Iowa Thespian FilmWorks

At festival, delegates will have the chance to see select short films from the Thespy Award competition. The short films presented in the FilmWorks event will be previewed and critiqued by judges prior to festival. Films must be submitted online by November 1 to be critiqued by judges prior to the festival. Students will use the Thespy registration portal to submit their short film.

Short Films that receive “Superior” ratings also qualify for the International Thespian Excellence Awards competition at the International Thespian Festival. 

NOTE: Short Films submitted for the Thespy competition will automatically be eligible for inclusion in the Iowa Thespian Festival FilmWorks event - no additional registration is required after students submit their video through the Thespy registration portal.

STUDENTS: CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR SHORT FILM IN THE THESPY AWARDS PORTAL

SHORT FILM GUIDELINES

All of these guidelines are aligned with the International Thespian Excellence Awards (Thespys) program. If you have questions on the rules, contact our Thespy Award Coordinator, Aaron Dean, at adean@dbqschools.org.

Short Film
In Short Film, the skills measured are:
  • The ability to create opening and closing titles, credits, and graphics that orient the viewer to the story
  • The ability to visually develop a story with dialogue
  • Camera, lighting, and sound use
  • Editing, including scene length and flow
  • The emotional and physical believability of the acting
  • The filmmaker’s use of film elements to create a successful product.
 
Films can be no longer than five minutes plus one minute for credits.  Films must be of original content and may be a collaboration among entrants (up to 16 students).
 
Short Film Execution:  Entrant must demonstrate:
  • Proper use of title cards and credits within the five-minute time limit
  • Properly executed camera angles and shot variation to enhance the storyline and finished product
  • Control over lighting exposures for clarity, storytelling, and a professional finished product
  • The ability to capture, record, and manipulate all audio aspects of your production
  • Controlled and manufactured editing choices that enhance the overall storytelling
  • The ability to complete a storyline which includes a clear arc (beginning, middle, and end).
 
Short Film Requirements:
  • Music used in short films must be original, in the public domain, and/or properly credited.
    • If in the public domain or original, proper credit must be listed in the credits.
    • If it is not in the public domain or original, proper credit must be in the credits AND proof of payment for the rights to the music must be documented and shared with the adjudicators.
  • Material deemed by the adjudicator(s) to be obscene or disruptive may receive lower ratings or, in some extreme cases, may result in disqualification.
  • If the film receives an overall superior rating at the state level, it may be uploaded to YouTube for national judging.
  • Films must be submitted online by November 1 to be critiqued by judges prior to the state festival. 
  • Mark your video’s YouTube privacy setting as either Public or Unlisted so the URL may be shared with judges (do not select Private or the judges will be unable to view the film)
  • Use the Thespy Award portal to submit the YouTube URL for your film. All fields are required.
  • The films will be viewed and critiqued by the judges prior to the Iowa Thespian Festival
  • At the Iowa Thespian Festival, the top ranked films will be shown during the Iowa Thespian FilmWorks presentation for all festival participants.

Festival Quick Links
IOWA THESPIANS
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Our mission is to honor student achievement in theatre and enrich the educational experience, to support educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition, and to influence public opinion and policy-makers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.
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We are passionate about theatre education and believe all students should have access to theatre curriculum which provides critical life skills for educational and career success in the 21st century.

Questions? Contact our Chapter Director Lynn Jensen at jensenlynna@gmail.com