Smartphone Filmmaking Competition FAQ

love in the 21st century

smartphone filmmaking competition 
presented with the support of idb

FILMCO in partnership with IDB announces our first smartphone short film competition for filmmakers aged between 15 and 25. We’re looking for stories about love in the 21st Century – familial, platonic or romantic. We encourage filmmakers to produce creative stories that posit ideas of peace and harmony; stories that connect us, regardless of gender, race, sexuality, class or disability. This is a chance for young and emerging filmmakers to tell your unique stories about what love in the 21st Century looks like to you. The top three films will be screened during ttff/22 with the winning filmmaker receiving a starter camera package sponsored by IDB. 

  1. What is a narrative film?
  2. What equipment am I allowed to use?
  3. Can I submit a film that was made before July 2022?
  4. Can I submit my film after the deadline?
  5. When will the winner be announced?
  6. What is a director’s statement?
  7. What is a synopsis?
  8. What is a film still?
  9. Who do I contact if I have any questions?

1. What is a narrative film?
A narrative film tells a story with a clear plot and character and has a particular structure. Each part of a narrative film (dialogue, action, etc) serves to move the story along. Some examples of narrative films are Green Days By The River and The Cutlass.
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2. What equipment am I allowed to use?
All footage must be captured by a smartphone camera, but any other equipment can be used for audio, lighting, and editing  
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3. Can I submit a film that was made before July 2022?
No, the film must have been shot between July 1st 2022 and August 30th 2022
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4. Can I submit my film after the deadline?
No, films will not be accepted if submitted after the 30th August, 2022, at 11.59pm.
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5. When will the winner be announced?
The competition winner will be announced during the ttff/22 awards ceremony (27 September)
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6. What is a director’s statement?
This is a written description by the director explaining their motive and vision for making this particular film.

7. What is a synopsis?
This is a brief summary of what happens in the film
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8. What is a film still?
These are pictures taken during filming of the actors in costume and on set. Note that film stills are not the same as behind-the-scenes photos as those would typically show crew and equipment being used.
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9. Who do I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any more questions feel free to email Mikayla at distribution@filmco.org, or call us at either 1.868.323.3228 or 1.868.227.8458
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Belmont, Port of Spain,
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Tel: 1.868.323.3228