Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Youth Film Challenge Now Open Until Nov. 14
Sheffield, Mass. — In recognition of the difficulties of making a film during the pandemic, the partners behind the Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Youth Film Challenge announced today they have extended the deadline to Sunday, Nov. 14, for submissions of up to 6-minute films for competition for $3,500 in cash prizes. For complete information, visit www.YouthFilmChallenge.
Young people ages 14 to 24 who live or attend school in Berkshire County, Mass., Columbia and northeast Dutchess counties, N.Y., and northwest Litchfield County, Conn., are invited to submit an up to 6-minute film that highlights divisions and inequities in society, and shows how young people are tackling these challenges in their families, schools and communities. A panel of local film industry professionals will judge entries and award a grand prize of $2,000, plus a $1,000 second prize and $500 third prize.
Early entrants will receive $50 toward production costs, and to ensure the challenge is accessible to all local young people, free cameras are available to those who need them.
To help young filmmakers get started, the Youth Film Challenge sponsors have produced a series of free online workshops led by local professional filmmakers on topics such as making films with smartphones, filming interviews, editing tips and tools, and storytelling. Videos of these workshops are available for viewing anytime online, as is information on upcoming events, including sessions on documentary filmmaking on Saturday, Oct. 23, and sound in film on Sunday, Oct. 24. Workshop information, filmmaking prompts, and other resources and submission details are at www.YouthFilmChallenge.com.
The Youth Film Challenge is a partnership of the Civic Life Project and the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, with funding from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.
