The South Texas International Film Festival Annual 48 HOUR Film Race
The STXIFF 48-Hour Film Race will kick off on Friday, August 30th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. Contestants will have 48 hours to write, film, edit, and upload their short films. The filmmakers that meet the 48-hour deadline will have their films screened at the 10th Annual South Texas International Film Festival and be eligible for awards.
The judges will award bonus points for creativity and ingenuity, so show us what you can create.
Important Dates
Registration: One (1) participant per film will register. Participants can register to compete August 1st, 2024 until August 27th, 2024 HERE. Registration is $25 per team payable at the Kick-off. Late registration will be available onsite on August 30th, spots are limited, so sign up early!
Kick-off: On Friday, August 30th, we will meet at the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium, 200 N 7th Ave, Edinburg, at 6:00 pm to go over the rules and guidelines and provide contestants with the three randomly selected elements that filmmakers must incorporate into their films. These elements include an object, a concept, and a filmmaking technique. The object will be something that can be created or found (e.g., “a letter”). Filmmakers must include the concept (e.g., “a lie”) in the story in a straightforward or creative way. The filmmaking technique (e.g., “cut to black”) must be used at least once in the film.
Upload: All films and documentation must be digitally delivered to STXIFF by or before 7:30 pm on Sunday, September 1, 2024.
Filmmaker must email a link to a cloud based storage folder (Google Drive preferred) to stxiff@edinburglibrary.us and copy arts@cityofedinburg.com. Do not email individual files. Confirm that your email has been sent by sending a screenshot text to 956-330-7542 by the deadline.
The cloud based storage folder should contain the film and required documentation.
Films should be in MP4 format. Name the film file - Title of the film and director’s initials.
Documentation: Each person participating in the film (crew and talent) must complete a Participation Release. Talent must also complete a Talent release in addition to the participation release. One roster must be submitted per film. If applicable - Edinburg Film Friendly locations, All documents must be submitted digitally through the cloud based storage folder.
Screening: All films submitted within the 48-hour time limit will be screened during the 10th Annual South Texas International Film Festival. No film should be publicly available online before the winner is announced.
Awards Ceremony: The STXIFF Film Race Awards take place within the STXIFF. Awards and prizes will be awarded and filmmakers are welcome to say a few words.
Awards
Best 48 Hour Film
Edinburg Film Friendly Award - must be filmed in Edinburg, TX. The City of Edinburg is a member of the Texas Film Commission’s Film Friendly Community program. If you filmed all or part of your 48 Hour Film in Edinburg, include in the cloud based storage folder a list of the Edinburg locations.
Other Awards and Recognition may be presented
Edinburg Film Friendly Award
EXPLORE EDINBURG Scout Locations
Edinburg Film Friendly Award - must be filmed in Edinburg, TX. The City of Edinburg is a member of the Texas Film Commission’s Film Friendly Community program. If you filmed all or part of your 48 Hour Film in Edinburg, include in the cloud based storage folder a list of the Edinburg locations.
Rules & Guidelines
Films must be under 3 minutes in length, including any credits. Films should be in MP4 format, H.264 codec. The film file should be named - Title of the film and director’s initials.
Filmmaker must live in Hidalgo, Starr, Willacy, or Cameron Counties.
Films must be created during the 48-hour time frame of the contest to be eligible for awards.
Any stock music, graphics, or other assets must be used with proper permission or licensing.
A Jury of industry professionals will determine the winners, excluding possible audience awards. All decisions will be final and unappealable and announced during the 48-Hour Film Race Screening and Award Ceremony.
Volunteers, staff, and employees of the STXIFF, Dustin Sekula Memorial Library, City of Edinburg, or Edinburg Arts Foundation may not compete in the film race in any role. This includes but is not limited to actresses, actors, directors, writers, producers, or any other member of the production team of the film.
Any other situation not considered in these submission guidelines will be reviewed by the South Texas International Film Festival.
We recommend you carefully review these guidelines, and email stxiff@edinburglibrary.us if you have any additional questions.
Release. Filmmaker grants permission to the City of Edinburg to use your film and any images of Filmmaker or Filmmaker’s Film as part of any video project at its sole and complete discretion. Such use includes, without limitation, any and all recordings and formats now or in the future of the South Texas International Film Festival, the display, distribution, publication, transmission, or otherwise use of recordings, photographs, images, and/or video recorded or taken of Filmmaker and/or including Film during the South Texas International Film Festival. Additionally, filmmaker guarantees that all actors and members of the team are at least 18 years of age or older, or can supply written parental/guardian approval for underage participants.
To the maximum extent allowed by law, Filmmaker hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless and defend the city, its agents, employees, and officers from and against any claim, loss, damage, liability, and expense, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred or suffered by it, by reason of any and all claims, demands, or causes of action asserted or that may be asserted, against any or all of the above-named parties, whether alleging intentional or negligent acts or omissions, and whether seeking compensatory or punitive damages, and involving, arising out of, or relating to this and any other claims against any staff member of City of Edinburg relating hereto.
