SHORT FILM

HORIZON SHORT FILM PROJECT

The art of visual storytelling through sequential images has captivated audiences for more than two centuries, evolving into a powerful medium of creative expression. From the early days of cinema to modern digital platforms, short-form filmmaking has emerged as an ideal canvas for artists to paint their narratives frame by frame. The digital revolution, particularly through online video platforms, has democratized filmmaking, allowing creators worldwide to share their stories instantly with global audiences.

The film industry has witnessed remarkable transformations since its inception. What began with simple motion pictures in the late 1800s has become a sophisticated medium combining visual effects, sound design, and innovative storytelling techniques. Today's short films serve as launching pads for emerging filmmakers, with many acclaimed directors having started their careers through short-form content. This format continues to push creative boundaries while providing an accessible entry point into the world of professional filmmaking.

The Horizon Short Film projects can be prepared and submitted by maximum of two students. Whether informative, expressive, or affirmative, Horizon Olympiad is seeking animated, live-action, or documentary short films between 3 and 6 minutes that transport the viewer into the scene, create an emotional change with the scene, and motivate and inform the viewer towards any global or local environmental issue.

SHORT FILM | NARRATIVE

Unleash your creativity through fictional storytelling. This dynamic category welcomes compelling dramas, thrilling action pieces, and imaginative science fiction works. We encourage you to explore award-winning narrative short films online for inspiration and to see how others have mastered this powerful format.

SHORT FILM | DOCUMENTARY

Any movie about a real-life person, event, community or culture, personal experiences, or even yourself related to issues of environment and its impact on us. Please search for "short film documentary" on Google for award-winning professional short films to get inspired.

SHORT FILM | ANIMATION

This category encompasses films created using various animation techniques, including computer-generated imagery, traditional hand-drawn animation, stop-motion with clay, or frame-by-frame animation methodologies. To gain insights into effective storytelling through animation, we recommend reviewing award-winning animated short films available online.

SHORT FILM | APPLICATION RULES

Teams of two students can submit short film projects
Films must be 3-6 minutes long. Include English subtitles for non-English films
Upload your film to YouTube using this title format: "Horizon Olympiad - YEAR: Title of the project". Submit the YouTube link in the MEDIA LINK section. Do not upload the video file directly
Create your own original content. You may use up to 20% web-sourced images with proper credits at the end. No image collages from the internet
Use English characters for file names, a maximum of 25 characters
Submission grants Horizon Olympiad usage rights to your work

SHORT FILM | Your Fair Experience

Your film will be showcased on a large screen for all participants to view. Rutgers University provides a desktop PC for playback, and you're welcome to bring your own computer with an HDMI adapter for optimal presentation.
Ensure seamless playback by bringing your film on a flash drive in multiple formats (Windows Media Player, FLV, MP4).
Take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your project between submission and fair presentation.
Prepare a concise 1-2 minute verbal presentation to introduce your film.
Feel free to refine your project between application and fair presentation.
Only students who participate will be recognized with awards if the project wins a top three place.
The judging area will be reserved for participants to ensure a fair evaluation.

SHORT FILM | JUDGING CRITERIA

Creativity: We evaluate how your project demonstrates innovation and fresh perspectives in its design
Story Flow: We look for narratives that command attention through compelling storytelling and seamless progression
Production Design: We assess how effectively your casting, location choices, costumes, and sets enhance the story
Emotional Impact/Audience Appeal: We measure your film's ability to create powerful emotional connections and leave lasting impressions
Technical Quality: We examine the professional execution of visuals, audio, lighting, camera work, and editing
Relevance: We consider how effectively your project addresses environmental issues at local, national, or global scales
Overall Quality: We evaluate your work as a complete artistic statement, assessing its ability to stand independently as a compelling piece of cinema