Partyboy by Damien Middleton
Short Film Award for Best Direction & Best Narrative Film​

SHORT FILM

In a Short Film adjudication, the Thespian must create an original short film. The film must be of original content and may be a collaboration among up to 16 Thespians. Adaptations are not permitted. Only one film may be submitted per student/group in one of the following categories: Separate rubrics are below for each category.

Entry Info
  • Short Film entries do not count in the Thespy limit of 15 entries per school.
  • Students are allowed to enter an acting or tech IE AND a Short Film entry.
  • Troupes may submit multiple short film entries, but only one entry per student. 
  • Multiple students can co-direct a short film. Each student should be registered for Short Film. 
  • Each student will need to be registered by their director for a State Festival to compete in Short Film. 
  • Students will submit their film in Submittable. Once registration closes, all students and directors will get an entry link for Submittable.
  • The deadline for films to be submitted in Submittable will be October 28 by 11:59 PM. 

The skills measured by the adjudicators during the presentation are:
  • The ability to create opening and closing titles, credits, and graphics that orient the viewer to the story
  • The ability to visually develop a story with dialogue
  • Camera, lighting, and sound use
  • Editing, including scene length and flow
  • The emotional and physical believability of the acting
  • The filmmaker’s use of film elements to create a successful product
The Thespian must prepare:
  • An original documentary, live action, or animated film no more than five minutes long, plus one additional minute for credits. The film must demonstrate:
    • Proper use of title cards and credits within the time limit.
    • Properly executed camera angles and shot variation to enhance the storyline and finished product.
    • Control over lighting exposures for clarity, storytelling, and a professional finished product.
    • The ability to capture, record, and manipulate all audio aspects of your production.
    • Controlled and manufactured editing choices that enhance the overall storytelling.
    • The ability to complete a storyline that includes a clear arc (beginning, middle, and end).
    • The film must meet the following requirements:
      • Music used in short films must be original, in the public domain, and/or properly credited.
        • If in the public domain or original, proper credit must be listed in the film’s credits.
        • If not in the public domain or original, proper credit must be listed in the film’s credits and proof of payment for the rights to the music must be documented and shared with the adjudicators.
      • The film should be uploaded to YouTube with privacy settings set to “Public” or “Unlisted” for adjudication. Note: if the film is set to “Private,” the adjudicators will be unable to view and score the work.
      • The film should contain no content that would exceed a PG13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America. The film should not include any nudity or depict acts that are illegal for anyone under 18 years of age.
An easy to use in the classroom resource for teachers and students. Meant to be printed on one piece of paper and includes additional information and the rubric
Link to the official Nationals website information and rubric. These are the same as ours but this is the rubric you will see used during festival adjudication.