LIVE & DIRECT FILM FEST

The Live & Direct Film Festival™ is an opportunity for the youth to showcase their movie making skills. Many young people regularly produce movies that are then posted on websites such as YouTube and Facebook. We want to capture that interest and channel it to understand the "love of film or film making" through the eyes of youth filmmakers.

Who Can Participate?
The Live & Direct Film Festival™ is open to ALL YOUTH regardless of race, creed, or national origin that are currently enrolled in elementary school, middle school, high school or college. Suggested submissions and entry fees will be in one of four categories, elementary school ($20.00), middle school ($30.00), high school ($40.00) or college ($50.00). Film must be works directed and/or produced by elementary school, middle school, high school or college students. Adult supervision must be limited to an advisory capacity only.

All film (national and international) may be submitted into only one category; however, film makers may submit additional entries with separate forms and entry fees. All entries have specific time limits including titles and credits unless otherwise noted. The Live & Direct Film Festival is a family event therefore; NO ENTRIES MAY CONTAIN NUDITY, PROFANITY or EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE. Failure to adhere to these requirements will immediately disqualify entry and NO REFUNDS WILL BE AWARDED.

By submitting your entry to The Live & Direct Film Festival you give us full permission to download a digital copy of your video as well as playing it during the festival week via projector and online.

All films must be in the following format: What format does Live & Direct recommend for video uploads? Live & Direct accepts all major video formats. We transcode videos for playback compatibility and performance, and recommend that you use settings close to our output settings: Maximum video bitrate: 2200 Kbps, H.264, mp4 Audio bitrate: 128 Kbps, AAC Aspect ratio preserved; maximum video width of 1280 pixels.

"Official Selections" or film chosen for screening will be required to mail (2) DVD copies of their video for viewing during the festival screening. Submitter will receive 2 All-Access festival passes.

Animation – any animated movie, not more than 10 minutes
Comedy - any comedy film, not more than 10 minutes
Commercials – any 30 second commercial of local businesses*
Documentary – any documentary not more than 15 minutes
Feature – any narrative film not more than 30 minutes
Music Video – any music video not more than 4 minutes
Public Service Announcements – any 30 second PSA*
Science Fiction – any sci-fi film not more than 10 minutes
Short – any narrative short film not more than 15 minutes

*NOTE: The Live & Direct Film Festival suggests that all filmmakers submitting in the Commercial & Public Service Announcement categories partner with a local business or a non-profit entity to produce their submission. In cities and towns across America there are small businesses or groups that will support student filmmakers in exchange for a 30 second commercial. Additionally, it is strongly suggested that filmmakers research people, places, monuments and special-interest causes in their local area and consider subjects with historical significance for documentary submissions.

*NOTE: Film trailers are not eligible for consideration in any category.

The Live & Direct Film Festival Movie Poster Contest: The Live & Direct Film Festival Movie Poster Contest is open to all elementary school, middle school, high school and college students in two divisions, Film Division and Non-Film Division. Film Division: Movie posters based on an official Live & Direct Film Festival entry. Photographers, graphic designers, animators, multimedia artists, etc...partner with student film maker to create a movie poster based on the film maker's LADFF submission. The poster may be based on movie stills or may be a caricature design.

Non-Film Division: Movie posters created by photographers, graphic designers, animators, multimedia artists, etc... not based on an LADFF movie submission. The poster may be based on photos or may be a caricature design.

Rules & Terms
Film and/or movie posters must be submitted via LiveandDirectFest.com, by the specified deadline. Submissions will be screened by a qualified panel of judges. If your entry is chosen for screening or an award, we will contact you by email only.

More than one film or movie poster may be submitted in the appropriate category, however, each film or movie poster must be entered with a separate submission form and entry fee. All film and/or movie posters will be accepted for review and may be used at the discretion of the festival for promotional purposes, including but not limited to, screenings, workshops or in print for the sole purpose of promoting the festival.

This is a family event and the use of NUDITY, PROFANITY and VIOLENCE is strictly prohibited.

Participation in the festival, including the submission of film and/or movie posters via LiveandDirectFest.com, implies acceptance of all festival rules and regulations.

All submission fees are non-refundable. You can't alter your entries after the payment. Please review your work carefully before finalizing payment.