ILS dedicates this section of the competition in memory of Luis Palomo, a caring alumni who shared a passion for film and photography. Class of 1972 graduate, Luis was also a recipient of that year’s Miami Herald’s Silver Knight Award. Luis was a successful director who mentored many young professionals throughout his long career in commercial advertising. A lifelong advocate of the arts, Luis was also a founding member of the City of Miami’s Art & Entertainment Council instrumental in Little Havana’s revitalization as a cultural arts hub. Luis passed away on January 14th, 2021 from complications caused by Covid-19.This year’s film contest features two distinct categories: narrative and news. Themes for the narrative shorts include: Moment of Nature, Life in a Pandemic and Tell me a Story. Films in this category can be executed either as fiction, documentary or experimental/ artistic. The news category should take a journalistic approach focusing on either a sports, feature, news or investigative reporting story. All entries should be no more than three minutes in length. Both categories will be judged on originality, structure, cinematography, sound design and execution. You may use royalty-free music, photos and illustrations. Credit as specified in your source. Please do not use any copyrighted materials without the written permission of its authors. This includes music, graphics, archival footage and photographs.
FILM SHORTS CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS
Students may enter as an individual or a group of 2 students in the film category, keep in mind that any prize will be split evenly among the group. No more than 2 students per film group.
Students may enter a maximum of 2 entries as an individual and/or group.
Click on your category to submit!
Narrative/Storytelling-Commercial
(Choose your genre) Telling a short story will be key in this category! Creativity and originality will also play a role along with cinematography techniques. Commercials in this category can be executed as fiction or experimental/ artistic. Choose an age appropriate product (fictional or existing) to promote.
Extra points will be considered for collaborating with ILS STEAM track moderators.
The target audience should be in mind during the making of the commercial. It should be 30 second minimum up to 1 minute max. Judges will be looking for camera angles, pacing, lighting, sound, editing originality and story synopsis.
Public Service Announcement (PSA)
A PSA is a presentation that informs the general public in a memorable way. It needs to have good sources and the key message is conveyed clearly to the viewer. The PSA category should take a public service announcement approach focusing on a topic backed by research and data, know your audience to present the information in the best way, have a hook something “newsworthy” and a well planned script. Judges will be looking for camera angles, pacing, lighting, sound, editing originality and PSA information relevancy.
1 minute minimum up to 3 maximum.
Broadcast Feature Story
A broadcast feature story is one that covers people, art or culture. This may include profiles, reviews or other stories related to community events, figures or places. A package is a prerecorded story containing a reporter’s voice-over, videotaped shots and sound bites. The story must have been broadcast from this calendar year. Must provide documentation that all audio, video and photographic material submitted belongs to the student submitting the work. Judges will look for adherence to broadcast style (short sentences, present tense, conversational, clear). Contains all the necessary information and provides a new perspective. Video sound bites are well shot close-ups, relevant and interesting. A variety of shots are used, steady and in focus. Editing is free of glitches and jump cuts, and natural sound is used effectively. Overall, the script and video complement each other, telling the story in an interesting and informative manner. The voice-over is effective and delivered with liveliness and clarity. Time limit is met.
1 minute minimum up to 3 maximum.
Judges reserve the right to disqualify a film if it does not present content in keeping with a catholic school environment and teachings.