JFilm stages short film contest; competition goes international

JFilm: The Pittsburgh Jewish Film Forum is sponsoring a competition for filmmakers who make shorts.

The Robinson International Short Film Competition, as it’s called, is named for Sanford N. Robinson. It is intended to further the careers of filmmakers by awarding significant monetary prizes and offering exposure for their work.

The international competition is open to any independent filmmakers, including college and graduate level film students, as well as professionals in the field.

The guidelines for entries are:

• The film must be a Pittsburgh premiere (no prior public Pittsburgh screenings or television broadcasts);

• Films completed in 2009 or later;

• Screening formats: 35mm, Beta SP (NTSC), Digibeta (NTSC), HDCAM, Blu-ray;

• Foreign language films must have English subtitles; and

• Film must be 40 minutes or less.

Acceptable genres include narrative, documentary or animated films. Submissions must contain an essence of Jewishness as represented by theme, history or culture.

Up to 10 films will be selected for presentation by JFilm: The Pittsburgh Jewish Film Forum at an awards evening in early May. The winning films will be announced immediately following the screening. The first place prize is $10,000; two honorable mentions will each receive $3,000.

Filmmakers will be notified in March of their selection. JFilm: The Pittsburgh Jewish Film Forum and the Robinson family would like all selected filmmakers to make every effort to attend the awards evening. Attendance, however, is not mandatory to receive a prize.

Entries are due Jan. 31. There is a fee to enter.

Visit jfilmpgh.org for entry forms and more information about the competition, including entry guidelines.

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