a timed filmmaking challenge for the good of the planet

Filmmakers from around the world are invited to register now to make a short 4-7 minute documentary under an assigned environmental theme and a given topic for Fusion's Project Earth Doc Challenge. The films are judged by a jury and the top 12 films premiere at DOCNYC, America’s largest documentary festival, in November 2016 and The world's largest showcase of environmental films, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital(DCEFF), in March 2017. The winners are awarded $24,698+ in prizes which include, two FilmStro soundtrack music licenses. And, the top 20 films receive distribution on FUSION network.

When your team registers for the challenge, you can choose between two dates to make your film: September 9-14 or September 12-17, 2016. From each of these dates, you will have 120 hours to complete your film. On your start date, you will receive two environmental themed topics. Your team will choose which topic you want for your film's focus.

Once the challenge is completed, an industry panel of judges will narrow the films down to the top 20 best films. These 20 films will screen on Fusion Media's network and distribution channels over the course of the next two years. From the top 20, 12 films will be selected to premiere at DOCNYC in November 2016 and the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital (DCEFF), in March 2017. Each team will receive one all access pass to DOCNYC and DCEFF. There will be additional screenings of the top 12 finalist films including AudFest at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood, April 6 - 9, 2017 and at The International Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula, Montana, Spring 2017.

From the top 20, films will be awarded "FUSION" award, the "Doc Challenge" award, Doc Challenge honorable mention, best in directing, cinematography, editing, use of genre, score and best film from each topic.

There will be an online Audience Awards competition from April 5-8, 2017 during AudFest. Audience Awards provides a stage for short films and engaging stories. Our platform is dedicated to celebrating the power of storytelling and building an audience for short films and filmmakers. Created by filmmakers, for filmmakers, we are here to help you grow your career and fund your film dreams. The International Documentary Challenge has served the film community since 2005.

ABOUT DOC CHALLENGE:

The premiere Project Earth Doc Challenge is an outgrowth of the enormous success of AudAwards’ International Documentary Challenge, launched in 2005. This ongoing program sponsors a variety of themed competitions throughout the year in which filmmakers have a limited timeframe to make a short documentary (4-7 minutes) based on a designated topic. Over the years, a number of Doc Challenge films – which all receive prominent film festival exposure, in addition to other prizes – have received Emmy nominations and been eligible for Academy Award consideration. Doc Challenge festival premieres and sponsors have included Silverdocs, Hot Docs, Slamdance, DOC NYC, POV, Documentary Educational Resources and FUSION.
 

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL (DCEFF):

The world's largest showcase of environmental films, the Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital celebrates Earth and inspires stewardship of the planet through the power of film. Each March in Washington, D.C. the Festival presents a large and diverse selection of films -- documentaries, narratives, animations, shorts, and experimental films -- selected to provide fresh perspectives on our global environment. Filmmakers, scientists, and environmental experts enhance the Festival's impact through post-screening discussions. We also host film events throughout the year and the Festival’s website, dceff.org, serves as a global resource. The longest-running Festival of its kind in the U.S., DCEFF will celebrate its 25th anniversary from March 14-26, 2017 in Washington, D.C.
 

ABOUT THE FILMSTRO PRIZE:

FilmStro offers the world's first soundtrack creation studio. Score your film and make a masterpiece! In addition to the prize money for your film, the first place audience award & jury selection each will win a Filmstro soundtrack license worth $1999 for movies with a $1M budget or less. Winners will receive an email with license details.

Please use the Discussion tab for any questions you may have.
 

REGISTER BY

Sep 12, 2016 at 12:00pm MDT (America/Denver)

PRIZE DESCRIPTION

The FUSION Project Earth Documentary Challenge will award a total of $11,700 to the FUSION, Doc Challenge, and Audience Awards selected films. $7,500 will be awarded to the top films and an additional $3,000 will be donated to a Green organization that the FUSION selected winner designates from a list of such organizations compiled by FUSION. Please see this list below. Each finalist team receives one all access pass to DOCNYC - a $750 value per pass. The top audience voted and the top jury-selected films will both win a FilmStro Pro soundtrack license for a movie up to $1M budget worth $1999.

List of Green Organizations:

Humane Society International

Sea Shepard

Jane Goodall Institute

Mission Blue

African Parks

Each of the 12 finalist will win an additional $100 Audience Awards site credit to use towards future contests and challenges.

ENTRY FEE BREAKDOWN

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Late Deadline:

Sep 12, 2016 12:00pm (America/Denver)

Entry Fee: $69