivities preceding the 2023 shnit Cinemas screening in Philadelphia.

Since 2012, The Madlab Post has promoted community outreach and engagement through film, screening dozens of exceptional short films from around the world to local audiences; including the Academy Award nominated short film A SINGLE LIFE, Clermond-Ferrand International Film Festival Special Jury Prize winner THE BATHTUB and Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominee Et ta prostate, ça va? (HOW'S YOUR PROSTATE). Main venues include the historic Bok building and Taller Puertorriqueño's state-of-the-art El Corazón Cultural Center.

Cash Prizes: 1,000$

Best Short Film Award for the highest rated short film that makes it to the Final Round of the season.

The highest rated film determined by audience vote wins the BEST SHORT FILM Award, a monetary prize valued at $1,000 USD. This prize is shared with other categories. The prize money will be paid out by Check (U.S. Only), Paypal or applicable payout method by season's end in 2023, upon receipt of all necessary bank or Paypal details. The recipient accepts any and all bank charges or related fees that are derived from the prize money. Awards, categories, venues, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

The Short Film Slam is accepting submissions for completed narrative fiction, documentary and animation shorts in all genres including action, comedy, drama, sci-fi, thriller and suspense genres. Works in progress will not be considered.

ENTRY DEADLINES
ROUND II (2023 Edition)

Early Submission Deadline (Round II): by October 11, 2023

Regular Submission Deadline (Round II): by October 30, 2023

Late Submission Deadline (Round II): by November 17, 2023

Extended Submission Deadline (Round II): November 21, 2023

ELIGIBILITY
To be considered for The Short Film Slam, all submissions must meet the following criteria:

Films must be 30 minutes or shorter in length (including credits). Films longer than 15 minutes may be considered to screen out of competition.

Films must be submitted via an Online Screener.

Films cannot have shown publicly anywhere in Philadelphia to be considered.

The Short Film Slam accepts films that are unreleased online.

Films must have been completed after January 2018.

All non-English language films MUST have English subtitles already added to the film.

DISTRIBUTION STATUS: The Short Film Slam does NOT accept films currently available for public consumption in the United States on home video, VOD, online/digital media nor broadcast television.

Submissions may not be withdrawn from the Short Film Slam once they have been entered, except at the sole discretion of the Short Film Slam's organizers.

TERMS & CONDITIONS
By submitting a film to The Short Film Slam, presented by The Madlab Post, you warrant that you have previously obtained all necessary rights and releases including but not limited to all legal copyright clearances, licenses and permission for materials contained in the film, for The Madlab Post to feature the film at The Short Film Slam.

You also certify that you are the copyright owner or authorized by the copyright owner to submit the film, this film is original, does not contain advertisements (this includes trailers), and it has been legally cleared for public exhibition. You are granting the permission to use footage, photo stills and/or titles, and information from or relating to the film for promotional purposes as well.

You also agree to mention if your film is chosen as a finalist and/or mention your award in future publicity and/or copies of the winning short film as well as in your filmmaking production reels, resumes, websites and related media.

You agree to grant The Madlab Post, its organizers, licensees and affiliates the right to exhibit the film at its venues, on its website and on mobile devices through restricted access on The Short Film Slam web page. You are confirming that The Madlab Post can screen your film as part of The Short Film Slam, regardless of another film series' screening, distribution agreement or festival's acceptance and are bound by these terms and conditions.

REFUND POLICY
Submission fees are non-refundable once a film is submitted to be considered as a finalist in the short film slam.

AWARDS POLICY
The Best overall short film receives the cash award valued at $1,000 USD. This prize is shared with other categories. The prize money will be paid out by the season's end 2023 upon receipt of all necessary payout details. The recipient accepts any and all bank charges or related fees that are derived from the prize money. Awards, categories, venues, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Winners must attend the Short Film Slam awards dinner or celebratory event in order to receive their award and/or winner's title. Exceptions can only be made on a case by case basis and a representative can receive the award on behalf of the filmmaker upon agreement with the Short Film Slam organizers.

Notification dates for finalists may vary and submitters will start being notified on or around November 27, 2023. Only filmmakers whose entries are selected as finalists in each round will receive notification on the status of their entry.

While the Short Film Slam has minimal content or ratings restrictions, preference may be given to entries that are appropriate for a general audience. This includes explicit language, violence, drug references, and any other content considered to be more suitable for adult/mature audiences.

If you have any questions, please contact the organizer at www.madlabpost.com/contact