- The maximum duration of your film is three minutes, however we allow you some additional time in case you need to run a little over, or have longer credits or titles. How much extra time? We won't say, but don't push your luck much past 20-30 seconds. There is no penalty for films shorter than 3 minutes, so you can enter with a 40 second film if you like.
- You are entirely responsible for putting your film up on the web. We cannot help you with this, but we will provide some info to help you. If your film is not available for us to see at the scheduled time, it is not our responsibility and you are out of judging. You may not show your film publicly before we post it on our website.
- Your movie must be able to be viewed by all judges. We suggest you use Quicktime, but be aware that not all judges may have the latest version, so cutting edge is not always best. See this thread for rendering tips.
- When the theme is announced on a Thursday morning, the deadline is 11:59:59 PM Pacific Time, the following Sunday (10 days later) night. Sometimes we go to bed early, which makes us slightly flexible on the deadline but if it isn’t there when we check email Monday morning, you are definitely out.
- You must begin your film with a title. Please, do not make the title the same or similar to the theme. If the theme is “cats”, don’t call your movie “Cats”, “The Cats”, or “A Cat”. Films titles “untitled” will be frowned upon. Very descriptive titles are good as it helps your film stick out in the judges minds when trying to remember which film is which.
- You must have credits at the end. These do not count in your time limit, but be conservative with them, please.
- YOUR FILM MUST BE ALL NEW MATERIAL.
Photo montages and animation are not acceptable as a film. It must be live video. 50% of your score will be on the use of the theme. If you cheat and shoot ahead of time, and ditch the theme, you will lose. - All levels of competition are welcome, from high school to Hollywood. We don’t care what you shoot your movie on.
- You retain 100% ownership of your film, and are 100% responsible for its content.
- If you plan on using copyright music or material, be prepared to provide proof that you have the rights to use it. If you cannot provide proof, we will either disqualify you, or judge your film with the volume turned off depending on how the music is used.

copyright © 2005-2006 the dv challenge | site last updated on
December 09, 2006
errors or feedback | design by Keith Loh | webmasters: Rob Lohman & Pete Bauer
errors or feedback | design by Keith Loh | webmasters: Rob Lohman & Pete Bauer