Student Film Competition
In our second annual film contest, we invite students to submit short films about energy issues. Entries must be no more than three minutes, and must relate to scientific aspects of the production, consumption, and/or distribution of energy. The deadline for submissions is September 18, 2009, and winners will receive up to $1,000 in cash prizes.
Last year’s winners on the topic of water can be viewed here.
Competition Guidelines
Download guidelines (pdf)
Download flyer (pdf)
Subject:
Energy.
The growing worldwide demand for energy, and the environmental consequences of energy technologies, pose many challenges for scientists, engineers, and policy makers.
We invite you to submit a film that addresses the science, engineering, policy, and/or ethics of energy. This could include development and implementation of renewable energy, fuel efficiency technologies, or other topics in applied energy. If in doubt about your idea, please contact energy@sigmaxi.org.
Audience:
Your film must communicate scientific ideas in a manner accessible to a general audience of non-scientists.
Criteria:
Films will be evaluated for the quality of their production and for the accuracy and depth of the scientific ideas they present. They must be well made, educational and informative and they must be rooted in science. Finally, they must address some aspect of energy production/conversion, consumption, or distribution, in the context of the world energy crisis and the need for sustainable energy technologies.
Eligibility:
Only undergraduate and graduate students may participate. Entries from individuals or teams are acceptable. Entrants need not be Sigma Xi members. This is a student film competition, and students are expected to do the majority of shooting, writing, direction, editing, narration and scoring.
Awards:
The top three entries will receive cash awards of $1,000, $500 and $250, respectively.
Judging:
Sigma Xi will assemble a panel of science and engineering students, science communicators, and distinguished scientists to review and judge the films.
Deadline:
Films must be sent to the following address, postmarked by September 18, 2009.
Sigma Xi
The Scientific Research Society
Attn: Director of Marketing and Communications
3106 East NC Highway 54
P.O. Box 13975
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Film Length:
Films must not exceed three minutes total running time. (Credits do not count against the time limit.)
Format:
Entries may be scripted or candid; humorous or serious; fictional or documentary; live or animated; or any combination thereof. Films must be in English, or show English subtitles. Do not send English translated scripts with foreign language films.
All submissions must be on a DVD disk, regardless of the original shooting format. Submit FIVE DVD copies of your film. Films will not be returned, so please keep a copy.
DVDs must be playable on U.S. consumer grade DVD players set for Region Code 1 (North America) or Region Code 0 (universal).
Write your name and email address on the DVD with a black permanent marker or printer. Do not use labels or stickers on the DVD.
With your entry, please provide a still photo of you and your crew or team.
We reserve the right to ask for resubmissions. Submissions that do not follow these technical requirements will not be judged.
Copyright:
Your film may not contain any copyrighted material (music or film, for example). You must include a statement in writing with your submission asserting that the film does not include copyrighted material.
Permissions: All entry materials will be kept for use in whole or in part, without restriction or fee, by Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, or any possible sponsors of this competition.
Entry Fee:
NONE
Questions?
Contact energy@sigmaxi.org.