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 The Hot Shops Film Festival is in its third year of running, and we are ever seeking out new opportunities for film-buffs in the Omaha area, and beyond. This year we are looking for original films in the categories of Dramatic Feature, Comedic Feature, Documentary, Music Video, Animation, and Sci-Fi/Horror. On top of these old favorites, we are offering a screenplay competition for original full-length screenplays and we have hooked up with Saddle Creek Records so that festival participants will have a shot at creating internationally viewed music videos too!
We are working toward community growth through the recognition of student and amateur filmmakers' endeavors, as well as education for those in the Omaha Metro area who are interested in various aspects of filmmaking. The Hot Shops Film Festival is continually exploring new ways to offer more film opportunity to the community. Check our home page for the latest news.
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SCOPE: 
1st Place
Award |
We seek dramatic, comedic, documentary, sci-fi, horror, fantasy, musical, or any other form of creative filmmaking that challenges the audience, conveys a message, communicates an idea or simply entertains. We will show film and video creations made as a form of art, and as a means self expression.
Whether you are enrolled at a school in Des Moines, Omaha or Lincoln, or are an enthusiastic hobbyist from anywhere in the United States, we look forward to receiving your submission. We seek to support and encourage the development of student and hobby filmmakers everywhere.
Entries are accepted in all genre and style types indicated, excepting distasteful or obscene material, which will be at the discretion of the Board of Advisors. All dialogue or narration must be in English or subtitled in English. There is a maximum running time of 10 minutes. Works may have originated on any film or video format, but they must be submitted for entry as DVD's or VHS (SVHS) or DV video format. Separate entry forms and fees must be submitted for each entry. The deadline for entries to be postmarked is DECEMBER 31st, 2005. Finalists selected for screening will be notified the following month.
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SCREENINGS:
Prior to the week of the festival, all submitted entries will be organized, cataloged and pre-screened by the Board of Governors. Those entries which meet the basic criteria for submission will be screened for the Judges Panel. The Judges will assign a score to each entrant and provide comments related to each film. Finalists and award-winners will be notified in a timely manner.
Tickets for the public screenings will be required, and will be available at the Hot Shops Art Center during the festival.
While every effort will be made to accommodate attendees, tickets WILL NOT guarantee admission to specific screenings. All screenings are general admission, and seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Once capacity has been reached, no one else can be admitted. However, entrants will be shown multiple times on multiple days.
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JUDGING:
All entries will be judged by a special panel comprised of local media professionals. This group may include educators (various levels), journalists/critics who deal with the motion picture arts and working professionals with a demonstrated high level of expertise and others.
ENTRY LEVELS & CATEGORIES:
| Middle School (6th through 8th grades) |
High School (9th through 12th grades) |
Post-High School (College, University, etc.) |
Non-Professional (Non-Academic) |
| Dramatic Feature |
| Comedic Feature |
| Documentary |
| Music Video |
| Animation |
| Screenplay Competition* |
| Sci-Fi / Horror |
| Saddle Creek Music Video Competition* [download songs here] |
IMPORTANT: Submissions limited to 10 minutes selected by entrant.
(*New categories)
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SHIPPING:
Cost of shipping to festival is the responsibility of the entrant. Exhibition copies must be sent to the festival prepaid. All videos and cases must be labeled with the title of the entry, the entrants contact information and the entry category/level. The festival will not cover return shipping. The festival cannot accept responsibility for damage or loss of materials while in transit. Please use only plastic or bubble pack cases when shipping entries. DO NOT USE FIBER ENVELOPES. FIBER ENVELOPES TEAR AND CAN DAMAGE TAPES AND EQUIPMENT!
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ENTRY FORM:
Entry fees this year are $50. Middle and High School entry fees are $30. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BEFORE DECEMBER 31st, 2005. A separate entry form and entry fee must be submitted for each project.
Get your  Entry Form here.
Get your Screenwriter's Entry Form here.
You must send a S.A.S.E. and/or Return Postage for your PREVIEW tape if you need it back.If not, the PREVIEW tape will not be returned.
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CONTACT US:
If you have any questions, please contact a Film Festival representative,
email: filmfest@hotshopsartcenter.com.
phone: 402-346-FILM (3456)
snail mail: 1301 Nicholas Street #110, Omaha, NE 68102
You can also subscribe to our email newsletter here.
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MEDIA ROOM:
Please check out these promotionals for the 2003, 2004, and 2005 Hot Shops Film Festival. (You'll need proper media players to view them). If you would like to see the list of past winners click here.
 2005 Saddle Creek Music Video Our new neighbor, our new category--please download two MP3s and make a video without having to get copyright permissions. [Click here] The winner will be posted on this page in January 2006. Stay tuned!
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 Tales of the
Exploding Chicken As a gift from us to you, and a call for 2004's entries, we put together a little Flash animation that we hope you find enjoyable. Would you like to explode a chicken? (Never thought we'd ask?) |
Please watch this QuickTime to learn more about the first annual Hot Shops Film Festival
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On July 16th, 2003, the Omaha World Herald gathered some of the areas amateur film makers for a story on the Hot Shops Film Festival
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